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“We expected to find hatchery fish, but the sheer number of hatchery fish returning to spawn in the wild is surprising,” said Rachel Johnson, a fishery biologist affiliated with the Institute and Marine Sciences at UC Santa Cruzand with the Bay-Delta Office of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. “It looked like a healthy population of fish returning to spawn, but the reality is that without the hatchery fish the wild stocks are not sustaining themselves.”

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River Cree Conservation Code

Well known local ghillie, piper and world record spey casting champion, Gordon Armstrong, took a trip up from his Ness Castle beat on the River Ness (which does not open until the 1 February) to “pipe in” the new season – and things got underway with Annie toasting the river with good helping of malt.

The first cast, made by Grant MacKenzie was preceded by the awarding of honours from last season. Billy Neil from Spean Bridge took the award for the biggest fish – a 22lb beautiful spring salmon caught (and returned) on a yellow Cascade fly and Ronnie Fraser from Lossiemouth took a special award for the 37 (yes 37!!) fish he took last year – a record for the beat.

No fish were caught on the day – although a 22.5lb fish did come to Angus MacKenzie from the Black Isle fishing from his boat on the loch. The river did not have long to wait however – with a beautiful 17.5lb fish caught on fly by Ronnie Fraser on the 18th and another fish (15.5lb to estate boatman Malcolm Riddle) on the 28th.

Will it be another record year? Hopes are high that the mandatory catch and release policy now operating on the river will see it come back to and possibly surpass its former glory.

The report, prepared by a task force comprising Marine Scotland, environmental regulators, renewable developers and The Crown Estate, was welcomed by Alex Salmond as he co-chaired the first 2012 meeting of the Scottish Energy Advisory Board (SEAB).

The task force recommendations will now be taken forward by Marine Scotland, SNH and other regulatory/advisory bodies.  They build on MS’s existing work, including the creation of a ‘one-stop-shop’ to reduce the number of statutory/advisory bodies to be contacted during licensing, and the publication of a marine renewables licensing manual, currently undergoing review and to be expanded to include offshore wind energy development.

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Scottish Government News Release

The proposed Bill places a duty on Ministers to develop the value of our water resources.

It will build on Scottish Water’s success as a public sector organisation ensuring it makes best use of its assets for commercial purposes and accelerates energy development.

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Scottish Government News Release

The initiative will see river crime warning and information boards that have been developed by Grampian Police Wildlife Crime Unit, distributed to nine of the regions major salmon fishing rivers by water bailiffs.

Force Wildlife Crime officer, PC Gavin Lindsay said:  “Grampian’s salmon rivers are a huge asset to the region, contributing millions to the economy and providing important habitat for a variety of wildlife.  However, river crime – in particular, the poaching of salmon – can have both a serious environmental and economic affect on the river and wider community.

“River crime can take a variety of formats; from individuals poaching salmon using rod and line, to organised groups, who often travel from outwith the Grampian area to net the river, resulting in the loss of significant numbers of fish.

“Fresh water pearl mussels, can also be a target for criminals.  These molluscs survive in only a handful of Grampian’s rivers, and – as the name suggests – can occasionally contain a pearl.  Illegal fishing for pearls has brought the fresh water pearl mussel to the brink of extinction, with Scotland being the global stronghold for the species.”

The operation is a joint initiative between Grampian Police’s Wildlife Crime Unit and River Bailiffs to target the criminals exploiting the North East’s rivers.

The operation has been running for seven years in Grampian, with some notable success in the disruption of poaching activity and enforcement of legislation.

PC Lindsay continued:  “One key to the success of Operation Salmo is the information sharing between water bailiffs and police however we also need to get the public more involved by reporting any crimes or suspicious activity to the police as soon as possible.

“More and more people are accessing rivers for fishing, water sports and riverside walks yet are often unsure whether to report a suspected crime.  These river crime boards will encourage people not only to report, but to provide all the details the police and Water Bailiffs require to carry out their enquiries as efficiently as possible.”

If you suspect a crime has taken place or have any information relating to a river crime, contact the Police as soon as possible on 0845 600 5 700.

Mark Bilsby, River Director of the Dee District Salmon Fishery Board and River Dee Trust, said: “As the new season gets underway, we are very pleased to announce that Scottish Government has indicated approval, in principle, for our application to make the two week extension to the salmon angling season permanent. We expect the legislation to be laid before the Scottish Parliament in the near future.  The impact of changes in the ocean, leading to later salmon runs, has prompted us to forge ahead with this adjustment to the season. We are confident that having first checked that there would be no damage to salmon populations and with our tried and tested conservation policy the extension is appropriate for the river during these difficult economic times”.

Mr Bilsby added: “We at the Dee Board and River Dee Trust are not however taking improving catches for granted. Changes in the environment are not just linked to the oceans but also a warming of the rivers and tributaries closer to home through climate change. We are determined to do everything within our power to mitigate these consequences of climate change. To this end we aim to start work this summer on the Upper Dee Riparian Woodland Scheme. This is a hugely ambitious £2.4 million project to establish native trees over 50 kilometers of riverbank. As they grow, they will help to reduce water temperatures during the summer months in what is crucial salmon spawning and nursery areas. It is predicted that climate change will cause temperatures to rise by several degrees over the next half century. We must act now to protect future salmon populations”.

The Dee’s rod catch of salmon in 2011 was 8,687, of which 883 were caught in the two week extension; overall this was the second highest figure since the mid 1980s – exceeded only by 2010’s total of 9,289. The ten year average is approximately 5,800.

The opening ceremony at Potarch Bridge is taking place by kind permission of Ballogie Estate. Refreshments are being provided by Che and Nicola Mueller of the Potarch Hotel and Restaurant and drams are courtesy of the Dalmore Dee Dram.

Describing the continued exploitation of salmon as “untenable”, Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister Caral Ni Chuilin, has already asked for a voluntary ban on all netting and is asking anglers not to kill any salmon they catch but to throw them back.

In a written statement to the Northern Ireland Assembly she went further, pointing the finger at drift and bag netting near key salmon rivers.

The statement said that if the department did not ask for the voluntary action it would be in breach of the EC Habitats Directive and NASCO guidelines.

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BBC Website (17 Jan 2012)

The formal opening of the river, accompanied by music and pipers, took place at 9.30 am by the Hilton Dunkeld House Hotel, with the first cast being taken by Steve Lomas.

William Jack, chairman of the TDSFB, commented: “On the opening of the new season the Tay Board would like to take the opportunity to counteract the widely held misconception that salmon angling is the preserve of the wealthy. For example in February there are currently over 3,000 rod days available on the Tay. Half of these cost £30 pounds or less and 95 per cent less than £60. Often this will include assistance from a ghillie with a boat. In addition there is a great amount of water owned or managed by clubs and associations, offering easy access at little cost. Obviously many prices increase as the season progresses but there is still a wealth of good value fishing available to all”.

On January 16th anglers were competing for the Redford Trophy, awarded for the biggest spring salmon caught and safely released on the main river.

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Daily Record (16 Jan 2012)
The Herald (17 Jan 2012)
The Courier (17 Jan 2012)