Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing Beat at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing Beat at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
This is the day before the five foot spate. The river was at 4 inches then after the rain it came up like a tidal wave. The river rose 5 feet in 3 or 4 hours.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing Beat at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing Beat at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
At last a 5 foot spate but unfortunately 2 weeks late. This should allow the fish to get up the river to spawn. The leaves are fast disappearing now but they have been superb this year.

Salmon Fishing Scotland River Ness Monster Atlantic Salmon.

Salmon Fishing Scotland River Ness Monster Atlantic Salmon.
This is another picture of the well talked about monster from the river Ness. I think now they are saying the fish weighed about 45lbs. Incidently this fish was landed on the fly and full marks to the captures as they had no hesitation in returning it to the river.
This part was reported by Ian Neale from Morayshire and gives a good account of the fish on the Ness.
Don Milne from Aberdeen, hooked, landed and released a monster cock salmon of well over forty-five pounds on Saturday, 13th October, 2007 whilst fishing Dochfour Beat. The salmon was in advanced spawning livery and was caught on a ½ inch Loop tube Ally Shrimp in Burnmouth Pool. Don tells me that it took some forty minutes to bring it to the net, wielded by Grant Sutherland, Head Ghillie. It was kept it in the water at all times, and swam away quite happily after being held in the current for only a couple of minutes.

There were five witnesses, including two ghillies and three fishers and none of them had ever seen a fish of this size. Don has had fish of up to 29 lbs, and has seen fish into the mid thirties of pounds, however, this fish was very substantially larger. Don stated that he had never seen any Atlantic salmon of such proportions. Measurements of the fish were taken with separate pieces of nylon leader, which were later measured against a tape measure. The length from point of nose to the vee of the tail was fifty-six inches and the girth was fifty inches, however, there may be a degree of inaccuracy in these measurements since the fish was kept in the water at all times. It is indeed, encouraging to know that in this day and age, Scotland salmon fishing is still capable of producing potential record breakers and it is heartening to know that the salmon was released unharmed, hopefully to spawn successfully and augment the brood stock of big Ness fish.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing Beat at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing Beat at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
Looking up the Horsey pool on the Pitlochrie beat from the skellies.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing Beat at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing Beat at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
The Corner pool on the Pitlochrie beat at Stanley.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing Beat at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing Beat at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
The Black stones on the Catholes beat at Stanley. A great cast with the fly in the Spring and Autumn.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing Beat at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing Beat at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
The tail of the Catholes.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing Beat at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing Beat at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
The Skellies on the Benchil beat just below Stanley.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing Beat at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing Beat at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing Beat at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing Beat at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing Beat at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing Beat at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing Beat at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing Beat at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Atlantic Salmon Threat.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Atlantic Salmon Threat.
King of fish threatened
IAN JOHNSTON

THERE are few natural predators capable of catching a fully grown mature salmon. A dolphin is capable of hunting down the king of fish but would probably prefer easier prey; seals are a risk in confined areas where the salmon can be trapped, particularly during colder months. But this powerful creature, when fully grown, is superbly equipped to out-swim almost anything else in the sea.

Humans also pose only a limited threat: it is only "lightly fished" and while a few are caught in nets meant for the likes of mackerel and herring this is not thought to make a significant dent in their numbers.
Advert for Birmingham Midshire Savings Account

So it may come as a surprise to some to learn that when salmon leave Scotland's rivers and travel to traditional feeding grounds in the Norwegian Sea and off Greenland, they are being slaughtered as never before.

Forty years ago, nearly half the smolts leaving freshwater for salt would return to breed. Now as few as 10 per cent of fish are succeeding in making the same journey.

And, according to a new study of returning fish, there is further bad news: those that do return are becoming thinner and thinner. This is alarming because salmon stop feeding and rely on fat reserves to make their epic trip back to the headwaters of their birth river to breed. The females also rely on stored fat to make eggs.

The reason for this alarming picture appears to be changes in the distribution of plankton populations - caused by climate change - which mean there is less food for the salmon while at sea.

Surveys of the numbers of salmon going out to sea and returning have been carried out on the North Esk since 1964 by Fisheries Research Services staff. Scientists have noted a "marked upward trend in marine mortality rate over the period in which monitoring was carried out" (see graph).

And the new study by Professor Chris Todd of thousands of grilse - young salmon which have spent a single winter at sea - found that over the last ten years, the average weight of the fish fell by 11 to 14 per cent.

Prof Todd, a marine ecologist at St Andrews University who was speaking at an Atlantic Salmon Trust conference on the fate of salmon at sea in Edinburgh yesterday, told The Scotsman: "Our analyses indicate that this is closely linked to ocean climate warming in the north-east Atlantic. Probably we are seeing the effects of a lack of feeding for salmon at sea, arising from temperature-driven shifts in the distribution of the plankton communities upon which salmon depend.

"It is likely that the salmon still are migrating to the correct part of the ocean, but when they get there the food simply is not available to them."

The worst affected are up to 30 per cent underweight and fat reserves have been found to be 80 per cent below those of a salmon in good condition.

"To ensure the future of wild salmon in an ever-changing environment we do need to especially encourage anglers to release as many females as possible to give them a chance of successfully spawning," Prof Todd said.

Some might think the decline of the salmon is being linked to climate change by those eager to convince the public of the need to cut carbon emissions. But Richard Shelton, research director at the trust, does not believe in "anthropogenic" global warming and is convinced the changing climate is the salmon's main problem. He cited seals, sea lice from fish farms and bycatch by fishing boats as factors, but said: "My own view - and I think it is the view of nearly all the marine scientists who have looked into it - is if there is any one reason, it is problems finding food relatively early in their lives driven by changes in the marine climate.

"There is no short-term answer to it even if you believe anthropogenic forces are the main reason behind climate change and I don't believe that."

A lack of food means the marine salmon are finding it increasingly difficult grow into the giant super-fish it is capable of becoming. A smaller, weaker, slower salmon is easier prey.

"Fish just don't die of old age at sea," Dr Shelton said. "They die of being predated one way or another or being caught by a fishery. The longer you are small, the greater the range of predators capable of catching you."

The Scotsman's manifesto to protect the seas

THE Scotsman has launched a campaign for urgent steps to be taken to protect our precious marine life.

We want:

• a network of marine reserves and protected areas to be created to safeguard properly sites such as St Kilda, one of just 30 marine World Heritage Sites, the Sound of Mull, an important area for whales and dolphins, and Loch Sween with its lagoons and tidal rapids;

• a system of marine planning, effectively zoning areas for appropriate use, to safeguard important fishing grounds from offshore wind farms and other developments and allow humans to exploit the seas in the most sustainable way;

• a single marine management organisation for Scottish waters to ensure this system operates as efficiently as possible;

• Scotland should also be given control of conservation to the 200-mile boundary with international waters. At present, the Scottish Government controls out to 12 miles, with the UK government responsible for the waters beyond that.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing Beat at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing Beat at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
Glorious Autumn colours at Stanley.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland End on the Season.

Salmon Fishing Scotland End on the Season at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
This is the boats being taken out the river after a long hard season on the Tay to be washed out and stored in our boat shed until mid January for the 2008 season.

Salmon Fishing Scotland British Record Atlantic Salmon.

Salmon Fishing Scotland British Record Atlantic Salmon.

Ness monster is ultimate fishy tale
FRANK URQUHART (furquhart@scotsman.com)

THE massive salmon landed briefly on the banks of the River Ness at the weekend was, by any measure, a "monster" of the deep.

And yesterday Britain's angling world was a hotbed of speculation that the UK's historic rod catch record, set by the young daughter of a Scottish ghillie 85 years ago, might finally be smashed.
Click here to find out more!

Georgina Ballantyne made headlines around the world in 1922 when she landed a gargantuan salmon, weighing in at an incredible 64lb, on the Glendelvine stretch of the River Tay.

Her catch set the record for both the largest salmon ever caught in the British Isles, as well as the heaviest freshwater fish landed by an angler in British waters.

It was a record which no angling expert believed could be broken in modern times - until rumours began circulating on angling websites about the River Ness monster which had been hooked and then released on the Highland river on Saturday.

The first weblog, posted on Saturday night, revealed: "There has just been a huge cock salmon caught on Dochfour beat of the River Ness this afternoon.

"It was returned unharmed to the river. I've been told it has been photographed and measured accurately at56in long and 50in around the girth. This fish seemingly measures two inches longer then the current British record salmon of 64lb, and Ness fish are as deep as Tay fish, so we could at this stage be looking at a new record."

Another angler wrote: "Congratulations to the man or woman who caught the monster - a fish of a lifetime - one we all strive for in our dreams."

As the speculation grew and the possible weight of the monster catch fluctuated from 40lb to a possible 112lb The Scotsman managed to track down the ghillie who had helped to net the massive King of Fish.

And Grant Sutherland admitted that the angling party had no way of confirming the actual weight of the monster catch as the only set of scales they had on the river bank could only weigh up to 30lb.

He said: "I was there when it was caught and we are currently waiting an expert's option on the weight of it. The man who caught it is an experienced angler and his reaction was one of shock. It took about 45 minutes to land.

"But the chap who caught the fish doesn't want to say anything until we have been given a weight. At the moment it is all getting blown out of proportion, to be honest."

Mr Sutherland, who has been ghillie on the Dochfour beat for 20 years, continued: "I have never come across a fish like that before. We couldn't weigh the salmon because we didn't have scales big enough.

All I can say is that the measured length was 56in. It was the biggest fish I've ever seen - by a mile."

The angling party have sent pictures of the giant salmon to the government's Freshwater Laboratory at Faskally, near Pitlochry, in Perthshire, in the hope that marine experts may be able to assess the weight of the fish.

But last night any lingering hopes that a new record could be set were completely dashed by the body responsible for sanctioning angling records in the British Isles.

David Rowe, the secretary of the British Record Fish Committee, said: "Unfortunately, photographic evidence will not be enough to set a record.

"Three criteria have to be met to set a record. One is witness to capture which I guess is fine. The second is identification which we can do from photographs and that will be OK.

"But the other is that it has to be weighed on land on scales that can be certified and so it would fall down on that count. So it can't stand as a record."

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fly Fishing on the Tay Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fly Fishing on the Tay Perthshire Scotland.
Neil Tong from Perth realeasing a big fresh Tay salmon at the Sawmill stream on the Stormont Angling Club water just above Perth. Neil caught his fish Fly Fishing and is a true sportsman.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fly Fishing on the Tay Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fly Fishing on the Tay Perthshire Scotland.
Neil Tong caught this cracking sea liced cock salmon in the Sawmill stream on the Stormont Angling Club water just above Perth Fly Fishing. The salmon was released back to the river unharmed.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon at Stanley.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
Craig Cook playing a salmon on a spinner in Cawn Pore on the Pitlochrie beat of the Tay at Stanley.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon at Stanley.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
Craig Cook with a fresh grilse from Cawn Pore on the Pitlochrie beat of the Tay at Stanley spinning a Flying C.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fly Fishing at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fly Fishing at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon at Stanley.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
Craig Cook playing a salmon in the Skellies spinning on the Benchil beat of the lower Tay at Stanley.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
The top of the Long Shot looking upstream to the Todd Holes on the Benchil beat of the lower Tay.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon Fly Fishing at Stanley.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon Fly Fishing at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
Alan McCaig with a salmon from the Long Shot pool of the Benchil beat of the lower Tay caught Fly Fishing.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon at Stanley.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
Mrs Charlotte Gifford playing a salmon in Horsey Spinning from the boat. The Salmon was released.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Dippers.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Dippers.
This is a Dipper which you will see at the rivers edge on most days when you are out casting a line across the silvery Tay. For more information on this bird click here.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
The Autumn colours on the trees looking down from Horsey to Benchil below Stanley.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon Fly Fishing at Stanley.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon Fly Fishing at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
Ian Law from Luncarty with a fine salmon caught fly fishing in the Woodside on the Pitlochrie beat. The fish was returned to the river.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon Fly Fishing at Stanley.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon Fly Fishing at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
Ian Law playing a salmon in the woodside on the Pitlochrie beat fly fishing.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon Fly Fishing at Stanley.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon Fly Fishing at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
David Birch with a fresh grilse from the Long Shot pool of the Benchil beat of the lower Tay caught Fly Fishing from the boat. This was David's first Tay salmon for 19 years.

Salmon Fishing Scotland 2008.

Salmon Fishing Scotland 2008.
We are now into the last week of the Tay's 2007 season but it will not be long until the 2008 season. It has been a hard season on the Tay with the runs being latter than normal and also the lack of water at the end of the season when you would expect a spate or two. Still I am sure you all have made the most of it and will be looking forward to the 2008 season with high expectation as I will. I will be putting up our current availability soon on the fishtay website for next season and I will advise you all of that as soon as I do it. Tight lines for the rest of this season.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon Fly Fishing at Stanley.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon Fly Fishing at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
Trevor McCann hooks a large salmon from the boat in the woodside on the Pitlochrie beat fly fishing at Stanley.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon Fly Fishing at Stanley.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon Fly Fishing at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
Trevor McCann finally lands a good Salmon after an epic battle in the woodside fly fishing from the boat.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon Fly Fishing at Stanley.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon Fly Fishing at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
Trevor McCann finally holds up a cracking Autumn salmon caught in the Woodside fly fishing from the boat. The fish weighed eighteen pounds and put up a tremendous fight.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
This is the view looking up stream to the Mill at Stanley on the lower half of the Pitlochrie beat. It starts at the top of Horsey, them the Woodside and up to the Mill in low water conditions.

Salmon Fishing Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland.
This was an image created by the clouds last saturday. Is it a bear in the sky or are things starting to get to me!

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
This is the view looking down from Stanley to the tail of Horsey on the Pitlochrie beat and to the skellies and beyond on the Benchil beat on a cracking Autumn day.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
Peter Foster's party on the last day of a week at Stanley on the lower Tay. The Party had 25 Salmon for the week which was good going in difficult low water conditions. Over half the salmon caught were returned to the river. Well done guys.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
This is the view from the Tod Holes looking up the Benchil beat below Stanley.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon at Stanley.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
David Brown with his first salmon from the Benchil beat on a spinner.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon at Stanley.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
Mick Beham with a fresh salmon from the long Shot pool of the Benchil beat of the lower Tay at Stanley Spinning.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
An Autumn scene at Benchil on the lower Tay below Stanley.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon at Stanley.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
Peter Foster playing a salmon on the Benchil beat of the lower Tay at Stanley Spinning.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing at Benchil Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
Peter Foster with a lovley fresh Salmon from the Benchil Beat of the lower Tay spinning.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon at Stanley.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
David Downes playing a salmon spinning in the long shot pool of the Benchil beat of the lower Tay below Stanley.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
Girls day out on the boat at Benchil! What is all the fuss about this fishing lark?

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon at Stanley.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Salmon at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.
Peter Foster playing his second salmon of the day in the Long Shot pool of the Benchil beat of the Tay below Stanley using a spinner. The Party had five salmon and a sea trout for the day but only kept one fish. The rest were all returned safely to the river.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing on the Pitlochrie beat of the lower Tay at Stanley Perthshire Scotland.