Recording Angling Catches

The River Bush is managed primarily for ecological research studies into the life cycle of Atlantic salmon and within the terms of the research programme, game angling of the highest quality is made available to the public throughout most of the river. Adult fish moving upstream are counted at the special counting facilities at the River Bush Salmon Station.

However it is very important that fish caught by anglers downstream (i.e. on the Dundarave, New and Town Stretches) are recorded as well to give an accurate count of all the salmon that return to the river in any year. Catches are also recorded for the Leap stretch as well.

Information is collected on all angling and details of fish caught (especially fin clipped fish) should be completed in full, even when nothing is caught a nil return should be made. Some of the salmon caught will have an adipose fin removed (fin clipped fish) and it is important for the research staff to examine them as they normally contain tiny tags which can only be detected using specialised equipment. These fish will be returned to anglers immediately after examination, and a reward is given for the retrieval of the tags. Any angler catching a fin-clipped fish outside office hours or at weekends and public holidays is asked to retain the head and bring it to the Salmon Station as soon as possible.

Anglers are asked to submit their completed catch returns by using the post box on the front gate of the station or by normal post to The River Bush Salmon Station, 21 Church Street, Bushmills, Co. Antrim BT57 8QJ. The information may also be given via the telephone 028 20731435 or on e mail to BUSH@DCALNI.GOV.UK