Salmon anglers will be able to catch one for the pot

ANGLERS on one of Scotland’s most popular fly-fishing rivers will be able to take home some of the salmon they catch next year under revised river gradings.

The River Earn in Perthshire had been subject to the most stringent restrictions available, leading to local groups losing members and a perception the river was not worth fishing.

But a change to the scientific model used to determine salmon stocks has led to the river being regraded, meaning anglers will no longer have to return everything they catch to the river during the coming year. The proposed changes, on which the Scottish Government is now gathering views, comes after years of complaints from anglers, and the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board, that the model used by government was miscalculating salmon stocks on the river.

Environment Secretary and Perthshire South and Kinross MSP Roseanna Cunningham made the announcement on the banks of the River Earn.

She said: “We are driven by the science. This is an objective assessment. I know anglers on the Earn will be extremely pleased.

“I know it’s been an anxiety to them. We know that overall salmon numbers are declining. But we know that, within that, different rivers come up slightly differently so this year the Earn – where for the last few years people haven’t been able to take home a fish – is changing for this year.”

The move came as Ms Cunningham launched the annual consultation on conservation of salmon measures, inviting representations or objections to the proposed gradings for the 2019 angling season, affecting 173 salmon rivers across Scotland.

Improvements to the way that salmon stocks assessments are carried out will mean that anglers on other rivers may be able to keep the fish they catch on more rivers next year than in 2018.

Ms Cunningham added: “Salmon numbers returning to Scottish rivers are still on a downward trend so there’s no room for complacency. Careful management, including voluntary catch and release, and close co-operation is needed to ensure we protect this iconic species for future generations.”

Gordon Taylor, secretary of Crieff Angling Club, said: “The club has been haemorrhaging members. This could allow us to rebuild. Most anglers want to take one fish home for the pot. It seems a little thing, but it’s very important.”

Dr David Summers, of Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board, welcomed the move saying it was now “a fairer reflection of reality”.