Anglers marked the start of a promising fishing season at two north rivers at the weekend – and an enthusiastic two-year-old joined in the celebrations.
About 30 Beauly Angling Club members gathered upstream of the Lovat Bridge on Saturday morning for the opening of the River Beauly fishing season, and among them was Kiltarlity youngster Finlay Young, son of club member Hamish Young.
Attracting junior anglers remains one of the biggest challenges facing angling clubs across Scotland today.
Beauly Angling Club president Paul Pacey delivered a speech in praise of the river and practiced member Jim Braithwaite cast the first line of the season.
Meanwhile, members of the Wick Angling Association also gathered at Bilbster for the opening of the River Wick fishing season.
Local church minister John Nugent gave a blessing to the river and long-time member and retired bus driver, John Ryrie, cast the first line for the second year running.
Anglers at both rivers were piped down and set things in motion with a traditional toast.
Beauly club secretary David Sellers said that sea trout numbers were especially good last season with about 1,100 catch and returns, and that government changes as of June will allow for a maximum of three fish to be kept, which should “induce more people to come back and fish” the River Beauly.
He said the biggest challenge is attracting juniors to the sport despite the club setting up ‘casting clinics’ at Kiltarlity football pitch two years ago in a bid to reverse dwindling numbers.
Mr Sellers added: “It’s getting the youngsters beyond that and getting them fishing somewhere properly and keeping them interested – that’s the problem.
“Finlay was the youngest one there on Saturday. I’ve no doubt his dad will be getting him into it properly when he’s old enough to start fishing.”
The River Wick, mainly a salmon river, is one of few where the angling association controls the whole river catchment, as opposed to specific river beats not run by private estates.
Yesterday Association secretary John Mackay said that fish numbers were up to 607 last season, nearly doubling from record lows in 2013.
Mr Mackay said fish numbers are getting closer to the 10-year average of 697, adding: “Hopefully it will be good again this season. It is a spate river and it depends on getting plenty rain and getting fish in the river.
“We are suffering from lack of junior members and if you talk to all of the clubs, this is the case. “Mostly, juniors come along with their fathers. We have ‘try it out’ days but it’s getting them to keep at it that is the problem.”
