Hello again. Yes, I know, it's been a poor year with far too much water to allow us to fish as often as we would have liked. Not only are our fish numbers down (around 29 grilse/salmon and much fewer finnock/sea trout than even last year), but our income from visiting anglers is down too. Many did not come; some came and left without fishing because of the high water associated with the ongoing damn maintenance work. Although the sea trout numbers were at a record low, those that were caught were of better than normal size/quality, perhaps partly due to our policy of returning virtually all of them.
RESTOCKING, ETC: Those of you who attended the recent excellent talk on the restocking and regeneration of decimated West Coast rivers delivered by Bob Kindness of the Seafield Centre at Kishorn, will now better appreciate the struggle that our fish have to survive against predators such as seals, otters, saw bills, poachers, interbreeding with escapees, etc: predators clearly have a disproportionately devastating effect on stocks when fish numbers are low. Afforestation, acidification, sheep dip and other environmental factors such climate change resulting in warmer waters, flash flooding (sometimes causing redd wash out), etc, can also toke their toll. Many of our members believe that the blanket protection being given to virtually all predators should be looked at urgently before it's too late! Catching and relocating some of the predator species may be one option?
The recent concentrated restocking of the River Carron using native stock has already demonstrated that trout respond well to such initiatives, particularly when nearby salmon farms are either fallow or harbouring no lice because of SLICE or other such treatments being applied just before our wild smolts go to sea around April/May. Incidentally, Frank Durdle is keen to hear from any members or others who have captured some of the 1.5 -1.751b saImon smolts that are currently swimming our waters. One experienced fisher caught 14 of them in a scssion! They are apparently very clearly of farm origin, so just where did they come from? All informotion to Frank on 01463 782749.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: Please try to attend our AGM on Thursday 14th November at 7.30 pm in the Phipps Hall in Beauly. I understand that a brass bond will be practicing in another of the halls from 8 pm, hence you may here music too this year: I think we are spoiling you.
FISHY STORY: I have been holding on to this poem from Dr Somerled Fergusson for quite some time. Somerled was a highly respected GP in Beauly for many years, and, among other commendations, was awarded the prestigious Fellowship of the BMA earlier this year: being the only Scot to receive one of the four fellowships awarded, perhaps emphasises the high level of distinction involved. He has unfortunately been unwell for some time, but retains a great interest in fishing and virtually all things outdoors.
'God grant that I may fish
Until my dying day
And when it comes to my Last Cast
I humbly pray, | When in the Lord's safe landing net
I'm peacefully asleep
That in his mercy
I be judged good enough to keep' |
Lord Crothorne
COMPETITIONS: The Senior Competition on Loch Achilty was won by Alan Brindle and the free/open Junior Competition on Tarvie Bait Loch by Mark Mackenzie. Both events, were well attended. Again grateful thanks to Mark Butcher and Gerry Breau for helping to make the evenings enjoyable, memorable and reasonable in cost for our members and/or BAC. Regarding other competitions this summer, John 'Yorkie' Brocklehurst went up to Orkney with Andy Webb and Brian Zblewski to sea fish for the Legion. Their team came a good 3rd overall out of a big entry; and they were1st for species. Frank Durdle and Neil Mackenzie come a very close second in the Legion Pairs competition on Loch Ruthven, and Archie Prentice caught the biggest trout in the Badanlochs bank competition; well done everybody.
RETURNS: If you ain't got them back by now, you're in trouble! Get them back anyway and you might be in less trouble. From memory, I think Dave Sellers is the enforcer this yearl
In closing, Loch Lochy is now regarded as being a brown trout fishery only, hence is out of bounds for rainbows this winter. So why not get your sea fishing gear out; some of us will be at sea, hopefully hauling leviathans throughout the coming months! Incidentally, I hope to add a further rainbow fishery to our list of preferential rate lochs shortly. Meantime, do remember to make use of our excellent Video Library this winter. Happy Christmas when it comes.
