Anglers’ contribution is essential to the local economy in fragile area

Sir – I read, with amazement, your article of 23rd May entitled “Row over claim river owners are stifling economy”.

Nothing could be further from the truth. The River Helmsdale is indeed a very special and world renowned stretch of water. People come from all over the world to fish it and pay handsomely for the privilege. Why do they come? They come because the Helmsdale offers them what they want, exclusive access to prime salmon fishing where they might enjoy considerable success.

More importantly than that, however, is the fact that they come because they want to stay in a comfortable, exclusive Victorian lodge and be looked after to a very high standard by ghillies, housekeepers, gamekeepers and cooks.

The very idea that these people would be prepared to come and spend this money (ALL of which is retained in the local community, by the way) on the basis that they shared beats with others whom they did not know is preposterous.

Quite apart from the fact that they would be absolutely guaranteed to catch less fish on a per rod basis (due to the finite number of salmon and available fishing areas under most water conditions) it would be extraordinary to suggest that they would continue to pay these rents when their “fellow anglers” are paying a fraction of that price to share the same water.

Why does this matter? It matters because the current system of management supports dozens of jobs directly in the Strath of Kildonan and dozens more in the wider community. To put that in jeopardy on the basis that it may or may not allow the Bridge Hotel in Helmsdale to operate successfully again, would be a risk of enormous magnitude to the already fragile economy of East Sutherland.

It would, without question, lead to loss of jobs in the even more fragile economy of Kinbrace for example.

The cost of maintaining these estates, the river, the hill, the buildings is enormous on an annual basis. The estates form a very important part of our built and natural heritage in the area and are maintained to a high standard at virtually no cost to the public purse.

Anyone who thinks that so much as a penny of the income derived from the fishing on the Helmsdale goes to anywhere but the (very) local economy is quite frankly wrong.

We need a diversity of angling opportunities in Scotland. Association water is important, day ticket water is important, and high end exclusive salmon angling is also very important.

When you decide to go fishing (or play golf or go on holiday for that matter) you choose a package which suits your pocket and your requirements.

Shall we propose that hotels and golf courses should be available at prices below market rate also?

Some will say that my views are prejudiced given that I am employed by one of the estates in the Strath and another in Caithness.

To that I would simply answer that my personal opinion is not and never has been for sale. I have grown up in the area and its future sustainability is of the utmost importance to me, as indeed it is for the people I work for. I wouldn’t work for them if that wasn’t the case.

Anson MacAuslan

Berriedale

Caithness.

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