Trout + Grayling
Our work with Trout and Grayling
The reputation of the River Tweed as a fishery for both wild Brown trout and Grayling is growing year on year. With help from anglers and volunteers, the Tweed Foundation gathers the relevant information required to advise angling clubs and associations on the best management of their association waters to keep the Tweed's Brown trout and Grayling populations healthy.
This encompasses a variety of different monitoring methods. With each method providing valuable data, this then forms the basis on which management advice can be given.
Monitoring Methods
Trout Traps
Running fish traps in trout spawning burns across the catchment helps to establish numbers of spawning fish and plays a big role in understanding the complicated relationship between Brown trout and Sea trout in the River Tweed system.
Spot Pattern Recognition
Using photographs sent in by anglers to identify Brown trout from their unique spot pattern, we use pattern recognition software to identify individual trout, allowing us to monitor the movements of trout and angling recaptures within the catchment.
Brown Trout Acoustic Tracking
Tagging Brown trout with small, acoustic tags has provided valuable insight into the movements of trout and their spawning migrations within the Tweed system.
Obstacles and Easements
We are always on the look-out for any obstacles within trout spawning burns which prevent trout from accessing spawning grounds. By improving access over obstacles, large sections of spawning habitat have been opened to trout.
Trout Catch Records
We use data from catch log books completed by anglers to provide valuable information on the health of trout stocks within the Tweed catchment.
Grayling Catch Records
As part of TTGI we also use catch data from catch & release fishing competitions to monitor the Tweed’s Grayling population.
Electro-fishing Trout Burns
Trout spawning burns are included within our electro-fishing surveys, providing insight into the health of juvenile stocks.