Salmon fishing season under way

Jan 15 2013

The salmon fishing season will get under way when anglers cast the first fly on the banks of the River Tay.

A traditional ceremony will be held to mark the first day at the waters near Dunkeld in Perthshire.

Bagpipers will lead the crowd from Hilton Dunkeld House Hotel to the banks of the river and share a dram at the water's edge.

TV presenter Cat Cubie has the honour of casting the first fly.

This will be followed by a traditional blessing in which rowing boats are doused with whisky to wish them and their passengers well for the season.

A few drops are then poured into the water "to keep the salmon in good health".

The beat at Dunkeld will be declared officially open and anglers who have booked a slot will set off to try to catch their first salmon of the year.

Mike Metcalfe, general manager at Hilton Dunkeld, said: "Perthshire is one of the country's premier fishing locations and the River Tay is famous across the world, and we are absolutely delighted to have been involved in supporting this event."