Volunteers Wanted for improvement work on the river:

There is always lots to do. If you can help out or If you are aware of work needing done to improve the river please contact the secretary. Sincere thanks to those who have already helped out improving access this year.

The main work scheduled so far includes:

1. Replace EAA sign at Coble Point. - complete.(DF)

2. Sleeper Bridge Beet Factory repair safety rails. – Complete. Thanks TG.

3. Chop down giant hogweed - Cupar - Tarvit Mill - Complete. Thanks WL.

4. Cut up last seasons’ fallen trees Lydox

5. Access South Bank between Lydox Cottages & Edengrove . (Complete Thank you the Guests))

6. Access to some pools North Bank between Nydie Mill & the Tattie Hole (Thanks Puppet Man)

7. Plant willow shade Trees to stabilise the banks Tattie Hole

8. Path South Bank from Nydie Mill – Island. - Complete.Thank you DS.

9. Island - cut path from top of Island to Tail of the Tattie Hole. (Complete Thanks DS)

10. Remove fallen tree Dron side at Island

11. Empty - rubbish bins Dairsie Bridge, (Complete), Edenwood, Pouch, Tattie Hole & Dirdum.(Complete)

12. Beat Markers, EAA Signage and pool name signs – a winters job

13. Survey river for Ranuculous weed growth. (Complete DF/NG)

14. Transplant Ranuculous Trial Aug/Sept 2019 & Spring 2020 (DF/SEPA/SNH)

15. Identify Redds and gravel condition. URGENT - All report locn to secretary

16. Locate salmon for TDSFB broodstock – URGENT All August/September.

17. Gateside Mill weir reduction. (SEPA & TDSFB)- Work Starts November 2019

18. Remove storm damaged trees ad hoc workparty.

19. Tractor and winch overhauld & repairs.

20. Tool store

Pink Salmon

A non-native species of fish could return to Scottish rivers in large numbers this year.

Pink salmon are native to Pacific Ocean waters but have spread to parts of northern Europe after being released into rivers in Russia in the 1960s.

Fisheries Management Scotland said 2017 saw "unprecedented numbers" of pink salmon in UK rivers.

It said due to the fishes' two-year life cycle the salmon could be seen again this year.

The mouth of a pink is white, but the gums and tongue are black,. It does not have “teeth” on its tongue. The pink salmon tail is covered with large oval spots.

If you are confident that you have captured a pacific pink salmon the fish should be humanely despatched and retained.

If you have killed and retained a pink salmon, please immediately contact the secretary who will contact the Tay district salmon fishery board, who may arrange for further inspection and analysis, if necessary. It would be very helpful if the following information could be recorded: • date of capture or sighting, • location of capture (grid reference if possible) and details of the site, • method of capture, • sex of fish.

Please be vigilant for any early or unusual spawning activity – particularly during August and September, when any pink salmon present are likely to be active in spawning areas – shallow, gravelly glides and runs. Any suspected activity should be reported as above.

Otter

An otter family has been seen regularly fishing the Newmill/Balass beat without a permit.

Shocking events at Balass

Please note that the ELECTRIC FENCE is in operation upstream from the sleeper bridge at the back of the Beet Factory. and a BEWARE OF THE BULL sign has been posted on the gate which presumably means that there is a bull in the field. Take care. The Sleeper Bridge wire handrail has also been re instated by the Ticket Secretary. Please do not tamper with these safety wires or fish from the bridge.

Fishing Report - Sea Trout in the Estuary

Reports are coming in of sea Trout up to 3 lbs being caught (and lost at the net) from the estuary. The coloured water last week may have tempted some to run up the river. Parr are also present in the lower reaches a good sign for the future. Please handle them as little as possible and carefully return them to the river to return another year.

Water at last

With the recent rain the river is now almost high enough to tempt a few fish in from the estuary. Time to dust off the rod . Tight lines.

Brown Trout

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.

Links, Resources & Policies

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.