Newtyle

[altmor]

If the rules of the river permit it - I see no problem, particularly if conditions dictate. Nothing wrong with the worm in the right conditions, nor the spinner for that matter.

I have been on rivers though, when conditions were perfect for fly on 99% of the pools, and followed worm fishers down, knowing the flys' chances are reduced if fish have seen the worm going through the pool first, as it does spook them at a deeper depth than most fly casts.

Satisfaction wise, again, I'd sooner catch fish on the fly than the spinner or worm, but if I know the fly has no chance - during high spate / rising colored water, I'd adapt to the most likely favorable method.

Altmor.

[blue]

Would most people not agree that worming is incompatible generally with catch & release, hence the TDSFB advice regarding worming at start/end of season? It is a first resort rather than a last resort for too many Tay fishers on some beats.
Agree with Altmor, been down pools after wormers too many times

[castslikeaghille]

If people who fish with snakes are scumbags, guess I am in exhaulted company. However, the time has come to end the use of the snake on the Tay, and for one reason alone that has nothing to do with its effectiveness (v rarely more effective than a spinner, floating devon or fly is my observation after 15 years on the Tay system) or snobbery. Just out of interest, is there anyone out there who feels there is a beat of the Tay or any of its tributories where ending the use of the snake will make any material difference to catches?

The snake is a highly skilled art (far more so than flee), and the true exponents know how to hook fish quickly so the hook isn't in the gut - most people don't have that ability. If you are moving to voluntary C&R and I hope the Tay does then this is not a method that is appropriate. Sorry, cutting the cast and leaving it in the fish which I've sometimes seen done with Autumn hens is not an option IMO. If the snake is band in Tayside the spring becuase of its impact on kelts why should it be allowed in the autumn on black hen fish?

Regards

CLaG

[Mach1]

I have no problem with worm fishing or indeed those who fish it . I have a major problem with those who fish it exclusively in order to maximise their catch of which little or none will be returned. So, unless you are the latter you are not in exalted company!

There is an undoubted art in worming, and I agree that in the right hands C&R can still be practised if that is the choice of the angler. Returning fish is the individual’s choice and in an ideal world should remain so. I do not wish too see 100% C&R legally enforced, as I, like many others, enjoy a piece of real Salmon from time to time and like the decision to be mine.

When the shrimp and prawn was banned there was a huge amount of fishing available, much FOC, and reason was that if they could not kill their fish they were not coming back and they didn't, well not right away. If banning the worm has the same effect then I am all for it, but I would much rather see a sensible system put in place that regulates the amount of fish being retained.

Apologies for any confusion.

[Willie The Gillie]

I think the time for hoping that a sensible fish return system could/would work on the Tay is over. The TDSFB has time and time again seen the softly softly approach consistantly fail.

Now obviously people are going to find it hard to swallow any new ruling (recommendation) that requests the return of all salmon but bear in mind it at this stage is not a law. So I am sure (like the Dee) if implemented there will naturaly be those who don't like it especially those who feel that if they pay their money they can take a fish (or two).

The way I see it (and remember here for a minute that I am in the unfortunate position of watching daily the pathetic runs of fish which OK I can live with (only just though) on the middle Tay. The thing that gets me more than anything else is the people who are fairly new to the game who after a day or a week of fishing hard leave without as much as a tweak or sometimes even seeing a fish. Now here's the real problem - maybe they'll come back one more time but after that they could be out of the game for life and a huge decade upon decade of rural economic benefits with it.

I honestly believe that given the bigger picture and the fact that the salmon is a very important national product people should take their own personal preferences out of it (me included) and think about the positive benefits that are there if big numbers return to the Tay. Worming has to go and 100% C&R has to happen for there to be any chance IMO.

[altmor]

Your words are good WtG. I'd support a ban on the snake and 100% C&R. Like CLaG states, not sure the snake does any better than the fly (or spinner), but one thing's for sure - no matter how it's caught, if returned, surely it's better for the future than if chapped.

Altmor.

[scottyboy9nro]

orite jock, u really belive wormin has tae stop? anno virtually nothin bout fishin, wormin is just a way a hav liked 2 practice lately but if it does as much harm as a led 2 belive then am all for sackin it, c & r doesnt bother me either ad happily return ma fish, just tae come into contact wif a salmon wud b gd enuff for me n ma camera
wot worries me is gettin to an age where a can do loads more fishing and bein unable to fish the tay bcos stocks have gone, that is frightenin, rainbow lakes n stockie bashin doesnt appeal 2 me

[greenalert]

Scotty, you have put that over perfectly, no fish, no fishing, end of sport

[Willie The Gillie]

Guys there is no breathing space left to Dick around with the implementation of these policies. Lets face the facts here. We have a board who are trying to please everyone and achieving nothing in the process. So after a dreadful year for catches on the Tay what sort of spawning season are we likely to have this Winter (given the fact that 40 - 50% would have been chapped) especially with more fish than normal now spawning in the main stem of the river (big flood danger) as most of our spawning burns (from what I see) are fecked.
I hope a good grip of things is now had by the TDSFB on C&R, Worming, Hatchery & the Security of the Tay. As to date none of these basic river management points make for great reading.