Catch and release
Spey Fishery Board Salmon Conservation Policy
1. Catch and release:
Each angler must return the 1st, 3rd, 5th etc. salmon and grilse caught;
All hen salmon and hen grilse must be released;
Throughout the season all stale or gravid fish must be released;
Escaped farmed salmon must be retained.
2. Method:
Where possible anglers should be encouraged to fish with a fly;
All hooks should be ‘pinched’ or barbless;
Where spinning is allowed only one set of barbless hooks may be used on a lure.
3. Fishing effort:
Where possible the numbers of hours and rods fished should be limited.
As part of its long term commitment to the protection of Salmon stocks, the SFB launched a Salmon Conservation Policy in 2003. The policy aimed to achieve the release of at least 50% of Salmon and Grilse, and to protect the depleted stocks of multi-sea winter Salmon in February-June. At least 50% of these fish are female, and therefore contribute an important part of the river’s spawning stock. Also, studies by the former Spey Research Trust (now Spey Foundation) have shown that these fish are particularly vulnerable to capture and re-capture having been released.
Until 30th June 2009, 76% of fish caught had been released, an increase on the 71% for that period over the previous year. By the end of the season the release rate had climbed to 77%, up on the 74% released during the whole of the 2008 season. This is a highly commendable result for a large River such as the Spey and we are grateful to all proprietors, ghillies and anglers for their support for the policy. In total, 6,639 Salmon and Grilse were released to spawn in 2009.
Despite the encouraging catches between 2005 and 2008, the SFB has maintained a precautionary approach and, following discussions with the Spey Research Trust, the Spey Fishery Board endorsed a recommendation by the Spey Research Committee in August 2009 to simplify its Salmon Conservation Policy. This followed recognition of an alteration in Salmon run times, which were often later than they had been in the past. Hitherto there have been references to 30th June, up until which the 1st, 3rd, 5th etc. fish caught must be returned, and after which all hen Salmon and Grilse must be released. It has now been decided to simplify the policy by removing these references to 30th June. Henceforth the policy is that the 1st, 3rd, 5th etc. fish must be returned and all hen Salmon and Grilse must be released throughout the season. The Sea Trout Conservation Policy remains unchanged. (See the section on Sea trout regarding Catch and Release for this species)
Download our Conservation Policy leaflet here.
The Association of Salmon Fishery Boards and others have produced a useful guidence leaflet for anglers on the best approach to catch and release. Download your copy here,
