THE salmon fishing season got under way with a ceremony on the banks of the River Tay, yesterday.

Anglers gathered at Dunkeld, Perthshire, to watch Steve Lomas, manager of local SPL football team St Johnstone, make the first cast of the year.

The event is traditionally held annually on January 15, but as fishing is not permitted on the Tay on Sundays the opening of the 2012 season had to be delayed 24 hours.

William Jack, chairman of the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board, said it was a "great day". He added: "At long last those of us who are really keen on angling are allowed to start fishing again."

A pipe band led the anglers and onlookers from the Hilton Dunkeld House Hotel to the banks of the Tay, where they enjoyed a dram at the water's edge.

In keeping with tradition, Mr Jack doused the rowing boats with whisky, to wish them and their passengers well for the coming season. A dram was also poured into the river to keep the salmon "in good health".

After the ceremony, Mr Jack said: "We've got something like 3000 square miles of river here. We hope to attract as many anglers as we can from all corners of the globe to fish.

"In recent years, more and more people from Scandinavia have been coming, but it isn't just overseas fishermen we want to attract.

"It's as many people as possible in the local area and from all age groups. We are concerned young people see this as something which isn't available to them.

"There's a suggestion that fishing is perhaps a rich man's pastime. But we have something like 4000 rod days available to let in the next few weeks. Some cost less than £30 for a day's fishing and most cost less than £65 for a full day's fishing. That puts salmon fishing in the reach of most people.

"Come and have a go. The price isn't going to put you off. The experience will be one I think you'll enjoy."