Fishing lures world’s tourists to our rivers
Sport’s attraction overlooked by authorities
East Perthshire’s outdoor activities reputation hooks people into visiting the area.
And, although sports such as golf are typically given the spotlight, it is claimed that fishing could help to draw even more visitors.
Paul Jamieson of Blairgowrie’s Kate Fleming fishing shop believes the impact of fishing on the area’s economy is underrated.
He said: “Figures show there are two activities people come here from abroad to do: golf and fishing.
“It’s not true golf brings in more. Lots of people come to fish and never go near a tourist office. They are never counted.
“Here in Blairgowrie there are two fishing shops and no golf shop so I think that says it all.
“VisitScotland would have you think canoeing and mountain biking are the big things but fishing is a major pull bringing tourists to Scotland.”
Paul (48) is an expert on flyfishing who grew up among the tackle and rods of his mother’s shop.
He explained: “Fishing with a fly makes very little splash. It was designed for presentation. That’s getting near the fish without disturbing it. In Scotland, with clear water, it’s the most effective way.”
Looking at young Perthshire people who get involved in the sport, Paul points to the work done by Angling For Youth Development.
The Scottish charity began in 1986 with police officers taking school children out on fishing trips. It offers youngsters of all backgrounds and abilities the opportunity to try angling.
Paul said: “Anyone can learn to cast in half an hour but to be good you have to practice a lot.
“Once you get your fly casting together you can spend Paul Jamieson says fishing is a big player for tourism the rest of your life learning to fish.
“Fly fishing has become more affordable too. It really is accessible. The gear is being produced for less, it’s light and fairly simple to use.
“Twenty-five years ago when my mother, Kate Fleming as she was then, bought the business it cost a week’s wages to buy a sensible rod. A Hardy’s cane rod could cost a month’s wages.
“Kids can begin by fly fishing. It’s affordable to start that way.”
Passing through the shop in Allan Street was Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Angling Association committee member Dave Bell.
The club is for local residents only and it offers its members and their guests the opportunity to fish on two private lochs, Fingask Loch and Whiteloch near Blairgowrie, which are stocked with rainbow, blue and brown trout throughout the year.
He said:“We have round about 250 members. It used to be near 400 but these days we gain 10 and lose 10, numbers remain steady.”
July has been billed as National Fishing Month but Paul said: “It is a bit funny to choose July. Real fisherfolk know it’s a tricky time.
“Loch fishing is difficult. The best time to go out with a fly on the lochs is in spring or autumn.
“This has been a weird year. For a start there was no snow. You need the snow melt to give nice, cool, clean water for the salmon to run in spring.
“We saw the lowest levels in the river Ericht in my lifetime. April and May this year were the lowest springtime levels. There were six weeks without a rise in the river so no spring salmon.
“With the dip in water there was a dip in sales but the flipside was many people who would ordinarily go salmon fishing went out with a trout rod instead.
“I sold more river trout gear this year than at any time in the last decade.
“June was the wettest in Scotland for 74 years. All the salmon that would be on the move in April and May were on the move in June but they got up river largely unbothered by fishermen.
“As a result there are more in the glens than usual, due to so much rain.
“We’ve been seeing significant numbers of sea trout in local rivers, more than we have for a number of years.”
Lots of people come to fish and never go near a tourist office. They are never counted.