Where are all the sea trout?

Just back from our much anticipated annual week on the Spey at Kinchurdy near Boat of Garten. after its wonderful sea trout. Anticipation was high on our first night with ideal conditions of low water and warm weather. Fishing with John and Ian, our usual crew on this week hopes were high. However rumours were of poor catches throughout the river so it was with mixed hopes we began fishing at midnight. Sport was slow and I lost a fish in Shepherd's after an hour or so, but eventually had a good hook up with a strong fish which turned out to be a salmon of around 7lb, returned. Sport remained slow but reasonably steady for the first 3 nights, with 9 sea trout landed and at least that number lost, however at this time of year and in these conditions we would expect many more. Then disaster. On the Wednesday the rain arrived late in the day, heavy and persistent, and by late evening the river began to rise quickly, up to 2ft 3in, completely spoiling sport. Apart from one solid offer which came off that night, we had no further sport with the sea trout for the remainder of the week, though a couple more salmon lightened the mood, with a real beauty of 12.5lb for Ian on the last afternoon.
Overall a disappointing week, looks like the stories of a poor sea trout run this year are true. Ah well, always next year!

Ian's last afternoon salmon