As the River Tay gears up for next month’s opening of the fishing season, anglers are being urged to play their part in the conservation of salmon stocks.
Bill Jack, chairman of the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board, has called on anglers contemplating killing spring salmon to look at the bigger picture.
“If we are to be left free to regulate ourselves, then we must make even greater efforts to encourage the release of spring fish and I, once again, urge those few within our river system who continue to kill these precious fish, to think again and put the interests of the whole river before their own,” he says in the board’s annual report.
In 2014 and 2015 the board recommended a policy of 100% catch and release of salmon up to the end of May.
The latest figures available for 2014 revealed a compliance rate of 90% which meant the number of spring salmon killed in the Tay district (141) was the highest in Scotland.
The report noted that the release rate should be closer to 100% in 2015 because of mandatory measures that were introduced this year.
The board’s report said they were keen that the dualling of the A9 Perth to Inverness did not have a detrimental impact on the river system.
“The board is particularly concerned that the right decision is taken with respect to the proposed widening of the bridge over the Garry just above Killiecrankie,” says the report.
“The board’s preference is for the new carriageway to be built to the south of the existing one.
“Construction to the north would place a carriageway over perhaps the most important salmon holding pool in the area.”
The salmon season will get under way officially on January 15.
Dr Aileen McLeod, minister for environment, climate change and land reform, will perform the ceremony at Dunkeld with board chairman Mr Jack.
In preparation, Dr McLeod had her first fishing experience in June at Meikleour on the Tay where she joined a ladies’ angling club for a charity day in support of Angling for Youth Development.
Dr McLeod will be accompanied by her team from Marine Scotland who are responsible for the Wild Fisheries Review, which will bring about major changes to how fisheries operate in Scotland and will also have impact on anglers.
As in previous years there will also be other opening ceremonies organised at Kenmore and Meikleour.
At Meikleour, 92-year-old fly-tying legend and jazz musician Tommy C. Saville along with three-year-old ghillie’s daughter Eilidh McRoberts will be performing the symbolic first cast.
Tommy won’t be the only accomplished musician on the beat as Perthshire’s Pipe Major Ian Duncan will lead anglers to the river just below Kinclaven Bridge. Proud of its 300 years of Franco Scottish connections, the water at Meikleour will be blessed with a dousing of whisky and Champagne.