CONCERNS OVER GRILSE
SOME of the best runs of spring salmon for quite a time entered the Esks last Thursday but strangely there has been little in the way of improved catches reported so far.
Water levels have been up and down several times in the last fortnight, some of the spates being the highest seen since the floods of three years ago and at one time were only four inches short of being back into River Street.
The North Esk, Morphie, Pert and Stracathro have all enjoyed very good days with up to six fish in a day and at Kinnaird they were into double figures for a mid March week on the top beat.
Water temperatures have been seasonally high and I would expect to hear of fish on the upper beats in the near future, but as I write this snows have arrived and the forecast is for continued colder weather.
In the last few weeks we are beginning to see some concern being voiced at the condition of grilse in Scotland. As you will no doubt be aware from personal experience many of the fish returning to our rivers are very thin and have been described as Eel like.
Measurements have shown that they are carrying very little fat and are carrying considerably less eggs that normal, indeed some would question their ability to survive in fresh water for the period until they spawn.
It is suggested that they are finding it difficult to find sufficient food source in the oceans a familiar call these days as we have the same suspicion with seatrout.
Once again we are being called on to consider catch and return during the summer runs, but this is meeting with some opposition from anglers who are getting fed up with the lack of action in the marine environment.
A prominent local angler boiled over at the suggestion bringing up the fact that over 85% of the South Esk grilse are taken by the Lunan Bay Nets and that is where we should start conservation.
He sited the fact that anglers in Angus have been a model for conservation, but there comes a time when other fisheries must reciprocate and he stated over 85% catch of a population is totally unacceptable and that orders be put into force immediately to control such over exploitation.
I tend to agree but this must not overshadow the fact that there is a nutritional problem which cannot be addressed locally and we must therefore call on those in higher places to take the matter to the places where international decisions are taken, and soon.
Finally, the trout season is upon us and I hope to report on some fine spring sport as I would expect fish to have wintered well. Unfortunately Brechin Angling Club members readying Loch Saugh for the new season are reporting the presence of cormorants feeding on the loch again.
We have witnessed the fall of the worlds premier trout fishery at Loch Leven and surely we are not to sit back and watch fine small fisheries like Loch Saugh come to the same end.
There are some rumours in high places that the cormorant might just be over protected, (what have we been saying for decades) and I sincerely hope that the realisation that an national asset is being wiped out by a marine predator which has no right to be on our fresh water places.
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Weather for Brechin
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: East
