Some interesting Courier articles available on the TDSFB Twitter feed. Good piece on the Almondbank Hatchery and Invasive species Initiatives.
Catch Returns
Don’t forget to make your catch return either on line, by e-mail or by post to the secretary..
Roll on February
The Eden fishing season is now closed. Michal Chmielewski's 7 lb Salmon caught and safely returned from above Cupar on the 9th October. Well done that man.
Michal Chmielewski’s 7 lb Cock salmon from above Cupar 9th October.
Last week of the season
As if any of us need reminding the Eden season closes this week on Thursday 31st October just as the river levels slowly return to a fishable normal. There are salmon in the river being caught and returned, but as they are not as numerous as in the good old days some persistence may be required to complete a respectable catch return. One thing is for sure is that if your fly (or flying C) is not in the river you wont catch a thing.
There were large numbers of finnock & sea Trout in the Estuary just before the rains started in August hopefully they will have run up the river too. Its little solace I know but on the positive side we may just get a successful spawning year and some good runs in the future.
Bill Collins- Cock Salmon returned - 5 this year so far
Fishing Report
In the run up to the close season 31st October fresh run Salmon and some showing colour have been caught and released above Cupar. Not a surprise really given the higher than normal water conditions. The Finnock run seem to be bigger than usual this year with a fair proportion 1 - 1 -1/4 lb mostly from the lower & tidal reaches. Larger sea Trout seem to be in short supply unless they have run through already, quite possible.Please remember that ‘Finnock’ will be next years sea trout if carefully returned.
AGM is Sunday 1st December at the Pitlessie Wilkie Hall - 7:30 pm. Please attend to have your say on how your Association is run.
SEASON CATCH RETURN
Please remember to make your catch return at the end of the season. Post the paper copy supplied with your permit, by post or e-mail to the secretary or use the web site on line system.
Brown Trout Close Season
A reminder that the Brown Trout season closes today 6th October.
Yesterdays Catch
A cracking cock Salmon from the river yesterday. Saw several holding in Kemback on Sunday. They will be up the river by now on the dropping water Well done Gordon.
River re Engineering work-Kemback
Jock Shaws Pool was the subject of SEPA /landowner approved engineering work last week to prevent further erosion of the North bank at the Edenwood strawberry polytunnels. The shingle bank has been moved from the south to the North bank diverting the main flow. Fallen trees have also been removed. A Kingfisher was fishing at the ditch stile and having success there yesterday but way too quick for the camera. Good to see. Several Field ditches have also been cleaned out.
Tay Salmon Fisheries Board
Representatives from the EAA committee can and do attend the meetings of the Tay Salmon Fisheries Board as observers to put forward proposals for improving the Eden. The minutes of the June 18th Meeting were attended by the President and Secretary and can be accessed through the link below.
CATCH RETURNS-
All salmon & sea trout fisheries are required by law to make an accurate return. Given the importance of the reported catch to the Marine Scotland’s assessment process, failure to report your catch will result in an underestimate of the stock and may affect whether salmon may legally be retained in subsequent years. The effects of unreported catch is felt most strongly in smaller rivers like the Eden currently designated as CAT 3 mandatory catch & release. This year Marine Scotland require additional fishing effort information to try and help the smaller rivers like ours. This means providing the number of days you fished each month along with your catch return. from FEB-OCT.
There are several ways to make your catch return
1) Complete the catch return page on this web site each time you fish (Preferred).Click on the link below to open it.
2) Complete the Annual catch return provided with your season or Day permit to fish at the end of the season but NO LATER THAN 1st DECEMBER. The catch return was provided when you bought permit. Post it to the EAA secretary, 49 Sandylands Road Cupar KY15 5JP.
FAILURE TO MAKE A CATCH RETURN MEANS THAT IN FUTURE YEARS YOU MAY HAVE TO RETURN NOT ONLY SALMON, BUT SEA TROUT AS WELL, I KID YOU NOT.
Silver Ghosts running the Eden
Sea liced silver ghosts are running the Eden again. Happy days. Caught 7 and returned 4 in 1 1/2 hours. Usually put them all back, but last night was the neighbourhood pot night. They will be safe from now on.
2019 Season - Annual General Meeting
The AGM will be held this year on Sunday 1st December 2019 at 19:30 hrs in the Wilkie Hall Pitlessie. Please attend to have your say, elect and support your choice of committee in its work to improve the river on your behalf.
As there is a lot to get through, time can be limited, To avoid disappointment, proposals for the agenda need to reach the secretary by phone, e-mail, post or the web site contact page by Saturday 23rd November. Proposals received after this date may only be raised under AOCB at the discretion of the Chair as time allows.
Permit Sales Outlet Update:
A& M tackle Lochgelly no longer sell EAA Day or season permits,
Permits can now be obtained from ‘Deals on Reels’ 18 Station Road Cowdenbeath KY4 9SG
From 18th September Permits will no longer be available from Dott Thomsons in the Bonnygate Cupar but Permits can still be obtained from the Keystore in Ladywynd or at the Reekie Equipment (Part of the Hamilton Ross Group) at Prestonhall Industrial estate both in Cupar.
Fishing Report
A nice 3 1/2 lb sea trout caught by David Steven. Tosh Gray has also had one from the Tattie Hole. He claims it was the only one in the pool but I will go and see for myself as the big tides are in this week. Another salmon reported hooked and lost last week around 7lb. River is at a nice level and rising.
Jock Shaws Haircut
Many Thanks to Fiona & Graham Guest for strimming from the second Kemback Weir through to Jock Shaws pool this week. Tosh has also been busy clearing the banks at the Tattie Hole. The association is grateful to all the volunteers who have helped out on the river for the benefit of all. Hats off to you and tight lines.
Kemback path strimming
Sea Trout
The secretary’s share. From Jock Shaws pool at dusk safely returned. Lost another 2 in quick succession. Sea trout about 2lb on a size 8 Alexandra the fly on an intermediate line. River is clearing nicely. Others are reporting similar sized sea trout from other areas in the river.
Fishing Report
The river is dropping but still at a good height, clearing slowly just at the highest tides at the right time of the year.
Some members remember the 2nd week in August when the biblical rains always fell on the Lammas market and the Guardbridge paper mill hooter fell silent for the holidays. The signal for the late Eden run of salmon & sea Trout. Given the conditions it is likely that salmon and sea trout will have run to the middle and upper beats in the next week or so.
Sorry to bring things back to earth but remember that river is designated CAT 3 mandatory catch & release for salmon and given the dearth of sea trout for the last few years it is also vitally important to observe the TDSFB recommendation return all sea trout to give them a chance to spawn return another year . Only by reporting effort and catches will we be able to challenge the CAT3 status and be able to take a salmon again. Please use the on line catch reporting form each time you fish or at the end of the season. Tight lines.
SEPA Kemback gauge Tuesday 13th August 2019
Crown Estates Lease renewed
Finally, the EAA have secured another 5 year lease from Crown Estates Scotland for the Salmon, sea Trout and Brown Trout fishing rights on the river Eden extending from the old Ramornie road Bridge to the Pouch. A new overview map has been posted on the ‘Fishing Beats Map’ page and replaces the one issued with the membership permit. More detailed maps can also be found on the same page.
Fishing Report: July
Following some much needed rain at the end of the month the Finnock and sea Trout have now moved up into the Nydie tidal pools and beyond into Kemback. Reports are coming in of healthy numbers of Brown Trout in the Pouch and in the wards above Cupar in addition to the first year run sea Trout entering the lower reaches It seems that Brown Trout are still plentiful, albeit at a size that the river can sustain.
Apart from one report of an 8lb salmon caught then lost at the net, resident sea Trout & salmon have been hard to tempt in the mid months heatwave. Thankfully with rain forecast for the first few weeks of August and temperatures beginning to come down things will improve soon.
Good news for the future. Although reports from the Pouch noted an absence of salmon parr in the pouch there are good numbers in the fast riffles below the Tattie hole. Haste ye Back.
Tight Lines: Please use the on line Catch report or e-mail to keep us up to date.