The river Tay opened on the 15thJanuary in slightly milder conditions for this winter after a warmer few days putting river levels on the rise, scores of anglers flocked to the banks of the river 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 was invaluable with major emphases of asking anglers to only take occasional fish when applicable in the season after poor returns again in 2018 with an increasing priority on conservation. It has been another quiet start to the season so far however there seem to be a good number of Kelts following a very late run prior to opening.
There were opening day events throughout the Tay district with the larger ceremonies taking place at Meikleour and Kenmore.
At Meikleour the Tay Board official opening in conjunction with the Perth Chamber of Commerce took place with
Perth and Kinross Depute Provist Willie Wilsonformally opening the river and the
symbolic first cast in front of an enthusiastic crowd was made by Polly Murray-the first woman to climb Everst after introductions from Tay Board chairman Iain McLaren who raised all the issues and welcomed the new season on the mighty river. The ceremony at the Meikleour on Tuesday morning marked the official start of the 2019 season. A good crowd witnessed the event with television coverage by STV news plus double page articles in the national press. Anglers attending the event and a raffle for a Hardy Perfect 4” raised over the opening week £2095 for Angling for Youth Development.
Ms Murray also presented the prestigious Malloch Trophy to local angler for catching a superb spring salmon from the river Teith weighing approximately 28 pounds on the fly.
In a second opening ceremony, further upriver, a large crowd of anglers and local residents gathered at the Kenmore Hotel in Perthshire before Vale of Atholl pipe band led them to the water’s edge where they waited for the season to be officially opened by Fred MacAulay, who 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”.
Further ceremonies took place on smaller scales up and down the river toasting the river and hoping we see far better success in the coming year.
At Stanley Gleneagles Hotel welcomed the new season with guests enjoying a full day’s entertainment. At Dunkeld the Dunkled House Hotel hosted a similar celebration.
The Opening day saw a couple of spring salmon registered in the best conditions for years on the river. Hopefully with more settled conditions over the weeks to come a few more spring salmon will enter the river and be landed to get our season off to a flying start.
Stobhall saw a lovely fresh 14 pounds fish landed by Ian Davie which ended up being the recipient of the Redford Trophy.
An older salmon, but none the less a very early run spring salmon was also recorded on the same day from the Pitlochry Angling stretch on the Tummel at the Dam caught by Steve Watt fly fishing.
Friday saw a further fresh 18 pounds salmon caught at Ballathie by Ian Gray from the boat guided by birthday boy George McInnes.
The Spring Salmon fishing was well and truly underway after all the excitement of opening day’s celebrations. It has been a slow start so let us hope the season lives up to everyone’s expectations over the coming weeks and months. Tight lines!
No comments:
Post a Comment