Salmon Fishing Scotland Early Spring Salmon caught on the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland 2014.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Early Spring Salmon caught on the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland 2014.

The second day on the 2014 salmon season saw higher water levels due to milder conditions on the opening day however spring salmon were still caught in the river.


Mark Cockburn from Fishpal landed this superb spring salmon on the Dunkled House beat from the boat.


Further up river Jock Monteith's partner Louise caught this cracking 21 pounds spring salmon on Upper Kinnaird along with another weighing 9 pounds. Great day for the two of you.


A fresh 15 pounds spring salmon caught in the Back Dam on the Catholes at Stanley by Ian Kettles.


The winner of the Redford Trophy on Opening day with an 18 pounds spring salmon caught at Dunkled House.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay Salmon Season Opening Ceremony Dunkeld, Perthshire 2014.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay Salmon Season Opening Ceremony Dunkeld, Perthshire 2014.

Highlights of the Dunkeld Opening Ceremony for the Salmon season.



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Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire, Scotland Salmon Fishing Opening Day 2014.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire, Scotland Salmon Fishing Opening Day 2014.

The 2014 salmon fishing opening day at last arrived today but with fairly inclement weather.

Despite all the rain and rising temperatures anglers were out in force throughout the river system experiencing the first casts of 2014.

Scotland's first minister, Alex Salmond opened the Tay with the aid of 7 year old Jimmy Stewart and his proud grandfather, Willie Townsley.


Young Jimmy Stewart performed the first symbolic cast watched by a large crown at Dunkeld.


The opening at Kenmore. Picture by S Watt.

It was then down to business throughout the river under grey skies and heavy rain at times but despite this catches were achieved on most parts of the river. There seemed to be a lot of Kelts landed which was heartening meaning spawning had been successful with the absent of unspawned fish by and large.


Boats went out with anticipation.


Calum McRoberts with a cracking 17 pounds fresh spring salmon caught at the Deans Burn at Newtyle, Dunkeld.


A superb 15 pounds sea liced salmon caught by John Lessels at Taymount from the Ministers Stone on a silver Toby.


Taymount Ghillie, Cohn O'Dea carefully returnd their fresh salmon.


Freddie Richardson holds a 12 pounds spring salmon caught on a Toby from Pitlochrie pool at Stanley. He was part of the Farlows party from London.

Despite the adverse conditions today the Tay has got off to a good start, let us hope this continues and we can get another memorable spring like last year.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay Opening Day 2014.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay Opening Day 2014.

The dawn of the 2014 Tay salmon season is about to appear with much anticipation.


Conditions have improved over the last few days giving everyone out on the river a genuine chance of catching their first spring salmon of 2014.
The water levels have dropped to a reasonable but high river height and the river temperature has dropped below 40F or 4.5C giving the lower beats now a chance but it should be said anywhere in the main system is a possibility.

The river at Stanley.

There will be the usual opening day ceremonies up and down the river with larger events a Dunkeld and Kenmore. Details


This is a picture from the opening of the Tay in 1979 from the Newtyle beat just below Dunkeld, Perthshire, Scotland. In the picture is the late Ian Redford (centre)and legionary Scottish Tay Ghillies Willie Laird (left) and Callum Gillies (right).
On January 15th anglers will be competing for the Redford Trophy, for the heaviest salmon caught and safely released from the River Tay on opening day 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.

The angler who lands the biggest salmon on the day will not only be presented with the Trophy but will receive a £250 tackle voucher courtesy of James Crockart & Sons, the famous Blairgowrie tackle and gun shop.

Anglers who land a witnessed opening day springer should contact Crockarts at 01250 872056 by no later than 5 p.m.

I hope everyone has a good 2014 Opening day and tight lines for the coming season.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Prospects for the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland Opening Day 2014.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Prospects for the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland Opening Day 2014.

Prospects for the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland Opening Day 2014.

There is now only a few days until the river Tay opens its salmon fishing season for 2014. The excitement is building slowly with anticipated large crowds expected at Dunkeld and Kenmore for the public opening day events.
First Minister, Alex Salmond will formally open the Mighty Tay and perform the first cast of the 2014 season at the Hilton Dunkeld Hotel opening day gathering.

Anglers enjoying their first casts last season.
At Kenmore a traditional opening of the salmon season on the River Tay will also be held with a parade of fishermen to the river bank with the Vale of Atholl Junior Pipe Band, the 1st cast of the season will be made by Provost Liz Grant of Perth City to mark the opening of the River Tay and a speaker will wish the anglers 'tight lines' for the season.
There will also be several other smaller ceremonies on the various beats up and down the river to mark the opening.
Currently the river is running high but falling away following all the rain we have had over the last month. Colder and more settled weather is hopefully on the horizon at long last giving the river a great chance of producing some good sport and some early "Bars of Silver" on the opening day and beyond.

A superb Tay bar of silver.
Full details on the large Opening day events.

On January 15th anglers will be competing for the Redford Trophy, for the heaviest salmon caught and safely released from the River Tay on opening day 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.

The angler who lands the biggest salmon on the day will not only be presented with the Trophy but will receive a £250 tackle voucher courtesy of James Crockart & Sons, the famous Blairgowrie tackle and gun shop.

Anglers who land a witnessed opening day springer should contact Crockarts at 01250 872056 by no later than 5 p.m.

The weather is to be colder and and a bit more settled as the week goes on. The water temperature was high for the time year but has fallen back to just below 40 degrees Fahrenheit or 4.5 degrees Celcius, which is more typical for this time of year but this could change by the end of this week. The temperature may come back further with the colder forecast during the week ahead but any salmon that are running may be spread throughout the system after milder conditions prior to the opening day giving everyone a good chance for the coming week. Hopefully there might be a chance of a fresh fish anywhere in the river. There will no doubt be quite a few kelts about on many beats and possibly some later run fish, which have yet to spawn. Spring salmon identification help for those not sure about the different types of fish in the river at this time of year.

As to methods, in settled conditions fishing by any method will have to be slow and deep with large lures to catch the elusive Tay Springer. Harling is also a favoured method at this time of year but be warned wrap up well or it will not be a pleasant experience.

Finally you are reminded that the Tay's policy for January - May 2014 is that all spring salmon should be released, i.e. the Tay has adopted a policy of 100% catch and release for spring salmon. Spring salmon are a scarce and precious resource. Please help preserve both them and the long term future of your sport by following the recommendations.


When releasing salmon please try to keep the fish in the water as much as possible to give them every chance to recover prior to release. Releasing fish from boats in the river is not recommended. Guidance on good Catch and Release practice.

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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Salmon Fishing Scotland the Importance of Catch and Release of Atlantic Salmon in Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland the Importance of Catch and Release of Atlantic Salmon in Scotland.

The salmon season is about to start on the Tay in Perthshire, Scotland this coming week. Atlantic salmon stocks are relatively low so the importance of Catch and Release is vital to continue our enjoyment of this superb sport for the future. Currently on the Tay this is being achieved by the majority of anglers with odd exceptions. We had a superb spring run and catch last season, which may just be down to the majority of anglers returning salmon over the past seasons. Thank you to all anglers who have returned their spring salmon to maintain our sport for the future, it is vitally important and is a great contribution by individuals who care for their sport and the river. Well done!


To back this up the Association of Salmon Fishery Boards are calling for zero exploitation of salmon before mid-May. In a radical new policy move, the ASFB are advocating that no salmon be killed in Scotland – either by nets or rods – before May 15th. Alasdair Laing, Chairman of ASFB, said: “Numbers of returning adults are so low that some stocks of spring salmon are close to, or below, being self-sustaining; the earliest running fish are the most vulnerable. It is a well-established management principle that breeding fish should not be killed where a stock is threatened or vulnerable. On that basis it is the ASFB recommendation that no fish should be killed before May 15th. Where local evidence demonstrates that additional protection is required, District Salmon Fishery Boards (DSFBs) may wish to maintain a zero exploitation policy for a longer period. Over recent years very high levels of catch and release have been achieved during the spring, largely through voluntary policies and we are encouraging all DSFBs to ensure that their conservation policies reflect this position”.

Spring salmon are a very precious resource on the Tay and we need to do all we can to conserve them for the future.
These are some helpful facts from the Atlantic Salmon Federation to follow to enable you to pursue this successfully.


How to SAFELY Release a Salmon
“The best method of releasing a salmon is to leave it in the water
and touch nothing but the hook with fingers or pliers.
“Whatever the method, care combined with speed, will give the fish the best chance of survival.”
Lee Wulff, Atlantic Salmon Journal Winter 1964/65

• Use barbless or pinched hooks
• Retrieve your fish quickly; release it immediately
• Keep the fish in the water
• Use rubber or knotless cotton net, if one must be used
• Cut the leader if necessary
• Remove the hook carefully
• Hold the fish gently in natural swimming position, facing upstream until it revives
• Don’t pump the fish. That is, don’t move the fish back and forth in the water.

On the Tay system there is a lot of boat work and releasing fish from boats in the river is not recommended and is bad practice, the fish is out on the water for an excessive time and they do not recover fully. When ever possible net fish at the bank out of boats to give them every chance of survival. Minimal handling of spring salmon is vital for their recovery as they burn from handling and inevitably cover with fungus and die. Think of the fish and not what is easiest for you. Every salmon is vital for our river.
This is an example of a salmon that has been released and died due to bad handling.



How should hooks be removed?
Very Carefully
In quiet water, bring the wild salmon quickly within reach. Leaving the salmon in water and without squeezing it, remove the hook carefully with pliers or thumb and forefinger. If a net must be used, it should be rubber or knotless cotton. If necessary, cut the leader near the fly and spare the fish.

The Science of Live Release
“Peer-reviewed science supports live release as a proven and effective conservation tool.”
Dr. Fred Whoriskey,
ASF Vice-President, Research & Environment

Studies in North America and Europe have shown live release works, and in some instances Atlantic salmon have been angled 2 and 3 times.
Science has shown that virtually all Atlantic salmon will survive when released, as long as the angler uses the proper techniques, refrains from angling in overly warm water, and does not overplay the Atlantic salmon.
Like athletes sprinting on a track, Atlantic salmon build up lactic acid in their muscle tissues when they are being played.
The Key is Oxygen – The fish need oxygen in order to recover and continue their journey.
To recover, Atlantic salmon need:
• careful handling by the angler to reduce stress
• to remain in the water where they can breathe and reduce the oxygen deficit in their tissues
• to be held in an upstream position for water to flow more easily across their gills

How to Photograph a Release
ASF appreciates anglers and guides who develop the skills of taking fantastic images with the fish held IN the water, not out of it.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland The Tay in Perthshire, Scotland Salmon Season 2014 to be opened by First Minister.

Salmon Fishing Scotland The Tay in Perthshire, Scotland Salmon Season 2014 to be opened by First Minister.

The Tay in Perthshire, Scotland have made the bold decision to ask First Minister Alex Salmond to open the 2014 season.



This was an article in the Daily Record today written by "Silver Wilkie".

Scotland’s conservation minded anglers have reacted with disbelief at the decision to invite First Minister Alex Salmond to open the River Tay’s salmon fishing season on Wednesday next week.

For years Mr Salmond and his Scottish Ministers have infuriated anglers by encouraging fish farms, many Norwegian owned, to increase productivity in an industry which has severely damaged wild salmon and sea trout stocks with massive sea lice infestations.

Anglers were also incandescent with rage when the Scottish Government gave a £100,000 grant to a netting company and offered to give them an extension to their netting season, a move which prompted the Faroese to threaten to end a voluntary ban on high seas fishing which saved thousands of returning Scottish salmon.

Wild Scottish salmon stocks have been dramatically dwindling year on year and only this week it was revealed that the 2013 run on the Spey was the worst for 60 years.

To conserve salmon anglers are carefully returning huge amounts of fish which they have hooked and landed, so it’s no wonder they are fuming at the decision to ask the First Minister to the high profile Tay opening.

There has been talk of demonstrations and banners on the day. On angling blogs one comment described it as a “slap in the face,” and another commented: “I wouldn’t trust him with my pet goldfish”.

Mr Salmond’s track record on wild salmon welfare was also described as “abysmal”, so was it wise to invite him to open the Tay?

Bill Jack, chairman of the River Tay Salmon Fisheries Board said that when the invitation was first raised his initial reaction was a resounding no.

Then after quiet consideration he decided to adopt a more measured approach and in a one to one over dinner the night before Mr Jack will spell out the facts to the First Minister about commercial netting and the value of salmon angling to the Scottish economy compared to revenue from fish farming, profits from which go abroad.

He said: “I have been getting a lot of flak over the invitation but how many chances do you get to put over various points to the First Minister face to face?”

One of Mr Jack’s main points will be about his home river system, in particular the re-watering of a main Tay tributary, the River Garry, which has literally been turned into a dry gulch by a hydro scheme.

The Board battled for years to successfully persuade Scottish and Southern Energy to allow more water into the river to provide spawning beds capable of getting another 2000 salmon into the Garry.

He added: “The issue has now gone to SEPA for a decision and regrettably it has been dragging its heels for a considerable time. I am going to use the meeting with Mr Salmond to show him the effects of a dried up river on the system and hopefully to get him to jolt SEPA into action.”


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