Thanks to those who have already given feedback and are helping with the Ranuculous weed & habitat survey on the river. Others are asking about re stocking Brown Trout, not straightforward given the recently introduced Scottish wide conservation measures forbidding the introduction of breeding trout. There is some good advice and a video on stocking in the link below. Please let the committee know what you think.
Landing Net Lost and Found:
A folding landing net has been found on the river in the vicinity of Clayton Caravan Park. If you are missing yours please contact the finder, Brendan by e-mail at leven015@gmail.com .
Tay Board Drone survey
The Tay Board bailiffs will be carrying out a survey of the Eden between Pitlessie and Cupar over the next few weeks, The Boards Drone is a nifty piece of kit and can video the river to monitor recovery of the Ranuculous water crowfoot weed lost to pollution in 2016. This weed was once plentiful here and is considered essential cover for survival of juvenile fish. The Tay Board checked out the location today at Cults Mill.
Cults Mill river weed survey
Fishing Report
After a stormy start to the season and some coloured water early in March reports are coming in of fresh sea Trout being caught in the Pouch and Estuary around the 2 lb mark.
Estuary
The EAA sign has been put back up after the fence was demolished by cattle.
Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board 2018 Annual report
The TDSFB 2018 annual report can be accessed via the link below.
OPENING DAY
A good turnout at Dairsie Bridge at 10:30 am Friday 15th February for the Blessing and first cast of the season. A great day for it.
President George Armitt blessed the river at Dairsie Bridge on a sunny opening day before the first Casts. Tight lines.
PERMITS NOW AVAILABLE
Permits for the 2019 season are now on sale at the usual outlets.. Prices are the same as last season.
Opening Day is Friday 15th February.
Fly Tipping
It is sad but, If anyone finds rubbish Fly Tipped in car parking areas or in or near the river please report it directly to FIFE COUNCIL using the link to their reporting form on the ‘LINKS’ page of this web site. The council officers are usually quick to respond and may be able to trace the culprits.
Work Parties - Can you help?.
Members can help in the work of the Association building and maintaining stiles, walkways, bridges and generally maintaining the river access for the benefit of all. Work parties are arranged throughout the year from the early season maintenance of paths to removing and clearing up trees from the river after storms, but we do need your help.
Please use the Form on the ‘CONTACT’ page with your contact details if you are able to provide some much needed help or encouragement. You don’t need to be super fit as there are plenty of lighter jobs to be done. Thanks.
Tay Board Fishery Officers Netting for Salmon broodstock.
As a result of requests made to the Tay Salmon Fisheries Board, (See Links page for meeting minutes) attempts were made to obtain Eden salmon as broodstock for rearing at the Almondbank hatchery. Unfortunately the attempt was then made too late in the season when river was too high to obtain salmon when the TDSFB had issues with hatchery capacity, but as lots of redds were found so it looks like spawning had already taken place which has to be good news.
TSFB Fishery Officers at Dairsie Bridge Pool.
2018 Stan Reed Memorial Cup & Catch return prize draw winners.
The 2018 AGM of the Association was held at the Wilkie Hall Pitlessie on 2nd December.
Colin Jeffrey is the winner of the Stan Reed Memorial Cup with a Salmon of 8 lbs. Well done Colin. No mean feat given the low water conditions .
Frank Doyle won a free 2019 season permit in the prize draw for members who made their catch return. If you want to win it. You need to be in it. Frank your permit will be posted out to you for the start of the season.
Ladyburn
Walked the Ladyburn as far the Carslogie burn today. Sadly it was running milky white at the Sports Ground area. Reported this to the SEPA POLLUTION HOTLINE 0800 80 70 60.
SEPA investigated early next day, but surprise surprise, after more overnight rain the burn was well up. SEPA have put it down to a “colloidal suspension of Soil” or as we say in Fife, muddy watter. On the positive side it is raining and the burns are finally coming up. SEPA have responded relatively quickly, even though it was not possible be sure of what may have caused it a day later.
Members please note the SEPA POLLUTION hot line number, 0800 80 70 60 keep it with your permit and use it to report problems on the river to SEPA yourself as every minute counts. they will respond. Phone the secretary or committee members afterwards.
Annual General meeting:
The 2018 AGM is convened for 7:30 pm Sunday 2nd December at the Wilkie Hall Pitlessie.
Committee meeting convened for 7:30 pm Sunday 25th November at the Wilkie Hall Pitlessie.
The AGM is an opportunity for all members to have their say in the management and improvement of the river and it’s environment so please attend if you can. If you can’t attend please speak with any committee member to have your say and present your apologies.
Proposals for the agenda to be notified to the Acting Secretary by Friday 24th November. Any items received after this date may if time permits only be considered under Any Other Business.
Catch returns are crucial for compliance with our lease and Scottish Government terms & conditions. These need to be made now by any means to the secretary (see contacts page) or by using the on line form. This year the names of any member failing to make a catch return before the AGM will be referred to committee.
Fishing Report
Late in the season it is, but there are reports that some Salmon have entered the system above the Pouch with the last pickle rains and there are sea trout and good sized finnock being caught. Without rain fish are coming in and out with the big spring tides, which peak on 25/26th of the month.
Tight Lines
Catch Returns
Marine Scotland have for the time being designated the river Eden as catch & release for SALMON. All salmon caught must be returned to the water as carefully as possible to give them the best chance of making it to spawn. It is a criminal offence for any EAA ticket holder to kill one. Only if the club can, drastically improve catch and fishing effort returns can we argue for lifting the ban and demonstrate that it is once again sustainable to take salmon.
This year, can ALL members encourage their fishing buddies to do the right thing for the river and ensure that catch returns are made to the secretary by text, by returning their paper return supplied with the permit, e-mail or by using the on line return on the contacts page of the web site. It is vitally important that we do so.
If any one has ideas on how to improve the returns please contact the secretary, or any committee member.
Last Chance Monsoon Saloon
Finally, in the last few weeks of the fishing season and a long dry summer the rains have come to sweeten and lift the water. This should allow fish in the estuary to run up river. Make the most of it. Return and report all salmon caught and conserve as many sea trout you can to spawn. The Brown Trout season is now closed.
'Storm Ali' clear up
Many thanks to all those who helped out at back to back Sun work parties to remove the worst of storm Ali trees from the river between Nydie Mill to above Dairsie bridge. More volunteers are needed as there is still a lot of timber in the river. Even a few hours will help. Future work parties will be posted here on the web site now it is up and running again,
Pollution of the river
Sadly, right at the end of the season, the river has suffered yet another serious pollution incident. Salmon, sea trout and Brown trout have been killed downstream from the Cupar water treatment plant. Thankfully a member had acted quickly, phoned SEPA and the committee in time to identify the source and gather the evidence essential for prosecution. If any member sees anything detrimental to the river, please contact the secretary or any member of committee right away.
There are however reports of fresh sea trout entering the Dairsie castle beat. Tickets are available from the usual outlets with the best of the fishing below Dairsie bridge.
WELCOME TO THE 2018 SEASON.
Welcome to all new and existing members. This cold blast has kept most people away from the river with very little to report.
It has been confirmed, despite our appeals, that the Eden will be a category 3 river this year. No salmon can be killed. We still need to fish for salmon and give an accurate catch return or we will remain as category 3. It is now obvious that all categories will be determined by the catch numbers.
To date, we have still not received any information from SEPA regarding the lack of weed in the river. We will continue to press them for an answer.
Hopefully the weather will improve soon and we can look forward to an enjoyable season.