Kelt Information and Fish Identification
Many adult salmon/grilse die after spawning: those which do not are called Kelts. Kelts make their way back to sea and can return as multiwintered fish
Usually identified by the thin shape, distended vent and presence of "gill maggots" on the red filaments, they are often encountered by anglers in spring when they regain a silvery appearance and can be mistaken for fresh run Springers. Kelts must be returned the water, even if they unfortunately die, not only in terms of the Associations own rules but in terms of legislation.
The kelt has to “fatten out ,“ see photo, but well mended kelts are often mistaken for fresh run fish by inexperienced anglers. The usual tell tale signs of a kelt are ragged fins and tail, a distended vent and the presence of gill maggots, however these maggots have been found in fresh fish. You also have to watch out for other types of unclean fish in spring as well e.g.
A female fish which has not spawned is known as a baggot and the male as a rawner. It is illegal to kill either coloured fish, kelts, baggots or rawners.
.
