##Pike Update##

For a number of reasons pike fishing is no longer available on Milldam or Ordie on Atholl Estates. However we are looking at the possibility of selling day tickets for Polney for pike fishing. Watch this space!

There were plenty of fish moving in the River Garry yesterday. The recent rain and the now falling water seems to have brought them through. A lot were seen running through the Pot, however a big number also seem moving in Pol Dornie, and some lovely fresh fish amongst them. There was a sea liced fish caught on the beat below us yesterday, a real bar of silver

At last - some decent summer weather up at the lochs! Lest see how long it lasts this time.......

From the Fish Tay website (www.fishtay.co.uk) here is some excellent advice on how to release a salmon;

" The best method of releasing a salmon is to leave it in the water and touch nothing but the hook with fingers or pliers. Whatever the method, care combined with speed, will give the fish the best chance of survival

• Use barbless or pinched hooks
• Retrieve your fish quickly; release it immediately
• Keep the fish in the water
• Use rubber or knotless cotton net, if one must be used
• Cut the leader if necessary
• Remove the hook carefully
• Hold the fish gently in natural swimming position, facing upstream until it revives
• Don't pump the fish. That is, don't move the fish back and forth in the water.

How should hooks be removed?

Very carefully. In quiet water, bring the wild salmon quickly within reach. Leaving the salmon in water and without squeezing it, remove the hook carefully with pliers or thumb and forefinger. If a net must be used, it should be rubber or knotless cotton. If necessary, cut the leader near the fly and spare the fish.

The Science of Live Release

Studies in North America and Europe have shown live release works, and in some instances Atlantic salmon have been angled 2 and 3 times. Science has shown that virtually all Atlantic salmon will survive when released, as long as the angler uses the proper techniques, refrains from angling in overly warm water, and does not overplay the Atlantic salmon. Like athletes sprinting on a track, Atlantic salmon build up lactic acid in their muscle tissues when they are being played. The key is oxygen: the fish need it in order to recover and continue their journey.

To recover, Atlantic salmon need:
• careful handling by the angler to reduce stress
• to remain in the water where they can breathe and reduce the oxygen deficit in their tissues
• to be held in an upstream position for water to flow more easily across their gills.

Photographing Your Spectacular Live Release Salmon.

Use a photo partner:

* Digital camera: make settings on the camera before you begin fishing or use a point and shoot film camera. Give it to your partner before the angling session.

* Whether a digital camera or a film camera, tell your partner to fill the frame, and take several images.

* If it is a film camera, be sure there is film in the camera. This may seem to be a simple matter, but mistakes do happen...

Let your partner get into position:

* Tell him/her what you are going to do. Alert your partner before you take the fish out of the water.

Support the Atlantic salmon:

* Carefully take the barbless hook out of the fish's mouth. With rod tucked under your arm, move one hand to the base of the tail. With your other hand, support the fish under the forward part of its body. Keep it in the water, with the fish pointed upstream to help its recovery.

* If a third person is present, give him or her the rod to hold, so you can concentrate on the wild salmon.

Take the picture quickly:

* With your photo partner warned, raise the wild Atlantic salmon partially out of the water for less than five seconds - or consider leaving it semi-submerged for the photo instead!

Return the Fish to Continue its Spawning Run:

* Support the salmon underwater in a natural position facing the current, handling it as little as possible. Give it time to recover. The goal is for the wild salmon to swim away on its own.

* Digital cameras offer the opportunity to adjust the film speed to suit conditions. In low light, such as evening, morning, heavy cloud, or deep shadow, consider setting the speed to 400, to take care of both movement and the low light. Experiment beforehand on speeds above 400, as many digital images become heavily pixilated at greater sensitivity.

* Remember to adjust the white balance for deep shadow, to warm the image.

* Today's print films even at 400 speeds are superb. Use 400-speed film at dawn, dusk or in shadow.

* Don't forget to smile! Your photo is a valuable memory.

An aerial photo of Dowally Loch (closest) next is Rotmell, and Milldam is just visible.

A Lovely day up at Dowally Loch, in-between the rain showers! Fish are coming to slowly retrieved nymphs just under the surface through the day, and to small drys or hoppers in the evening.

River Garry

The recent rain is helping the Garry to raise in level, well worth a cast this weekend or early next week. permits can be bought online on www.fishpal.com or through the estate office on 01796 481355