The previous owners of Bowside have fished the Strathy very lightly and the fishery has great unrealised potential.

In common with its more well known watershed neighbours, the rivers Halladale, and Naver, The Strathy is a spate river . It flows north from its large catchment area and the main source, Loch Strathy approximately 12 miles to the Pentland Firth/ North Sea at Strathy Bay.

These northern rivers are not affected by any of the pollution's of the fish farming enterprises that are currently prejudicing so many rivers.

Bowside is just 3 miles upstream from the sea where the salmon and sea trout congregate in the bay awaiting a rise in water allowing easy access for them into the system. Fishing during, and after one, of these spates can be highly productive although there are a number of deeper holding pools on the lower river which can produce sport through the drier periods, if approached with stealth.
See beat map for details.

The river has only been fished for a handful of days each season but 3 spates produced 69 salmon and grilse during the 98 season.

The Bowside beats are fly only and comprise 2 rotating beats totalling just under 2.5 miles of exclusive double bank fishing. It is also possible to fish the lower 3 miles of the river by arrangement.

For a change of scene, especially in low water conditions, anglers may also fish in Strathy Bay for the sea trout or, by arrangement, in one of the many named hill lochs for wild brown trout (boat and bank). There is also under-exploited deep sea fishing on hand at the local harbours.

A fishing guide or ghillie can be arranged for both the river and loch fishing. It should also be noted that there is good vehicular access alongside the river to the car parking areas giving those less fit amongst us an opportunity to reach several named prime pools.

More detailed information on tackle, flies and general terms and conditions is available on request

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