2008 Scottish Salmon and Sea Trout catches

Marine Scotland published the 2008 Scottish Salmon and Sea trout catches last. The report can be viewed online at http://www.marlab.ac.uk/FRS.Web/Uploads/Documents/SCSB08.pdf. In Ayrshire the Doon had the highest official catch of salmon with a total of 1074 (47% released). For its size the Girvan performed exceptionally well in 2008 with a total of 767 (48% released), outfishing the much larger River Ayr.

Sea trout continued their slow recovery with 116 recorded on the Girvan and 86 on the Stichar, the best from that river for ten years. The sea trout catch on the River Ayr was also the best since the year 2000. 

The reported catch and release rates for salmon are still well behind the Scottish average (62%) although it is known that the true local figure for catch and release is masked by reporting issues.