Salmon season gets off to a quick start

Feb 5 2010 by Lynn Duke, Strathearn Herald

THE first salmon of the season was caught in record time at the River Earn’s opening ceremony on Monday.

Just 30 seconds after the first line had been cast – and before many had even tied their lures – local angler Peter MacDonald was reeling in a 5lb kelt. The catch earned him the Peter Baird Trophy and a personalised commemorative bottle of Famous Grouse with the alternative label ‘The Famous Crieff Angler’.

Earlier the river had been blessed with a dram from Steve Craik, executive chef at The Famous Grouse Experience, and a ceremonial cast was made by Crieff Angling Club president Alan Brock snr.

Club secretary Pat McEwan told the Herald: “We are delighted once again to have the support of the Famous Grouse for this event.

“Conditions are good today and the fish are showing well at the moment.

“We’re hoping that this year will be a more productive one.

“It was a pretty poor season all over Scotland last year, with catches down by 50 per cent on expectations and previous years, but hopefully that was a one-off and the anglers will be happier with their catches in 2010.”