CLAIMS that salmon fishing on the River Tees is at an all-time high are being disputed by anglers.

The Environment Agency says anglers are flocking to fishing hotspots on the river after the construction of the Tees Barrage caused an upturn in salmon numbers.

But angler Don Taylor, who fishes upstream of the barrage, said that, to his knowledge, there had been no salmon seen in the river at all this year between Neasham, near Darlington, and Barnard Castle.

He said: "If thousands were making the journey, than at least hundreds would be seen.

"While no one is doubting that the barrage and the Environment Agency are doing good work, the general public is being misled.

"Where exactly in the river are these thousands of migratory fish that are said to be successfully navigating the barrage?"

Chris Noble, organiser of the Salmon and Trout Association for Northumbria, who has fished the Tees for 40 years, also said there was a lack of salmon upstream, although he disputed claims that none had been seen all year.

He said: "I don't think there is an Environment Agency cover-up. Things are improving on the Tees, but we anglers are impatient. I work near the barrage and you can go down and see hundreds of salmon there.

"Upstream, they spread out. It is a wide river and the salmon could be in dark holes in the river bed.

"We just have to be patient, and although I am optimistic about the future, we can't afford to be complacent."

A spokeswoman for the Environment Agency said: "There has actually been a gradual increase in salmon and trout in the River Tees since 1995 when the barrage was built.

"Rod catches have increased and last year, despite foot-and-mouth restrictions, 75 salmon were caught, with 105 the previous year.