There are two reasons why we need to ensure our catch returns are both full and accurate.  Firstly we have a regulatory requirement to provide the detail to the Forth District Salmon Fishery Board (by 30th November annually), who in turn have a requirement to send the information to Fisheries Research Service, which are subsequently published within their Annual Statistical Bulletins, which I’m sure are reviewed by the Scottish Government.

Secondly Catch returns are essential for the Club (by 14th November annually) to monitor the state of the river.  Rather than relying on anecdotal information, it is far better to have an accurate record of fish caught, when they were caught, how they were caught and what effort was needed to catch them.  Although we don’t currently request all this information, this is something that will be implemented next year (2010) as you will see from the updated Catch Return form.

Catch Return Form PDF

Catch Return Form XLS

In times of dwindling worldwide stocks of fish, recording fishing effort is now a key feature in completing a catch return.  If numbers caught are remaining steady but anglers have to fish twice as hard to catch them, this would suggest that numbers are falling.  Catch returns could also form the central basis for successful claims against polluters and help us form a basis for the funding of future projects.

Please make every effort to record this information from 2010 and beyond, as the season unfolds.  Keep a log book or similar and transcribe the information to the catch return at the end of the season.  All catch returns must be submitted to the Treasurer by 14th November.  All completed returns will be entered in a draw for a free season permit for the following year.

Salmon and Grilse

Month / Year	‘07	‘08	‘09	‘10	‘11	Average
February	0	0	3	0	0	1.0
March	0	0	0	0	0	0.0
April	0	0	2	0	0	0.7
May	0	0	0	0	0	0.0
June	0	0	1	0	0	0.3
July	1	0	0	0	0	0.3
August	2	3	0	0	0	1.7
September	5	4	9	0	0	6.0
October	3	17	8	0	0	9.3
Total	11	24	23	0	0	19.3

Sea Trout and Finnock

Month / Year	‘07	‘08	‘09	‘10	‘11	Average
February	0	1	3	0	0	1.3
March	0	2	1	0	0	1.0
April	0	5	6	0	0	3.7
May	3	4	1	0	0	2.7
June	23	9	6	0	0	12.7
July	37	19	15	0	0	23.7
August	37	42	22	0	0	33.7
September	8	32	17	0	0	19.0
October	6	17	21	0	0	14.7
Total	114	131	92	0	0	112.3

Brown Trout

Month / Year	‘07	‘08	‘09	‘10	‘11	Average
March	0	10	23	0	0	11.0
April	11	25	36	0	0	24.0
May	6	34	93	0	0	44.3
June	8	32	38	0	0	26.0
July	6	27	24	0	0	19.0
August	8	37	32	0	0	25.7
September	55	40	21	0	0	38.7
October	5	5	8	0	0	6.0
Total	99	210	275	0	0	194.7