Saturday, January 31, 2009

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing 2009.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing 2009.
This was Pitlochrie pool today (31/01/2009) after a spate from the day before. The river rose sharply overnight and began to settle by mid morning. There was still a bit of colour in the water. The river was fished hard by spinning from the bank and also fly fishing from the bank but we had no luck. The prospects for next week look good with a falling water and conditions remaining cold which is ideal for the lower Tay in the Stanley area of the Tay.

Pitlochrie pool looking upstream fron the tail of the pool.

looking down to the tail of Pitlochrie pool in a fading light late in the day.

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Friday, January 30, 2009

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Flies.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Flies.


These are typical spring Salmon flies which would be fished on sunk lines at this time of year. In lower water temperatures you need to fish bigger flies such as tubes and Temple dogs on sunk lines such as wet cell 2's until the water warms up into the mid 40 degrees. These flies will be available in the Salmon Fly shop soon.

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Thursday, January 29, 2009

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Fly Fishing at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland for Salmon 2009.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Fly Fishing at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland for Salmon 2009.
I mananaged to get a few casts in myself yesterday. This was fly fishing in the Dack Dam pool of the Catholes beat at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.

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Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Fly Fishing at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland for Salmon 2009.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Fly Fishing at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland for Salmon 2009.

This was Charlotte Gifford playing a Kelt in the Black Stones Fly Fishing from the boat on the Catholes Beat of the Tay at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.
We only had 3 Kelts today. (28/01/2009) Conditions were good except for the rise sent down the river by the Hydro at Pitlochry.

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Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Fly Fishing for Atlantic Salmon 2009.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Fly Fishing for Atlantic Salmon 2009.
Video of Duncan Leggat playing a lively Spring Salmon at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Fly Fishing for Spring Salmon at Stanley on the Tay.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Fly Fishing for Spring Salmon at Stanley on the Tay.
Duncan Leggat playing a Spring Salmon in Cawn Pore on the Pitlochrie beat of the Tay at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.
The salmon is nearly ready for the net.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing 2009.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing 2009.
We had a good day at the river today (27/01/2009) catching our first Spring Salmon of the season and having some other sport with Kelts.

Duncan Leggat fly fishing from the boat in the Wash House pool on the Pitlochrie beat of the lower Tay at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.

Duncan Leggat playing the spring salmon on the fly in Cawn pore opposite Stanley Mills.

Hamish Thomson playing a Kelt in Cawn pore spinning from the bank with a devon.
It was a good day with good company. Haste ye back.

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Monday, January 26, 2009

Salmon Fishing Scotland World Fly Fishing Championship 2009.

Salmon Fishing Scotland World Fly Fishing Championship 2009.


This year in June the World Fly fishing Championships are coming to Scotland and part of it will be held at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland on our Catholes, Pitlochrie and Benchil beats of the river Tay.
For a link to the web site click here. www.worldflyfishingchampionships2009.com

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Sunday, January 25, 2009

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Fly Fishing 2009.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Fly Fishing 2009.
Steve McGrandles Fly Fishing in the Cawn Pore pool of the Pitlochrie beat at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland looking for a Tay Spring salmon.



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Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Fly Fishing 2009.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Fly Fishing 2009.
This is a video of Steve McGrandles playing and landing a Kelt fly fishing in the Horsey pool of the Pitlochrie beat at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland. Jamie Scullion expertly nets the fish.



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Saturday, January 24, 2009

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing 2009.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing 2009.
It was a very cold day on the river today (24/01/2009) with the overnight frost not lifting in the shade at all. It was a good day on the river with ideal conditions and some winter sunshine. Unfortunately we did not catch any fresh run Springers but 3 Kelts were landed keeping everyone interested.

This is Jamie and Jim Scullion in the boat infront of Stanley Mills.

James McKay fishing Cawn Pore opposite Stanley Mills.

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Friday, January 23, 2009

Salmon Fishing Scotland 2009 Tay Opening Day.

Salmon Fishing Scotland 2009 Tay Opening Day.

This is the report for SILVER WILKIE to appear in todays (23/01/2009) press on the Opening day celebrations and the presentation of the Redford Trophy.

AN EPIC battle with a powerful springer won Perthshire farmer William Manning the coveted Redford Trophy for the heaviest salmon from the Tay on opening day.



William, from Enochdhu, was blessed with a bit of beginner’s luck when he stepped into the boat at the Islamouth beat for what was just his second ever day’s salmon fishing.

The beat was full of kelts jumping around all over the place, and on ghillie Ally Scott’s advice William, 36, put on a yellow and green Rapala.

He was soon into a kelt or two giving him the feel for playing a salmon.

The real challenge came when a much more powerful fish grabbed the lure in the middle of the river.

As ghillie Ally manoeuvred the boat back to the bank the salmon unexpectedly dashed towards the bank upstream of them.

William had to frantically wind in to keep in touch with the fish, and no sooner had he done that than it made a high speed rush downstream and then sped towards the boat.

Again William had to wind in like mad to keep in touch with the fish, but unfortunately as it came under the boat the line wrapped round the outboard engine prop and two rods which were sticking out of the stern.

Amazingly it came to rest right under the boat. A shake of the head or another run would have resulted in a break or even smashed rods.

The salmon fortunately just sat in the current allowing Ally to patiently unwind the line from the prop and the two rods.

Soon after the fish was brought to the net.

Fortunately William’s luck was to hold out. Unknown to anyone, the hook-hold had been considerably weakened by the salmon’s epic fight and just as it slipped into the net the hook slipped out.

It turned out to be a spanking, fresh run springer, the sea lice just off it’s back.



After the fish was weighed in at 14 ½ lb and photographed, William, abiding by rules which dictate that every first fish should go back, released the salmon carefully back into the Tay.

His boat partner Robert Jamieson, of Crockart’s fishing tackle shop in Blairgowrie, was delighted, because he administers the coveted Redford Trophy for the heaviest fish caught from the river on opening day and was proud to witness the capture.

Robert also landed an eight pounder on the same day.

Congratulations William. You will shortly be receiving your fantastic rod and reel tackle prize from top tackle maker, Daiwa, our Fish of the Week sponsor.

In addition William will receive a £250 tackle voucher from Crockart’s, and a day’s fishing for himself and a friend courtesy of Stanley Fishings.

The Redford Trophy will be presented to him at the annual Tay Conservation dinner at Ballathie House Hotel on June 11.

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Thursday, January 22, 2009

Salmon fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the Tay, Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland 2009.

Salmon fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the Tay, Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland 2009.

This was Harling in front of Stanley Mills today (22/01/2009)on the Pitlochrie beat of the lower Tay at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland. The river was out of sorts with heavy rain during the night. Maybe tomorrow will be the day? At least Sandy Robertson, Clive Bywater and the dogs were having a good time.

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Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing 2009.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing 2009.

This was the Slap on the Catholes at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland today (21/01/2009) on the lower Tay. Conditions were ideal with a dropping river and a water temperature of 37 degrees.

This is the Little head at the top of the Catholes. The perfect place for a Tay Springer.

Lastly this was the view out of the back of the boat at the Tarr Tank on the Pitlochrie beat at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.
Over the last couple of days there have been a number of Kelts, Baggots and Rawners caught in the area which keeps everyone interested but we are still hoping the next time the rod buckles it is a fresh run Tay Springer.

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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Salmon Fishing Scotland January 2009 Spring Salmon or Not.

Salmon Fishing Scotland January 2009 Spring Salmon or Not.





Salmon Fishing Scotland January 2009 Springer or not.


Following the start of the 2009 Salmon season on the river Tay I thought I would post this again. I have been talking about catching Baggots, Rawners, Kelts and also the elusive Springer so this should give you some ideas about these different types of Salmon and help you identify them.

There is no doubt this is a very emotive subject at this time of year.
The salmon runs on the Tay have changed over the last decade as probably on the other big rivers such as the Dee, Spey and Tweed. On the Tay the main spring run starts well into March, the Grilse run is now the end of July/August and there is fresh run fish way into November. I know from listening to the news the general seasons are up in the air with global warming etc. I am sure the salmon do not know whether they are coming or going!
There is no doubt quite a few claimed springers are not the genuine article when you see the pictures. The philosophy of "if it has sea lice there is no doubt" just does not ring true i'm afaid.





This is a salmon I caught some years ago thinking it was a springer to be told by a far more experienced angler that it was a rawner or late autumn runner.This fish was caught in early February and as you can see from the picture had sea lice on it. Being an experienced salmon angler I am still willing to learn as I did on that occasion and I feel I still can learn off others as you never know it all.
Having spoken to a lot more experienced anglers and ghillies a true springer that is a Two Sea Winter salmon has hardly any kype to distinguish it from a female salmon. In fact at this time of year you could hardly tell the difference between the sexes of spring salmon. There is no doubt a kype indicates breeding intentions and spawning. The fish with kypes are very late autumn fish.


This however may not be the case in Three Sea Winter or older male salmon which will have a small Kype development but not a large Kype such as an Autumn male. There hopefully will be a run of larger Spring salmon on the Tay this season as happened last year which will be three sea winter fish. This is good news for the Tay as in recent seasons these fish have been missing. In fact this year we are hoping that a 40 pounder will be landed. They are extremely valuable to the system and every effort should be made to conserve them by returning them to the system for the future.


Examples of these fish were the 25lbs springer at Cargill and the 24lbs fish at Newtyle caught in early season last year.



The Cargil 25lbs Springer.

The Newtyle 24lbs Springer.

Jim Fishers springer from the Tweed last Spring.

Lastly a big springer from Russia which demonstrates the small Kype in large multi sea winter salmon.
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Monday, January 19, 2009

Salmon Fishing Scotland Springer caught at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland January 2009.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Springer caught at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland January 2009.

This was the 17 pounds springer caught in Pitlochrie pool at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland today (19/01/2009). This specimen fresh run spring salmon was caught by David Murray on a Kynoch Killer harling in the famous spring pool at Stanley and was carefully returned to the river by Ghillie Davie Seaton.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Fishing 2009.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Fishing 2009.
This was todays action on the Catholes beat at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.
John Mollison had the day with his guests. After a hearty breakfast we were soon into action.

A Kelt in the Back Dam.

A Baggot in the Back Dam again on the Kynoch.


Another Kelt in the Back dam.

Lastly this afternoon a double header in the Black Stones in the boat. That is two fish on at the same time. We had one on the fly and one on a Kynoch which were both successfully landed. A great day was had by all despite not landing a Tay fresh run Springer. The Upper Scone beat had 2 below us and Burnmouth had a 9 pounder above us which were all returned to the river. One on the Scone salmon was 17 pounds and was landed in the famous Pitlochrie pool.
It has been a great start to the Tay and long may it continue.

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Saturday, January 17, 2009

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Caught on Catholes beat at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Caught on Catholes beat at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.
The first Tay Springer was landed on the Catholes beat at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland this season today (17/01/2009) by Danny Fulton from Renfrew.

Danny hooks the fresh spring salmon in the Woodside pool just below Stanley weir on a Yellow belly devon.

The salmon is successfully netted by Ghillie Cohn O'Dea.

The salmon is carefully unhooked prior to being returned to the river.

Danny and Cohn with the fresh run spring salmon before it was returned back to the river.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Opening Day Dinner at Kenmore, Perthshire, Scotland 2009.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Opening Day Dinner at Kenmore, Perthshire, Scotland 2009.

Charity dinner sees anglers raise £14,000 for CHAS

MORE THAN £14,000 has been raised for the Children’s Hospice Scotland (CHAS) at a charity dinner held to mark the opening of the salmon season.

The charity event, in the Kenmore Hotel also saw the McTaggart Kenmore Trophy being presented the to angler who had the largest catch from the Tay on the opening day.

The trophy was presented to Glasgow angler Jim Fisher who took a 17lb fish from the Tomdachoille beat of the River Tummel, one of two fish taken from that beat to give owner Mr Mike Stewart his best opening day for many years. Back to the good old days for Mike, well done.


This is a picture of Jim Fisher with a lovely springer from the Tweed.
Well done Jim on such a notable opening day salmon from the Tay system.

The other fish—weighing 9lb—was, like all the other salmon taken on the opening day, safely returned.

The loch saw three fish taken, all by anglers out from Loch Tay Highland Lodges.

Boatman Grant Tigwell netted and returned a 14lb fish taken by angler David Jones, and the other fish included a 10-pounder for David Kennedy and a 9lb salmon.

The hotel pool at Kenmore also saw a small spring fish of 6lb 12oz taken and returned by west coast angler John Coultrie, spinning from the bank.

Islamouth produced two fish for Blairgowrie tackle dealer Robert Jamieson’s party, a 10lb 8oz fish for Mr Jamieson and one at 14lb for Mr Manning, while Upper Stobhall produced a fish of 6lb.

Burnmouth saw a fish of 19 1/2 lb taken by Spey angler Mr Robert Mitchell from Tulchan.

However, it was not entered for any of the competitions for opening day fish.

The charity auction following the dinner raised £5610, plus donations of £10,000—with one angling syndicate giving £7500.

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Friday, January 16, 2009

Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Opening Day At Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Opening Day At Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.
These are some pictures of our opening day on the Pitlochrie beat at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland. There were a number of salmon caught during the day but unfortunately we did not land any fresh clean run spring salmon. The salmon that were landed were Kelts, Baggots and Rawners.

Peter playing a 17 pounds Baggot in the Wash house.

A good lunch in the Wash house hut supplied by Neil and Jo from the local Tayside Hotel.

The start of the afternoon saw this Kelt being played in the Wash House on the Fly by Sheena Cookson.

The girls were at it again at the back of the mill with another Kelt on the fly this time landed by Jo from the hotel.

Lastly Sheena plays the last salmon in front of the mill on the fly again. The girls had a tremendous day landing 7 fish between them. Haste ye back for that elusive bar of silver, The Tay Springer.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay season opens for 2009.

Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay season opens for 2009.
Anglers line up for salmon season on the River Tay, Perthshire, Scotland.


The salmon fishing season has begun on the River Tay as anglers across Scotland are urged to help protect stocks from a deadly parasite.

Disinfectant and warning signs have been sent to fishery boards to guard rivers against Gyrodactylus salaris.

The parasite has devastated stocks in Norway and can also be found in France, Germany, Portugal, Russia and Spain.

Meanwhile, anglers on the Tay will also help to protect salmon numbers by following a catch and release code. A catch and release code is in place on the River Tay.

Last year about 62% of the more than 8,000 salmon caught on the river were released.

In 2007, before the code was brought in, just 39% were let go.

An additional recommendation this year is that all sea trout should be released.

Celebrations to mark the opening of the season take place in Kenmore, and involve pipers and the blessing of a fishing boat with a quaich of whisky.
The event also raises money for charity.

"We should do our utmost to make sure that as many fish are conserved as possible"
Dr David Summers Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board

Dr David Summers, from the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board, said: "Annually we catch on average about 10,000 salmon, so it's one of the three best rivers in Scotland and best in the UK.

"Because it starts on the 15th of January it's the first of the major rivers to open, so it's almost like the symbolic start to the Scottish salmon fishing season for most people."

And Dr Summers praised every one's efforts to make sure fish stocks are kept high.

"Especially in the spring of the year, the spring salmon that come in from now to say May have declined quite a lot over the last 20 or 30 years, not just in the Tay, but nationally," he said.

"It is vitally important, we believe, that we should do our utmost to make sure that as many fish are conserved as possible and many of them succeed in spawning.

"That's why especially in the last two years, although it's been going on for the last 10 years, we have been promoting the practice of catch and release and that has gone from strength to strength."

Meanwhile, signs have been put up along riverbanks across Scotland warning about the GS parasite.

Anglers and canoeists have also been urged to use the Virkon disinfectant on tackle and equipment if they have been to infected areas.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay Opening Day 2009.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay Opening Day 2009.



Anglers are reeled in for opening day


This is the river Tay Opening day report in the Local paper, The Courier

DESPITE THE wet start to the salmon season anglers were out in force yesterday, and reports of fish began coming in quickly.

Most of those reported were kelts—spawned fish—or on the lower beats baggots and rawners—fish which have yet to spawn.

At Killin the Rev John Lincoln performed the traditional blessing of the boats, and within a few hours the first spring was reported.

A 14lb fish was taken on the troll by boatman Grant Tigwell out from Loch Tay Lodges—in line with the Tay District Salmon Board’s conservation policy, Grant carefully returned his fish.

Numbers at the opening ceremony at Kenmore were boosted by young members of Angling For Youth Development from Blairgowrie, Paisley and Renfrew who, before they went out on the river, were given a cheque for £4130—raised on the opening day last year.

The cheque was handed over by Mark Stephen of the BBC’s Out Of Doors programme and writer and angler Ally Gowans.

The young anglers took part in the anglers’ march behind the Vale of Atholl juvenile pipe band from The Kenmore Hotel to the Hotel Pool on the river, where Jane Grimley of Dewar’s World Of Whisky proposed the traditional toast of Tight Lines before blessing the first boat out with a quaich of Dewar’s.

Scarcely had the whisky hit the boat and Ally had made the first cast into the river, than anglers on the opposite bank reported success with kelts which were lying in the pool taking their lures.

But not all were kelts, and Glasgow angler John Coultrie landed a 6lb 12oz spring fish, probably the river’s first. It was photographed and returned.

The chosen charity this year is Rachel House, the children’s hospice in Kinross run by the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS).

Jon Heggie of CHAS said, “We are delighted Kenmore Hotel is supporting the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland.”

The opening day ceremony at Kenmore started after the second world war and has been kept going by the hotel—Scotland’s oldest inn—and anglers.

Kirsty Gowans of Kenmore Hotel said, “The hotel hosts the oldest opening day celebrations of salmon fishing in Britain, and we are delighted to be doing it in a way which will benefit youngsters as well as young anglers.”

Father Ally, whose Ally’s Shrimp salmon fly is one of the world’s most successful fly tyings, said, “It may still be mid-winter but to the salmon fisherman January 15 is the first day of spring, and hope springs eternal as they cast their brightly coloured flies—and spin their bling into the waters of the Tay system.”

Tay District Board fisheries superintendent Dr David Summers is hoping that signs of the return of the large Tay salmon—seen last year with several 30lb fish—will continue.

But the board are also looking after another migratory fish which runs the Tay, the sea trout.

This variety of the brown trout which, like the salmon, runs to sea to put on its weight, has been declining in numbers in the Tay. After concern from anglers and proprietors on the Earn, which has a reputation for large sea trout, the board is asking that sea trout caught in the system be released.

While steps are being taken to increase salmon numbers by recommending catch-and-release, another concern is the arrival from Europe—particularly Scandinavia—of parasite gyrodactylus salaris which has devastated salmon stocks in Norway. Anglers who have fished abroad are often required to prove their tackle has been disinfected before they start fishing.

As a precaution stocks of disinfectants and hundreds of warning signs have been sent to district salmon fishery boards.

While anglers coming from overseas to fish in Scotland are a possible source of infection, there is also a risk from canoeists who have paddled in white water rivers in Scandinavia and whose equipment could harbour the parasite.

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Thursday, January 15, 2009

Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Opening Day at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland 2009.

Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Opening Day at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland 2009.

The dawn has risen on another opening day on the river Tay with great expectation.

Tight lines to everyone. Have a good day and 2009 season.

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Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay Opening Day 2009.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay Opening Day 2009.


Arnot McWhinnie with a spring salmon from the Benchil beat of the lower Tay at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.

This is an article written by ARNOT MCWHINNIE for the Tay opening day.

Anglers who catch a monster salmon this year could also land one of Scotland’s most iconic angling trophies.

But no matter how big the fish is, if it is killed it won’t qualify

The magnificent Malloch Challenge Trophy which has been reinstated to coincide with tomorrow’s (Thurs) opening of the Tay fishing season will only be awarded to an angler who returns his catch alive.

To have a chance of winning the Trophy he must have the fish verified by an independent witness and have it accurately weighed or its vital statistics measured so that it weight can be accurately calculated.

The Trophy which is only awarded for the biggest fly caught salmon from a Scottish river was first won in 1972 by a 43lb Tweed fish caught by Lady Burnett.

It was last awarded in 1999 following a run of 28 consecutive years for a 33lb fish caught on the Spey by French angler Mr Jacques Montupet.

In between huge salmon were landed from a variety of rivers including the Dee, Spey, Tweed, Tay and Naver.

The biggest Malloch Challenge Trophy winner from the Tay where it originated was 36lbs.

The Trophy was withdrawn for conservation reasons because it was felt it encouraged the killing of big fish.

But since more and more rivers now operate strict catch and release rules a decision was taken to reinstate it.

The magnificent solid silver model of a leaping salmon was acquired by the Tay Salmon Foundation on behalf of the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board (TDSFB).

The Tay Board chairman John Milligan said: “The new criteria for the Trophy will be reflect the Tay Salmon’s promotion of conservation in that only salmon that are safely returned to the water will be eligible.

“In the last year or so we have seen something of resurgence in the numbers of very large salmon in Scottish rivers, so I have no doubt the Trophy will spawn more interest than ever.”

Entries will be first of all scrutinised and then considered at the end of the Scottish angling season by a special committee whose decision will be final.

The Malloch Trophy is named after P. D. Malloch who was not only one of the most legendary names in Scottish tackle history but also one of the greatest authorities of his day on salmon.


Tay opening day Salmon from 1985. Pictured with Salmon from the Benchil beat below Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland are Brian McLean, Bill Quarrie and Myself.

In the meantime anglers out on the Tay tomorrow (Thurs) will also be hoping to land the Redford trophy which has been awarded for more than two decades to the angler who catches the heaviest salmon from the river on Opening Day.

Again anglers are being urged not to kill a potential winner but to have it weighed or measured before being safely returned.

In the meantime it has been announced that the winner of the Ballathie Award for Conservation on the Tay has been awarded to the river’s Ghillies Association for all their efforts to back catch and release and raising cash for conservation projects.


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Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Opening Day 2009.

Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Opening Day 2009.
The river Tay in Perthshire, Scotland Opening day is now one day away and the excitement is gathering. The river is settling back after the flood on Sunday and Monday. A frost is expected tonight which will make things perfect for the big day on Thursday. Devons, Tobies, Kynochs and large Flies will be getting dusted down for the big day. If you are Fly fishing or Spinning conditions should be perfect. These pictures were taken today (13/01/2009).

This is the woodside on the Catholes beat at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.

The Back Dam on the Catholes.

The famous Wash house pool on the Pitlochrie Beat at Stanley on the lower Tay. The Pitlochrie beat is probably the most famous spring fishing beat on the Tay.

The Horsey pool on the Pitlochrie beat at the bottom end of Stanley.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Catch and Release code 2009.

Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Catch and Release code 2009.



The 2009 Catch and Release Code

For the 2009 season, the Board is again recommending the successful catch and release code which was implemented in 2008:

Start of the Season to 31 May
The first fish caught each day by each individual angler must be released. Each individual angler then has the option of keeping one subsequent fish only, per day.

No worming.

From 1 June to end of season
All hen fish to be released. The aim should then be to release at least 50% of cock fish caught, in particular cock fish weighing over 15 lbs.

No worming in September and October.

All season
All coloured fish should be released.

All Sea Trout should be released

Only one treble hook should be used on Rapala type lures.
Building on catch and release success

Last season the Board’s catch and release policy was seriously strengthened, a move which was widely supported and applauded by anglers, ghillies and proprietors alike. The result was that the spring catch and release rate rose from 40—50% to 75% immediately. This will have resulted in many more precious spring salmon eggs being laid which is essential for the future well being of the spring salmon stock and angling itself.

Now that the vital corner has been turned this success must be maintained and hopefully improved on. For the sake of the future, thank you in anticipation for releasing at least your first salmon of each day.


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