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Fishing film festival marks start of salmon season

Phil Wilkinson/River Tweed Commission Jamie Stewart RTCPhil Wilkinson/River Tweed Commission
A series of films with a fishing theme will be screened in Kelso

The start of the salmon season on the River Tweed is being marked with a new fishing film festival.

The two-day event is being staged in Kelso.

It includes a range of handpicked films curated by Fishing TV, the station for angling enthusiasts.

Organisers said they hoped it would highlight the river's fishing heritage as well as efforts to protect such a "valuable resource".

The River Tweed has been estimated to generate about £24m for the local economy and support hundreds of jobs.

Phil Wilkinson/River Tweed Commission Film festivalPhil Wilkinson/River Tweed Commission
The River Tweed is estimated to be worth £24m to the local economy

The start of the salmon fishing season is always an important event for the area but this year will see the addition of the film festival at the Ednam House Hotel.

It starts on Thursday and culminates in a special showing of Mending The Line on Friday.

Among the other films being screened are Paul Young Hooked on Fishing and Our Wild Salmon.

Jamie Stewart, clerk to the River Tweed Commission, said it was important to celebrate the history of the river but also recognise its ongoing economic importance and efforts to safeguard its future.

Ed Burgass, commercial director at Fishing TV, said: "We’re delighted to be supporting the River Tweed Foundation and showcasing some of our fantastic fishing and conservation-related content at the film festival event."

He said Atlantic salmon were under "tremendous pressure" and the festival could help with work to protect the "amazing fish" for future generations.

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