Identifying Salmon

[Highlander]

Might be useful to some, Been a few images posted recently that depict Kelt fish. One has to be careful  early season & to a lesser extent late season as to what might be a takeable fish in as far as Kelt fish go.

http://www.fishdalguise.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/SalmonRecog.jpg

Other than the comments written I might add fin & tail can have a distinct wear around the edges.

A poster by Robin Ade

Tight Lines

[hopper]

I think what can confuse an inexperienced salmon angler is kelts quite often regain their silver coat making the angler think it is fresh, check the gills they will be grey and usually carry small maggots. The fish will be thin and the flesh soft.

The baggot or rawner  to some can be a bit more difficult to identify as the are still thick set and silver but not the blue silver of a fresh spring fish.

It shouldn't be a problem here in Scotland now as all rod caught salmon should be returned to the water until the 1st of May, some waters later than that.