Risk Assessment For Rivers;
Safety guidance will be explained prior to the commencement of fishing which encompasses all generic risks for experienced anglers & beginners. It is very important to listen to the information the ghillie or guide gives you and not just on the safety aspects but on the correct casting style to suit the prevailing weather & wind conditions.
Paths; All experienced anglers and guests please note that some paths will be damaged by storms especially after Winter floods and you should take care when walking along them. Bank side paths can sometimes have undercut rabbit holes and other trip hazards so constant visual ongoing observation is required. Look where you are walking and take care and warn others of any issues. Report any dangerous trip points or holes in the pathways to your ghillie or guide.
Riverside Fishing Positions & Wading; All rivers no matter how big or small pose the most risk to the angler. Floods can alter what was previously regarded as a safe pool into one that has become more hazardous.
Drowning Or Serious Injury; All experienced anglers and beginners are required to wear a life jacket at all times while on or near the river. If the river is coloured due to flood conditions then extreme caution should be carried out and wading to be conducted no deeper than where you can see the riverbed. As a general rule, if the bank side is very boulder strewn then it's likely the river bed you may be wading on will be similar.
Overhead Power Lines; All experienced anglers and guests should be aware of any power lines and avoid fishing near by a minimum of 50 metres. Carbon fibre rods are excellent energy conductors which can result in an electric shock and possible death. Be aware of your surroundings and of any overhead power lines and associated hazards. When walking under power lines carry fishing rods low to the ground and only in a horizontal position.
Adverse Weather for all experienced anglers and beginners; Strong winds and thunder and lightening create the possibility of injury from wayward casting via the hooks from lures and flies or possible lightening strikes. The ability to spin fish in high winds (on rivers that permit spinning) is safer instead of fly casting. Seek out more sheltered areas of the river to fish where possible. In the event of thunder and lightening do not shelter under trees. Modern rods of glass or carbon fibre are a good conductor and must be placed on the ground away from you until the storm passes. When fly casting (for experienced anglers & beginners) the ghillie or guide will show & demonstrate the correct safe casting style to suite the prevailing wind conditions. Each fisher casting position must be separated by a minimum of 30 metres at all times. Sunglasses or suitable eye protection and suitable outdoor clothing must be worn at all times throughout the full fishing day by all fishing guests to avoid the possibility of hooking ones body, face or eyes. All anglers should be aware of the movement of other fishers, guests, ghillies or guides before casting.
Falling into the river; Firstly don’t panic and if swept away ensure you float downstream feet first ensuring your life-preserver is inflated (either manually via the pull cord or automatically). All experienced anglers & beginners must ensure you wear and understand the type of life preserver you are wearing (i.e manual or automatic). Never wear your life preserver under a jacket. It must be worn outside of any jacket or waistcoat at all times. Failure to do so could render yourself unable to breath in the event the life preserver is activated when in or out of the water. Fully serviced life preservers will be issued for mandatory use by all Salmon Fish Scotland clients & guests.
