Salmon Fishing Scotland Humour.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Humour.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Humour.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Humour.
This angler is in a bit of trouble. What could the caption be?

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay Salmon Fisheries Board.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay Salmon Fisheries Board.
This is John Milligan's (Chairman of the Tay Salmon Fishery Board) reply to the Article placed in the Scotsman last week and featured on the blog below.

Salmon far from extinct

I am surprised and disappointed by comments that the Tay is being "fished to extinction" and that "the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board is to blame" (your report, 19 November).

Certainly, 2007 has been a disappointing year for the middle, although not the lowest, reaches of the Tay, but I should point out that 2006 was the best year for catches for 12 years, with more spring salmon caught than on any other river in the UK, and that all fish counters showed large numbers of fish in the Tay system. This hardly suggests a river facing "extinction".

The part that the board is playing in trying to regenerate the Garry; the fact over one million salmon raised in our hatchery are stocked out into the Tay and its tributaries each year; the fact several projects, large and small, have been designed to open up reaches of the Tay system that have been impassable to fish for many years; and that measures have been and are being undertaken to improve spawning areas in many of the Tay tributaries, all suggest the board is extremely active in seeking to conserve and improve stocks.

JOHN MILLIGAN, Chairman, Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board, Cromwellpark, Perth

Salmon Fishing Scotland River Garry Latest News.

Salmon Fishing Scotland River Garry Latest News.
This post will give you the latest news on the River Garry situation.
There was a Landward program on the BBC last night that highlighted the problems on the river Garry. It can be accessed by clicking here then scrolling down the page and clicking onto watch Ken's report.
Also for the latest news on the river Garry view the Tay District fisheries board web site.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Humour.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Humour.
Geordie happens across a man fishing Catholes on a Sunday. Geordie asks man what he is doing, guy replies "I'm just fishing", for what asks Geordie, "ony thing that comes along", what you fishing with asks Geordie, "a tattie" comes the reply.
Reel in and let me see, on inspection sure enough there hangs a Golden Wonder. Geordie thinks "nutcase" and says he can carry on as obviously prospects of catch are impossible.
That night in the Strathord Geordie pops in for a libation, at the bar sits the "nutcase" with a sack at his feet. Geordie enquiries what is in said sack, on opening there are six sea-liced grilse. Geordie says "you didnae catch them with the tattie did you"
"NO" replies the nutcase, "YOU ARE THE ONLY B****ER I CAUGHT WI' THE TATTIE".

All rights J MacBeth, Perth

Salmon Fishing Scotland Humour.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Humour.
With all the Catch and Release debate some humour is called for.

CATCH 22
A couple goes on vacation to a fishing resort in northern Minnesota.
The husband likes to fish at the crack of dawn. The wife likes to read.

One morning the husband returns after several hours of fishing and
decides to take a short nap. Although she isn't familiar with the lake,
the wife decides to take the boat.

She motors out a short distance, anchors, and continues to read her
book. Along comes the game warden in his boat. He pulls up alongside
her and says,"Good morning, Ma'am, what are you doing?"

"Reading my book," she replies, thinking isn't that obvious?

"You're in a restricted fishing area," he informs her.

"But officer, I'm not fishing. Can't you see that?"

"Yes, but you have all the equipment. I'll have to take you in and
write you up."

"If you do that, I'll have to charge you with rape," says the woman.

"But I haven't even touched you," says the game warden.

"That's true, but you do have all the equipment."

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catch and Release.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catch and Release.
This was an article in the Scotsman this week.
I would certainly be interested in your comments on this.

Tay salmon stocks 'facing extinction'
KURT BAYER

SCOTLAND'S world-famous "queen" of salmon rivers is being fished to extinction, according to its ghillies, who are pleading with its fisheries board to implement new laws to save its depleted fish stocks.

Anglers from across the world have flocked to Perthshire for decades to fish for Atlantic salmon in Scotland's longest and most renowned river, the Tay.

But the Tay Ghillies Association has revealed it has been "a dreadfully poor salmon fishing season", with catches down by 50 per cent and expected to fall even further next season. The association accuses the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board of ignoring a number of warning signs.

A spokesman for the Tay Ghillies Association said: "The annual catch numbers on the River Tay this year with rod and line will not amount to any more than 6,000 fish. The Dee, which is a fraction of the size of the Tay, with a fraction of the anglers, are set to do 5,000."

However, David Summers, of the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board, said: "The idea that the Tay has completely collapsed is grossly overblown."

He said the policy of catch-and-release needed strengthening, adding: "For next season we are advocating that, in the spring, you must put back the first fish every day and you may keep the next one.

"We currently ask that anglers not fish with worms before the end of May and certainly not in September and October. However, we are reviewing this policy."

In Scotland, 85,901 salmon were reported caught in 2006, with 47,471 - 55 per cent of the total catch - being released.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catch and Release.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catch and Release.
Thank you for all your comments and keep them coming.
There certainly is a lot of diverse opinions on this emotive subject.
I certainly would agree that it would be better to solve this on a voluntary basis without bringing in mandatory catch and release policy from the Scottish Executive. If the Tay does not achieve a far better percentage this coming season I fear the worst because everyone at government level is watching the Tay very closely.
The Tay Proprietors will have adopt the Tay Boards guide lines and help the Ghillies
as up until now it has been the individuals choice whether to return a fish or not.
Just a thought, If far more fish are released then just think of the millions of extra eggs being released throughout the system which would be even more effect than the Hatchery and secure the future for years to come. Rivers have to produce that much more nowadays to get the same returns due to the sea mortality which is out of our control.

Loch Tay Scotland

Loch Tay Scotland photograph by Sandy Stevenson at Tour Scotland Blog.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catch and Release.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catch and Release Policy on the Tay Perthshire Scotland.
There are proposals being made by the Tay Salmon Fisheries Board for the coming season in view of the poor catch and release figures over the last couple of years.
The official 2006 catch figures for Scottish rivers were published recently by the Scottish Government. They make encouraging reading because the total catch of nearly 12,000 on the Tay was our best for several years, but behind this figure lies a matter of major concern. Only 35% of the fish were returned alive. As the national average is 55%, many other rivers do much better than the Tay.
Proposed changes to apply in 2008.

Before 31 May
The first fish caught each day by each individual angler must be returned. Each individual angler then has the option of keeping one subsequent fish only, per day.

From 1 June
All hen fish to be returned. The aim should then be to return at least 50% of cock fish caught, in particular cock fish weighing over 15 lbs.

Throughout the year
All coloured fish are to be returned.

For an effective Catch and release policy what is your view on Worming?
I think it goes without saying there should be no worming until the end of May to avoid hooking Kelts.
Should the worm be banned from September to avoid hooking coloured hens?
Please give me your views.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring 2008.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring in 2008 on the Stanley Perthshire Scotland beats.
Days and permits are now available on the Stanley beats for the coming season.
There are Guided days on Pitlochrie and Catholes beats with boats and Ghillies.
We are also doing a Spring permit from mid january through to the end of april on Luncarty and Benchil which will be bank only. The permit will cost £120.00 for 60 available days fishing. This coming season the days available are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on Luncarty both banks and Thursdays on Benchil both banks. Should you be interested in this offer please contact me directly.

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

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