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.
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