Permit will allow Forth anglers to fish for sea trout on 53 miles of coastline

Organisers Fishing Around the Forth confirmed that it has previously been a criminal offence to target sea trout up to 1.5 miles from the low water mark.

Officials confirm they have secured a number of stretches along the Forth and they hope to open up the full coastline in the future.

The organisation added: "We are still determining numbers of fish caught so the fishery is deemed to be catch and release for sea trout until catch returns can be reviewed. This will be reviewed on an annual basis."

All money raised will be used to support rivers and the Fish Around the Forth organisation by contributing to conservation and education projects aimed at improving river habitat.

The season is from March 15 to October 31 and salmon must not be targeted as the Estuary and Firth are Category 3/prohibited for the taking of Atlantic salmon under The Conservation of Salmon (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2019

All fish must be returned immediately whatever their condition and the spokesman said that permits must always be carried when fishing, either paper, copied or electronic.

Permits are non-transferrable and identification is required. If bailiffs cannot prove identify, anglers will be asked to leave.

Fishing is by rod and line only and barbless hooks should be used. Anglers should carry an appropriate landing net and there is no Sunday fishing, with fly and spinning permitted.

No bait fishing is allowed and only one rod is allowed per person. The rod must be held in the hand at all times.

Catch returns must be filled in at the end of your season and Fish around the Forth said: "Locals say there are large numbers of sea trout in the estuary all year round and some of the best times are not when the traditional sea trout angler would be used to in May and June."

Meanwhile, the Scottish Federation of Sea Anglers (SFSA) have launched their species hunt which runs until December 31 this year.

It is £5 to enter to members of federation and affiliated clubs and 100 per cent of the money goes to a charity which has yet to be named.

The organisers say photographs of fish need to be clear and show the top of fish and the underside and any mini species need to be in a clear tub with water.

Elsewhere, Musselburgh and District Angling Association (MDAA) have thanked all members who bought permits last year as they were able to make a donation to Eskgreen Care Home.

The home wanted to create pods in the garden to allow residents to see their families over Christmas and a spokesman said: "It's brilliant to be able to help out in the community in this way and it's all thanks to anglers who support their local angling association by buying permits.

"We were able to hand over a cheque on behalf of all MDAA members for £1000."

Officials have also been busy in another direction. Last year they sponsored Fish In The Classroom at Pinkie Primary School when the youngsters were tasked with looking after a tank with brown trout eggs and letting them hatch and grow before being released into the Esk.

Due to lockdown the pupils had to release the fish earlier than planned as their school had to close.

MDAA have again linked with Fishing Around The Forth to jointly fund another tank in the classroom.

Currently, grayling fishing is on-going on the Esk and permits are available online at Fishing Around the Forth and from Tracey's Open All Hours convenience shop at 56 Eskside Terrace (EH21 6LX).

Fisheries including Bowden Springs near Linlithgow, Drumtassie near Blackridge, Allandale Tarn next to the Zoo at West Calder, Rosslynlee near Rosewell, Markle at East Linton and Tweeddale Millennium, near Gifford, remain open, weather permitting. It is best to check with the fishery first before travel in case the water is icebound as happened to several this week.

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