CHEER UP! The fishing just can't possibly be so poor this season. The Exchange Tickets are all in Morisons so you should be taking advantage of some of the good early fishing on the Don or the Nairn (I caught a beautiful springer on the Don on the 14th of April last year - what a sight). Our permits were on sale from before Xmas '99, so get yours before the 30th April 2000 deadline; otherwise you will be fined a fiver- that is of course if you can get in. You've been warned! Remember, we still have a sizeable waiting list. Meantime, it's down to business.

RONALD 'ROX' MACLEAN - We were all extremely sad to hear that Rox had lost his fight. The huge funeral befitted such a kindly, helpful and friendly man. Apart from being an ardent and skilled angler, I well remember his skills on the shinty pitch; particularly in the air. Our sincere condolences go to his four sons, the rest of his family and friends.

BALBLAIR LANDFILL PROPOSAL - BAC have lodged a pre-application objection with the Highland Council Planning Department in order to ensure that they clearly understand the serious issues involved in this contentious proposal. Our objection letter received a meaningful and considered response. Should the formal application be lodged later this year, we would hope that you will all send in your individual, separate objections. BAC have already donated £100 to BAD.

GRAND OPENING - The 11th was a fine Winters day although the water was far too high to fish safely. Nevertheless, a few of our stalwarts gathered at 11 am to toast the new season with our splendid local malt, Glen Ord. This year, hot sausage rolls added to the pleasure of the occasion.

CAR STICKERS - We are indebted to Paul Summerlin, one of our newer Committee Members, for arranging production of handsome BAC car stickers for us. Members will get one free; visitors can buy their souvenir stickers from Morisons. Thanks are also due to Paul's wife for the art work and to Paul's father-in-law Richard Porter for the bright idea in the first place.

BUFFET DANCE - This extremely popular annual event takes place in the British Legion Hall on Friday 12th May and starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are only £10 and must be paid for beforehand Please 'phone John 'Yorkie' Brocklehurst on 782785 for details.

RIVER IMPROVEMENT WORKS - We will be clearing and/or opening up three local spawning burns shortly. Please phone Frank Durdle on 782749 if you can give us a little of your time. From now on we will be running an incentive scheme to say thanks to those of you who bother to help. if it's successful, we might not need to ask for additional help ever again! Wooden steps will also be fitted shortly in order to ease access problems in Beats I & 2.

FISHY STORY ETC - Dr Somerled Fergusson has kindly provided the following words of caution after my cavalier approach to hook removal discussed in the last Newsletter.

"Removing Fish Hooks. Following on from Ewen's story in the last Newsletter I must sound a word of caution. His technique is perfectly sound provided you have one hand free to hold down the eye firmly, on the skin, and the other free to pull (it's a little difficult if the fly is caught in the other hand! ).

On no account attempt the "push through and cut" method. You could drive the point the wrong way. In the palm of the hand there are many vital structures close together and easily damaged I once saw a man with a paralysed finger from injudicious attempts at removal. It required the skill of a plastic surgeon and three months rest before the finger recovered.

If the hook can't be removed by Ewen's method easily - don't panic. Simply cut it off, leave it alone, put on another fly and finish the day's fishing. The fly can be removed later at leisure. The one exception being injuries to or near the eye when immediate professional help should be sought.

Do not persist with Ewen's method if the hook cannot be removed easily. No doctor, especially a fisherman himself will thank you if you present him with a bruised swollen mess to clear up following a botched attempt at removal!

Now for a wee fishing story to follow on. Some years ago a young couple were fishing and unfortunately the young man managed to imbed both hooks of a small double (? no.10) in the lassie's cheek. Now the cheek is soft tissue plentifully supplied with blood and swells and bruises easily. Even using fine eye instruments it was a tricky job to free and extract both hooks and afterwards she was not a very pretty sight. Since they were going to a party that night you can imagine the atmosphere in my surgery was frosty to say the least. However, I understand she got her revenge later in the evening by loudly whispering to all who asked that he had "smacked her one" (in a sense true) while he had to rush around furiously trying to deny it!"

Although the text is tinier than usual, I'm afraid that I've still run out of space. Thanks to those who are offering fishy story ideas: I'll get round to you all in due course. We hope to see you on the river shortly. Even if you don't catch a fish - just think of the great exercise you're getting - don't forget the fresh air too! Tight lines for the Millenium.