Salmon & Sea Trout still slow to show

We reported in the last issue that the salmon and Sea Trout have been slow to appear. This is still the case. Reports from other rivers suggest that we are all experiencing the same problem.

General feeling is that fish that should have been here in May or June are only starting to show now. We had a wee rise in the water in the first week of July and that brought a good run of large sea trout and grilse - but with the water dropping off again, the run has petered out.

All signs are that the Estuary is "heaving with fish" waiting for the river to rise. With any luck, that will be soon . . . .

Back issues of Nith News

•   Issue 1 - July 2004

The NFIA has cooperated with other rivers in the Solway to buy out the last Whammel Licence (drift net station) operating in the Solway. Until recently there were 3 stations licensed to take salmon in the Solway - 2 operating out of Whitehaven and one out of Annan.

After a period of nearly 3 years negotiation, Fishery interests from Cumbria managed to purchase the Whitehaven nets earlier in 2004. After approaches from the Scottish side fisheries, backed by the Environmental Agency, the owner of the Annan-based station agreed to the purchase of his licence. The cost of £5,000 was split 3-ways between the Border Esk, the Annan and the Nith.

The buy-out should help towards the conservation of salmon and improve the runs into the various rivers which feed into the Solway.