Fort William Fishery Salmon
Our Salmon - Springers, May Salmon, Grilse, Back End Salmon, Sea-Trout
 Springers
They begin running in January. If the river is low enough they will slow up and hold in our beats. However if the water is high all is not lost, as our recent river works have improved our early season high water "salmon lies". Spinning is more effective in high water. Once the river drops below 0.6m on our gauge, the fly will fish well. Springers lie very deep and fishermen must be prepared to get their lures right on the bottom to stand a good chance.
May Salmon
These larger fish can begin running as early as mid April onwards and once again will hold if the water is low enough. This run normally lasts until the second week of June and these fish weigh 9 - 20 lbs.
Grilse
 The main run can start from mid May onwards, till the second week in July. Fish average 4.5 lbs. The first few runs travel fast through the downstream beats but if levels drop below 0.5m on our gauge, they will slow up enough and take well on our beats.
Back End Salmon
These fish range from 6 - 20 lbs, with a sprinkling of Grilse and begin to come in from mid July onwards. Runs of these fish will depend on getting floods and a good constant height of water. Even in high water, these fish will hold well on the lower beats. Fishing can be excellent even in high water.
Sea-Trout
Run from late June onwards till late August. They are very much under rated on our beats. Ideal conditions are warm, calm summer evenings and low, clear water. Average weight 1.5 lbs but fish up to 5lbs are caught. A Sea Trout of 8 lbs was caught on fly 2001 season on the Ellis Beat.
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