Anglers on the River Ness defied poor conditions during the salmon season to catch more fish than the previous year, a report revealed yesterday.
The Ness District Salmon Fishery Board revealed that low river levels and poor fishing conditions led to low expectations for the 2013 season.
But the number of salmon caught by rod and line in the waterway increased from 847 in 2012 to 920 last year, a jump of 8%.
Board chairman Michael Martin said: “It’s encouraging to see even a slight improvement during such a difficult year. It is important, however, that the trend continues and we get back over the 1,000 fish mark that was regularly achieved over the last half century.
“We take particular encouragement from the best spring catch for 19 years – 261 fish compared to 174 in 2012 and well above the five year average of 177 fish.
“This is the fourth successive spring increase and suggests that although the spring component is still in long-term decline, it is showing signs of improvement.
“Grilse catches were slightly up, 387 compared to 367, although remaining below the peak in numbers recorded between 2004 and 2010.
“Summer and autumn salmon catches, however, remain in decline – 272 fish this year compared to 306 in 2012 and well below the five-year average of 359.”
Release rates were also up with the 79% total release rate the highest on record and the spring release rate at 98%.
In 1997 only 4% of that salmon which anglers caught on the river were released but this figure has soared in recent years since voluntary conservation agreements were brought in.
Chris Conroy, the board’s director, said: “It is extremely encouraging that increasing numbers of our salmon anglers recognise the importance of catch and release as a conservation tool. Wild salmon face many challenges and enhancing our stocks remains a top priority of the Ness District Salmon Fishery Board. The simplest way to achieve this is to ensure the release of as many fish back into the system as possible so that they can go on to spawn successfully.
“Our partnership with anglers is generating excellent results for the future of salmon fishing across the Ness system. It is important that efforts continue to maintain, if not further increase, the number of salmon released back into the Ness System.”