Honesty is the best policy on the River Clyde

October saw very little serious activity among those anglers who prefer to concentrate on fishing exclusively for freshwater species.

The brown trout season was drawing to a close, but most trout anglers call a halt before the end of September.

In September, grayling anglers often visit the river, but conditions were against even that. Low temperatures and high winds combined, and most anglers took a break.

Volunteers helped the United Clyde Angling Protective Association to check for obstructions along several of the tributaries used by trout for spawning.

While they were clearing debris brought down by recent floods, the squads saw trout of all sizes trying to follow the smallest trickles, in an attempt to gain access to gravel beds further upstream.

This was considerably sooner than they were expecting, but by the time these dedicated anglers were finished, they were certain that the trout would get further upstream without being injured.

Several spells of heavy rain brought the river level up. Some anglers felt that meant it was not possible for them to chase salmon, but one person was not so sure.

He was rewarded with a catch of six good, clean salmon, netted and released. He also hooked, and quickly lost, a similar number. We call these ‘distance releases’.

More anglers went out to try their luck, most of whom enjoyed some success. In some cases, a lack of experience meant most hooked salmon were lost, but that didn’t stifle the enthusiasm of the now-confident anglers.

The summer had been frustrating because very few salmon were seen, and even fewer were hooked. Summer salmon are usually described as being‘dour’.

Autumn running fish are often in an excited state and are more likely to attack red and orange flies, rather than gently taking them out of simple curiosity.

Most of the salmon caught were very clean but gradually more of them were showing colour. At that stage, all salmon would have to be returned.

Fortunately, the majority of the Clyde’s anglers are voluntarily returning all the salmon they catch without the added incentive of having to return coloured fish.

They must all now tell the clubs and associations that they obtained their permits from how many salmon they caught, how many they retained, and how many were released. The weights of these fish are also required to be estimated. These catch returns are even more important than ever before.

The Scottish Government’s advisers might use this to decide whether there is any justification in tampering with the classification of the Scottish salmon rivers again.

An honest declaration of the catches of salmon is vital to protect the Clyde from more unwarranted interference.

If appearances are not deceptive, this year could prove to have been a good one, in spite of the very bad start.

Grayling anglers should do what they can to avoid catching trout which are, of course, out of season. If they do catch a trout, this fish must be released quickly and safely.

There is a minority who want to hold up a big trout, like a trophy, for a photograph, as if it is something to be proud of, rather than a mistake.

This practice is being discouraged for salmon, trout and grayling. Conserving the stocks of these fish is essential and the improvements brought about on the Clyde show that the Associations have been successful.

During last month, officers from Police Scotland joined bailiffs and river wardens from the main organisations that look after various parts of the Clyde and Avon, to patrol the rivers.

This exercise was important, because it gave the police officers a chance to get to know the rivers more intimately and work out how to work together with wardens in the future.