Look carefully in the margins of any tributary of the Tweed in Spring and you are likely to see numerous small fish of the same size that are probably Salmon or Trout Fry recently emerged from the gravel.   Groups of mixed sized fish are more likely to be Minnows (locally known as Baggies). 

The Tweed Foundation's Assistant Biologist, James Hunt, filmed a group of newly emerged Salmon Fry on 21st May 2009 on the Leader Water. 


 



As a case of survival of the fittest, most Fry will die of natural causes within the first few months.  Only the very fittest and most adapted to the local environment will survive this period and it can be as little as one in a hundred that will make it through to being an adult fish that helps to spawn the next generation.