The Atlantic Salmon Trust’s 2011 fishing auction is now in the final three weeks, and bidding is heating up. This year’s auction has a wider than ever selection of lots, ranging in price from under £50 to over £10,000, with fishing in rivers ranging from the Varzuga in Russia to the Mourne in Ireland.

This year, the auction is being run online – though those who want to make a postal bid are most welcome to do so; AST staff will then lodge the bid online.

One lot which is causing some interest is the offer of two days for five rods at Dalmarnock on the River Tay, hosted by rugby legend Gareth Edwards, CBE (above). Over two miles of double bank fishing, just above Dunkeld. The offer, with a starting price of £3,000, includes two nights DB&B at the award-winning East Haugh House Hotel. The dates are: arrive Sunday, June 19, stay at East Haugh House Sunday 19 and Monday 20, fish with Gareth Edwards Monday 20 and Tuesday 21.

The bidding on all lots closes from February 14. The close of bidding for each batch of lots is slightly staggered, to enable anyone who isn’t lucky enough to get the first lot they’re bidding for to try for another.

“Since the auction is the AST’s principal fund-raising event of the year, we’re hoping for lively bidding on all lots,” said AST chief executive Tony Andrews. “Some of the money raised will be shared with Rivers & Fisheries Trusts Scotland and the Association of Rivers Trusts, and a substantial sum will be ring-fenced for a project shared by the three organisations. The more we raise, the more we can spend on the important work of ensuring a brighter future for Atlantic salmon and sea trout.

Full details are on the auction website: http://www.atlanticsalmontrust.org/auction