Lack Of Salmon?

[Wildfisher]

Noticing  a huge difference this year compared to last autumn, very few salmon appearing at the usual spots we do our photography. Buchanty Spout on The Almond, The Lunan, The Wqestwater, been lots of times in perfect water conditions and hardly  seen a fish. Anglers met at Buchanty moaning about the lack of fish on The Almond and even a lack of parr in the rivers over summer - something I can certainly confirm where I fish. Is it the same everywhere? These are East Coast rivers, so we can't blame salmon farmers.

[rannoch raider]

I see that The Lanrick Castle fishery on the Teith was selling days at half price and there was a lot of availability ! The last time I tried to get a day there was a good few years ago but it was pretty expensive and there was practically zero availability. I've also been hearing that the Nith has been very poor.

[Wildfisher]

A least you don't have to pay to take photos of no fish.   :lol:

[Wildfisher]

Is it possible that lots of high water has taken the fish over the falls in dribs and drabs over a period of time so you are not seeing one big run?

Could be and there is time yet. I'll have a few more trips yet so we shall see.

[Fishtales]

It could be down to the higher temperatures we have been getting this Autumn. Once the temperatures drop the runs will start when it gets to the right temperature.

[SoldierPmr]

2 years ago not many eggs made it to hatching due to the high winter temperatures throughout the UK. This year has had an increase in the amount of fry in the systems but is still on a 5 year low in this area. Fish are also running late here too.

[Laxdale]

http://www.rivertweed.org.uk/news/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/170925-FMS-briefing-on-grilse.pdf

The above sums it up quite well.
Given that we have had decent water for a while, most of the earlier running fish will now be where they need to be.

[Wildfisher]

Interesting. If this is indeed a trend (and it might not be - there were lots of fish last year)  I wonder how it will affect rivers like The North Esk where the pricing structure is designed to financially exploit the big back end runs?

[Laxdale]

At least they finish at the end of the month. Think of the Tweed, where there has been no meaningful run since the summer. Anglers are deserting the river in the back end, preferring not to pay daft money to fish over spawning fish.........check out the availability and prices on Fishteed!!

[Laxdale]

https://www.tweedbeats.com/news/22_october_2017__news_editorial

This editorial, and previous ones written by ADH, are worth reading if you want an informed opinion on the current changes in salmon run timings.