Salmon Fishing Scotland Season review for the river Tay, Perthshire, Scotland 2013.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Season review for the river Tay, Perthshire, Scotland 2013.

The light is well and truly fading away on the 2013 salmon fishing season on the Tay in Perthshire, Scotland but on a very positive note. The catch figures are all being finalised to show a healthy increase which is good news for the river. The yearly catch is now over 8000 showing a 26% increase on the 5 year average. The breakdown was a 98% increase in the spring, a 7% fall in the summer due to the very low warm water and a 24% increase in the autumn on 5 year averages. A more detailed report will be on its way.

The light fading on a winters night over the silvery Tay.


The 2014 season is now on count down with anticipation after this years success. News of the opening day ceremonies will be released soon.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay, Perthshire, Scotland Salmon fishing Season 2013.

Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay, Perthshire, Scotland Salmon fishing Season 2013.

The river Tay in Perthshire, Scotland has had a successful salmon fishing season with around 8000 salmon landed.

An autumn scene on the river.


The light fades away on the 2013 salmon season and we now look forward to the 2014 season and what it brings. the catches in 2013 show an approximate 15% increase on 2012 and a 30% increase on the 5 year average. A season review is in process.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Salmon netting fears for Anglers in Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Salmon netting fears for Anglers in Scotland.

The Salmon and Trout Association has raised concerns about the impact of netting.

This is an article in the Scotsman written by FRANK URQUHART which has worrying consequences for anglers in Scotland.
There are less salmon returning to our rivers with only a 5% return of smolts going to sea so it is vital everything is done to protect our wild salmon stocks. Anglers are doing their bit by returning more salmon to the rivers now which is their contribution to maintaining stocks. Anglers also contribute greatly to local economies by coming fishing to our rivers which seems to be understated. Our Government needs to finally get behind this before everything gets undone and angling tourism falls apart.


A superb picture taken by Neil Hanna of Jim Ferrie on Opening day on the Tay last January.
SCOTLAND’S salmon netsmen were today accused of paving the way for the “wholesale killing” of the vital Spring run after tearing up a longstanding voluntary agreement to delay the start of the salmon-catching season.

For the past 14 years the members of the Salmon Net Fishing Association of Scotland (SNFAS), which represents the majority of netsmen around the coast, have championed the postponement of the start of their netting season by six weeks to help protect the early-running Spring salmon, the most vulnerable component of wild Atlantic salmon stocks.

Netsmen are legally entitled to start netting in mid February but the delay has meant that, since 1999, no Spring salmon has been caught until April at the earliest.

It has now been revealed that, at the association’s annual general meeting in Dunkeld, Scottish netsmen voted to scrap the voluntary six week delay in a move that salmon anglers claim will place the Spring run at risk.

Condemned

Hugh Campbell-Adamson, chairman of the Salmon and Trout Association (Scotland), condemned the netsmen’s decision.

He claimed: “For years SNFAS has milked the six week delay to the netting season as evidence of its members’ conservation credentials. The intention to start earlier shows that the netsmen are determined to kill a proportion of the scarcest, most vulnerable and indeed most valuable of our salmon runs.

“For many years rod interests have given maximum protection to these fish and now virtually none are killed by anglers in the early weeks of the season. In fact most rivers operate 100 per cent catch and release until May or even later.”

Mr Campbell-Adamson said the official Scottish catch statistics confirmed that in 2012 almost every salmon caught by anglers in February and March was released back into the water.

He said: “Netsmen, like anglers, have the right to kill fish. However this backward decision reflects the failure of netsmen, unlike anglers, to recognise that these early runs must be protected.”

Protection

He called for action by the Scottish Government to help protect salmon stocks.

Campbell-Adamson said: “Only Scottish Ministers have the legal power to prevent this exploitation under the terms of the Salmon Act of 2003 – if they consider that it is necessary or expedient to do so for the conservation of salmon.

“Ministers cannot on the one hand advocate that anglers release all the early-running salmon they catch, and on the other hand sit back and sanction the wholesale killing of these fish before they reach our rivers. Scottish Ministers need to act now if early-running salmon are to be protected.”

A spokesman for the Salmon and Trout Association said: “Mixed stocks coastal netting stations indiscriminately catch any salmon passing by, regardless of where they are heading or the strength of the various populations in their home rivers. They are completely non-selective, making the management of individual river stocks almost impossible.”

Netsmen hit back

Keith Allan, the secretary of the netsmen’s association, refuted the anglers claims, accusing the anglers of doing nothing for salmon conservation for 14 years while netsmen had suffered financially as a result of their voluntary postponement.

Mr Allan declared: “The netsmen do have a very strong and ongoing respect for the conservation of salmon stocks, despite a perceived absence of reciprocation from anglers. We have said for 14 years that we are the only ones who have done anything positive and effective in terms of conserving stocks.

“Catch and release is not proven to work because there are lots of scientific papers on catch and release which show there is damage to the fish - they are stressed and nobody really knows what happens to them once they go back into the river.

“If (anglers) are that keen on conservation, why don’t they stop fishing for six weeks as well at the start of the season. But, of course, the economic argument for that is that they want the money for selling their beats at high prices.”

Mr Allan stressed that netsmen were, however, willing to enter into negotiations at a local level with district salmon fishery boards.

He said: “They are ready to talk to their district boards about continuing the postponement of the season - provided they get compensation which they don’t at the moment. They are fed up because they have done this for 14 years and they don’t believe that the anglers have done anything material.”

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “The Scottish Government recognises the significant support that has been shown by anglers for voluntary action to protect vulnerable early stock components including catch and release and the Salmon Net Fisherman’s Association of Scotland’s six week delay to the start of the net fishing season.

“We actively support these voluntary measures, and have encouraged both the Salmon Net Fisherman’s Association of Scotland and the District Salmon Fishery Boards to enter into early local discussions to agree a proportionate and pragmatic way forward.”

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon fly fishing on the Tweed November 2013.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon fly fishing on the Tweed November 2013.

Recently I was fortunate to have a day on the Tweeds Tweedmill beat just below Coldstream.

The Cauld pool at the centre of the Tweedmill beat.


A good salmon is hooked on the fly from the Cauld.


A fish of approximately 17 pounds was successfully landed, then released.


Looking up to the Wellington pools as the light fades. Tillmouth is on the opposite bank.


A good Autumn salmon caught from the Cauld ably assisted by Andy Murray.


The light fades looking upstream from the Cauld.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland river Tay, Perthshire, Scotland Report for last 4 days of October 2013.

Salmon Fishing Scotland river Tay, Perthshire, Scotland Report for last 4 days of October 2013.

The conditions on the Tay in Perthshire, Scotland were better for the last 4 days with a falling river after very high water and catches were reasonable on most beats. The extra water helped spread catches and fresh salmon were caught on most beats participating in the extension fishing but better conditions in the last two weeks would have been preferred as the river was continually unsettled with the very heavy rain. It is strange that the river was looking for rain after all the dry weather but when it came the rain forgot to stop!

The last cast of 2013 at Kercock.
The Autumn catches have been good in selective areas of the river which suit excessive low water but in many areas it has been a difficult period after an outstanding spring with numerous salmon registered in the Tay system above expectation. It as a strange year with effectively a big spate in May then no real spate until mid October. Overall it has been a good season ending on a positive note with catches up on last year and on the 5-year average. The outstanding scenery complimented the fishing over the last few weeks with some spectacular autumn colours in Perthshire to rival anywhere in the world.

Salmon have been caught throughout the system this past week including some very fresh late runners and some autumn monsters.

Beat catches reported
(week ending 2nd November)
SALMON & GRILSE: Almondmouth 27, Waulkmill 19, Lower Redgorton 18, Luncarty Summer and Autumn 10, Catholes Summer and Autumn 4, Upper Redgorton 9, Fishponds 22, Benchil and Pitlochrie 16, Upper Scone 7, Catholes 1, Burnmouth 3, Stobhall 10, Taymount 13, Ballathie 13, Cargill 18, Lower and Upper Islamouth 16, Upper Islamouth and Meikleour House 2, Meikleour House 6, Kercock 15, Murthly 1 24, Murthly 2 11, Newtyle 18, Dunkeld House 16, Dalmarnock 1, Dalguise 8, Lower Aberuthven 1.
Total: 308 Largest: Upper Redgorton 34lbs
SEA TROUT: Upper Scone 2, Taymount 1.
Total: 3 Largest: Taymount 3lbs

The Lower River caught approximately 200 salmon for the week. The conditions over the last few days were improving with better catches apart from Thursday when the river rose and leaves were a problem. The Islamouth area produced some good days and Ballathie and Cargill continued their good spell. Taymount and Stobhall finished their season with salmon caught on all the days. This has been the standout area of the river with catches well above the average benefiting from the years conditions. From Stanley down river it has been a hard autumn period but catches have improved in October after rain at long last. Upper Scone and Stanley have made the most of the water but would have preferred it much earlier. In the last week George Masons party enjoyed reasonable sport with Scone landing fish up to 24 pounds and odd fresh salmon.

Kenny Scott with a good salmon caught at Benchil.
At Stanley the last 4 days proved the best of the autumn with 16 salmon landed. Notable catches included John Morrison catching a long tailed sea liced fish from Horsey on the fly, Freddie Sutherland catching 4 in a day off Benchil and John Lessels landing 4 in two days. On Catholes Slawomir Wojcik was delighted to catch a 5 pounds fresh salmon but hooked a monster that got away. On Catholes and Luncarty Andrew Gifford’s party did well landing several salmon that included 3 anglers first ever salmon.

A good fish from Fishponds.
Upper Redgorton and Fishponds had a good last few days including a few very big fish up to 34 pounds. Lower Redgorton, Waulkmill and Almondmouth also faired well.

On the Middle River around 100 salmon were registered and some good fresh salmon have been caught as well including fish up to over 30 pounds.

Skene party at Dalguise.
Dalguise end of season saw “some very memorable moments and 8 fish in total, with 3 salmon fishing novices breaking their duck at Dalguise, Robin Reid, Kieran Fraser and Mark Goddard. Then there was Mark Mason’s 30lb cock salmon to end the season on, taking the final total to 136. Monday started with high water and lots of autumnal leaves coming down the system, this made fishing hard and Mondays guests failed to connect. With the water dropping Tuesday was a decent day, with 3 fish landed to the Brick and Stone Party, Robin Reid coloured cock 15lb, Colin Paton coloured cock 6lb (cascade) and Kieran Fraser coloured cock 18lb. Wednesday was improved; however still plenty of leaves about! 4 fish were landed, John Christison 9lb silver cock, Jim Goold 12lb coloured hen 12lb, Mark Goddard coloured hen 2lb and Malcolm Bennet 8lb coloured hen. Then came the final day of the season, a rising water which didn’t dampen Mark Mason’s spirits and he rounds of the season with a 30lb’r, a big cock fish looking great in it’s tartan outfit.” Thanks Stan. On Dalmarnock Gordon Nicol ended his season on the last day on a high with a 16 pounds salmon. Gordon was also fortunate the get an opening day fish as well back in January on the Tummel. Dunkeld House had a great last few days with several salmon landed up to an impressive 28 pounds. Ian Strachan enjoyed success with the fly, Visions were popular with Simon Furniss and

Calum McRoberts catching fish up to 22 pounds, David Erwin and Jim McDonald did their part. Former Dunkeld owner Jess Miller also caught with a 6 pounds salmon. Newtyle finished their season off well with some good days and fell just short of 250 salmon for the season, which was way up on their 5 year average. The Murthly beats also finished well and again had catches well above the 5 year average. Kercock had a good last four days with some real quality silver fish landing 15. They had 92 fish for October even with the high water in the second half of the month. Successful anglers included Andy Kerr, Robert McFarlane, Brian Watson with a 12 pounder on a orange tube fly, Dougie McLean caught 2 including a 10 pounds sea licer and Norrie McLeod had three with his biggest being a 20 pounds cracker,

Dougie McIntosh also had a 12 pounds sea licer on a cascade tube and Mark Thomson caught 2 up to 10 pounds.

The other areas of the river were closed form mid month.

The Earn registered 1 salmon from Aberuthven.

Overall it has been a good season for the river with improved catches above the average. Thank you all who maintained the river Catch and Release code as it is so important to help maintain sport for the future of this river.

The light finally fades on 2013 season.
If you have any news or pictures of catches or experiences on the Tay and you would like to share them please email me on robert.salmonfishing@googlemail.com to be included in the reports.


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