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Anglers to march on the River Tay for opening ceremony of new salmon fishing season

Opening of the River Tay Salmon fishing season at Meikleour Fishing, Kinclaven Bridge, by Meikleour in 2018
Opening of the River Tay Salmon fishing season at Meikleour Fishing, Kinclaven Bridge, by Meikleour in 2018

Anglers will descend on the banks of the River Tay in Perthshire for the opening ceremony of the new salmon fishing season.

The Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board and Perth and Kinross Council will host the event at Meikleour Fishings near Kinclaven Bridge on Wednesday.

The ceremony will begin with anglers marching to the river lead by Pipe Major Alistair Duthie and the Perth and District Junior Pipe Band.

Provost Dennis Melloy will then bless the Tay with a quaich of single malt Glenturret before guest of honour Dougie MacLean performs the first symbolic cast while popping a magnum of Champagne.

Claire Mercer Nairne addressing the crowd in 2018

The John Moses Trophy will be presented by his widow Sue Moses to the angler who caught the biggest fish by fly-fishing last season.

Claire Mercer-Nairn, owner of Meikleour Fishings, said she was looking forward to getting the season under way.

She said: “I’m always excited and what I really think is great is that we’ve already had so many anglers who have contacted us who want to fish on opening day.

Calum McRoberts, Head Ghillie at Meikleour Fishing with his children Fionnlagh McRoberts (aged 5, left) and Eilidh McRoberts (aged 6, right).

“It’s always a celebration and it’s something positive that puts the Tay on the map.

“We’ve seen a lot of spawning – a lot more than we’ve seen before and we’ve seen a lot of large – and for the local economy it’s invaluable.”

The opening ceremony will also serve as  a charity fundraiser for children’s charity Angling For Youth Development with visitors invited to make a donation as they cast their line.

Anglers will also have the opportunity to read about the conservation projects undertaken by the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board and the Tay Rivers Trust.

Casting demonstrations, whisky tasting and charity raffles will also be held throughout the day.

Organisers have said that due to limited car parking spaces at Meikleour Fishings visitors are welcome to use the 9am shuttle bus from the Meikleour Arms car park for a 9.30am start.

Kenmore Hotel will also host their own opening ceremony in Highland Perthshire where The Vale of Atholl Pipe Band will lead the procession along the riverbank followed by a speech and first cast by Mark Bowler.