Over this side of the Atlantic you probably haven’t heard of Hooké or its founder, Fred Campbell, but I liken him to a Canadian Yvon Chouinard, someone who has committed their life to the outdoors whilst also running a successful business.
And like Patagonia’s founder, Fred Campbell, is someone truly obsessed with protecting nature and the wild salmon.
To highlight the salmon’s precarious state, Fred has helped produce, Scale of Change, a new documentary to try and instil a sense of urgency and action to anyone that cares about the wild salmon.
He tells me about the impetus behind the documentary, why Atlantic salmon on the eastern seaboard of North America are under threat and how Northern Canada is one of the last bastions of truly great salmon runs that must be protected.
Watch the Scale of Change documentary at:
https://www.scaleofchange.org/
The Last Salmon Season 2 is supported by The Missing Salmon Alliance.
The Last Salmon, presented by actor and salmon activist, Jim Murray MBE, offers hope and solutions to the tragic story that is unfolding for an iconic species in crisis - the wild salmon.
For regular updates, follow the show at Instagram.com/TheLastSalmon.
Every so often you meet someone whose life is so remarkable and whose love of and determination in saving nature leaves you in awe.
I think of the campaigner, Alex Morton, from Season 1 on the Last Salmon, who has been responsible for getting the open pen salmon farms shut down in British Columbia, or the late Jane Goodall, the renowned primatologist and conservationist.
This week’s guest on The Last Salmon, is someone who has spent his life in the cause of salmon conservation and who has been at the forefront of creating salmon strongholds across the Russian Far East, and in the Pacific North West.
Guido Rahr is President and CEO of the Wild Salmon Centre in Portland, Oregon, and I speak to Guido about the concept and strategy to creating salmon strongholds, finding out what lessons we can learn for the Atlantic salmon in the process.
Image: https://wildsalmoncenter.org/
The Last Salmon Season 2 is supported by The Missing Salmon Alliance.
The Last Salmon, presented by actor and salmon activist, Jim Murray MBE, offers hope and solutions to the tragic story that is unfolding for an iconic species in crisis - the wild salmon.
For regular updates, follow the show at Instagram.com/TheLastSalmon.
Just a few years ago the Baltic salmon were thriving, with huge numbers of fish running the pristine waters of Sweden.
Once thought to be on the brink, the salmon bounced back and were being celebrated as a success story.
However, something drastic has changed and the Baltic salmon are once again in decline.
Emilie Bjorkman and Lars Munk are fanatical salmon anglers who’ve committed their lives to the cause. They needed to find out what was causing its demise, documenting it in a film this year called, Free Falling.
Emilie and Lars join me on this episode of The Last Salmon to talk about the significance of the Baltic salmon, how their hopes for the fish have been badly hit, and what they intend to do about it.
Watch Free Falling at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9Ujs1Ykfac
The Last Salmon Season 2 is supported by The Missing Salmon Alliance.
The Last Salmon, presented by actor and salmon activist, Jim Murray MBE, offers hope and solutions to the tragic story that is unfolding for an iconic species in crisis - the wild salmon.
For regular updates, follow the show at Instagram.com/TheLastSalmon.
Norway. The legendary land of the giant salmon has been struggling of late, not least in the face of so many salmon farms throttling its beautiful coastline, but fishery and lodge owners are fighting back, trying to do what they can to preserve the wild salmon in Norway.
Ann-Britt Bogen from Gaula Fly Fishing Friends, and Matt Hayes, one of the UK’s most famous anglers who now lives full time with his wife and family running a salmon lodge in Norway, join Jim to tell him how the 2025 salmon season played out on their beloved and prestigious Gaula river, their efforts at introducing new regulations and a new mindset towards catch and release and why, despite it all, if you want to catch a big salmon, there is still nowhere else quite like Norway.
The Last Salmon Season 2 is supported by The Missing Salmon Alliance.
The Last Salmon, presented by actor and salmon activist, Jim Murray MBE, offers hope and solutions to the tragic story that is unfolding for an iconic species in crisis - the wild salmon.
For regular updates, follow the show at Instagram.com/TheLastSalmon.
Rewilding. It’s about taking a step back and leaving nature alone.
But, in the 21st century how can it be achieved?
Ben Goldsmith certainly believes it can – and must be done - and he is one of its foremost champions.
It was through tragedy however, after the death of his teenage daughter, Iris, when she was just 15, that, in grieving, Ben found solace and hope through the embrace of nature.
And ever since, he has been on a mission to increase rewilding initiatives throughout the UK and. abroad, and he has his own podcast, Rewilding the World, highlighting the success stories on these shores and around the world.
Ben joins Jim on the latest episode of The Last Salmon to explain how rewilding can help save the wild salmon and some of the practises that need to be put in place for it to happen.
For more from Ben visit:
https://www.youtube.com/@BenGoldsmithRewilding
The Last Salmon Season 2 is supported by The Missing Salmon Alliance.
Image: https://atlanticsalmontrust.org
The Last Salmon, presented by actor and salmon activist, Jim Murray MBE, offers hope and solutions to the tragic story that is unfolding for an iconic species in crisis - the wild salmon.
For regular updates, follow the show at Instagram.com/TheLastSalmon.
Midst the doom and gloom about the future of wild salmon, we have to believe - and have faith - that our collective actions – be it through conservation efforts, awareness campaigns, political lobbying – can and will have an effect.
And it is for the long term, for the next generation, that we really have to be thinking about wild salmon and for the sport of fly fishing for salmon itself.
This week on the Last Salmon I’m joined by two fanatical lifelong fly anglers who are not only hugely influential, but they have taken the brave move to run a salmon fishery in the north of England at the famous Bywell.
So why do it? Why risk it all? For the husband and wife team of Stephan Dombaj and Marina Dombaj née Gibson, they care and believe so much in the future of the salmon that this is their way of trying to protect the species they love.
And it’s not just about the fishing, as they explain, it’s about showing the next generation why fighting to save the wild salmon is so important……
The Last Salmon Season 2 is supported by The Missing Salmon Alliance.
Image courtesy of: https://www.instagram.com/bywellsalmonfishing/
The Last Salmon, presented by actor and salmon activist, Jim Murray MBE, offers hope and solutions to the tragic story that is unfolding for an iconic species in crisis - the wild salmon.
For regular updates, follow the show at Instagram.com/TheLastSalmon.
We know salmon numbers are down and we know there’s an existential threat endangering their very future, but this week on the Last Salmon, Jim Murray finds out why the Outer Hebrides could be the UK’s salmon stronghold.
Jim speaks to the chair of the Outer Hebrides Fisheries Trust, Richard Davies, who believes that their engagement with fish farms on the Isle of Lewis has resulted in helping the survival of wild salmon there.
As listeners to The Last Salmon podcast know, salmon farms are polluting the environment and causing irreparable damage to wild salmon stocks and that currently they have very little interest in doing anything to help.
However, Richard is one of the most passionate salmon conservationists we know and he will do anything to help save the wild salmon in the Outer Hebrides and beyond, so we had to speak to him and to hear his side of the argument - and of course hear more about the incredible fly fishing place that is the Outer Hebrides.
Richard also pays tribute to two old fishing friends, Kenny and Arthur, who are no longer with us, and who epitomised the kindness and determination of good fly anglers and good people.
To find out more about the Outer Hebrides Fisheries Trust go to:
https://www.outerhebridesfisheriestrust.org.uk/
And to see Richard's incredible salmon footage visit:
https://www.instagram.com/racdavies_photos/
The Last Salmon Season 2 is supported by The Missing Salmon Alliance.
Image courtesy of: Richard Davies
The Last Salmon, presented by actor and salmon activist, Jim Murray MBE, offers hope and solutions to the tragic story that is unfolding for an iconic species in crisis - the wild salmon.
For regular updates, follow the show at Instagram.com/TheLastSalmon.
Is a river alive? What a question….it throws up so many if, buts, maybes, but most importantly, why not?
Rivers helped save me, and I truly believe they are our lifeblood, our circulation, our healing waters.
But they also need saving now in these troubled times of extraction, industrialisation and pollution.
To kick off Season 2, we’re taking the big picture view when it comes to rivers, and we’re asking shouldn’t the rights of nature be respected in our laws and constitutions? If a limited company can have legal rights why then can’t our rivers?
Without our rivers, without due care, without oversight…..well, we all know what can and is happening in terms of water quality and how that is affecting us all, not least of all the wild salmon.
So to help with some of these existential questions, celebrated nature writer, Rob Macfarlane joins me to discuss how he set out on journeys around the globe, from Ecuador to India and Canada, and finally to his own home waters in Cambridge, to ask is a river alive?
The Last Salmon Season 2 is supported by The Missing Salmon Alliance.
Image: Richard Davies via https://www.instagram.com/racdavies_photos/
The Last Salmon, presented by actor and salmon activist, Jim Murray MBE, offers hope and solutions to the tragic story that is unfolding for an iconic species in crisis - the wild salmon.
For regular updates, follow the show at Instagram.com/TheLastSalmon.
Wild salmon are in a perilous state. But we can’t and won’t give up.
The Last Salmon with Jim Murray is back for another season, launching July 25th, addressing the problems and hearing from all sides of the argument, to find the solutions to help save our wild salmon.
It’s not too late, the salmon haven’t give up, and nor can we.
The Last Salmon, presented by actor, artist and activist, Jim Murray, offers hope and solutions to the tragic story that is unfolding for an iconic species in crisis - the wild Atlantic salmon.
Listen and follow on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, and for regular updates, follow the show at Instagram.com/TheLastSalmon.
Chef and sustainable food activist, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, joins Jim Murray for a special Christmas episode of The Last Salmon podcast explaining why farmed salmon should not be on your Christmas dinner table this or any year.
‘We need to hold the industry to account and provide people with alternatives,’ says Hugh. ‘The way you spend your money is a vote. Consumers have the power to affect change.’
Hugh is also critical of celebrity chefs and the media who promote and use farmed salmon.
‘Once chefs have the opportunity,’ he tells Jim. ‘And it’s often a very well-paid opportunity, to appear on television and talk about food, sell their books and promote their various businesses, that increases their responsibility to think about the quality and sustainability of the produce that they’re using and that they’re communicating to the public about.’
Hugh has a long record of opposition to farmed salmon that is unsustainably produced and he tells Jim why a bass will be coming out of his freezer for Christmas instead. Plus he has some great tips and recipe ideas for alternatives for the dinner table this Christmas.
Image: RiverCottage.net
The Last Salmon, presented by actor, artist and activist, Jim Murray, offers hope and solutions to the tragic story that is unfolding for an iconic species in crisis - the wild Atlantic salmon.
For regular updates, follow the show at Instagram.com/TheLastSalmon.
For the final episode of the first series of The Last Salmon, Daire and Jim revisit Iceland and the issue of the regulation and future of salmon farms which Iceland’s politicians are currently drafting new legislation for.
Elvar Fridriksson, Iceland’s Programme Director of The North Atlantic Salmon Fund, and Jasper Pääkkönen, actor, angler and passionate conservationist, rejoin Daire and Jim with an update, and they tell of legislation being watered down and politicians ignoring the public will.
‘The fight must go on,’ is their impassioned plea and they urge people to sign the petition at LetsUndoThis.com to help in the fight to save the wild Atlantic salmon.
#thelastsalmon #fightforthewildsalmon
Image: nasf.is
The Last Salmon, presented by actor, artist and activist, Jim Murray, offers hope and solutions to the tragic story that is unfolding for an iconic species in crisis - the wild Atlantic salmon.
Internationally renowned fishery scientist, Ken Whelan, issues a call to action on the latest episode of The Last Salmon.
He says that ranching can and will work to help improve salmon numbers in relation to supporting a rod fishery for anglers and he explains to us the background to its successful development and implementation – albeit with caveats and cautions.
Likening it to racehorse breeding, he points to the Burrishoole ranching programme and the work of Dr. David Piggins and says this is the model that can be followed for supporting a rod fishery in lieu of wild stock.
Whilst wild fish conservation measures must continue to be carried out, drastic and innovative action is needed, says Ken, if we are not to see entire salmon stocks disappear.
Image: Burrishoole Fishery
#thelastsalmon #fightforthewildsalmon
The Last Salmon, presented by actor, artist and activist, Jim Murray, offers hope and solutions to the tragic story that is unfolding for an iconic species in crisis - the wild Atlantic salmon.
Hatcheries. It’s a contentious issue amongst the salmon angling community and with numbers of salmon continuing to drop, more and more anglers are asking can and should it be introduced to their river?
For this week’s episode of The Last Salmon, we wanted to find out more about the pros, cons, nuances and science behind it and are joined by David Summers, Fisheries Director of the Tay Fisheries Board, where they run the very successful Kelt Reconditioning Project
and Professor Phil McGinnity at UCC who has been working in fisheries research and management for more than quarter of a century.
Image: tayrivers.org
#thelastsalmon #fightforthewildsalmon
The Last Salmon, presented by actor, artist and activist, Jim Murray, offers hope and solutions to the tragic story that is unfolding for an iconic species in crisis - the wild Atlantic salmon.
Simen Saetre is the co-author (along with Kjetil Ostli) of ‘The New Fish: The Truth about Farmed Salmon and the Consequences We Can No Longer Ignore’ and joins Jim & Daire on the latest episode of The Last Salmon to talk about their years of research into the salmon farming industry and the shocking information they discovered along the way.
#thelastsalmon #fightforthewildsalmon
The Last Salmon, presented by actor, artist and activist, Jim Murray, offers hope and solutions to the tragic story that is unfolding for an iconic species in crisis - the wild Atlantic salmon.
Matt Harris is the angler you want to fish with and hang out with in the hut or bar afterwards.
He has a lifetime of stories of fish caught, every one as good as the last, but despite having thrown a fly in practically every corner of the globe, it’s still the Atlantic salmon that holds a special place in his heart.
He talks to us about his favourite places and battles won – and lost - with the mighty Atlantic salmon, as well as his ongoing efforts to help fight for their future.
Pour yourself a drink, sit back and enjoy as Matt Harris, fly angler extraordinaire and raconteur with a rod, joins us on the latest episode of The Last Salmon.
Image: www.mattharrisflyfishing.com
#thelastsalmon #fightforthewildsalmon
The Last Salmon, presented by actor, artist and activist, Jim Murray, offers hope and solutions to the tragic story that is unfolding for an iconic species in crisis - the wild Atlantic salmon.
Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, wanted to live life and do things his own way. In his 80s now and having given Patagonia away to help save the planet, Yvon is more likely to be found near a river bank fly fishing and he joins us to talk about his love of the sport and what anglers need to do help the plight of the salmon and of the planet.
But he's also critical of anglers and their lack of action in helping to save the fish. 'Fishermen are not true advocates of fish,' he says. 'Surfers and kayakers are much more environmental.' Plus he saves his most stinging words for the fish farming industry describing them as 'evil', saying 'we're destroying the planet with industrial agriculture and now we're doing the same thing with aquaculture.'
And as for the three laws he would pass if he were President of the United States? Tune in to find out.
Yvon Chouinard is one of the greatest advocates and activists for environmental change, someone to help inspire fly anglers to act now before it's too late.
Image: Patagonia.com
#thelastsalmon #fightforthewildsalmon
The Last Salmon, presented by actor, artist and activist, Jim Murray, offers hope and solutions to the tragic story that is unfolding for an iconic species in crisis - the wild Atlantic salmon.
He’s the Swedish salmon maestro who fished 250 days a season in his younger years, but he’s more than an expert salmon angler, he’s an ardent conservationist who says he will never stop fighting for the wild salmon.
Mikael Frödin joins us on the latest episode of The Last Salmon with revealing insights into the perilous state of the salmon which he believes could be gone within two decades if current fish farming practises are not stopped.
He also talks about his memorable days of 30lbs fish and the heartbreak of the biggest one that got away.
He’s the ultimate salmon angler who we can all learn from – from fly fishing on the water to saving the fish itself.
Image: Frodinflies.com
#thelastsalmon #FighttosavetheWildSalmon
For regular updates follow the show on Instagram at Instagram.com/TheLastSalmon
The Last Salmon, presented by actor, artist and activist, Jim Murray, offers hope and solutions to the tragic story that is unfolding for an iconic species in crisis - the wild Atlantic salmon.
We take a brief departure from all things Atlantic salmon to focus on their second home - the ocean.
Charles Clover is one of the pre-eminent environmental journalists of our time, author of the eye-opening and best-selling, ‘The End of the Line: How Overfishing Is Changing the World and What We Eat’ and most recently, ‘Rewilding the Sea: How to Save our Oceans’.
He is also co-founder of The Blue Marine Foundation, one of the leading global, marine conservation NGOs and he joins us to explain what’s happening out in the oceans and how the establishment of Marine Protected Areas around the world are helping preserve the oceans one area at a time.
#thelastsalmon #FighttosavetheWildSalmon
For regular updates follow the show on Instagram at Instagram.com/TheLastSalmon
The Last Salmon, presented by actor, artist and activist, Jim Murray, offers hope and solutions to the tragic story that is unfolding for an iconic species in crisis - the wild Atlantic salmon.
Scotland. It’s the traditional heart and home of fly fishing for salmon. The Spey, Dee, Tay and Tweed are rivers synonymous the world over when it comes to salmon fishing.
But, long gone are the days when salmon catches were guaranteed and getting onto certain beats were next to impossible.
In the midst of the Atlantic salmon crisis, Daire and Jim speak to Robert Mitchell and Colin Bull, two Scotsmen immersed in salmon throughout their lives.
Robert Mitchell, has been a salmon fishing ghillie on the River Spey for over thirty years. He remembers the heyday and he also talks in stark terms about the fear that every ghillie has of there being no salmon left.
Colin Bull is Principal Investigator with the Missing Salmon Alliance and a specialist in salmon ecology at Stirling University and he says that with targeted conservation measures the salmon can be saved and we can and should be hopeful.
#thelastsalmon #FighttosavetheWildSalmon
For regular updates follow the show on Instagram at Instagram.com/TheLastSalmon
The Last Salmon, presented by actor, artist and activist, Jim Murray, offers hope and solutions to the tragic story that is unfolding for an iconic species in crisis - the wild Atlantic salmon.
Alexandra Morton is a warrior and a shining light who has fought and won her battle against fish farms. She has committed her life to saving the wild salmon in her local area of Broughton Archipelago on Canada’s pristine British Columbia coastline.
She joins Jim and Daire on the latest episode of The Last Salmon to talk about her life of activism, why everyone needs to join in the fight to save the salmon and how success like hers can be achieved.
#thelastsalmon #FighttosavetheWildSalmon
For regular updates follow the show on Instagram at Instagram.com/TheLastSalmon
The Last Salmon, presented by actor, artist and activist, Jim Murray, offers hope and solutions to the tragic story that is unfolding for an iconic species in crisis - the wild Atlantic salmon.