Jo was introduced to fishing at 17 and while travelling in New Zealand eight years ago discovered fly tying. Since then she has been developing her tying skills and now demonstrates at fly shows around the UK and Ireland, and in 2015 was a contestant on BBCs ‘Earths Wildest Waters: The Big Fish’ – a competition which sent eight anglers to spectacular locations around the world to utilise their existing fishing skills and learn new ones from the locals. As Guest of Honour Jo will be officially opening the river, and later demonstrating her fly tying skills.
The event will begin at 9.15 am in Callander, where the parade led by Jacobite actors from Clan Ranald Trust will travel from Ancaster Square to a marquee which has been set up in the Meadows Car Park, where free hot food and drinks will be provided by Mhor, as well as whisky tasting by Deanston Distillery.
Various local organisations and businesses will be in attendance on the day. Qualified coaches from SANA/Scottish International Ladies Fly Fishing Team will be available to give a basic induction to fishing and will have a kit available, local anglers will be demonstrating the art of fly tying and Team Gaelforce will be on hand to offer advice about tackle and giving casting demonstrations.
Callander-based charity Trossachs Mobility will be demonstrating their new all-terrain wheelchairs, Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park will be giving advice on new bylaws within the national park, Lantra will be promoting employment opportunities in the Fisheries Management sector and Atlantic Salmon Trust will showcase the outstanding work they do to conserve salmon worldwide.
The Teith is publicly owned and managed by Stirling Council who use a range of groundbreaking conservation measures to protect fish stocks, including the introduction of tagging alongside catch and release to maintain numbers of migratory fish. The river was the first in Scotland to employ both tagging and catch and release jointly.
Stirling Council Fisheries Officer Scott Mason said: “This event is going from strength to strength each year and this is evident with the people and organisations who are attending. More anglers are turning out to support this event each year, so with the long range forecasts more favourable than last year, I am hopeful for good attendance. The theme this year is engaging new anglers into the sport, so I really hope people take advantage of the experts who are going to be in attendance.”
Stirling Council Environment Convenor Danny Gibson said: “It’s a matter of record just how successful our Fisheries staff have been in preserving the Teith and its fish stocks, the iconic salmon in particular. The protection measures are an example of how committed we are to responsible management of our waterways while also seeking to extend opportunities to enjoy the angling experience to as many adults and youngsters as possible through our generous permit rates. It’s a balance that will hopefully mean people can enjoy the fishing experience on the Teith for many years to come.”