Salmon anglers on Angus rivers have enjoyed a summer of success with catch levels on some beats registering a remarkable eight-fold increase over recent years.
Having missed the famous spring-run due to lockdown, fishers on the North and South Esks have enjoyed great sport since the easing of restrictions allowed them to return to the rivers in June.
eat bosses say there could be a variety of reasons for the upturn, but they are hopeful the figures could signal continuing progress in the recovery of the rivers’ reputations among the sport fishing fraternity.
On the Stracathro stretch of the River North Esk, 58 salmon were landed in July and August, compared to 19 last year – and a more than eight-fold increase in the 2018 two-month total of just seven fish.
Similarly, the Kinnaird beat on the River South Esk has seen an upsurge. July and August salmon catches for both 2018 and 2019 were just below the 20 mark and have more than doubled to 44 salmon and 118 sea trout.