Salmon catches leap as Tay returns to its heyday – Fisheries Management Scotland

Salmon catches on Scotland’s biggest river have leapt more than 75% since last year, and could be as much as 96% higher.

Tay ghillies using an online reporting tool recorded 700 fish caught last month, compared to just 307 in the same period last year.

However, as reporting to the site is not compulsory it is thought the true number will be even higher, possibly as much as 96% on last year’s April catch.

Experts say the boom has been caused by a combination of colder weather and more mature fish coming into the river.

Conditions have been described as similar to those of the 1920s when a number of large salmon were taken from the river, including the record-breaking Ballantine salmon.