Salmon Fishing Scotland Fishing Report for first few days of Tay, Perthshire 2015 season.
The river Tay opened last Thursday undeterred by the dreich conditions, scores of anglers flocked to the banks of the river Tay to mark the opening of the salmon season with great publicity in the press and on television. The various issues and activities appeared on Television, Radio and Press giving the river extremely high exposure that is invaluable.
There were opening day events throughout the Tay district with the larger ceremonies taking place at Dunkeld and Kenmore.
At the Dunkeld Hilton Hotel the Paul Young, Fishing Broadcaster and Celebrity formally opened the river with the symbolic first cast in front of an enthusiastic crowd despite the inclement weather after Tay chairman Bill Jack had raised all the issues and introduced the new season on the mighty river. The ceremony was organised by the Hotel in conjunction with the Dunkeld and Birnam Tourist and Angling Associations and was supported by the Tay Foundation. A good crowd witnessed the event with television coverage by the BBC and STV news plus double page articles in the national press.
William Jack, chairman of the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board, said new legislation which came into effect last week requires all salmon caught by anglers before April to be released back into the water.
He said: “It is encouraging to note that the provisional figure for salmon reported caught on the Tay by anglers to the end of March in 2014 is the highest since 1986.
“It is fair to assume that catch and release in the last few years has contributed to this improvement. It is vital that we retain our spring conservation measures, and the new legislation will help formalise this.”
He added: “Now that releasing fish during this period is a statutory requirement, we look forward to consistent conservation up and down the system. The new season heralds an important milestone in the protection of early-running spring salmon.”
David Summers, board director, said: “We have been greatly encouraged by the improvement in spring salmon catches in the last couple of years, so there is a great sense of anticipation as to what the spring fishing of 2015 is going to be like.
“The new conservation measures are widely welcomed by anglers and ghillies and will not affect this enthusiasm. Quite the contrary.”
“Fishing is often perceived as a traditional pursuit of a select few, when the reality is that a growing number of people from all walks of life and of all ages are participating in, and enjoying, this activity.”
In a second opening ceremony, further upriver also in dreich conditions, a large crowd of anglers and local residents gathered at the Kenmore Hotel in Perthshire before a pipe band led them to the water’s edge where they waited for the season to be officially opened.
Liz Grant, provost of Perth and Kinross, poured a dram into the river before the fishing got under way.
The pouring of whisky is a symbolic gesture to keep the salmon “in good health”.
The Opening day saw 3 spring salmon registered despite the wild weather and they all came from the middle river as lower down the river was rising quickly and colouring from snow melt.
A superb 19 pounds salmon caught by Willie Cummings at Dunkled House won the Redford Trophy, for the heaviest salmon caught and safely released from the River Tay on opening day. The Trophy was first fished for in 1986. It was named after the late Ian Redford of Errol, the then co-owner of the Newtyle beat who tragically died the year before. Another opening day fish came from the same beat and other fish were registered on Dalmarnoch and Lower Kinnaird. On Friday morning the river was starting to fall from a high over over 9 feet on the Ballathie gauge after much colder weather came into the district. Conditions were far from perfect but fish were caught.
Farlows from London had come up to fish the first few days at Stanley and had organised a good opening day ceremony with fishing director Brian Fratel fronting the celebrations. It was only fitting that he should experience a memorable afternoon on the Catholes at the Back Dam landing 2 fresh spring salmon of 10 and 12 pounds and loosing another. There was obviously a small run creeping up the river and Brian ran into them despite the high water. Linn pool saw the same run with Stobhall and Taymount benefiting as well.
Meikleour had celebrated the launching of their new boat with Claire Mercer Nairne toasting the new boat 'Lady Violet' and gave good wishes to all anglers on the river for the season ahead. John Ferguson, who built the boat and virtually all the boats on the river over the last forty years also attended and their season underway as well with a 10 pounder on Friday and Calum McRoberts reported “Conditions on the opening day were far from ideal with a rising water throughout the day and very strong winds, which were particularly problematic in Islamouth Pool, which is usually our spring hot spot! Although overhead conditions improved during the day, the fishing was quiet with only a few kelts for our day. Much better conditions on Friday and I'm delighted to report that Father Eddie McGhee opened our scoring with a 10lb'er from Islamouth Pool. We had a good team of experienced rods out on Saturday, but had only a few kelts to show for our efforts. Water conditions look better for next week and we're hopeful for improved sport.”
Stobhall and Taymount figured highly in the opening days with good conditions for the Linn pool in particular. Stobhall reported a couple of fish and Taymount did the same with the fish of the opening few days falling to
Chris Davidson a superb 22 pounds beauty.
Frank Ross also caught an 8 pounds spring beauty. Hopefully with some settled conditions over the week to come a good few more spring salmon will be landed to get our season off to a flying start.
The Spring Salmon fishing was well and truly underway after all the excitement of opening day’s celebrations. All in all it was a truly memorable opening so let us hope the season lives up to every ones expectations.
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