Salmon return to Avon Water
Celebration events for families
If you’re angling for a few days out then some family events will celebrate the much-anticipated return of the iconic Atlantic salmon to the Avon Water.
Heritage chiefs have arranged four ‘homecoming’ days throughout May and June at the riverside.
They will take place at Avon Water locations in Hamilton, Larkhall, Stonehouse and Strathaven, and all ages are welcome to drop in to the sessions.
Dr Gemma Jennings, community engagement officer at the Clyde River Foundation, said: “This salmon homecoming for the Avon Water is an opportunity for us to celebrate the River Avon and shine a light on some of the wonderful wildlife that lives there, including the Atlantic salmon, a protected species which migrates as far as Greenland before returning home to breed.
“Salmon, once extinct in the River Clyde catchment due to pollution, are now returning in numbers but they still cannot reach the entirety of their natural spawning areas.
“The modification of Ferniegair and Millheugh Weirs on the Avon is a major step forward and is of national importance for the species.
“The Avon is a stunning river and we hope these events help promote its stewardship so it can be enjoyed by all.”
The salmon homecoming celebration events are at: Smithycroft, Hamilton, on Saturday, May 6, from 11am to 1pm; Millheugh, Larkhall, on Saturday, May 13, from 11am to 1pm; Linthaugh Bridge, Stonehouse Park, on Monday, June 5, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm; and John Hastie Park, Strathaven, on Thursday, June 22, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.
Organised by the Clyde River Foundation, people will be able to find out more about their local stretch of the Avon Water through live demonstrations while youngsters can enjoy fishy crafts and games.
The riverside events form the final phase of the salmon homecoming project, which has so far involved almost 500 school children from 21 schools connecting to their river through a range of hands-on environmental activities including raising a close relative of the salmon – the brown trout – from eggs to fry in school.
It follows the recent completion of the Avon Barriers project which saw two obstacles to migratory fish made passable by the creation of natural rock fish passes on the sites of Millheugh and Ferniegair Weirs near Larkhall and Hamilton.
“The salmon homecoming celebration events with the Clyde River Foundation provide a fantastic link to ensure the broader community get involved in understanding the improvements and caring for their river,” said Clyde and Avon Valley landscape partnership manager Donna Marshall.
“Rivers are such an important part of our daily lives and yet it is a connection that is easily forgotten. They’ve shaped the landscape in the Clyde and Avon Valley, and local towns have often been designed around them.
“Given how important rivers are for our everyday lives and our environment, we’ve all got a role to play in making sure our rivers are as healthy and cared for as they can be.”
Go to www.clyderiverfoundation. org/salmon-homecoming.
The Avon is a stunning river, to be enjoyed by all