Expert Series: Ghillies & Anglers On The River Tay. Episode1

Anglers & Ghillies talk about wild Atlantic Salmon in The River Tay, Scotland. On Scotland's longest river, our experts talk about the wonderful world of wild Atlantic Salmon and fishing in one of Scotland's most scenic areas. Expert Ian Gordon, from the River Spey, made the special trip to Perthshire to speak with fellow experts and friends; Tony Black, Robert Grant Kelly and Sandy McIntosh about their careers as Ghillies & Anglers. These four experts have over 200 years of combined experience, averaging 50 years each, and going strong. Watch for some great tips and amazing stories from their lives as custodians of famous Scottish rivers, the Wild Atlantic Salmon and why we need to act to save the wild salmon and their environment. These experts are some of Scotland's most experienced people on salmon fly fishing and our ecosystem. This is the first time they've all got together to share their amazing lives and stories. We hope you enjoy the first episode of our expert series 'Anglers & Ghillies On The Mighty Tay'. Please share it with your friends and leave some comments to let us know what you think.

[@TheRk1111]

This backround music is distracting.

[@jamesgraham4242]

I was the 1st person in the UK to defeat ScotGov on a FOI request they refused to comply with...on the statutory salmon fishery Catch Returns data they'd collected since 1952. Following discussions with the Info Commissioner I made arrangements with my contacts at Glasgow Uni to meet there with 2 Info officers and 3 ScotGov fishery scientists. I won.
All of that data, including net and rod and line catches etc, is in the public domain. That's the raw unworked statistical data that was used to compile and collate the Statistical Bulletins, published the year after in September. Additional research and historical information is required to interpret the true meaning of these data. I was in touch with David Summers a few times.

[@davids9549]

Fantastic video thank you - the collected wisdom is priceless. No way can I afford to fish for salmon on the legendary Scottish rivers, so I travel to British Columbia for my salmon fishing, where the runs are still plentiful and the financial cost low. But last time I was in the Highlands I found a spot to watch for salmon on the Oykel, and my patience was rewarded with the unforgettable sight of a wild Atlantic salmon of substantial size leaping vertically full length from the water - my first and only glimpse of a wild salmon in British waters.

[@kobyashimaru1353]

Nice to see folk who know what they’re talking about in a room together. Sadly I fear in the next 5 years or so you lads will be mostly cutting grass and selling your rods off on eBay I’m afraid. Unless we get fish eating bird predation under control through revised licenses, seal populations managed and large hatcheries established on every river (the pro-hatchery evidence is clear to see on the Tyne/Carron amongst others) that’ll be all she wrote for wild Atlantic salmon fishing in Scotland. It will be a sad day when it comes, and mark my words it will come and soon if something drastic isn’t done. When it does we will regret not doing more to save these wonderful creatures and will have squandered one of natures gifts.

[@bobmason5226]

Agree totally with you - we need action and fast

[@Stevie_ONeill_Flyfishing]

Just stumbled across this interesting chat guys , the decline in salmon over the last 10-15 years is really concerning . I think protected predators are a big problem , i was fishing on the Dee a number years ago (10 or 11) probably and there was a seal in the pool and it was there daily . The beat i was fishing was 17 miles upstream from the sea , this should never be allowed . I really feel for the ghillies like Tony and the lads . You just need to look back on the 10 year averages on every river , even looking at the daily catches just now on the big 4 , your lucky if you see a dozen salmon reported on a spring day between big the 4. .....Really Concerning ...But thanks for sharing the video, just subscribed ...cheers Stevie

[@lesdundas4869]

the number of beginners who put the line on backwards as soon as you cast you can tell after the beginner tries for say around ten casts and gets nowhere

[@johncathcart7309]

You where talk about the number of salmon caught on the Tay my late uncle tell me about his caught for 1975 to his rod was 99 salmon to me that’s what dreams are made of. Last year I could not have bought a take I reel enjoy that video thanks for sharing your thoughts on the fishing 🎣

[@TayGhilliesAssociation-cf3gn]

Thank you @johncathcart7309 for your kind comment. We're glad you enjoyed listening to our experts. Please share with your friends.

[@duncaninglis1406]

Excellent video, comments and discussion but please sort out the sound quality on future episodes