The River Garry & Loch Oich Conservation

The River Garry in Inverness-shire, has a proud heritage as one of Scotland’s finest spring rivers. When I assumed management of the River Garry and Loch Oich salmon fisheries in 1996, I was aware of the broader decline in salmon populations across the Ness System and Scotland as a whole since the 1960s. Historically, the River Garry was renowned for its spring salmon, yet by the time I took over, annual catches on the river and loch had dropped to less than 20 fish.

To address this, I implemented a catch and release policy, making the Garry one of Scotland’s first rivers, and the first on the Ness System, to introduce this conservation measure. Over time, other rivers in the Ness System adopted similar policies. In 2010, I advocated with the Ness District Salmon Fishery Board for a restoration program, urging that compensation funds owed to the River Garry from the 1940s hydro scheme be directed toward salmon conservation efforts. A newly elected fisheries board invited me to join, and soon after, a fully funded restoration program was launched. The combined effects of the catch and release and the restoration programme have proven transformative for the River Garry.

More than 30 years on, we have seen remarkable progress. In an electrofishing survey conducted last year, the Garry’s Dog Pool had the highest density of salmon parr across the entire Ness System. Salmon catch numbers have steadily increased, reaching over 100 fish in 2023. The River Garry continues to promote catch and release, helping to sustain these gains.

Why Catch and Release Matters

Catch and release plays a key role in wild salmon populations. By carefully returning fish to the river, they have the opportunity to spawn, ensuring that future generations of salmon return. This practice is essential in reversing the impacts of habitat disruption, and environmental changes that have historically depleted salmon populations.

Catch and release also fosters a sense of stewardship among anglers and communities. As we see in the River Garry’s own resurgence, catch and release, combined with restoration supports both ecological balance and the fishing heritage that so many value.

If you would like more information please contact Paul on 07796 456026.