Town still hooked on fishing rights
Provost casts nets to keep ancient tradition alive
Provost Lorraine Cameron has taken to the River Clyde to help maintain Renfrew’s historic fishing rights.
Some of the town’s residents joined Provost Cameron on a historic trip down the river to take part in a tradition that dates back more than 200 years.
The boat set sail from Braehead Pier and travelled down the Clyde to the mouth of the River Leven.
There, Provost Cameron carried out the traditional act of casting the nets to retain the rights of salmon fishing on the Clyde.
While on board, guests were treated to a film about the history of salmon fishing on the river, as well as an enthralling talk by marine biologist Dr William Yeomans.
Provost Cameron said: “This historic tradition is one that I am proud to keep alive for the people of Renfrew.
“The casting of the nets has become a key part of the town’s history and it is important that we give it the status it deserves.
“It was a terrific day for the residents to experience and I look forward to repeating the ritual in three years time.”
The custom goes back as far as 1781 when the town failed to carry out the practice and lost the right to fish on parts of the Clyde as a result.
King Robert III had granted a charter to the community of Renfrew detailing the right to fish the River Clyde as far back as 1396.
However, Renfrew Town Council failed to keep the rights on parts of the river owned by Sir Michael Stewart because they hadn’t fished those areas for some years.
Ever since they were regained, it has become practice to maintain the rights by having the Provost cast the nets into the river every three years.
The fishing equipment used on the day was kindly donated by Hooked on Fishing.