TURAS A’ BHRADAIN – THE SALMON’S JOURNEY
Monday 2 March, 8.30pm, BBC ALBA
Turas a’ Bhradain (The Salmon’s Journey) is a stunning brand new Gaelic series about fly fishing for spring salmon, one of Scotland’s most iconic creatures. The series is produced by stv Productions for transmission on BBC ALBA.
Viewers will join presenter Neen Mackay as she visits some of Scotland’s most famous salmon beats and reveals the very latest theories on how to catch a ‘springer’, from casting advice to the most successful state-of-the-art fly patterns.
The series also features remarkable film footage, never broadcast before, about renowned salmon angler Arthur Wood. In an extraordinary black and white sequence dating back to the 1920's, viewers will see what is possibly the first ever underwater footage of Atlantic salmon.
In stunning underwater photography, Turas a’ Bhradain also gives a rare glimpse into the salmon's world at each stage of its life’s journey. The series examines the numerous threats faced by wild salmon and introduces the scientists and conservationists who work hard to ensure the survival of this wonderful creature.
Crucially, presenter Neen Mackay believes that anglers must also play their part. For her, the practice of 'catch and release' is vital to help stocks regenerate. All the fish caught throughout the series were released unharmed, and allowed to continue their journey up river to spawn.
The first programme titled ‘The Big Four’ follows Neen as she visits Scotland’s largest salmon rivers - the Tweed, the Tay, the Dee and the Spey. She hears of the successful work being carried out by the Tweed Foundation to improve access to the spawning streams, and witnesses some wonderful sport on what is arguably the country’s top salmon beat, Upper Floors.
Neen then travels to Perthshire to see a remarkable collection of giant salmon, all caught on the Tay by members of the same family. On the Dee, we hear of the damage done to salmon by seals, not just in the sea but many miles up-river. She also has some excellent late spring sport on the Spey.
“Turas a’ Bhradain” was produced by John Carmichael and directed by Chris Webster. The six part series will be broadcast every Monday from 2nd March at 8.30pm on BBC ALBA.