Salmon and sea trout catches rise on the River Tweed

Despite the overall increase, the number of salmon caught by rod last year only went up by 12 per cent.

In his forward to the annual report, chairman Douglas Dobie said: “A long cold spring yielded a spring catch close to the long-term average, clearly showing that the early runs are still fragile and vulnerable at any stage of the cycle, both in river and at sea.

“A dry summer, at last, produced low rod catches but conversely the in-river nets did well and there is anecdotal evidence of high catches from the remaining North Sea drift nets.

“When proper rain did eventually arrive, the Tweed enjoyed a strong late run with exceptional catches in the upper river.”

He added: “A number of large fish were landed, including a cock fish estimated to be over 45lbs. It does add an edge if anglers feel there is a decent chance of hooking a fish of a lifetime.”

A total of 20,316 salmon were reported caught last year, up from 14,566 in 2012, with over 5,500 caught be nets on river’s lower reaches.

The commission’s annual report states that 75 per cent of the rod catch of 14,795 was returned to the river.

It added: “The rod catch was higher than that of 2012 and although slightly below the five year average, there are still only four years on record with a higher catch.”

The figures for sea trout catches were also higher than 2013, with 4,608 landed, up from 3,314.

The commission’s AGM, open to the public for the first time, will be held on Monday at 9.30am in the Cross Keys, Kelso.