Thanks. Welcome to the first Newsletter of 2005. Ewen Robertson ,our previous editor has put his dictionary back on the shelf, shut down his computer and received his newsletter P45. As he enters the autumn of his years he's decided to do what's sensible and go fishing. And what a way to start his "newsletter retirement." No doubt many of you will have seen the elegantly posed photos of Ewen and his 81/2 lb ferox brownie from Loch Lochy thrust in front of you over the coming weeks. A cracker - the fishy - not Ewen. On behalf of the club, can I express our thanks for Ewen's editing efforts, keeping us amused and informed and often slightly envious of his stories about the leviathans he was catching.

New Members. For some of you, this will be your first newsletter. On behalf of the committee I'd like to welcome you to the Club. It is not that long since I was in your shoes. Before membership, the language of fishing seemed so strange. If Ally's shrimp was so good at catching salmon, why did he not keep it to himself? Was a bushy bob a new trendy haircut? And could someone not feed the anorexic Loch Ordie from Orkney? Competitions, exchange tickets, discounted local fishing, a comprehensive video library and our popular casting and gear clinic all come with membership. Salmon, sea trout, brown trout, ferox and pike all live in the Beauly catchment that stretches almost to the west coast. I hope membership encourages you out and about in our area, catching plenty of fish and helping local businesses.

Competition Update. We entered 2 boats in the Loch Meig open on 23rd of April. The Loch Achonachie club are doing brilliant work developing the fishery. Arriving in Strath Connon to a cold east wind and low cloud, many of us were quickly nursing numb fingers back to life. Later as the cloud lifted and the sun came out we basked in glorious sunshine (see photos on the web site). Neil"steady hand' Mackenzie had his usual success catching a pair of brownies, Yorkie also having a productive day. In my boat a fight was to break out. Ewen Robertson cast out his sinking line before handing the rod to Frank Durdle who stripped in to find a nice 11/2 Ib brownie. But who did it belong to? Growing tensions over ownership had the potential to take on middle-east proportions. Drawing a blank for the whole day I diplomatically suggested Frank and Ewen donate it to me. Their derisory laughter echoed round the hills for the rest of the afternoon.

The Highland Federation competition was held on Loch Watten on the 14th May. Frank Durdle, Neil "steady hand" Mackenzie and I headed north to experience fishing in the unique weather zone that is north Scotland. Beautiful cloud cover and a strong breeze suggested a productive day lay ahead. But as the wind swung slightly to the north the air chilled and the fish dived.

This year's club competitions are on the evenings of Wed the 13th July for Juniors and Thurs the 14th July for Seniors at Tarvie. Names can be submitted at Morisons shop in Beauly or by contacting Frank Durdle on 01463 782749

Bank Clearance. Each year we undertake some maintenance on the club's river Beauly fishing. This includes general housekeeping with grass and bush trimming to more heavier work creating lies and removing obstacles, fallen trees etc. This is a productive way to meet other members in the club. Some light bank clearance this year is on Sunday 10th July, meet at the Lovat Bridge Caravan Park at 11.00am.

Casting Clinic. One of the most valuable benefits of membership is the free casting and gear clinic held each year. Frank Durdle and Ewen Robertson (both SGAIC qualified and insured) offer advice on rods, line, reels and all types of casting. I currently have a brilliant Greys set up for my trout fishing that's been built up over a couple of years trying out different gear at the clinic. This year's clinic will be held on July 24th at 10.00am, meeting at Beat 1.

Out and About. Strathglass Fishings is based in Cannich and run by Duncan Maclennan. He has 6 boats on loch Beinn a"Mheadhoin (Benevian) in Glen Affric. The loch has a fifteen-mile shoreline and is dotted with numerous islands. Capable of taking a minimum of three people, all boats are supplied with reliable outboard motors. Fishing is also available on loch Beannacharan in Glen Strathfarrar. Pike fishing can be arranged as well as salmon and trout fishing on the River Glass. Duncan has agreed a 25% discount on loch fishing for Beauly Angling Club members. More details can be obtained by phoning 01456 415477 or at www.strathgiassfishing.co.uk.

Where do all the smolts go? Many of us will have encountered shoals of smolts making their way downstream each spring. But where do they go after that? A new research project that aims to find more about the dangers faced by young salmon in the North Atlantic has just been launched. Funding of £300k from the Scottish Executive, the Atlantic Salmon Trust and the Norwegian Government will help equip a research ship with a special trawl and state of the art CCTV equipment. Operating in the Faeroe/Shetland Channel, the vessel will mirror migration routes, the effects of commercial fishing on young salmon and the movement of young fish and the problems they face. The 2nd phase of the programme will track fish in the Greenland Sea in August.

And Finally. A television personality told anglers at the start of the salmon fishing season on the Tay that he had fished a lot as a youngster and was once accused by a bailiff of poaching when he was caught on a riverbank without a licence carrying a bucket with two brown trout in it. The personality explained to the bailiff that they were his pets and he was taking them for a swim. In fact they were so tame that he only had to whistle and they would come to the riverbank. Showing the disbelieving bailiff what he meant, he poured the bucket in the river, waited a few minutes and gave a wee whistle. A After a couple of minutes the bailiff asked "so where are the fish" "What fish?" was the reply.

Archie Prentice
Newsletter Editor