Returns 2008 : First thanks to those of you who got their returns to us promptly, this is the first year when hardly anyone needed to be chased. The catch returns for 2008 were as follows:-

31 salmon/grilse of which 35.4% were returned;
78 sea trout/finnock of which 95% were returned;
3 brown trout all of which were retuned.

Trophies : The Trophies for the 2008 season were awarded as follows:-

1. The Morison Trophy for the largest fish was won by Mike MacDonald with a fish of 15.5lb
2. The Tom Mightens Cup for sea trout was won by Paul Pacey with a sea trout of 2lb
3. The Fergusson Trophy which is for sea trout caught by juniors was not awarded – you need a sea trout of over 1.5lb and nobody managed this.

Leasing the Fishings : As was reported to the AGM the Committee have been negotiating with Lovat Estates for a longer lease; since the AGM these negotiations have continued and currently the Estate have drawn up a Lease for 10 year period with a review of the rent at the end of the first 5 years. As part of the new Lease we will not simply be renting fishing for Club Members but will be responsible for and take the returns from all the fishing from below the Lovat Bridge to the Firth. The draft Lease lays out the rents for the 1st 5 years and as was discussed at the AGM there will be a slight increase in fees to ensure that we can meet these rents.

Permit Fees : Fees for the 2009 Season will be as follows:-

Senior Permits £65.00
Junior Permits £10.00

The joining fee for new members remains at £15.00 for Seniors. Juniors do not pay a joining fee. The AGM decided that the cost for Senior Citizens who have been members for at least 3 years should remain free however we are hoping that our senior citizen members who can afford it will donate at least £10.00.

Members have until Tuesday 31st March to renew their membership. This Newsletter is being sent to all members by post. Attached you will find a form which we invite you to fill in and return with a cheque and stamped addressed envelope and we will then send you the 2009 Permit. We expect these to be available from around Monday 19th January. We are sorry that the Permits were not this year available before Christmas and given that we are moving the AGM to later in the year we are not certain that it will be possible in future to have them any earlier than they will be this year. However if people want in future to give them as Christmas presents we will have the BAC ‘gift token’.

2009 SEASON : We are having an opening ceremony again at Beat 1 on Saturday February 14th at 11am. Everybody welcome. Light refreshments will be provided.

Competitions : It was decided at the AGM so as to enable members to represent the Club at Competitions that the BAC will pay the entrance fee for one boat for both the Loch Meig and the Loch Watten Competitions and supply as needed an outboard motor with petrol. But that no other expenses will be met – so people will need to fund their own travel costs. If you want to be part of the 3 person team representing the Club for either of these competitions then contact Neil MacKenzie on 01463 782991.

For Sale : I received the following e-mail and since |I had the space I thought I’d include it. “I am selling 10 unused award winning Snowbee Flylines. They include all of 5/6/7/8 weight lines in Floating, Sinktip and Neutral Density in various colours.

All 10 are still boxed, unused and in 100% original condition. They would make an ideal gift/Christmas present for someone or could be used to fill out a tackle box for the new season. These lines retail for £45 each that is £450 worth of value which I am selling for £270 ono. Tel. David on 0753 416 8163 / Inverness Town.”

Despite the fact that you will have received this Newsletter through the post I am still collecting e-mail addresses – so please let me have yours.

That’s it for now – we hope you have or have had a great Christmas and have a fantastic 2009.

Wendy
harpew@dsl.pipex.com

MEMBERSHIP FORM

Senior Member – 17 to 65 - £65.00
Junior member – 16 or under - £10.00
Senior Citizen members – 65 plus and have been a member for at least 3 full years – Free but donations are encouraged.
New Members – Seniors £75.00 (£65.00 + £15.00 joining fee).
New members - Juniors £10.00 and no joining fee.

Please fill in the information below – in PRINT - and return with a cheque for the appropriate amount and a stamped addressed envelope to:-

Beauly Angling Club, c/o 18 Croyard Drive, Beauly IV4 7EE
Tel: 01463 782631

Name…………………………………………….

Type of member ………………………………

Address…………………………………………

……………………………………………

...............................................................Post Code ..............................

e-mail address...............................................

Phone Number................................................

Age Junior members only .................................

If you know any one who wants to join the Club please add their names, address and ideally phone number above.