There is a long-term decline in the average weight of fish caught in the second half of the 2006 on Tweed which started in the mid-1980’s, if not earlier. The figures behind this are shown in the catch tables from a Lower Tweed beat in the attached file where it can be seen that though the average number of larger fish caught (15lbs and over) are very low in 2006 they have not changed significantly over the last ten years; however, the numbers of smaller fish have greatly increased. In the 1977-86 period, there were 1.8 smaller fish (9lbs & under) for every larger fish (15lbs and over) but for the 1997-2006 period there were 5.5 smaller for each larger fish.
 
On a Middle Tweed beat for the same period, the average weight for all fish caught in the second half of the season has been declining since the early 1980’s when it was 10 to 12lbs and is now around 8lbs. The average for 2006 is the lowest yet recorded, at 7.3 lbs. In the ten years 1977-1986 there were 1.7 smaller (fish under 9lbs) to every larger (15lbs and over) fish but in the last ten years, there have been nearly eight smaller fish to every larger.
 
To read more and see the graphs of these trends see the attached file summary 2006.pdf (197k)