It is estimated that nearly 7, 000 salmon and grilse were caught on the Tay in 2012.

BBC: River Tay salmon fishing season gets under way

An impressive 713 salmon and grilse were caught on its waters last year.

FORBES: Connect

Further north in Donegal, the Drawes Salmon Preserve is esteemed for its prolific early runs of spring salmon and grilse from Lough Melvin (where you can hire a boat for 25 euros) through 70 pools down to Donegal Bay.

FORBES: Connect