Salmon Fishing Scotland 2008 January Flood.
Video of the 17 foot or 5.5 meter flood at Stanley,Perthshire,Scotland on the river Tay.
This was an amusing comment posted which relates to the flooding.
It had been raining for days and days. The waters rose so high that one man was forced to climb onto the roof of his house.
As the waters rose higher, a man in a rowboat appeared, and told him to get in. “No,” replied the man on the roof. “I have faith in the Lord; the Lord will save me.” So the man in the rowboat went away. The man on the roof prayed for God to save him.
The waters rose higher and higher, and suddenly a speedboat appeared. “Climb in!” shouted a man in the boat. “No,” replied the man on the roof. “I have faith in the Lord; the Lord will save me.” So the man in the speedboat went away. The man on the roof prayed for God to save him.
The waters continued to rise. A helicopter appeared and over the loudspeaker, the pilot announced he would lower a rope to the man on the roof. “No,” replied the man on the roof. “I have faith in the Lord; the Lord will save me.” So the helicopter went away. The man on the roof prayed for God to save him.
The waters rose higher and higher, and eventually they rose so high that the man on the roof was washed away, and alas, the poor man drowned.
Upon arriving in heaven, the man marched straight over to God. “Heavenly Father,” he said, “I had faith in you… I prayed to you to save me, and yet you did nothing. Why?” God gave him a puzzled look, and replied “I sent you two boats and a helicopter, what more did you expect?”
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Salmon Fishing Scotland 2008 January Flood.
Salmon Fishing Scotland 2008 January Flood.
These are pictures taken at Stanley,Perthshire,Scotland to-day (26th January 2008)of a 17 foot or 5.5 metre flood above summer level.
These are pictures taken at Stanley,Perthshire,Scotland to-day (26th January 2008)of a 17 foot or 5.5 metre flood above summer level.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Salmon Fishing Scotland 2008 January Flood.
Salmon Fishing Scotland 2008 January Flood.
These are pictures taken to-day (25th January 2008)of the biggest flood of the year so far. I am not sure of the actual height of the river as it is still rising as i write this. The flood has been caused by a dramatic rise in temperature melting the snow and wind and rain. The Height at 6.30pm was 14'6 and still rising!
These are pictures taken to-day (25th January 2008)of the biggest flood of the year so far. I am not sure of the actual height of the river as it is still rising as i write this. The flood has been caused by a dramatic rise in temperature melting the snow and wind and rain. The Height at 6.30pm was 14'6 and still rising!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Salmon Fishing Scotland Pitlochrie Beat River Tay, Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Pitlochrie Beat River Tay, Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.
Location
Lower Tay, near Stanley.
Summary
1 mile of double bank fishing
9 pools, 2 gillies, 2 boats
2 huts with WC, disabled access/facilities
Price range: £35 to £50 per rod/day
Description
Please note that this relates to SPRING fishing only.
The Pitlochrie Beat in the Spring is amongst the most famous spring fisheries on the Tay let alone the World. Pitlochrie is fished together on an alternative day basis with Catholes until the end of April.The beat extend to about one mile of superb double bank fishing.
Pitlochrie is fished on both banks on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays this year.
The beats are situated about six miles from the top reaches of tidal water. In the spring with water temperatures being low the salmon tend to have their first stop in these waters because of the Weir at the top of the Catholes thus making then both prime spring beats. The fishing comes with two ghillies and two boats on each beat.
The owners are anglers and support the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board Spring Conservation Measures and consequently would encourage all tenants to follow these guidelines.
Pitlochrie has nine named pools including the world famous Pitlochrie Pool and others including, Dyke Side, Kirkie Stream, The Wash House, Cawnpore, Minister, Woodside, Horsey and the Tar Tank. This beat offers good bank fishing in all heights of water for fly fishing and spinning. It is also excellent for harling from the two boats provided. It fishes six rods and has a hut situated overlooking the Wash house.
Ghillies
George Stewart: One of the River Tay's real characters with over 50 years experience of these beats.
Bob White: Has over 30 years experience in angling for atlantic salmon and has extensive fly fishing knowledge. He can offer tuition in overhead and spey casting techniques.
Check availability by clicking here.
Location
Lower Tay, near Stanley.
Summary
1 mile of double bank fishing
9 pools, 2 gillies, 2 boats
2 huts with WC, disabled access/facilities
Price range: £35 to £50 per rod/day
Description
Please note that this relates to SPRING fishing only.
The Pitlochrie Beat in the Spring is amongst the most famous spring fisheries on the Tay let alone the World. Pitlochrie is fished together on an alternative day basis with Catholes until the end of April.The beat extend to about one mile of superb double bank fishing.
Pitlochrie is fished on both banks on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays this year.
The beats are situated about six miles from the top reaches of tidal water. In the spring with water temperatures being low the salmon tend to have their first stop in these waters because of the Weir at the top of the Catholes thus making then both prime spring beats. The fishing comes with two ghillies and two boats on each beat.
The owners are anglers and support the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board Spring Conservation Measures and consequently would encourage all tenants to follow these guidelines.
Pitlochrie has nine named pools including the world famous Pitlochrie Pool and others including, Dyke Side, Kirkie Stream, The Wash House, Cawnpore, Minister, Woodside, Horsey and the Tar Tank. This beat offers good bank fishing in all heights of water for fly fishing and spinning. It is also excellent for harling from the two boats provided. It fishes six rods and has a hut situated overlooking the Wash house.
Ghillies
George Stewart: One of the River Tay's real characters with over 50 years experience of these beats.
Bob White: Has over 30 years experience in angling for atlantic salmon and has extensive fly fishing knowledge. He can offer tuition in overhead and spey casting techniques.
Check availability by clicking here.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Salmon Fishing Scotland January 2008 Big Tay Springer.
Salmon Fishing Scotland January 2008 Big Tay Springer.
This was the account of the 27lber on the Glendelvine beat of the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland.
This 'absolute topper' was landed Thursday afternoon at 3pm on the famous Glendelvine beat of the Tay. It was hooked harling by expert ghillie Stevie McIrvine and played & landed by famous Tay fisher Mr Harry Irvine. The fish was hooked up in the Garth Pool at the very top of Glendelvine water just below the boundary with the Stenton beat. It took an original pink Luki Loui lure and was returned quickly to the water. It was estimated at around the 27 lbs mark. The very same lie produced a springer of 26 lbs 3 years ago and many other big springers before that. What a great start to the season for Harry & Stevie and full marks for setting free this remarkable early Tay 'specimen' springer. Very well done.
This was the account of the 27lber on the Glendelvine beat of the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland.
This 'absolute topper' was landed Thursday afternoon at 3pm on the famous Glendelvine beat of the Tay. It was hooked harling by expert ghillie Stevie McIrvine and played & landed by famous Tay fisher Mr Harry Irvine. The fish was hooked up in the Garth Pool at the very top of Glendelvine water just below the boundary with the Stenton beat. It took an original pink Luki Loui lure and was returned quickly to the water. It was estimated at around the 27 lbs mark. The very same lie produced a springer of 26 lbs 3 years ago and many other big springers before that. What a great start to the season for Harry & Stevie and full marks for setting free this remarkable early Tay 'specimen' springer. Very well done.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Salmon Fishing Scotland January 2008.
Salmon Fishing Scotland January 2008.
The first week of the Tay Salmon fishing season has passed with some optimism despite the poor river conditions due to rising temperatures and rain on low ground. Certainly on the lower river below the mouth of the river Isla the conditions have been difficult with a lot of dirty water and a rising river. There have been 8 salmon reported on the Fishtay web site but there have been others caught and not registered. One notable salmon was caught at Delvine weighing 27lbs which was carefully returned on Thursday.This should give everyone optimism for next week and let us hope the weather settles down as well.
The first week of the Tay Salmon fishing season has passed with some optimism despite the poor river conditions due to rising temperatures and rain on low ground. Certainly on the lower river below the mouth of the river Isla the conditions have been difficult with a lot of dirty water and a rising river. There have been 8 salmon reported on the Fishtay web site but there have been others caught and not registered. One notable salmon was caught at Delvine weighing 27lbs which was carefully returned on Thursday.This should give everyone optimism for next week and let us hope the weather settles down as well.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Salmon Fishing Scotland Catholes Beat river Tay Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Catholes Beat river Tay Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.
Catholes Fishings-Spring only (Jan to April)
Location
Lower Tay, near Stanley.
Summary
750 Yards double bank fishing
13 pools, 1 gillies, 2 boats
1 huts with WC, disabled access/facilities
Price range: £35 to £50 per rod/day
Description
Please note that this web page relates to SPRING fishing only.
Catholes Spring is amongst the most famous spring fisheries on the Tay let alone the World. Catholes is fished together with the Pitlochrie beat on an alternative day basis until the end of April.
Catholes is fished on both banks on both banks on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
The beat is situated about six miles from the top reaches of tidal water. In the spring with water temperatures being low the salmon tend to have their first stop in these waters because of the Weir at the top of the Catholes thus making it a prime spring beat. The fishing comes with two ghillies and two boats.
The owners are anglers and support the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board Spring Conservation Measures and consequently would encourage all tenants to follow these guidelines as part of their rules and regulations.
Catholes offers some of the best spring fishing on the Tay with a weir crossing the river at the top of the Beat which acts as a temperature barrier.
The fishing is spinning and fly fishing from bank and boat in mostly small easily covered pools. It fishes six rods per day and has two boats and an excellent hut at the side of the river. It has 13 named pools including The Slap, The Pot, Gean Tree, Little Cast, Catholes Stream, Black Stones, Back Dam, Lucknow, Eric's, Geoff's, Freddie's Woodside and the Little Head.
Check availability by clicking here.
Catholes Fishings-Spring only (Jan to April)
Location
Lower Tay, near Stanley.
Summary
750 Yards double bank fishing
13 pools, 1 gillies, 2 boats
1 huts with WC, disabled access/facilities
Price range: £35 to £50 per rod/day
Description
Please note that this web page relates to SPRING fishing only.
Catholes Spring is amongst the most famous spring fisheries on the Tay let alone the World. Catholes is fished together with the Pitlochrie beat on an alternative day basis until the end of April.
Catholes is fished on both banks on both banks on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
The beat is situated about six miles from the top reaches of tidal water. In the spring with water temperatures being low the salmon tend to have their first stop in these waters because of the Weir at the top of the Catholes thus making it a prime spring beat. The fishing comes with two ghillies and two boats.
The owners are anglers and support the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board Spring Conservation Measures and consequently would encourage all tenants to follow these guidelines as part of their rules and regulations.
Catholes offers some of the best spring fishing on the Tay with a weir crossing the river at the top of the Beat which acts as a temperature barrier.
The fishing is spinning and fly fishing from bank and boat in mostly small easily covered pools. It fishes six rods per day and has two boats and an excellent hut at the side of the river. It has 13 named pools including The Slap, The Pot, Gean Tree, Little Cast, Catholes Stream, Black Stones, Back Dam, Lucknow, Eric's, Geoff's, Freddie's Woodside and the Little Head.
Check availability by clicking here.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Atlantic Salmon Identification.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Atlantic Salmon Identification.
These are all Atlantic Salmon which can be caught in the river at this time of year but which is which? Have a go at identifying them by leaving comments and i will post the proper identities later. Incidentally the last three were all caught to-day.
Thanks for all your comments on the fish pictured.
Easy one to start. This was a springer caught in April and yes James you were correct it was caught in the Gean Tree pool in the Catholes.
This is a Kelt which we caught yesterday. For novices take note of the thin eel like look of the fish and the big head in proportion to the body. Once the season gets into late February and March the kelts turn very silver as they prepare to go to sea so identifying them against springers can be more difficult for the inexperienced.
This is a female unspawned salmon which is called a Baggot. The body still has a girth because it has still to spawn. This fish was caught yesterday as well.
Lastly this is a male salmon still full of milt. This was termed a Kipper by the Ghillies or a Rawner. Possibly this has been a late runner as it is still quite silver and would widely accepted as a good fish in the Autumn.
These are all Atlantic Salmon which can be caught in the river at this time of year but which is which? Have a go at identifying them by leaving comments and i will post the proper identities later. Incidentally the last three were all caught to-day.
Thanks for all your comments on the fish pictured.
Easy one to start. This was a springer caught in April and yes James you were correct it was caught in the Gean Tree pool in the Catholes.
This is a Kelt which we caught yesterday. For novices take note of the thin eel like look of the fish and the big head in proportion to the body. Once the season gets into late February and March the kelts turn very silver as they prepare to go to sea so identifying them against springers can be more difficult for the inexperienced.
This is a female unspawned salmon which is called a Baggot. The body still has a girth because it has still to spawn. This fish was caught yesterday as well.
Lastly this is a male salmon still full of milt. This was termed a Kipper by the Ghillies or a Rawner. Possibly this has been a late runner as it is still quite silver and would widely accepted as a good fish in the Autumn.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Salmon Fishing Scotland 2008 Opening Day on the river Tay.
Salmon Fishing Scotland 2008 Opening Day on the river Tay.
This is the Pitlochrie Pool on the Stanley Beats at Stanley,Perthshire,Scotland.
This was the article in the Financial Times By Andrew Bolger, Scotland Correspondent
New rules boost salmon catches.
Scotland’s salmon fishing season got under way on Tuesday amid high hopes that better conservation and marketing will broaden the appeal of the sport beyond its traditionally exclusive image.
Catches of the “king of fish” have improved recently, thanks to measures such as the buying out of fixed-net coastal fisheries, and campaigns to encourage anglers to return more of the fish they catch.
Salmon fishing supports more than 2,000 jobs in Scotland’s rural communities. with anglers paying up to £1,000 per day in the autumn for the best stretches on leading salmon rivers – such as the Tweed – but most are far less expensive.
Andrew Graham-Stewart, an expert on salmon and trout fishing, said: “Most salmon fishing costs less than £500 a week, which is not a lot of money when you compare it with golf, or any other pleasurable activity.”
VisitScotland, the tourism body, is also keen to challenge salmon fishing’s image as a preserve of the prosperous. The average cost of the 50,000 days available on the FishScotland website is just £50.
It is estimated more than 90,000 salmon and the young fish known as grilse were caught last year – one of the highest figures since records began in 1952.
Fishing authorities also want to increase the proportion of salmon that are returned to the water by anglers, which in 2006 averaged 55 per cent of the total rod catch across Scotland.
On the Tay, which opened on Tuesday, only 35 per cent of the fish caught were released. Now new rules recommend that the first salmon caught each day by each individual angler must be released. Each angler then has the option of keeping one subsequent fish only, per day. From June 1 to the end of the season, all female fish should be released.
John Milligan, chairman of the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board, said the aim was to increase dramatically the number of salmon that survived to spawn. On the Dee more than 90 per cent of salmon caught by anglers were released, and on the Spey more than 70 per cent.
“There is absolutely no reason why Tay anglers should not achieve similar figures so that many million more eggs can be laid in the river,” he said.
Mr Milligan was optimistic that anglers would heed the appeals.
“We have no desire to seek mandatory powers to compel anglers to release fish, but we will not hesitate to do so if the new recommendations are not closely adhered to,” he said.
However, Mr Milligan also said river boards were having to deal with the problem of increasing mortality of salmon at sea, caused by factors beyond their control relating to climate change.
This is the Pitlochrie Pool on the Stanley Beats at Stanley,Perthshire,Scotland.
This was the article in the Financial Times By Andrew Bolger, Scotland Correspondent
New rules boost salmon catches.
Scotland’s salmon fishing season got under way on Tuesday amid high hopes that better conservation and marketing will broaden the appeal of the sport beyond its traditionally exclusive image.
Catches of the “king of fish” have improved recently, thanks to measures such as the buying out of fixed-net coastal fisheries, and campaigns to encourage anglers to return more of the fish they catch.
Salmon fishing supports more than 2,000 jobs in Scotland’s rural communities. with anglers paying up to £1,000 per day in the autumn for the best stretches on leading salmon rivers – such as the Tweed – but most are far less expensive.
Andrew Graham-Stewart, an expert on salmon and trout fishing, said: “Most salmon fishing costs less than £500 a week, which is not a lot of money when you compare it with golf, or any other pleasurable activity.”
VisitScotland, the tourism body, is also keen to challenge salmon fishing’s image as a preserve of the prosperous. The average cost of the 50,000 days available on the FishScotland website is just £50.
It is estimated more than 90,000 salmon and the young fish known as grilse were caught last year – one of the highest figures since records began in 1952.
Fishing authorities also want to increase the proportion of salmon that are returned to the water by anglers, which in 2006 averaged 55 per cent of the total rod catch across Scotland.
On the Tay, which opened on Tuesday, only 35 per cent of the fish caught were released. Now new rules recommend that the first salmon caught each day by each individual angler must be released. Each angler then has the option of keeping one subsequent fish only, per day. From June 1 to the end of the season, all female fish should be released.
John Milligan, chairman of the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board, said the aim was to increase dramatically the number of salmon that survived to spawn. On the Dee more than 90 per cent of salmon caught by anglers were released, and on the Spey more than 70 per cent.
“There is absolutely no reason why Tay anglers should not achieve similar figures so that many million more eggs can be laid in the river,” he said.
Mr Milligan was optimistic that anglers would heed the appeals.
“We have no desire to seek mandatory powers to compel anglers to release fish, but we will not hesitate to do so if the new recommendations are not closely adhered to,” he said.
However, Mr Milligan also said river boards were having to deal with the problem of increasing mortality of salmon at sea, caused by factors beyond their control relating to climate change.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Report on the Opening day of the 2008 Tay Salmon Season.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Report on the Opening day of the 2008 Tay Salmon Season.
This was an article in the Daily Mail by Louise Hosie.
You should see the one I threw away.
ANGLERS are often teased for boasting about the enormous 'one that got away'. But as this year's salmon season officially opened yesterday, they were more likely to spin yarns about the one they threw away. Fishermen on the River Tay have been urged to toss back their first catch of the day in a bid to combat dwindling stocks. The Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board issued the advice amid fears climate change is behind a falling number of fish in the river. Its warning came as anglers - including TV presenter Fiona Armstrong - gathered at Kenmore, Perthshire, to mark the new season. Ghillie Bob White said: 'The Tay Board has already recommended that fish are returned, but nobody has been paying any attention. This year, we have been trying to get river owners to include it in their rules and regulations so people have to return the salmon.' A short time after the season's official opening, the first catch was made - a 7lb salmon caught by Jason McRoberts, 36, from Glasgow. Anglers fishing on the opening day compete for the Redford Trophy, awarded to the person who catches the heaviest salmon. Previously, they killed the fish before weighing them but now they will be expected to return them to the river alive.
This was an article in the Daily Mail by Louise Hosie.
You should see the one I threw away.
ANGLERS are often teased for boasting about the enormous 'one that got away'. But as this year's salmon season officially opened yesterday, they were more likely to spin yarns about the one they threw away. Fishermen on the River Tay have been urged to toss back their first catch of the day in a bid to combat dwindling stocks. The Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board issued the advice amid fears climate change is behind a falling number of fish in the river. Its warning came as anglers - including TV presenter Fiona Armstrong - gathered at Kenmore, Perthshire, to mark the new season. Ghillie Bob White said: 'The Tay Board has already recommended that fish are returned, but nobody has been paying any attention. This year, we have been trying to get river owners to include it in their rules and regulations so people have to return the salmon.' A short time after the season's official opening, the first catch was made - a 7lb salmon caught by Jason McRoberts, 36, from Glasgow. Anglers fishing on the opening day compete for the Redford Trophy, awarded to the person who catches the heaviest salmon. Previously, they killed the fish before weighing them but now they will be expected to return them to the river alive.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Report on the Opening day of the 2008 Tay Salmon Season.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Report on the Opening day of the 2008 Tay Salmon Season.
This was the Article in the Daily Telegraph to-day By Charles Clover, Environment Editor.
New rules for River Tay salmon fishing
The first salmon caught should be released according to voluntary conservation rules for anglers on the River Tay, introduced with the start of the new season on Tuesday.
Tay anglers and proprietors have lagged behind other rivers in adopting conservation measures, which in the past decade or so have seen a majority of fish on other rivers returned to the water alive.
Anglers mark the opening of the salmon fishing season on the River Tay
Angler on the opening day of the River Tay salmon fishing season.
Last year on the Tay, only 35 per cent of the fish caught were released. Some 90,000 fish were caught, the highest figure since 1952.
The improvement in salmon returning to the river is thought to come from the buying out of nets on the high seas and along the coast but fishery managers are now worried about the falling survival rate of salmon at sea.
Under the new rules, the first salmon caught every day by each individual angler should be released. Each angler then has the option of keeping one fish only, per day. Then from June 1 to the end of the season all hen fish must be released.
The Tay and District Salmon Fisheries Board hopes the new rules will double the number of fish surviving to spawn.
John Milligan, chairman of the Board, said: "All rivers are having to deal with the problem of increasing mortality of salmon at sea, which is caused by factors beyond our control relating to climate change.
"Indeed marine survival of our salmon has fallen from 20 per cent to 30 per cent or even higher in the 1960s and 1970s to some 5 per cent now. This is a massive drop and it is of course the Board's responsibility to act to conserve stocks.
"On the Dee over 90 per cent of salmon caught by anglers are released and on the Spey over 70 per cent. There is absolutely no reason why Tay anglers should not achieve similar figures so that many million more eggs can be laid in the river."
Mr Milligan said he was optimistic that anglers would heed the appeals as the board had no desire to seek mandatory powers to compel anglers to release fish but he would not hesitate to do so if the new recommendations were not closely adhered to.
The rules also say the aim should be to release at least 50 per cent of cock fish caught, particularly cock fish weighing over 15 lbs. All coloured fish should be released throughout the year. The use of worms will only be permitted from June to August.
All proprietors of fishing on the river are being requested to make the new conservation recommendations a condition of let.
John Young, chairman of the Tay Ghillies Association, commented: "Most of us working on the riverbank would like to see catch and release levels rise to 75 per cent or higher. The new code is an important step in this direction".
This was the Article in the Daily Telegraph to-day By Charles Clover, Environment Editor.
New rules for River Tay salmon fishing
The first salmon caught should be released according to voluntary conservation rules for anglers on the River Tay, introduced with the start of the new season on Tuesday.
Tay anglers and proprietors have lagged behind other rivers in adopting conservation measures, which in the past decade or so have seen a majority of fish on other rivers returned to the water alive.
Anglers mark the opening of the salmon fishing season on the River Tay
Angler on the opening day of the River Tay salmon fishing season.
Last year on the Tay, only 35 per cent of the fish caught were released. Some 90,000 fish were caught, the highest figure since 1952.
The improvement in salmon returning to the river is thought to come from the buying out of nets on the high seas and along the coast but fishery managers are now worried about the falling survival rate of salmon at sea.
Under the new rules, the first salmon caught every day by each individual angler should be released. Each angler then has the option of keeping one fish only, per day. Then from June 1 to the end of the season all hen fish must be released.
The Tay and District Salmon Fisheries Board hopes the new rules will double the number of fish surviving to spawn.
John Milligan, chairman of the Board, said: "All rivers are having to deal with the problem of increasing mortality of salmon at sea, which is caused by factors beyond our control relating to climate change.
"Indeed marine survival of our salmon has fallen from 20 per cent to 30 per cent or even higher in the 1960s and 1970s to some 5 per cent now. This is a massive drop and it is of course the Board's responsibility to act to conserve stocks.
"On the Dee over 90 per cent of salmon caught by anglers are released and on the Spey over 70 per cent. There is absolutely no reason why Tay anglers should not achieve similar figures so that many million more eggs can be laid in the river."
Mr Milligan said he was optimistic that anglers would heed the appeals as the board had no desire to seek mandatory powers to compel anglers to release fish but he would not hesitate to do so if the new recommendations were not closely adhered to.
The rules also say the aim should be to release at least 50 per cent of cock fish caught, particularly cock fish weighing over 15 lbs. All coloured fish should be released throughout the year. The use of worms will only be permitted from June to August.
All proprietors of fishing on the river are being requested to make the new conservation recommendations a condition of let.
John Young, chairman of the Tay Ghillies Association, commented: "Most of us working on the riverbank would like to see catch and release levels rise to 75 per cent or higher. The new code is an important step in this direction".
Salmon Fishing Scotland Report on the Opening day of the 2008 Tay Salmon Season.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Report on the Opening day of the 2008 Tay Salmon Season.
This is the report in to-days Local paper of the opening day By Ken Bell, angling correspondent.
Salmon too coy on first day of season
CONSERVATION WAS the theme of the opening day of the 2008 Tay salmon season—and didn’t Tay anglers conserve well!
It is understood that only one spring fish, a 14lb sea-liced salmon, was taken—by Mr Mark Ogilvie fishing the Dunkeld House Hotel water—and that was carefully returned.
Meanwhile at Kenmore, the 150 pupils of Kenmore Primary School were presented with an aquarium and cooler as part of the Trout in the Classroom, an aquarium in which they will raise young salmon to stock in their local stretch of the river.
The aquarium was handed over on behalf of Kenmore Hotel by Professor David Bellamy, who told pupils that the last time he was in their classroom was 20 years ago, when he helped their predecessors to plant trees in the school ground—trees which are now more than 20 feet high.
And he congratulated them on the work they would be doing to assist the fish stocks in the Tay, Scotland’s most important river.
Professor Bellamy told the P5-6-7 pupils that trout and salmon living and thriving in their river showed just how clean and healthy it was.
After he left, pupils from Hill Primary in Blairgowrie who successfully reared and released trout into a local pond last year told their Kenmore contemporaries of the various problems they would face before they, too, would successfully release their small fish into the river.
Earlier, several hundred anglers had paraded through the village after Mark Stevens of the BBC and local angling expert and fly-tyer Ally Gowans had stressed the importance to the Tay salmon of anglers adhering the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board’s new conservation policy, which recommends angler return their first fish each day, with an option of keeping their second.
Some 20 teenagers involved in the pilot scheme of Angling for Youth Development and their instructors attended the traditional opening ceremony, and the youngsters from east Perthshire later had a chance to fish for salmon in the hotel pool behind the hotel.
Among those taking part were Steve Kelly, AFYD project leader for Angus, and a member of Tayside Fire and Rescue Service with his new team of volunteer instructors.
With Strathclyde Police’s East Renfrew and Tayside Police’s East Perthshire initiatives combining with those now launching in Angus, AFYD is becoming the largest youth angling training organisation in Scotland.
Further plans are in hand to launch AFYD projects in Highland Perthshire and in Perth. Interest in AFYD has also been expressed by several schools in Dundee and it is hoped that by December AFYD will be operating there as well.
Funds raised at yesterday’s activities at Kenmore, including last night’s dinner, will go towards the work of the organisation.
Although the water entering the river at Kenmore was in perfect condition, anglers took only kelts and a few brown trout that were all returned. Some blamed an alien to the water—rainbow trout escaped from a fish farm further up Loch Tay.
The first boat out at Kenmore was “blessed” with a quaich of whisky by Jane Grimlay, of Dewar’s World of Whisky—but despite this TV personality and angler Fiona Armstrong returned fishless from her 2008 initial outing.
Downstream at Kinnaird, several kelts, spawned fish, and baggots, unspawned fish, including one at around 20lb were reported, while at Burnbane kelts, brown trout and a grayling were all returned.
While water in the upper beats ran clear, below Islamouth the effect of the melting snowfields in Glenshee coloured the water but did not prevent the occasional kelt being reported from most beats.
But with river levels, hopefully, continuing to fall anglers are hopeful more springers are about. After all, every fish that jumps can’t be a kelt—or can it?
This is the report in to-days Local paper of the opening day By Ken Bell, angling correspondent.
Salmon too coy on first day of season
CONSERVATION WAS the theme of the opening day of the 2008 Tay salmon season—and didn’t Tay anglers conserve well!
It is understood that only one spring fish, a 14lb sea-liced salmon, was taken—by Mr Mark Ogilvie fishing the Dunkeld House Hotel water—and that was carefully returned.
Meanwhile at Kenmore, the 150 pupils of Kenmore Primary School were presented with an aquarium and cooler as part of the Trout in the Classroom, an aquarium in which they will raise young salmon to stock in their local stretch of the river.
The aquarium was handed over on behalf of Kenmore Hotel by Professor David Bellamy, who told pupils that the last time he was in their classroom was 20 years ago, when he helped their predecessors to plant trees in the school ground—trees which are now more than 20 feet high.
And he congratulated them on the work they would be doing to assist the fish stocks in the Tay, Scotland’s most important river.
Professor Bellamy told the P5-6-7 pupils that trout and salmon living and thriving in their river showed just how clean and healthy it was.
After he left, pupils from Hill Primary in Blairgowrie who successfully reared and released trout into a local pond last year told their Kenmore contemporaries of the various problems they would face before they, too, would successfully release their small fish into the river.
Earlier, several hundred anglers had paraded through the village after Mark Stevens of the BBC and local angling expert and fly-tyer Ally Gowans had stressed the importance to the Tay salmon of anglers adhering the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board’s new conservation policy, which recommends angler return their first fish each day, with an option of keeping their second.
Some 20 teenagers involved in the pilot scheme of Angling for Youth Development and their instructors attended the traditional opening ceremony, and the youngsters from east Perthshire later had a chance to fish for salmon in the hotel pool behind the hotel.
Among those taking part were Steve Kelly, AFYD project leader for Angus, and a member of Tayside Fire and Rescue Service with his new team of volunteer instructors.
With Strathclyde Police’s East Renfrew and Tayside Police’s East Perthshire initiatives combining with those now launching in Angus, AFYD is becoming the largest youth angling training organisation in Scotland.
Further plans are in hand to launch AFYD projects in Highland Perthshire and in Perth. Interest in AFYD has also been expressed by several schools in Dundee and it is hoped that by December AFYD will be operating there as well.
Funds raised at yesterday’s activities at Kenmore, including last night’s dinner, will go towards the work of the organisation.
Although the water entering the river at Kenmore was in perfect condition, anglers took only kelts and a few brown trout that were all returned. Some blamed an alien to the water—rainbow trout escaped from a fish farm further up Loch Tay.
The first boat out at Kenmore was “blessed” with a quaich of whisky by Jane Grimlay, of Dewar’s World of Whisky—but despite this TV personality and angler Fiona Armstrong returned fishless from her 2008 initial outing.
Downstream at Kinnaird, several kelts, spawned fish, and baggots, unspawned fish, including one at around 20lb were reported, while at Burnbane kelts, brown trout and a grayling were all returned.
While water in the upper beats ran clear, below Islamouth the effect of the melting snowfields in Glenshee coloured the water but did not prevent the occasional kelt being reported from most beats.
But with river levels, hopefully, continuing to fall anglers are hopeful more springers are about. After all, every fish that jumps can’t be a kelt—or can it?
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Salmon Fishing Scotland Atlantic Salmon Identification.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Atlantic Salmon Identification.
This is an extremely important subject especially at the start of a new salmon fishing season. Hopefully this will help you identify the different types of salmon in the river.
How can salmon be recognised at the different stages of their life in fresh water?
Fresh Run Salmon Recognised by the pristine condition and bright silver flanks. Fish straight from salt water have loose, easily detached scales and many carry sea lice which drop off within a few days. Hen salmon (illustrated) have a tiny kype on the lower jaw but unlike cocks they retain normal head proportions while in the river.
Kelt. Kelts are salmon which have spawned. Usually identified by the thin shape, distended vent and presence of "gill maggots" on the red gill filaments, they are often encountered by anglers in spring when they regain a silvery appearance and can be mistaken for fresh run Springers. Kelts must be returned unharmed to the water.
Cock The combination of "tartan" colours is typical although shades vary - the fully developed kype, used in fighting rivals, and the enlarged adipose fin, are the most consistent indicators of maturity.
Hen. These are usually less coloured than cocks of similar age and they never have enlarged jaws. This one will have spent a few weeks in river or estuary - note the coloured head and lack of true silver flanks.
Cock in Breeding Dress: The combination of 'tartan' colours is typical although shades vary - the fully developed kype, used in fighting rivals is the most consistent indicator of maturity.
Hen in Breeding Dress. This is a summer fish - springers are often darker by spawning time while late entrants may still be silver flanked. Fully mature hens have soft, swollen bellies and spawning is imminent if they also have protruding vents.
This is an extremely important subject especially at the start of a new salmon fishing season. Hopefully this will help you identify the different types of salmon in the river.
How can salmon be recognised at the different stages of their life in fresh water?
Fresh Run Salmon Recognised by the pristine condition and bright silver flanks. Fish straight from salt water have loose, easily detached scales and many carry sea lice which drop off within a few days. Hen salmon (illustrated) have a tiny kype on the lower jaw but unlike cocks they retain normal head proportions while in the river.
Kelt. Kelts are salmon which have spawned. Usually identified by the thin shape, distended vent and presence of "gill maggots" on the red gill filaments, they are often encountered by anglers in spring when they regain a silvery appearance and can be mistaken for fresh run Springers. Kelts must be returned unharmed to the water.
Cock The combination of "tartan" colours is typical although shades vary - the fully developed kype, used in fighting rivals, and the enlarged adipose fin, are the most consistent indicators of maturity.
Hen. These are usually less coloured than cocks of similar age and they never have enlarged jaws. This one will have spent a few weeks in river or estuary - note the coloured head and lack of true silver flanks.
Cock in Breeding Dress: The combination of 'tartan' colours is typical although shades vary - the fully developed kype, used in fighting rivals is the most consistent indicator of maturity.
Hen in Breeding Dress. This is a summer fish - springers are often darker by spawning time while late entrants may still be silver flanked. Fully mature hens have soft, swollen bellies and spawning is imminent if they also have protruding vents.
Salmon Fishing Scotland 2008 Opening Day on the river Tay.
Salmon Fishing Scotland 2008 Opening Day on the river Tay.
This is from the BBC News
Anglers are being urged to release the first salmon they catch each day
The salmon fishing season on the River Tay is beginning with a warning that stringent conservation measures are needed.
The Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board hopes new guidelines will double the number of fish released to continue their upstream migrations to spawn.
The board is recommending that until the end of May, the first salmon caught by every angler each day is released.
The anglers should then only keep one other fish that they catch per day.
'Increasing mortality'
From 1 June to the end of the season all female fish and half the male fish should be released.
All coloured fish should be let go throughout the year.
The use of worms will only be permitted from June to August.
John Milligan, chairman of the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board, said: "All rivers are having to deal with the problem of increasing mortality of salmon at sea, which is caused by factors beyond our control relating to climate change.
"On the Dee over 90% of salmon caught by anglers are released and on the Spey over 70%.
"There is absolutely no reason why Tay anglers should not achieve similar figures so that many million more eggs can be laid in the river.
"We are optimistic that anglers will heed our appeals. We have no desire to seek mandatory powers to compel anglers to release fish but we will not hesitate to do so if the new recommendations are not closely adhered to."
This is from the BBC News
Anglers are being urged to release the first salmon they catch each day
The salmon fishing season on the River Tay is beginning with a warning that stringent conservation measures are needed.
The Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board hopes new guidelines will double the number of fish released to continue their upstream migrations to spawn.
The board is recommending that until the end of May, the first salmon caught by every angler each day is released.
The anglers should then only keep one other fish that they catch per day.
'Increasing mortality'
From 1 June to the end of the season all female fish and half the male fish should be released.
All coloured fish should be let go throughout the year.
The use of worms will only be permitted from June to August.
John Milligan, chairman of the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board, said: "All rivers are having to deal with the problem of increasing mortality of salmon at sea, which is caused by factors beyond our control relating to climate change.
"On the Dee over 90% of salmon caught by anglers are released and on the Spey over 70%.
"There is absolutely no reason why Tay anglers should not achieve similar figures so that many million more eggs can be laid in the river.
"We are optimistic that anglers will heed our appeals. We have no desire to seek mandatory powers to compel anglers to release fish but we will not hesitate to do so if the new recommendations are not closely adhered to."
Salmon Fishing Scotland 2008 Opening Day on the river Tay.
Salmon Fishing Scotland 2008 Opening Day on the river Tay.
Burnmouth at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland on the Opening day of the 2008 Atlantic Salmon Season.
Marking first day of salmon season.
WITH HEAVY RAIN and melting snow on the hills, the Tay will be running high today, the start of the 2008 salmon season, writes Ken Bell, angling correspondent.
Traditional opening ceremonies are taking place at Loch Tay Highland Lodges at Killin and at Kenmore where several hundred enthusiasts are expected to turn out.
The celebrations commence in the village square at 9.45am, with welcoming speeches by Mark Stephen the presenter of the BBC’s Out of Doors, and Ally Gowans, writer and fly fishing instructor.
The Vale of Atholl Pipe Band will then lead the procession to the river bank for the blessing.
The Kenmore celebrations are being held in aid of Angling for Youth Development, and over 20 teenagers from East Perthshire, will be taking part in activities to promote the work of AFYD.
They will be joined by AFYD patrons Professor David Bellamy and Fiona Armstrong, as well as representatives of Tayside Police, Tayside Fire & Rescue, Perth and Kinross Council, and staff from Blairgowrie High School where the AFYD modular angling course is being piloted.
To help with fund-raising MacNab Guns, purchased in 2007 by the Cheshire Gun Room, are releasing a new range of shotguns and fishing rods at Kenmore.
A number of demonstrations will be held including one by Allan Suttie, of Trout in the Classroom UK, on his work with primary schools, as well as fly tying demonstrations by Allan Bithell, who has written the AFYD Fly Tiers Journal.
Following the opening ceremony, Professor Bellamy will visit Kenmore Primary School to present pupils with their Trout in the Classroom UK micro hatchery system which has been sponsored by the Kenmore Hotel. Two pupils from Rattray Primary School who were involved in the pilot micro hatchery will tell pupils about the project.
*The start of the new season will see new conservation methods introduced by the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board aimed at reducing the number of fish being killed by anglers.
Board chairman John Milligan, said, “All rivers are having to deal with the problem of increasing mortality of salmon at sea which is caused by factors beyond our control relating to climate change.”
As a result more stringent conservation is advocated.
The board recommends that from January 15 to May 31 the first salmon caught each day by each individual angler should be released and anglers should then have the option of keeping one subsequent fish only, per day.
From June 1 to the end of the season all hen fish should be released and at least 50% of cock fish, particularly those over 15 lbs. All coloured fish should be released throughout the year and worms can only be used from June to August.
John Young, chairman of the Tay Ghillies Association, said, “Most of us working on the riverbank would like to see catch and release levels rise to 75% or higher.”
On the positive side, the Tay Board Hatchery has three million salmon eggs on the hatching trays.
Burnmouth at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland on the Opening day of the 2008 Atlantic Salmon Season.
Marking first day of salmon season.
WITH HEAVY RAIN and melting snow on the hills, the Tay will be running high today, the start of the 2008 salmon season, writes Ken Bell, angling correspondent.
Traditional opening ceremonies are taking place at Loch Tay Highland Lodges at Killin and at Kenmore where several hundred enthusiasts are expected to turn out.
The celebrations commence in the village square at 9.45am, with welcoming speeches by Mark Stephen the presenter of the BBC’s Out of Doors, and Ally Gowans, writer and fly fishing instructor.
The Vale of Atholl Pipe Band will then lead the procession to the river bank for the blessing.
The Kenmore celebrations are being held in aid of Angling for Youth Development, and over 20 teenagers from East Perthshire, will be taking part in activities to promote the work of AFYD.
They will be joined by AFYD patrons Professor David Bellamy and Fiona Armstrong, as well as representatives of Tayside Police, Tayside Fire & Rescue, Perth and Kinross Council, and staff from Blairgowrie High School where the AFYD modular angling course is being piloted.
To help with fund-raising MacNab Guns, purchased in 2007 by the Cheshire Gun Room, are releasing a new range of shotguns and fishing rods at Kenmore.
A number of demonstrations will be held including one by Allan Suttie, of Trout in the Classroom UK, on his work with primary schools, as well as fly tying demonstrations by Allan Bithell, who has written the AFYD Fly Tiers Journal.
Following the opening ceremony, Professor Bellamy will visit Kenmore Primary School to present pupils with their Trout in the Classroom UK micro hatchery system which has been sponsored by the Kenmore Hotel. Two pupils from Rattray Primary School who were involved in the pilot micro hatchery will tell pupils about the project.
*The start of the new season will see new conservation methods introduced by the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board aimed at reducing the number of fish being killed by anglers.
Board chairman John Milligan, said, “All rivers are having to deal with the problem of increasing mortality of salmon at sea which is caused by factors beyond our control relating to climate change.”
As a result more stringent conservation is advocated.
The board recommends that from January 15 to May 31 the first salmon caught each day by each individual angler should be released and anglers should then have the option of keeping one subsequent fish only, per day.
From June 1 to the end of the season all hen fish should be released and at least 50% of cock fish, particularly those over 15 lbs. All coloured fish should be released throughout the year and worms can only be used from June to August.
John Young, chairman of the Tay Ghillies Association, said, “Most of us working on the riverbank would like to see catch and release levels rise to 75% or higher.”
On the positive side, the Tay Board Hatchery has three million salmon eggs on the hatching trays.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Salmon Fishing Scotland 2008 Opening Day on the river Tay.
Salmon Fishing Scotland 2008 Opening Day on the river Tay.
This was an article in the Daily Record by Silver Wilkie.
Glorious Day In Angling Calendar
ONE of the major events in the Scottish angling calendar takes place next week.
The "Glorious 15th" on Tuesday is the opening day on Scotland's longest - and one of our most prolific - salmon rivers, the Tay.
You cannot talk about the 15th without reference to the famous Redford Trophy.
That is awarded annually to the angler who catches the heaviest Tay salmon on opening day.
Until May 31, the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board are promoting a catch and release scheme. It dictates that the first fish caught each day by each angler must be released.
But if you catch an opening day fish which can't be weighed before it is returned, how will you know if it's a Redford Trophy contender?
The answer is to put a tape measure in your fishing bag and use it to record the length from the nose to the fork of its tail, plus the girth at a point just above the dorsal fin.
The weight is then calculated using a formula, recommended by the Freshwater Fisheries Laboratory at Pitlochry.
You can have it worked out by accessing the website of top Scots angler Ally Gowans, who invented the famous Ally Shrimp.
Log on to www.letsflyfish.com then click on "conservation", type in the length and girth, press a button and up comes the weight.
No one will have access to a computer on the river bank, so to make matters simple, the famous tackle shop and gunmakers, James Crockhart and Sons in Allan Street, Blairgowrie - who administer the Redford Trophy - will accept measurements as proof of capture.
Just phone Crockharts on 01250 872056 before 5.00pm on Tuesday. The calculations will even be done for you.
As a former Trophy winner, I can tell you it's worth doing as you have the honour of having your name engraved on it for posterity.
The winner will also receive a £250 tackle voucher from Crockhart's owner Robert Jamieson, and a spring day for himself and a friend on famous Ballathie beat.
Ballathie owner John Milligan - chairman of the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board - will present the coveted Trophy.
The winner will also receive a "Saving Tay Salmon" sweatshirt.
Mr Milligan said: "I am delighted to be asked to present the Redford Trophy which has been a major feature for years on the opening day of our river.
"Stocks of salmon are under pressure, most especially the early running spring fish for which the Tay is famed.
"That's why we are trying to do everything possible to protect and enhance stocks.
"Catch and release will play a major part in our efforts.
"From May 31, all hen fish must be released and at least 50 per cent of all cock fish, particularly those more than 15lb."
There is also a ban on worm fishing until June 1, and a ban in September and October.
This was an article in the Daily Record by Silver Wilkie.
Glorious Day In Angling Calendar
ONE of the major events in the Scottish angling calendar takes place next week.
The "Glorious 15th" on Tuesday is the opening day on Scotland's longest - and one of our most prolific - salmon rivers, the Tay.
You cannot talk about the 15th without reference to the famous Redford Trophy.
That is awarded annually to the angler who catches the heaviest Tay salmon on opening day.
Until May 31, the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board are promoting a catch and release scheme. It dictates that the first fish caught each day by each angler must be released.
But if you catch an opening day fish which can't be weighed before it is returned, how will you know if it's a Redford Trophy contender?
The answer is to put a tape measure in your fishing bag and use it to record the length from the nose to the fork of its tail, plus the girth at a point just above the dorsal fin.
The weight is then calculated using a formula, recommended by the Freshwater Fisheries Laboratory at Pitlochry.
You can have it worked out by accessing the website of top Scots angler Ally Gowans, who invented the famous Ally Shrimp.
Log on to www.letsflyfish.com then click on "conservation", type in the length and girth, press a button and up comes the weight.
No one will have access to a computer on the river bank, so to make matters simple, the famous tackle shop and gunmakers, James Crockhart and Sons in Allan Street, Blairgowrie - who administer the Redford Trophy - will accept measurements as proof of capture.
Just phone Crockharts on 01250 872056 before 5.00pm on Tuesday. The calculations will even be done for you.
As a former Trophy winner, I can tell you it's worth doing as you have the honour of having your name engraved on it for posterity.
The winner will also receive a £250 tackle voucher from Crockhart's owner Robert Jamieson, and a spring day for himself and a friend on famous Ballathie beat.
Ballathie owner John Milligan - chairman of the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board - will present the coveted Trophy.
The winner will also receive a "Saving Tay Salmon" sweatshirt.
Mr Milligan said: "I am delighted to be asked to present the Redford Trophy which has been a major feature for years on the opening day of our river.
"Stocks of salmon are under pressure, most especially the early running spring fish for which the Tay is famed.
"That's why we are trying to do everything possible to protect and enhance stocks.
"Catch and release will play a major part in our efforts.
"From May 31, all hen fish must be released and at least 50 per cent of all cock fish, particularly those more than 15lb."
There is also a ban on worm fishing until June 1, and a ban in September and October.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Outside Catering.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Outside Catering.
This is Sandra Kinlochs menu for outside catering. Sandra can provide lunches at the river on a daily basis.
Riverside Catering
Home made soup £2.25
Home made hot meals
Sausage & onion in red wine gravy
Mild chicken curry in a creamy sauce served with basmati rice
Beef stroganoff with wild mushrooms & fresh cream
All served with creamy mashed potato or rice
£6.75
Freshly made filled rolls
Bacon £1.60 Ham salad £1.60
Sausage £1.60 Cheese salad £1.60
Burger £1.60 Tuna & mayo £1.60
Flat sausage £1.60 Egg mayo £1.60
Beef & horseradish £1.60 Chicken tikka £1.60
Flask of Tea or Coffee £1.50
All meals delivered to river and come with plates, cutlery and napkins.
Want something that’s not on the menu, just ask!
Telephone: Sandra Kinloch 01738 827320 or 07722023505
This is Sandra Kinlochs menu for outside catering. Sandra can provide lunches at the river on a daily basis.
Riverside Catering
Home made soup £2.25
Home made hot meals
Sausage & onion in red wine gravy
Mild chicken curry in a creamy sauce served with basmati rice
Beef stroganoff with wild mushrooms & fresh cream
All served with creamy mashed potato or rice
£6.75
Freshly made filled rolls
Bacon £1.60 Ham salad £1.60
Sausage £1.60 Cheese salad £1.60
Burger £1.60 Tuna & mayo £1.60
Flat sausage £1.60 Egg mayo £1.60
Beef & horseradish £1.60 Chicken tikka £1.60
Flask of Tea or Coffee £1.50
All meals delivered to river and come with plates, cutlery and napkins.
Want something that’s not on the menu, just ask!
Telephone: Sandra Kinloch 01738 827320 or 07722023505
Salmon Fishing Scotland 2008 January Flood.
Salmon Fishing Scotland 2008 January Flood.
These are pictures taken to-day of a 13 foot flood due to the rising temperatures and the melting snow. The prospects on the lower Tay for the 2008 Opening day of the Atlantic Salmon season look bleak.
These are pictures taken to-day of a 13 foot flood due to the rising temperatures and the melting snow. The prospects on the lower Tay for the 2008 Opening day of the Atlantic Salmon season look bleak.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Salmon Fishing Scotland 2008 Opening Day on the river Tay.
Salmon Fishing Scotland 2008 Opening Day on the river Tay.
This was an article in the Scotland on Sunday to-day written by Jeremy Watson.
Anglers face one-fish limit to save salmon
IT IS one of Scotland's mightiest rivers and famous around the world for the quality of its salmon angling.
But unprecedented new restrictions are about to be placed on the Tay to help save the king of fish as the new salmon season gets underway.
Under the rules to be announced this week, anglers paying between £50 and £400 a day to get access to the river's beats will only be allowed to take home one fish to help preserve stocks. As they must throw back the first fish they catch, they could very well go home empty-handed. Previously, they could take half of the total number of fish they caught.
From June, they will be also banned from taking female salmon because of the eggs they carry and all fish over 15lb will also have to be returned.
Although rod catches in 2007 throughout Scotland are expected to be up on the previous year due to perfect angling conditions, the number of fish returning to their home rivers has remained static, underlining the need for new conservation initiatives.
The tougher restrictions are being brought in by the Tay Salmon Fisheries Board, the Tay Foundation and the Tay Ghillies Association to mark the start of the new season on Tuesday.
Duncan Glass, the Association's secretary, said: "The catch-and-release policy will be far more strict this year.
"The general rule will be just one fish to take home per day. Then from June you will be expected to return all hen fish and all fish over 15lbs so that bigger fish have a better chance of returning.
There will also be restrictions on bait, such as worms, up to June. Worms tend to be swallowed deep into the throat which makes it difficult to release fish alive because of the internal damage.
Glass added: "We have had a catch-and-release policy in place before but there has been too much slackness in enforcing it. The first year only 10% were returned, and even though it is now 50%, it is behind other rivers.
"More fish are killed on the Tay every year than any other salmon river in the UK, so if we can get the rate up to 75% then that will be a real achievement."
A balance had to be struck between conserving fish and attracting anglers. "We don't want to chase anglers away to places like Norway and Russia, so if we allow them to take one fish home that's something," Glass said.
Fishing beat proprietors have been warned that unless they comply with the rules even tougher regulations could be introduced.
The results of the Tay's catch-and-release record compare unfavourably at around 35% with the Dee, where the figure has risen to 96%, the Spey at 71%, and
the Tweed at 54%.
The Association of Salmon Fisheries Boards, which regulates salmon angling in Scotland, said tough conservation methods were vital to preserve the salmon's long-term future.
The new restrictions will please conservationists but some anglers believe the balance may be swinging too far.
TV presenter Fiona Armstrong, a longstanding salmon fishing enthusiast, said: "If the restrictions become so tight you can't take anything, then you won't want to fish there. It's not like coarse fishing where you throw everything back as a matter of course. With game fishing, a big element of it is that you are fishing for the pot."
And the president of the Scottish Anglers' National Association Ronnie Picken warned: "There will always be some fishermen who have fished all their lives and taken what they liked. I doubt that will change whatever restrictions are brought in."
This was an article in the Scotland on Sunday to-day written by Jeremy Watson.
Anglers face one-fish limit to save salmon
IT IS one of Scotland's mightiest rivers and famous around the world for the quality of its salmon angling.
But unprecedented new restrictions are about to be placed on the Tay to help save the king of fish as the new salmon season gets underway.
Under the rules to be announced this week, anglers paying between £50 and £400 a day to get access to the river's beats will only be allowed to take home one fish to help preserve stocks. As they must throw back the first fish they catch, they could very well go home empty-handed. Previously, they could take half of the total number of fish they caught.
From June, they will be also banned from taking female salmon because of the eggs they carry and all fish over 15lb will also have to be returned.
Although rod catches in 2007 throughout Scotland are expected to be up on the previous year due to perfect angling conditions, the number of fish returning to their home rivers has remained static, underlining the need for new conservation initiatives.
The tougher restrictions are being brought in by the Tay Salmon Fisheries Board, the Tay Foundation and the Tay Ghillies Association to mark the start of the new season on Tuesday.
Duncan Glass, the Association's secretary, said: "The catch-and-release policy will be far more strict this year.
"The general rule will be just one fish to take home per day. Then from June you will be expected to return all hen fish and all fish over 15lbs so that bigger fish have a better chance of returning.
There will also be restrictions on bait, such as worms, up to June. Worms tend to be swallowed deep into the throat which makes it difficult to release fish alive because of the internal damage.
Glass added: "We have had a catch-and-release policy in place before but there has been too much slackness in enforcing it. The first year only 10% were returned, and even though it is now 50%, it is behind other rivers.
"More fish are killed on the Tay every year than any other salmon river in the UK, so if we can get the rate up to 75% then that will be a real achievement."
A balance had to be struck between conserving fish and attracting anglers. "We don't want to chase anglers away to places like Norway and Russia, so if we allow them to take one fish home that's something," Glass said.
Fishing beat proprietors have been warned that unless they comply with the rules even tougher regulations could be introduced.
The results of the Tay's catch-and-release record compare unfavourably at around 35% with the Dee, where the figure has risen to 96%, the Spey at 71%, and
the Tweed at 54%.
The Association of Salmon Fisheries Boards, which regulates salmon angling in Scotland, said tough conservation methods were vital to preserve the salmon's long-term future.
The new restrictions will please conservationists but some anglers believe the balance may be swinging too far.
TV presenter Fiona Armstrong, a longstanding salmon fishing enthusiast, said: "If the restrictions become so tight you can't take anything, then you won't want to fish there. It's not like coarse fishing where you throw everything back as a matter of course. With game fishing, a big element of it is that you are fishing for the pot."
And the president of the Scottish Anglers' National Association Ronnie Picken warned: "There will always be some fishermen who have fished all their lives and taken what they liked. I doubt that will change whatever restrictions are brought in."
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Salmon Fishing Scotland 2008 Opening Day on the river Tay.
Salmon Fishing Scotland 2008 Opening Day on the river Tay.
Only two days until the start of the river Tay Atlantic Salmon Season.
The boats are going back onto the river for the opening day on Tuesday the 15th of January 2008.
Only two days until the start of the river Tay Atlantic Salmon Season.
The boats are going back onto the river for the opening day on Tuesday the 15th of January 2008.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay 2008.
Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay 2008.
The 2008 season is only a few days away on and this popular video should wet your appetite.
The 2008 season is only a few days away on and this popular video should wet your appetite.
Salmon Fishing Scotland 2008.
Salmon Fishing Scotland 2008.
This was the article in the local Courier following the Ghillies Lunch at Dunkeld.
THE TAY District Salmon Fisheries Board wants to see at least 75% of salmon caught in the system by anglers safely returned to allow them to breed, writes angling correspondent Ken Bell.
At the annual ghillies' lunch, held just a week before the start of the season, chairman John Milligan told a large group of the Tay boatmen, "If you don't make sure it happens, nobody else will."
Since the board's catch and release programme started in 1999 the percentage of fish returned to the water has increased from 10% to 46% in 2006 and around 50% last year.
However, the river still lags behind the other main Scottish salmon waters.
Mr Milligan said unless the number returned increases, they could face mandatory catch and release regulation of the kind in force on the North and South Esks.
This year guidelines have been brought in which require anglers to return the first fish they catch each day and keep only one of any other fish caught.
From the start of the season until May 31, and in September and October, worm should not be used as a bait.
In addition during the summer all hen fish should be released and 50% of cock fish, particularly those weighing over 15lb.
Mr Milligan also warned of the dangers of the parasite gyrodactylus salaris (GS), and urged ghillies to ensure anglers who had fished abroad disinfected their equipment before fishing on any Tay beat.
His warnings were underlined by Charles Allan from the Fisheries Research Agency at Aberdeen. He said that judging from the experience of Norwegian fisheries, where the parasite was introduced from the Baltic, it could wipe out 95-98% of the Scottish Atlantic salmon if accidentally introduced here.
Mr Allan, a leading expert on the parasite and its dangers, said a computer programme carried out in England estimated that within a year of one outbreak in the south of England the parasite could affect every river catchment south of the border.
GS can survive for a few days on brown trout, but its main host is salmon-to which it is invariably fatal.
He said the parasites increase at an alarming rate for, within days of being born, a single pregnant female would give birth to an already pregnant young.
The fact that no live fish are imported from Europe or Scandinavia, allied to the fact that salt water kills the parasite, has so far prevented it arriving in British waters.
In Norway more than 40 salmon rivers were affected before GS was identified as the cause of the lack of young salmon migrating to sea. The parasite had infected and killed almost all young salmon in these rivers.
Mr Allan said the Norwegians-whose salmon angling is worth £175 million a year-had taken the drastic step of wiping out all fish in many major rivers, and in others had prevented salmon migrating into large upper sections so the parasites would be eradicated by a lack of suitable hosts.
At present the main effort in Britain is to ensure GS is not accidentally brought into this country on damp angling equipment, canoeing equipment etc.
Mr Allan urged ghillies to take all steps they can to ensure anglers from abroad, or who have fished abroad on holiday disinfect all their equipment before fishing on Scottish water.
Unfortunately, the parasite can also survive on rainbow trout and it is this fish that is most frequently transported around the country to stock put-andtake trout fisheries, posing a major problem should the parasite land in the UK.
Fisheries manager Dr David Summers said they had been very successful in obtaining ova for the board hatchery. With some fish still to strip they had almost three million eggs in the trays, their best season.
Last season had been mixed, with beats from the Islamouth up suffering from the late grilse run and the low autumn water, while those further downstream did better. Stormont AC, for example, had double the catch of 2006.
Although the grilse were in better condition, there had not been so many.
The Faskally fish counter had seen just over 4000 fish go through, down on the previous year's high, and at the Ericht the count had been just over 6000 compared to 11,000 in 2006.
This was the article in the local Courier following the Ghillies Lunch at Dunkeld.
THE TAY District Salmon Fisheries Board wants to see at least 75% of salmon caught in the system by anglers safely returned to allow them to breed, writes angling correspondent Ken Bell.
At the annual ghillies' lunch, held just a week before the start of the season, chairman John Milligan told a large group of the Tay boatmen, "If you don't make sure it happens, nobody else will."
Since the board's catch and release programme started in 1999 the percentage of fish returned to the water has increased from 10% to 46% in 2006 and around 50% last year.
However, the river still lags behind the other main Scottish salmon waters.
Mr Milligan said unless the number returned increases, they could face mandatory catch and release regulation of the kind in force on the North and South Esks.
This year guidelines have been brought in which require anglers to return the first fish they catch each day and keep only one of any other fish caught.
From the start of the season until May 31, and in September and October, worm should not be used as a bait.
In addition during the summer all hen fish should be released and 50% of cock fish, particularly those weighing over 15lb.
Mr Milligan also warned of the dangers of the parasite gyrodactylus salaris (GS), and urged ghillies to ensure anglers who had fished abroad disinfected their equipment before fishing on any Tay beat.
His warnings were underlined by Charles Allan from the Fisheries Research Agency at Aberdeen. He said that judging from the experience of Norwegian fisheries, where the parasite was introduced from the Baltic, it could wipe out 95-98% of the Scottish Atlantic salmon if accidentally introduced here.
Mr Allan, a leading expert on the parasite and its dangers, said a computer programme carried out in England estimated that within a year of one outbreak in the south of England the parasite could affect every river catchment south of the border.
GS can survive for a few days on brown trout, but its main host is salmon-to which it is invariably fatal.
He said the parasites increase at an alarming rate for, within days of being born, a single pregnant female would give birth to an already pregnant young.
The fact that no live fish are imported from Europe or Scandinavia, allied to the fact that salt water kills the parasite, has so far prevented it arriving in British waters.
In Norway more than 40 salmon rivers were affected before GS was identified as the cause of the lack of young salmon migrating to sea. The parasite had infected and killed almost all young salmon in these rivers.
Mr Allan said the Norwegians-whose salmon angling is worth £175 million a year-had taken the drastic step of wiping out all fish in many major rivers, and in others had prevented salmon migrating into large upper sections so the parasites would be eradicated by a lack of suitable hosts.
At present the main effort in Britain is to ensure GS is not accidentally brought into this country on damp angling equipment, canoeing equipment etc.
Mr Allan urged ghillies to take all steps they can to ensure anglers from abroad, or who have fished abroad on holiday disinfect all their equipment before fishing on Scottish water.
Unfortunately, the parasite can also survive on rainbow trout and it is this fish that is most frequently transported around the country to stock put-andtake trout fisheries, posing a major problem should the parasite land in the UK.
Fisheries manager Dr David Summers said they had been very successful in obtaining ova for the board hatchery. With some fish still to strip they had almost three million eggs in the trays, their best season.
Last season had been mixed, with beats from the Islamouth up suffering from the late grilse run and the low autumn water, while those further downstream did better. Stormont AC, for example, had double the catch of 2006.
Although the grilse were in better condition, there had not been so many.
The Faskally fish counter had seen just over 4000 fish go through, down on the previous year's high, and at the Ericht the count had been just over 6000 compared to 11,000 in 2006.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring 2008 Flyfishing.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring 2008 Flyfishing.
Fly Fishing for Atlantic Salmon on the Stanley beats of the River Tay Perthshire Scotland.
Fly Fishing for Atlantic Salmon on the Stanley beats of the River Tay Perthshire Scotland.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring 2008.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring 2008.
These are pictures taken over the last few springs at Stanley.
There is good fly fishing and spinning on the Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland beats of the Tay in the Spring which starts on 15th January. Stanley fishings offers Ghillied days with 2 Boats on Pitlochrie and Catholes. Check for availability. We also have bank fishing only without a Ghillie on Benchil and Luncarty. Check for availability for Benchil and Luncarty.
We are doing a Spring Permit again this year on Benchil and Luncarty which gives you 60 days fishing for £120.
These are pictures taken over the last few springs at Stanley.
There is good fly fishing and spinning on the Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland beats of the Tay in the Spring which starts on 15th January. Stanley fishings offers Ghillied days with 2 Boats on Pitlochrie and Catholes. Check for availability. We also have bank fishing only without a Ghillie on Benchil and Luncarty. Check for availability for Benchil and Luncarty.
We are doing a Spring Permit again this year on Benchil and Luncarty which gives you 60 days fishing for £120.
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