To the north, we will explore the potential of beautiful little salmon rivers such as Sheil, Croe, Naver, Thurso, Dionard, Halladale, Brora, Helmsdale, Inver and Kirkaig, to name a few, where success often depends as much on timing as on anything else, those wild streams dependent on rain at the right time on a falling tide after a summer rain or the biggest, more predictable hydromodified rivers going east to the North Sea, such as the Conon and Beauly. These regulations prohibit the sale, supply or display in Scotland of salmon caught with a rod and a leash (Rule 2). “Salmon” are all migratory fish of the Salmo salar and Salmo trutta species, commonly known as salmon and sea trout. It also contains parts of these fish. Rainbow trout There is no closed season for rainbow trout as it is not a native species in the UK and can be caught year-round. A number of commercial fisheries now remain open throughout the winter months and rainbow trout fishing can be done year-round if the weather permits. Pike fishing, coarse fishing and sea fishing are also allowed all year round. Not all other species have a legal closure season in Scotland. In general, the rules on the Annan are much more flexible than on many other rivers and we successfully rely on good fishing etiquette rather than regulations where possible. Starting in the 2020 season, the Annan River will be 100% caught and released for all salmon and grill.
Individual owners also have their own individual conditions, such as the hours during which fishing on this pace is allowed, the ghillies provided (if any), and the fishing methods you can use. It is a crime to kill salmon caught on the river. Even if a fish seems to be badly hooked, it must be put back into the water. If, in the unlikely event, a fish actually dies from a fisherman, that fisherman must immediately contact the District Salmon Fisheries Board. A staff member will retrieve the fish as soon as possible and the carcass will be used for scientific purposes. The legislation on the killing of fish applies only to salmon and sea trout. However, we want to make it clear that, although the situation is better with sea trout than with salmon, the River Annan District Salmon Fisheries Authority wants to bring as many sea trout as possible from fishermen to the river. At a minimum, anglers should turn over all fish over 3 lbs and catch only a slice of fish smaller than these. Salmon and sea trout fishing rights on Scottish rivers and lakes are generally owned and managed by sports facilities or other coastal owners and regulated by salmon fishing districts. Much of the salmon fishery in Scotland (including, by the way, much of the inshore saltwater salmon and sea trout fishery) is owned by Crown Estates, some of which are leased to fishing associations. Some salmon beats are left in fishing hotels. A national stem licence is not required in Scotland.
For example, salmon fishing in Scotland can be accessed through a private rental, in conjunction with hotel accommodation or by purchasing a licence from a fishing association or fishing club per day, week or season. The best of salmon fishing is usually very expensive, rented to long-term tenants or kept for the private use of the owners. However, many top-notch salmon in most rivers are usually available to rent on a weekly basis, with the most productive weeks of the season usually preferred to previous tenants. Thus, the best weeks are usually rented to the same tenants year after year. Less productive weeks are usually more affordable and one of the worst weeks may allow a fisherman to set foot on a lower rung of the ladder, hoping to be offered a better week each time it becomes available. Some very good salmon and sea trout fisheries across Scotland are owned or leased by local fishing associations and fishing clubs and are run for the benefit of local and visiting fishermen. Permits for high season days or weeks may require advance reservation, but it is often possible for the occasional visitor to receive a daily or weekly permit for many club waters on short notice and usually at a reasonable cost. Details and contact details of many Scottish fishing clubs and associations can be found on the respective river pages in the Where to Fish sections. In addition to information on when and where to fish for salmon in Scotland, there are links to pages and articles on the type of salmon fishing gear required, in particular fly rods, reels and lines that are best suited to nature and the various conditions that may be encountered during the changing seasons on our rivers, large and small; the tactics most likely to lead to success; and some of the most popular and effective of our salmon flies, including fly tether pages, including a step-by-step guide to tying flies: and much more on a variety of salmon-related topics.
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