One of the highlights of the year on Tayside has started with the opening on Thursday of the salmon-fishing season.

The 15th of January ceremony in Kenmore remains a strong tradition on the Tay and one that is still growing in popularity.

There are always fun-and-games and whisky of course, to mark the event.

Rob Wainwright: toasted the season

This year Scotland rugby star Rob Wainwright was the fitting choice to preside over proceedings, he was brought up just 15 miles from Kenmore and is a keen salmon angler.

Traditionally, a bottle of whisky is smashed on the bow of a boat to get the season underway but this year Wainwright was invited to pour just a cup to toast the salmon for the season.

Scotland rugby star Rob Wainwright tells the BBC's Phil Taylor why he loves angling (Dur 1'03)

However anglers may not feel they have much to celebrate this year.

In line with a worldwide trend, the number of salmon available to catch in Scottish waters appears to be falling rapidly.

Salmon stocks depleted

Measures have been taken to sustain the fish-supply. Mike Smith, Chairman of the Tay Salmon Fisheries Board says estuary nets have been bought up and removed at a cost of £700,000, enabling fish free access to the river.

But he claims drift net fishing in north-east England still takes 15% of potential supplies out of the water.

Salmon fishing is not just a sport in Scotland but also an important industry. It is worth £70m pounds per annum and provides 3,400 jobs.
 

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