The Angus-based Scottish Wild Salmon Company has extended its reach with the acquisition of angling and salmon netting rights in the north east’s Ythan estuary and adjacent foreshore.
The company is the brand name of Usan Salmon Fisheries Ltd, a family firm established in the 1960s just south of Montrose, which remains one of the last salmon netting operations in Scotland.
Company director George Pullar said: “We are absolutely delighted to have acquired these splendid sea trout and salmon fishing rights.
“Given our long association with wild salmon and sea trout in Scotland, we look forward to managing these long-established rights, in a sustainable manner, working in partnership with the angling community to open up access opportunities for anglers of all ages and backgrounds.
“We believe that salmon angling should be open to all members of society. To that end, the angling fishery will continue to be open to the public going forward from this year.”
He added: “Some limited netting will be required on the foreshore and lower estuary.
“This will allow us to fulfil our management role and commitment to addressing the current predation issues, returning the Ythan to its former glory, in a bid to ensure that it remains one of the top sea trout rivers in Scotland for future generations.”
The firm has continually found itself at odds with sporting interests, most recently over a call to return rod and net-caught salmon before mid-May which Mr Pullar said unfairly castigated netting businesses.