THE River Tweed Commission (RTC) are inviting Borderers to join them on the banks of the River Tweed in Kelso next Wednesday February 1 2023 for the first official opening of the salmon fishing season in the region for over 30 years.

The Tweed is famous across the globe and has a fishing tradition that stretches back centuries.  

It is the most productive salmon river in the UK and contributes around £24 million each year to the local economy and supports over 500 jobs.

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The 2023 season opening event will commence at 10am outside Ednam House Hotel in Kelso, where biologists from the RTC’s charity, The Tweed Foundation, will showcase some of the work the organisation carries out to enhance the river environment and protect and monitor fish stocks.  

There will also be sampling of single malt Scotch whisky by a team from The Glenkinchie Distillery and a display of the latest Land Rover models by Lloyd Land Rover, Kelso.

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At 10.30am, pipers will lead a procession to the river’s edge at The Cobby and at approximately 11am, Mairi Gougeon MSP, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands will bless the river with a dram of Glenkinchie as she wishes anglers success and officially opens the season.  

An angler will then cast the first line of the season from a boat.

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Jamie Stewart, Clerk to the River Tweed Commission said; “We’re delighted that the Cabinet Secretary will be joining us for an event that celebrates the incredible fishing opportunities offered by the river and its tributaries.

“The season hasn’t been officially opened since the early 1990’s but we want to revive this tradition to showcase the Tweed as one of the world’s great salmon rivers and encourage local people to enjoy, take pride in and help to protect this stunning natural resource.”