Early start today. Alarm went off at 5:30. Loaded up the gear, grabbed a quick coffee, and pointed the car toward David’s place, arriving right at 7.

From there we headed south across the moors, eventually picking up the Loch Ness road on the west side and continuing down toward Fort Augustus. The morning drive had that classic Highland feel—big open country, low clouds hanging on the hills, and hardly another soul on the road.

We made our way down to the river, geared up, and stepped in at the Rock Pool. From there we worked downstream to Camelon, where an 11-pound fish had been taken the day before—always enough news to keep the anticipation level high.

After a few passes we stopped for a wee lunch at the car, then dropped into the pool called Canada and later down to Park Pool. I had one offer on the second pass through Canada—just enough to remind you there are fish about and keep the mind turning over what you might try next.

By late afternoon we finished the day working back through Camelon one more time before calling it.

On the way out we stopped in Fort Augustus for some proper chippy—fish and chips at Monster Fish & Chips Bar, which is about as close to a “world famous” chippy as you’ll find in that little town.

From there it was the scenic route home, driving north along the length of Loch Ness before turning east and climbing back over the hills through Beauly.

I said farewell to David and made the forty-minute drive back to the Muthu Newton Hotel, rolling in around 8 PM.

All in all, a full and satisfying day on a very fine river. The water started the morning running a bit high, but by the end of the day it had dropped at least a foot—maybe more. One of those days where the fish kept their secrets, but the place itself made the trip worthwhile