Salmon catches increase by 40% on the River Tay

In contrast to much of the rest of Scotland, thanks to a strong run of fish during the summer, salmon catches on the River Tay are the best for a decade. 

Despite years of decline, as the Atlantic salmon faces challenges from climate change, predation and pollution, the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board (TDSFB) says around 6,000 fish were rod-caught between mid-January and October. 

Last year’s total was 3,500, with the annual average for the past decade around 5,000. In the 1970s and 1980s, when netting still took place at the mouth of the Tay, the annual salmon rod-catch could top 15,000. 

Andrew Flitcroft, editor of Trout & Salmon, told Shooting Times: “News of the Tay’s 40% increase in salmon catches this season is marvellous. The Tay is not alone. Indeed, travel further north and beats on many Scottish rivers have seen the best summer catches for 10 to 15 seasons. 

“Let’s hope there is more to this sudden peak and that the troughs we’ve been enduring get fewer. I hope that this small recovery is a turning point.”