River Ruel Fish Habitat Improvement Project

The River Ruel is an important catchment for Atlantic salmon and sea-run brown trout on the Cowal Peninsular in Argyll and Bute. The river provides a recreational fishery resource which benefit the local people and angling club. The River Ruel Improvement Association is working to improve the habitat for fish spawning and young fish that are key to the health of the river and the fishery with the help of Salmon Scotland’s Wild Fisheries Fund and several other partners.

Several surveys of fish populations and fish habitat has identified that large amounts of fine sediments reduce the ability of the river to produce optimal number of smolts, which is a consequence of the amount of soil being eroded from riverbanks. To restore the river habitat and to improve the recruitment of young fish, a programme of habitat improvement works has been undertaken since 2018. The project has focused on:

• Installation of green bank revetment on long sections of eroding riverbank.

• Coppicing of trees and installation of trees into the river that provide cover for fish.

• Fencing of sensitive areas to allow regeneration of vegetation that will act to create robust riverbanks.

The work being carried out in 2024 continues the programme of improvements which are being monitored to ensure that it is effective in improving the regeneration of young trout and salmon.