WATER SCARCITY - Fifeshire River Eden -Agricultural Water Abstraction Suspended until further notice from midnight Saturday 13th August 2022.

The Eden Angling Association welcomes SEPA’s decision to suspend agricultural abstraction from the Eden catchment during this spell of hot weather to protect the river environment and its salmon as a protected species. Although catch and release is already mandatory for all Eden salmon, catching one in these conditions may reduce survival when it is returned to the water. As the Eden Angling Association is acutely conscious of its obligations to take all reasonable steps to improve river habitat and salmon numbers in a system that is already under significant pressure, they are until further notice actively encouraging members to refrain from salmon fishing during this spell of hot weather.

Committee. 13th August 2022

Water Scarcity Alert

A SEPA water Scarcity ‘Moderate’ Alert for the Eden Catchment is in place. With the weather forecasts for the coming week we are likely to see the river drop to its lowest level since records began. SEPA say that if the water scarcity level is raised one more level to ‘Significant, SEPA will ‘consider’ whether restrictions on abstractions are required’.

While SEPA are Considering how to protect the environment, anglers and all friends of the river should report their concerns directly to SEPA by telephoning 0800 80 70 60. or by e-mailing photos and locations of drying up sections of river/burns using the link below

Eden Brown Trout on the Dry Fly

Some nice Brown Trout rising to the dry Fly . This one caught and safely returned from the net below Dairsie Bridge.

From Kemback on the Dry Fly

Giant Hogweed

Please keep your distance from invasive Giant Hogweed (see photo) which has established on the river banks. Please, don’t attempt to destroy it yourself as if the sap makes contact with the skin and is exposed to sunlight, it can cause a long lasting painfull skin condition. The Association and some landowners useing protective gear are active cutting down or spraying Giant Hogweed, before it sets its seeds to spread downstream. The eradication process is likely to take several years and requires the co operation of landowners and trained volunteers working in partnership on a catchment basis.

Giant Hogweed- setting its flower spike May/June

The Fife Shire Eden- Tay Catchment

An overview of the Fife Shire river Eden on the Tay Rivers Trust web site. See link below

Wild Trout Trust Advisory visit

An really interesting day walking the river with Gareth Pedley (Northern Conservation Officer) for the Wild Trout Trust carrying out an advisory visit so as to inform & guide committee on ways to improve the river Eden habitat.for Trout Salmon and sea Trout. Lots learned from the visit. The report is expected sometime in June.

Safeguarding our wild Salmon

Many thanks to the Wildlife Crime Officer for sharing his day at the Fisheries Management Scotland conference where the improvement work by the Tweed, Spey .and Ayreshire rivers Trusts discussed at the conference may be applicable to improving the the Eden. Salmon & Sea Trout habitat, The awareness series of six short films is worth a view particularly the pros & cons for stocking.

Newsletter Spring 2022

Honorary President & Chairman Bill Wardlaw

Vice President: Steve Smart

Secretary/Treasurer David Farmer

Ticket Secretary: Harald Gavin

Dear members

Happy new year to you all the Eden fishing season is now open. As our membership remained stable in 2021 with 171 adults 69 seniors 54 juniors Membership ticket prices remain unchanged this season keeping salmon, sea Trout and Brown fishing available and affordable. It was no surprise that visitor Day tickets were down last year due to Covid restrictions and fewer visitors to the area, but we managed to pay the 2022 rents and cover club expenses.  

Rod catch returns for the 2021 season were encouraging, albeit at the 11th hour (more on that later) as even with Salmon rod days down, 38 Salmon & grilse were caught and returned under CAT3 mandatory catch & release, up from 24 the previous season. It certainly looks like catch & release is beginning to show results. Some larger than normal multi winter salmon & sea Trout were also recorded which all bodes well for the future The Stan Reed Trophy for the seasons largest fish went to David McRobbie for his silver15 lb hen July salmon. 328 sea trout were also recorded. The largest being 4 ½ pounds.

COVID, river levels, weather conditions and climate change in the catchment area all influence the catch return as they are influenced by agriculture, water abstraction. The 2021 season water levels were at yet another low, holding back the main run of salmon & sea trout to the lower sections where in Summer warmer water temperatures made it hard to tempt them until the last weeks of the season when the rains finally came.

Committee and member volunteers have worked hard to improve the river and its habitat undertaking litter picks, stile maintenance and tree removal projects all as COVID restrictions allowed with input from SEPA and Nature Scotland. SEPA are now in the final stages of removing the Gateside Mill weir as a barrier to fish migration to the headwater burns. A second attempt to re-establish the Ranuculous water crowfoot weed, essential habitat for juvenile Salmon & trout, is planned for 2022.

Salmon numbers are in decline so it is important that we do all we can to improve habitat in the river and spawning burns. Thanks to you all for returning fish, as it is our way of helping them to improve future fish stocks.

Thanks to members who volunteered to assist Sustainable Cupar remove Balsam and replanting trees along the banks of the river.I would also like to thank the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board Bailiffs for rescuing salmon parr from Stathmiglo prior to bridge work and to the TDSFB work taking Eden spawned salmon to the Almondbank hatchery for re conditioning. The WCO for his support. Scott & Steve for pruning trees at Nydie. David Steven for strimming the Nydie path and David Ramsey for his expertise with the tractor, Harald for taking on Ticket Sales contact & permit distribution. Bob Howat at Kinnaird Farm for his work levelling the big car park at Lydox after the spring floods and our Permit outlet owners for their permit sales.

Please take the time to sign & read the Association rules which are supplied with your permits. Permits are only valid when completed & signed.

Remember Rule 13: Report all fish caught as soon as possible preferably monthly using the on-line reporting form on the web site. Failing that complete the annual return supplied with each permit to the secretary by post or e-mail at the end of the season, 30th November at the latest, to allow the Association to make its statutory return to Marine Scotland. The catch return also helps us to monitor the fish population and the health of the river.

I also ask you to take all rubbish home with you.

Office bearer details are as shown on the permit, We have two new committee members this season Michael Farrell and Billy Collins. Committee details can be found on the ‘Contact’ page of the web site. If anyone has any issues or comments, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Enjoy the river, tight lines, stay safe and enjoy the fishing.

Regards Bill, Steve, Dave Harald & the Committee.

Opening Day

The Eden Salmon & Sea Trout season opens Tuesday 15th February,. Membership permits are available from the usual outlets& the secretary (see the ‘Permits & Rules’ page).. Enjoy the river & Tight lines

A good turn out for a Cask strength blessing at Dairsie Bridge.

2022 SEASON MEMBERSHIP PERMITS

Get ready for the start of the Eden fishing season Tuesday 15th February. Membership Permits are now available from most of the usual outlets & the secretary (see link below)

Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board Annual Report

The 2020 - 2021 Annual report is now available on line.

Annual General Meeting of Members 2021:

The AGM will be held in the Wilkie Hall Pitlessie on Sunday 5th December 2021 at 7:00 PM..
The meeting is an opportunity for members of the Association to have their say on how the Association is run and to elect both Office Bearers and Management committee.
Because COVID restrictions did not allow an AGM to be held in 2020, time at the meeting may be limited and any member wishing to make proposals for the meeting, is best advised to make them known to the Secretary by e-mail, post, phone, or by using the on line contact form on the web site.

EDEN - CATCH RETURNS - Last call

It is a fact, that the Association are unable influence those that make decisions in Scottish Government on your behalf, without accurate catch returns. Decisions on mandatory catch & release, Requests to stock the river, rent & rates etc are all made by the Fife Assessors or Scottish Government based on catch returns.

Every member is issued with a catch return with their permit. It is a requirement that this catch return is made by the end of November each season. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT MEMBERS FILL IT OUT ACCURATELY...

DAY TICKET catch returns should be made on the day ticket and posted to the box at the Kemback car park.

SEPA RESOURCES

A question has bee raised in Holyrood by Willie Rennie today , asking about river pollution in his constituency, asking the minister if she thinks that SEPA have sufficient resources.. Not much of a reply from the Minister but more may come. Listen

Catch Returns

Catch returns are essential if we are to manage the river. Many thanks to those who have already made theirs. To members who have not yet done so please complete the catch return issued with your permit and post it to The Eden Angling Association, 49 Sandylands Road Cupar KY15 5JP., alternatively you can scan or photograph it and e mail it to eaa.secretary@btinternet.com to be entered in the draw for a free permit for 2022..

Tales of the Riverbank with Cupar Heritage

To coincide with the UN Climate Change Conference UK over the coming weeks, a guided walk along the banks of the River Eden between Cupar Mills and Thomastoun will take place with tales of how the river contributed to the development of Cupar, the consequences of man-made changes through time and discussion about what the future holds with anticipated climate changes.

The walk will be led by members of Cupar Heritage and the duration will be approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes .

Saturday 30th October at 2.00 p.m. or Saturday 6th November at 10.30 a.m.

Assemble at Cupar Museum and Heritage Centre ten minutes before the scheduled time to join the walk.

To book for this event please email cuparheritage@gmail.com

This free to attend event has been supported by the COP26Coversations Fund developed in partnership by Museums Galleries Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland and the Scottish Library & Information Council.

         Cupar Heritage is a Scottish Charitable Incorportated Organisation ( SCIO)

                                        Scottish Charity Number SC043605

                                                www.cuparheritage.org.uk

BROWN TROUT SEASON Closed.

The Brown Trout fishing season closes 6th October 2021. Salmon & Sea Trout season closes 31st October.

CATCH RETURNS - APPEAL to Members

Members of the Association are required by the constitution to make an annual catch return INCLUDING NIL RETURNS. This can be done by completing the on line return for each outing, or by using the catch return issued with each permit. or print and complete the catch return below. Days fishing for Salmon must also be recorded.
Failure to make a catch return may result refusal of next seasons membership permit to fish as the law requires the Association to make an accurate return to Scottish Government.,

Post to: The Eden Angling Association, 49 Sandylands Road, Cupar, KY15 5JP OR complete the on line catch return on the web site (Click top left button & select ‘Catch return 2021’

Sea Trout

Low water levels and hot weather have held back some sea Trout from entering the river the river this season, Climate change is having an effect and runs are getting later each year.. HOWEVER, the bigger residents that run in July are keeping their heads down under the banks during daylight hours some are running as the evening air and water temperatures combine with the tides for a few to venture up and, perhaps back again . This one at 3 1/2lb was caught & returned in the Nydie tidal waters, on a size 12 Alexandra, in less than a foot of water, as the grass turned from green to grey.. It was kind enough in the recovery to pose for a photo

FISHING PERMITS & FACE MASKS:

Please note that FACE MASKS MUST BE WORN when purchasing a permit in any of the Association Permit Sales Outlets., unless you are exempt .Wearing a face mask remains a statutory requirement in shops in Scotland. Its no Face Mask = No access = no permit-= no fishing.