Association News
2017 Season Now that the final catch returns are in it would appear that the Allan has fared better than other rivers in the system such as the Teith, Forth, and Carron who have all had a difficult season. The final Allan totals were 171 salmon and 81 sea trout. Although salmon were down on 2016 there was no shortage of fish and these were well spread throughout the river. Constantly fluctuating water levels however meant they never really settled and were at times more interested in getting upstream than they were in taking a fly. Sea trout numbers were better this year and that is encouraging.
2017 Spawning Season.
A comprehensive survey of salmon redds on the Allan was carried out during November and December. Most of the upper river and tributaries were surveyed and spawning activity was found to be excellent with fish still cutting redds as late as Christmas Day. This is excellent news for the river and ensures we have a good head of juvenile salmon next year. Fry hatched from this year's spawnng will mostly leave the river as smolts in 2019 or 2020.
Armadale tracking project Tags Wanted Reward
Marine Scotland (in conjunction with local DSFBs and Fisheries Trusts) is tracking salmon from July 2017 and would like your help. If you catch a salmon with a tag (as shown in the attached photograph) near the dorsal fin, then please remove it by cutting through the plastic cord to remove the acoustic tag (black cylinder). Please note that the colour of the cord may vary from yellow.
Please send the acoustic tag, also with a note of day and location of capture, to:Armadale Tracking,Freshwater Fisheries Laboratory,Faskally,Pitlochry,PH16 5LB Please enclose your name, postal and email (if applicable) address and we
will send you £20 in reward.
If you have any other information about the fish (eg a photo, length, sex) then please include it when you send in the tag.
However, please do not delay the safe return of the fish to the water to obtain any such information.
River Classification.
Marine Scotland have now advised on the reclassification of the River Allan. The Allan will remain a Grade 2 river for 2018 and that is excellent news. Although it is now possible to take salmon on the River Allan it is necessary for anglers and for the Association to demonstrate that enough fish are being returned to the system to maintain satisfactory juvenile recruitment. The return rate in 2017 was 96% for salmon and 95% for sea trout and the Committee is encouraged at the responsible attitude to catch and release shown by our members and visitors. We know there are times when you want to take your prize home but salmon stocks are under serious pressure at home and at sea and need our help. We would ask all our anglers to seriously consider returning all salmon safely tospawn . If you don't need it- you don't need to kill it.
Committee Meetings
The Committee continues to meet regularly to discuss issues relating to the river. Looking ahead to 2018 the focus will be on increasing and maintaining membership number and making it easier for visitors to obtain daily/weekly permits. With one of our Committee members a key member of the Forth Fisheries Trust we are also involved in on-going river maintenance initiatives.The proposed new fisheries legislation has been a major topic but we are advised that the powers that be have not yet come to a decision on the way forward. The 2017 revaluation of salmon fisheries remains an ongoing issue and the the out come will be reported here in due course. The AGM is on February 13th 2018 at 7.30 pm in the Cathedral Halls Dunblane and all members are cordially welcome.
Founded in 1911
awaia1911@btinternet.com
