Mother of all salmon parr found in the Annick

Trust staff captured a giant salmon parr in the Annick Water this afternoon during a trip to the river with Towerlands School.                       

Trust staff had previously observed that salmon parr from the River Irvine and tributaries were often of a large size. During this trip a salmon parr of 189mm was recorded, the biggest ever found by the Trust in Ayrshire. The average size of parr found at this time of year is from 90mm to 130mm. Scales taken from the parr showed that it was two and a bit years old.

Does this mean that it will return as a large adult salmon? It is impossible to say although fast growing parr are thought most likely to return as grilse after spending one year at sea. However, in 2008 a salmon of over 24lb was caught in the Annick Water, one of the biggest landed in Ayrshire last year, maybe there is a race of giant salmon thriving in the Annick Water!