THIS summer’s Scottish Atlantic salmon run is looking much healthier than in recent years, says a leading angling expert. After a slow start, full rivers are enabling salmon to reach their traditional spawning grounds, sometimes 60 miles or more inland. Increased catches also encourage higher donations to river charities and ecology projects.
It’s often said, ‘It’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good.’ The same must be true for rain in Scotland. Too much rain in January-March meant the traditional spring run of larger salmon was a bit muted this year but, since then, the full rivers have enabled a much larger run of summer salmon than in recent times.
Angling expert Will Draper, Head of FishPal – the innovative service that enables anglers to book fly fishing permits online – says: ‘This year’s cold and rainy spring can be forgiven. Since March, the Scottish salmon run has really got going and is now in full swing. Those early rains mean the rivers are full of water, enabling salmon to move in from the estuaries and up to their traditional spawning grounds – in some cases 60 miles or more inland.
‘Following a series of warmer and drier springs and summers, 2024’s wetter weather means June/July’s run has been much larger than in recent years. That’s being borne out by the fact that anglers’ catches are also strongly up across most of the bigger rivers and are now comfortably the best for four or five years.
‘FishPal still has lots of availability over the summer and autumn on Scotland’s most iconic rivers, including the Spey, Tay, Dee and Tweed. We also have plenty of availability on dozens of less well-known but, often, no less productive rivers all over the country.
‘Crucially, a successful summer will also be a boost to conservation programmes on rivers (such as the Dee) and for Atlantic salmon.
‘When anglers book their fishing trips with FishPal, many show their support by adding a donation at the checkout. These contributions help fund vital conservation projects, including habitat restoration and research aimed at ensuring the sustainability and health of salmon habitats across the UK.
‘One example dear to FishPal members’ hearts, to which they have donated a generous and impressive amount, is the River Tweed Foundation. The Foundation’s new Tweedstart programme is designed to teach young anglers about the river, conservation and salmon, empowering them to encourage others to discover the joys of angling and embrace their roles as custodians of our rivers. FishPal’s customers’ latest donation has covered the fishing tackle and equipment for 40 Tweedstart youngsters.
‘FishPal’s many supportive anglers also made substantial donations to the Atlantic Salmon Trust (AST). The Trust is a conservation charity dedicated to supporting salmon in the UK. Its work is critical. Atlantic salmon stocks have declined 70% in the last 25 years and have recently been categorised as “Endangered” in Great Britain.
‘Anglers are often at the forefront of initiatives to protect salmon habitats, improve water quality and ensure the health of salmon populations for future generations. By practising catch and release and supporting habitat restoration projects, anglers play a vital role in the conservation of Atlantic salmon in UK waters.
‘On the famous River Dee in Aberdeenshire, the AST is working in partnership with the River Dee Trust to launch the Save the Spring initiative, a 20-year programme of work to restore and futureproof the upper River Dee catchment, which is the heartland of its spring salmon. Wild Atlantic salmon are essential for our ecosystems, for communities and for our shared natural and cultural heritage.
‘Similarly, FishPal is delighted to be supporting the AST’s Project Deveron. The 10-year project aims to achieve large-scale restoration of salmon and their wider environment through a programme of habitat improvement and cutting-edge environmental monitoring. The focus of the work is on building resilience back into the landscape so salmon can be protected against the impacts of climate change, as well as actively restoring biodiversity to benefit salmon and other species.
‘FishPal’s unique information service can help anglers who are planning to fish unfamiliar waters. In Scotland, FishPal users can see regularly updated reported catches, river levels, etc. They can also discover next-day availability by river or fishery and book their permits all in one site visit. Members can even receive daily emails about fishing conditions if they wish. The more anglers discover the delights of new rivers and fisheries in and beyond FishPal’s Scottish base, the more information can be regularly shared and the more we hope anglers and our partner fisheries will be hooked by FishPal’s unique service.
‘To discover more about the latest Scottish fishing conditions, the latest catches and river levels, and to book your permits, see https://www.fishpal.com/Scotland/
