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River Management

The Findhorn

The River Findhorn District Salmon Fishery Board (DSFB) is a statutory body with responsibility for protecting and enhancing stocks of salmon and sea trout on the Findhorn and its tributaries.

The Findhorn DSFB is responsible for the entire River Findhorn catchment. The Findhorn Fishery District includes the River Findhorn and its tributaries plus 35 km of coastline in the Moray Firth, from Burghead to the east of the Findhorn estuary to The Bar in the west. The District extends 3 nautical miles out to sea. The Muckle, Mosset, Kinloss and Burgie Burns are also included within the District. The river arises in the Monaliadth Mountains. The catchment area is over 1,300km2 and the stream network length is about 1,500km, of which the main river comprises 90km.

The fishing season runs from 11th February until 30th September. (Dates may vary on different beats. Please check with your proprietor.)

The 2021-2026 Management Plan is available on this link.

 

The Nairn

The Nairn Fishery Board exists to protect, enhance and conserve Atlantic salmon and sea trout in the River Nairn. The River Nairn, located in the Scottish Highlands south and east of Inverness, flows through mountains, moorland and farmland to the Moray Firth, approximately 36 miles away. It is an essentially rural river, with the largest settlement, Nairn (pop. 8,600), at the river mouth. Fishings are owned privately and let to the Nairn Angling Association, and to other anglers via private proprietors. In recent years, catches have been reasonably good, although there is some concern about sea trout populations.

 

The Lossie

Management of salmon and sea trout within the River Lossie is the responsibility of the Lossie District Salmon Fishery Board (LDSFB). The Board works in close coordination with the Findhorn, Nairn and Lossie Fisheries Trust (FNLFT) and is a member of the Association of Salmon Fisheries Board.

The official season for salmon and sea trout runs from the 25th February until 31st October. However, many of the fishing estates and Angling Associations vary the season length within this. For example, Elgin and District Angling Association (EDAA) delays the opening on their fishing until the 1st April for salmon and sea trout and closes the season for sea trout on the 30th September. They close the salmon season on the 31st October.

The new Salmon Conservation Regulations which come into effect on 1 April 2016, will make it a criminal offence to kill any salmon within the Lossie District throughout the season. This new legislation does not apply to sea trout.

 

The Findhorn, Nairn and Lossie Fisheries Trust

promotes sustainable management of river resources and fish populations through research, restoration and education. To achieve this, the Trust works closely with the District Salmon Fishery Board for each river, and other relevant organisations. A charity and company limited by guarantee, the Trust relies on grants, donations and fundraising to implement projects.

Further details on the excellent work carried out by all three boards can be found at this link

 

Fishing regulations

Findhorn District Salmon Fishery Board Conservation Code 2023

Anglers must release:

All fish caught up to 14th May inclusive

From 15th May:

  • All fish over 9lbs / 28 inches (4 Kg / 72 cm)
  • All coloured, stale and gravid fish
  • As many hen fish as possible

If an angler catches a fish that they feel is likely not to survive, then the angler can retain it, but they must report immediately to the estate, the bailiff (Sean McLean 07920 483081) or the FNLFT (Bob Laughton 07887 535986) , who will decide what to do with the fish. This course of action also applies to all fish over 9lbs, which would normally be returned throughout the season under the FDSFB Conservation Code.

RELEASE RATE Anglers are asked to achieve a minimum of:

  • 75% of all salmon/grilse and sea trout caught from the 15th May

KEEP RATE Guidance only as Release Rate above should take priority:

A maximum of 1 salmon (under 9lbs) or 2 grilse (fish under 4lbs) per rod per 6 days

METHOD Before 1st May fly fishing is encouraged.

Most beats are fly only all season. From 1st May it is mandatory.

Pinched or barbless hooks are recommended. Avoid using triple hooks.

 

Catch & Release 6 SIMPLE STEPS:

1. Use the strongest practical nylon cast to aid quick landing of fish. Long playing leads to the build up of harmful metabolites such as lactic acid which kills fish even after they appear to swim away unscathed.

2. Use single or double hooks but avoid using triple hooks. Pinch the barbs by carefully crimping them with slim-jawed pliers.

3. Try and plan your release strategy as you are playing the fish - think where the best area would be to net or beach, unhook & release your fish. Avoid sandy beaches and silty bays, and where there are extensive areas where the water depth is shallower than the depth of the fish.

4. Take great care in handling fish. It helps if there are two of you so try and fish in pairs. Do not pick the fish up by the tail and carry it to the bank for unhooking purposes. If possible use a wide-mouthed small knot- less mesh net to minimise handling and remove the hook and release the fish while still in the water. Wet the hands first or use surgical gloves and wet them as well, avoid the gill area, do not squeeze the stomach and take care not to rub off scales. Turning the fish upside down will often prevent it from struggling. Use your knees or the river bank to keep the frame of the net level and just above the water surface.

5. Use long-nosed artery forceps or slim-jawed pliers for removing hooks.

6. Try to minimise out of water and handling times. Return the fish as quickly as possible. Some photographers keep fish out of the water far too long, considerably reducing their chances of recovery. Support it until it has recovered enough to swim away.

NAIRN DISTRICT SALMON FISHERY BOARD

CONSERVATION POLICY 2023

Salmon & Grilse

  • 11th February – 31st March Total Catch & Release Scottish Law
  • 1st April – 31st May Total Catch & Release NDSFB Recommendation
  • 1st June – 6th October  80% Catch & Release NDSFB Recommendation
  • 1st September – 6th October No worming NDSFB Recommendation

Spinning only above 0.5 on SEPA Firhall Gauge

 

Sea Trout

At all times                                          80% Catch & Release           NDSFB Recommendation

Do utmost to maximise Catch & Release to maintain Grade 1 river status

 


Beat conditions

Individual owners will also have their own individual conditions, such as the hours that fishing is allowed on that beat, what ghillies are provided (if any) and what fishing methods you can use.

FishPal booking conditions

This site uses the FishPal booking engine, you need to agree to FishPal's booking conditions

You will be given another opportunity to read all these conditions before doing any online booking, where you have to indicate your agreement to them. They will also be included in the joining instructions you are given when your booking has been completed.


Biosecurity

Gyrodactylus salaris

This is a parasite which infects the skin, gills and fins of salmon, trout and some other types of fish in fresh water. It is less than half a millimetre in size, so small that it is barely visible to the naked eye. Despite this, it can cause serious damage in some strains of Atlantic salmon.

Why should I worry?

The effects of the disease are so serious that salmon stocks have now been lost completely from many Norwegian rivers, with the particular races of salmon in the affected rivers being lost forever. Gyrodactylus salaris does not occur in UK rivers but experiments carried out in Norway have shown that our salmon, like those of Norway, are killed by the parasite. It is therefore essential that the parasite is not introduced into UK waters.

Can it be eradicated?

To eliminate Gyrodactylus salaris from affected rivers, all types of fish capable of harbouring the parasite must be removed, so restoration of salmon stocks in affected Norwegian rivers has involved poisoning whole catchments. Such remedial work is destructive, difficult, very expensive and likely to take many years. It may also not be successful.

Where does it come from?

Gyrodactylus salaris occurs naturally in the Baltic rivers of Finland and Russia (possibly also eastern Sweden). The native fish of these rivers, including Baltic salmon, are tolerant of the parasite and normally the infection causes them no harm. However, Atlantic salmon in areas where the parasite does not naturally occur have little or no tolerance of it. Some years ago, Gyrodactylus salaris was accidentally transferred for the first time to some rivers of the west coast of Sweden, to Norway and more recently to some rivers in northern Finland and northern Russia.

Is it a notifiable disease?

Gyrodactylus salaris is a listed notifiable disease and legislation is in place to prevent the transfer of live salmon and trout (the main hosts for the parasite) to British waters. This has now been supplemented by EU legislation that recognises the special status of the UK as being proven free of the parasite.

 

What can I do?

This parasite is very hardy and may be inadvertently introduced by fishermen. It is capable of surviving for several days in damp conditions such as plastic bags, wet angling equipment (e.g. bags, waders, landing nets, lines) and the wet surface of dead fish (e.g. bait fish). The parasite can also survive on other fish species including the eel.

Care needs to be taken at all times to ensure that movement of these other species takes place strictly in accordance with statutory fish health requirements. As the parasite has a direct life cycle and reproduces very rapidly, it is possible that even a single specimen imported by accident to a previously unaffected river would be capable of starting an epidemic in a very short time.

Prior to arrival in the UK, anglers travelling from areas which are not designated as free of Gyrodactylus salaris, and in particular from those areas known to be infected, such as Scandinavia, should take the following precautions to ensure that their equipment is not contaminated.

All fishing equipment should be thoroughly cleaned and then treated to kill any parasites by either:

  • Drying at a minimum temperature of 20°C for at least two days, or
  • Heating for at least one hour at a temperature above 60°C, or
  • Deep freezing for at least one day, or
  • Immersion in a solution suitable for killing Gyrodactylus salaris for a minimum of ten minutes. Chemical solutions which have been used successfully include Virkon* (1%), Wescodyne* (1%), sodium chloride (3%), sodium hydroxide (0.2%).

* these chemicals are available from agricultural chemical suppliers. The use of trade names is for illustrative purposes only and does not signify endorsement of any particular product.

REMEMBER IT ONLY TAKES ONE INFECTED FISH TO START AN EPIDEMIC.

 

Catch and release

CATCH AND RELEASE 6 SIMPLE STEPS from River Findhorn District Salmon Fishery Board
  1. Use the strongest practical nylon cast to aid quick landing of fish. Long playing leads to the build-up of harmful metabolites such as lactic acid which kills fish even after they appear to swim away unscathed.
  2. Use single or double hooks but avoid using triple hooks. Pinch the barbs by carefully crimping them with slim-jawed pliers. This is better than using barbless hooks.
  3. Try and plan your release strategy as you are playing the fish - think where the best area would be to net or beach, unhook & release your fish. Avoid sandy beaches and silty bays, and where there are extensive areas where the water depth is shallower than the depth of the fish.
  4. Take great care in handling fish. It helps if there are two of you so try and fish in pairs. Do not pick the fish up by the tail and carry it to the bank for unhooking purposes. If possible, use a wide-mouthed small knot-less mesh net to minimise handling and remove the hook and release the fish while still in the water. Wet the hands first or use surgical gloves and wet them as well, avoid the gill area, do not squeeze the stomach and take care not to rub off scales. Turning the fish upside down will often prevent it from struggling. Use your knees or the river bank to keep the frame of the net level and just above the water surface.
  5. Use long-nosed artery forceps or slim-jawed pliers for removing hooks.
  6. Try to minimise out of water and handling times. Return the fish as quickly as possible. Some photographers keep fish out of the water far too long, considerably reducing their chances of recovery. Support it until it has recovered enough to swim away.

ADVICE ON FISHING DURING PERIODS OF HOT WEATHER AND HIGH WATER TEMPERATURES

  1. Salmon start to become uncomfortable at water temperatures of 20 ̊C (68F) or more and there is documented evidence that with a water temperature above 20C salmon may not survive C & R.
  2. Early morning fishing is best from a welfare point of view the as the water temperature will be at its lowest. As the day wears on into the evening on a hot sunny day the fish will be very reluctant to show any interest in taking a fly. A reduced fishing effort at this time decreases the chances of over stressing the fish as there is still an element of stress caused by fishing over them.
  3. If a fish is hooked the playing increases the fish’s requirement for oxygen, and as warm water holds less of it, they can struggle to catch their breath when released. Great care must be taken to unhook in the water and not remove it to improve its chances of survival on release. The fish should be gently held upright in the water until it is fully recovered so allow plenty of time before releasing it.

General Advice from FishPal.

Playing the fish

If you are 'playing' a salmon you can significantly help its chances of survival by applying the information below. It is worth bearing in mind that less than 7% of smolts return as spawning adults, therefore it is vitally important that the angler who is planning to return his catch is able to tackle this with success and confidence.

Ensure your rod is strong enough to subdue a fish quickly 1 minute per pound weight is a reasonable suggestion for time for landing a fish. To avoid exhausting the fish it is prudent to use 15-20lb leader material where possible. Salmon are not renowned for being cautious about leader visibility. When playing the fish it is the anglers aim to move the salmon out of the fast current into quieter water and have the angler positioned slightly below the fish.

 

By being below the fish you are able to ensure the salmon is battling the current as well as the anglers tackle whereas if the angler is upstream of the fish the angler is fighting the current and the fish. The fight time is therefore lengthened, perhaps un-necessarily. Make sure you pick a safe place to bring the fish to land. Once the fish is subdued bring it quickly to the bank for hand or net capture.


Landing the fish

Research has shown that exposing a salmon to air for even a short period, for example to take a photograph, can significantly reduce its chances of survival. Keep the salmon in the water at all times. Do not at any time lift a salmon up by the tail as this can damage the tendons in the tail of the fish. Later in the season as the salmon nears spawning time, lifting a salmon by the tail can cause the egg sacs in females and milt sacs in males to rupture into the body cavity which can kill the fish in extreme cases thereafter. At all times support its belly whilst handling the fish in the water.

Use a large Gye-type landing net with knotless mesh which reduces damage to the fish's scales. It is wise to avoid beaching the fish as this again can remove protective mucous and scales from the fish which can lead to fungal infection. The salmon that is being returned cannot be gaffed or tailed by mechanical tailer, as both implements cause considerable damage to the fish and were used historically when fish were being killed by the angler, in the days before the catch and release initiatives, that are currently in place through out many river systems in the UK.

Always handle the salmon with wet hands, or put on soft cotton gloves which need to be wet, when removing the hook from the fish's mouth or body if accidentally foul hooked. This prevents removing the fishes mucous which is the fish's first line of defence against disease and parasites.

It is very important that the fish is kept in the water after being captured and the fish should be supported from beneath, with the hook gently removed either by hand or by means of long-nosed forceps or hook releasing tool. If a hook is deeply embedded and cannot be removed, the leader should be cut close to the hook, as fish released with the hook attached will generally survive, and try not to squeeze the fish too hard, and never hold it by the gills at all times.

Reviving and releasing the fish

After removing the hook, or cutting the leader and leaving the hook or fly in the fish, then we should ensure that the salmon will be supported in the water, facing into the current to allow oxygen uptake by the fish's gills, and given sufficient time to the fish for it to recover. Hold the fish gently until it is capable of swimming away strongly, you will know it is time when you feel it starting to pulse and kick softly. If you release the fish and it turns 'belly up' then quickly capture the fish and support it again for a while facing into the current to allow more oxygen to be absorbed. When the fish is being fought there is lactic acid produced in the muscle tissue which creates oxygen debt and the muscles cannot function adequately Indefinitely.

Releasing a Spring salmon carefully back to the rive(photo Ian Neale)

Avoid weighing the fish if at all possible and if you have to then weigh the net with the fish enclosed in it. A tape measure or a marked off wading stick can be used to take the approximate length while keeping the fish in the water. The size can then be used to formulate an estimated weight and there are many charts available with this information. One day beats may supply this information to visiting anglers on small laminated leaflets with beat conditions. Survival rate is greater at water temperatures below 20°C so be aware of the necessity to quickly subdue and return the fish during the summer months.

Survival chances of released salmon

There has been research carried out by a number of fishery trusts that has shown that the survival rate of salmon caught and released may be close to 100% when we apply the above guidelines and practice.

Spawning success and viability of eggs may be unaffected in salmon caught and released in late autumn using the above guidelines, and they can recover within twenty four to forty eight hours of being captured and are able to spawn successfully.