Season opening on the River Tay, the home of good value salmon angling

Steve Lomas, Manager of St Johnstone FC and former Manchester City, West Ham United, Queens Park Rangers and Northern Ireland midfielder, opened the salmon fishing season on the Tay at Dunkeld House today. A ceremony, organised by the Dunkeld and Birnam Tourist and Angling Associations supported by the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board (TDSFB), marked the start of the 2012 season.

The formal opening of the river, accompanied by music and pipers, took place at 9.30 am by the Hilton Dunkeld House Hotel, with the first cast being taken by Steve Lomas.

William Jack, chairman of the TDSFB, commented: “On the opening of the new season the Tay Board would like to take the opportunity to counteract the widely held misconception that salmon angling is the preserve of the wealthy. For example in February there are currently over 3,000 rod days available on the Tay. Half of these cost £30 pounds or less and 95 per cent less than £60. Often this will include assistance from a ghillie with a boat. In addition there is a great amount of water owned or managed by clubs and associations, offering easy access at little cost. Obviously many prices increase as the season progresses but there is still a wealth of good value fishing available to all”.

On January 16th anglers were competing for the Redford Trophy, awarded for the biggest spring salmon caught and safely released on the main river.