Salmo Scotland

18/03/2026

Brian Peterson has sadly passed.

A respected Scottish international angler and a figure from a strong era of competitive fly fishing.

Condolences to those who knew him.

12/03/2026

Angling Scotland has launched a national survey for anglers in Scotland.

The organisation is asking anglers across the country to take a few minutes to share their views on the future of the sport.

The survey aims to gather feedback directly from anglers about the issues that matter most, helping to inform the work Angling Scotland does to represent and protect angling in Scotland.

Topics include:

•⁠ ⁠Fish stocks and conservation
•⁠ ⁠Predation
•⁠ ⁠Access to fishing
•⁠ ⁠Participation in angling
•⁠ ⁠The future of the sport

The more anglers who take part, the stronger the insight Angling Scotland will have when representing anglers and engaging with government and decision-makers.

👉 Take the survey here:
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=DQSIkWdsW0yxEjajBLZtrQAAAAAAAAAAAAO__aHMgTlUNlZKQVQ3MElEWjJHMEQ4RVdOOTgxSENRMC4u&origin=QRCode

Anglers, clubs, fisheries and tackle shops are encouraged to share the survey widely so as many voices from the angling community as possible can be heard.

02/03/2026

Provisional 2025 Rod Catch Figures

The provisional 2025 Scottish salmon and sea trout statistics confirm a significant contraction in rod-caught wild salmon, down 41 percent year on year.

Rod fisheries recorded 28,020 wild-origin salmon in 2025.

Net fisheries recorded 913.

The proportional contrast between rod decline and net decline is notable. Rod catch fell sharply. Net salmon catch reduced by only 2 percent.

This does not automatically assign causality.

Rod catch is an index influenced by effort, river conditions, and stock strength. However, a contraction of this scale signals structural pressure within the system.

Sea trout present a more complex picture.

Rod-caught adult sea trout declined by 8 percent. Net-caught adult sea trout increased from a low baseline.

The divergence between species and between fishing methods suggests that a single-variable explanation is unlikely to suffice.

If the discussion moves toward policy, it must remain layered:

• Marine survival research
• Predator impact assessment
• River-specific management
• Exploitation proportionality
• Data transparency

What these figures do not support is simplistic narrative.

The correct response is structured interpretation, not noise.

Full provisional data: link in comments.

20/02/2026

Important developments on the River Tay.

A moment for calm, evidence-led discussion around governance, ecology, and long-term stock sustainability.

Open, constructive dialogue across the sector is essential.

Multiple members of the the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board have stepped down from their roles.

19/02/2026

An 11.5lb brown from HQ this morning.

Particularly pleasing to see a fish of that size carrying such condition in February. Feeding high and taking confidently 2–3 feet down in settled water.

Always satisfying to see them in that sort of shape at this time of year.

Photographed and returned safely.

🎣 Big Fish & Strong Sport at Wormit This Week 🎣

- Wormit continues to fish properly.

A magnificent 11.5lb brown was brought to the net today in superb condition, alongside consistent returns from rods fishing through settled conditions.

Rod average is sitting at over 11 per rod.

The fish are sitting comfortably, holding just a rod length or two out, and responding well to buzzers and diawl bachs fished 2 to 3 feet down. Do not over-cast. Work the margins first and stay methodical.

🔍 What We’re Seeing
The water is settled and fish are spread well across the loch. They are confident and taking with intent. A steady retrieve and good fly control is key.

With our strict limit of 12 rods across 6 acres, there is always room to fish properly. No overcrowding. No peg pressure.

📅 Availability
Rods remain between now and Sunday.

Have you fished Wormit recently?

If you’re planning a visit, booking details are in the comments below.

13/01/2026

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Scottish National Fly Fishing Team - Charity Takeover at Wormit🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Saturday 31st January 2026 | 25 rods | Final 5 spaces

We’re hosting a genuinely special day at Wormit.

For this charity fundraiser, the Scottish National Fly Fishing Team will be taking over the fishery for the day for a relaxed, fun competition with great prizes, proper food, plenty of banter, and the chance to fish alongside some great rods.

As this is an exclusive booking, we’ve opened the water up to 25 rods for this day, creating a lively match-style atmosphere while still keeping the fishing sensible and well managed.

To keep things interesting, the fishery will be freshly stocked in advance of the event on top of what is already an incredible amount of fish.

£45 per angler includes:

-Full day’s fishing at Wormit Trout Fishery
-Prizes and raffle
Prizes and raffle
-A chance to fish with national-level anglers in a friendly, social setting
-All proceeds go directly towards supporting the National Team for the season ahead.

⚠️ Only 5 spaces remain to complete the field. Once they’re gone, bookings close.

👉 To secure one of the remaining places, message Darren Heenan on 07376 132103 to be added to the list. Payment details will follow once the final places are filled.

A cracking day’s fishing, good company, and a very worthwhile cause.

02/01/2026

THE WITNESS.

Jan 2026 - The year is new. The challenge is old.

We soon return to the water to find the truth of the river remains where it always has: In the current, not in the committee room.

As the Atlantic Salmon faces its most critical era, the disconnect between administrative management and riverside reality grows wider. Reports are filed and meetings are minuted, but the river does not read paperwork.

The only true status report comes from the boots on the ground.

It comes from the Ghillies who watch the pools change hour by hour. It comes from the anglers who stand waist-deep in the cold, acting as the eyes and ears of an environment under siege.

We value the observer over the administrator. We trust the person in the waders over the person in the boardroom.

We fish on to bear witness.

SALMO Scotland.

Archive: River Dee, Lower Crathes & West Durris. Opening Day, 2012. Photo: Glyn Satterley.

30/12/2025

THE STANDARD.

The discipline of game angling is defined by technical mastery, patience, and standards. Media should reflect this.

Salmo Scotland operates as an independent authority. We are performance-led and shaped by results rather than opinion.

Our Operating Principles: ▪️ No Sponsorship: Our judgement is not for sale. ▪️ No Alignment: We remain entirely neutral. ▪️ No Promotional Obligation: We do not trade visibility for favours.

We do not post to entertain. We publish to document the standard.

The archive is open.

29/08/2025

09/08/2025

The future of Scotland’s fisheries will be decided by what we do now, not by what we say later. It’s good to see these topics getting airtime — but we need to move from discussion to decisive action that protects our waters and our sport, rather than skirting around the real issues. Public awareness is key. A sobering and important read from Ian Gordon.

https://speyonline.com/so/7aPX-A5Fr?languageTag=en&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR4anjlG-KXAdf2rseqG0MPLdYW3rDLiBJquoB9pJy0cWknFs-0MK9qyoqpjlw_aem_TIsuY_EMkWTyeLi-Ari-iw'

The Cry of the Salmon - A History of our Betrayal

18/02/2025

18/02/2025