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River Alness

The outlet from Loch Morie is partially controlled by a barrage which provides compensation flow through periods of low rainfall. From the loch the River Alness has a course of another 11 miles (18 km) to its mouth on the Cromarty Firth below the town of Alness. It has one of the steepest descents (over 600 ft) of any river of comparable length in Scotland, although there is no significant waterfall.

Through the upper beats, the river flows through open moorland with conifer plantation and birch woodland, first over gravel beds where feeder streams provide significant spawning areas, before descending more rapidly through deeply bedded schists with more clearly defined pools.

Approximately 3 miles (5 km) downstream from the loch, the main river is joined on the north bank by the River Rusdale (Blackwater) tributary. The river then flows through woodland and permanent grassland. For the last 4 miles or so (6 km) the river cuts through old red sandstone and conglomerates, providing dramatic holding pools for salmon, before reaching the town of Alness.

The season begins on 11th February and continues until 31st October. The Alness has a small spring run of salmon and sea trout from late April until early June, and the first main grilse run is expected in late June. The most productive part of the season is generally from early July through until the end of October.

The salmon fishing on the River Alness is owned or controlled by 4 parties. Novar Estate own the majority of the fishings which are split into 2 different stretches of water. The upper Novar beats start below Loch Morie and extend for about 3 miles (5 km). Kildermorie Estate have recently acquired about 0.8 miles (1.3 km) of fishing directly below the upper Novar beats and Ardross Castle own a stretch of about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) below the Kildermorie waters to the boundary with the lower Novar beats which extend for about 4 miles (6.2 km). Alness Angling Club have access to about 1.5 miles (3 km) of fishing directly below the lower Novar beats to the estuary on the Cromarty Firth.

The River Alness typically produces rod catches of 500-700 salmon & grilse per year of which about two thirds are caught on the private Novar Estate beats.

The Alness is not a particularly wide river, and a 12 to 13 foot AFTM #8/10 double-handed rod is generally sufficient. In summer months, great sport can be had with a 10 to 11 ft AFTM #7/8 single-handed rod.

Our favourite flies for low water conditions are shrimp patterns such as Ally's Shrimp and Cascade Shrimp, Stoat's Tail (and variants), Munro Killer, Willie Gunn, Alness Thunder and Collie Dog (and variants). Towards the end of the season and in higher water conditions, 1" to 2" tube flies such as Willie Gunn, Garry Dog and Ally's Shrimp are preferred.

Suggested Tackle

The River Alness also has good runs of sea trout in summer months offering exciting night-time fishing, though the Novar beats have been very lightly fished in recent years.

A 3lb Alness Sea Trout

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