Fishing Opening 2002

The Opening of the salmon fishing season took place on January 15th at Kenmore. The weather was fine if a little overcast and the river was in perfect form. One major attraction was that this years event was kindly sponsored by Dewars Whisky. The water of life flowed freely and the red sponsors hats abounded! For a Tuesday the turnout was excellent and spirits were high

Andrew Cairns (Chairman of the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board) made a short speech which for the first time in years had a genuinely optimistic tone. There was good news all round with the North East Drift net buyout and the new hatchery on the horizon, more fish were being returned and expectations for the new season high.

Lead by Fiona Armstrong and representatives of Dewars Whisky the procession set off towards the river through the village of Kenmore.

The traditional blessing was given by Fiona Armstrong complete with Sky TV team.

As usual the first boat set off complete with the celebrity, Andrew MacTaggart and family, ghillied by Robert Simpson. Sadly little was caught, during their brief excursion, except rumour has it, the ghillie's thumb, .

It was not long however, before a fish was landed. The first turned out to be a fighting fit rainbow, which although it gave a good scap, should not really have been in the river at all as it was certainly a fish farm escapee.

A good few kelts were returned from the Kenmore beat and the first clean fish to be caught was soon reported coming from the Linn pool. It is understood that the fish was immediately donated to the hatchery. Well done all.