So here we are in the close season again, the river is now closed for fishing, and is now quiet, leaving fish to spawn in the peace and tranquillity of Speyside, or is it?   With anglers in their winter state of hibernation, anglers would like to think the river would now be quiet, leaving fish to spawn undisturbed, well don’t you believe it!

My report of December 2006 mentioned the growing numbers of canoeists and Rafters using the river at all times of the year. I also mentioned the fact that in general anglers use stealth when hunting their quarry, thus causing minimal disturbance to all fish and animal life living on what now is a protected river. Canoeists and Rafters on the other hand, do the exact opposite; their noise pollution and disturbance have a profound effect on all river life.   At times, anglers can be upset by this behaviour but I can assure readers the real menace of this is its long-term effect on all species dependant on the river.   I know some may shake their head at this, but the effect of this unregulated disturbance over a long period of time is now plainly obvious on the part of the river most heavily used, with a distinct lack of not only fish of all age classes, but also bird and animal life.

Anglers have been called “Guardians of the River” and as such, we regulate our activities, i.e. we have close seasons, restrictions on numbers of rods fishing any given area, restrictions on method, and when stocks are not plentiful, amongst other things, catch and release.   

However, canoeing and rafting have no such restriction, it is basically a free for all.  For some years now Ghillies have been calling for some form of regulation on the number of paddlers using the river, this, along with some form of time regulation and close season.  Historically, salmon were left undisturbed during spawning; indeed, they were afforded heavy protection during this period, but not now!   

A recent meeting of anglers and paddlers heard views given from each side, with, it has to be said, some fairly absurd and irrational views coming from an albeit small, but extremely loud element of the Paddling fraternity. With reference to the increased volume of paddlers, the answer was not of regulation, but an unequivocal “just get used to it”, “because our number will continue to grow”. Another point given by one it has to be said, “extreme paddler” was the fact he took offence to anglers taking photographs of his group, most of which were children. “What type of people would want to do this”?

The above statement and its insinuation leave us in no doubt as to the type of people we are dealing with, and what they think of anglers. 

I am truly amazed, given the overall importance of the river; some form of study has not been carried out as to the effect of this unregulated paddling.   Ultimately the buck here stops with Scottish Natural Heritage [SNH], the body with overall control when enforcing restriction/regulation as well as advising on legislation, the same organization which vetoed the development of a billion pound golf complex near Aberdeen, prizing the value of a few sand dunes, of which the area has lots more, before the massive economic benefit to the area. Which begs the question – Why is our river and its fish, birds and animals, which under the Habitats Directive are legally protected, given there may be a threat, not afforded a similar level of protection? The fact of the matter is – Areas that are more heavily paddled, pro rata, have far fewer fish, in my eyes, given that scientists can find no other explanation, points to a problem! 
I feel so strongly on this matter and the fact nothing is being done, that in the summer of 2008, with the permission of various estate owners and use of a micro underwater camera, I will conduct my own study, the results of which will be posted in video format here on my website. 

Our river and its fishery should be there for all to enjoy, but because the fishery is of huge social/economic/commercial value, it must be managed sensibly and in a sustainable manner. 
Our, along with all other sports, are regulated, without which they would all cease to function. Why, with so much at stake, do we not see the same with Paddling?

Ian Gordon
Speycaster