Chairman and Secretary’s Report for Season 2018
The long cold winter, “The Beast from The East,” was followed by the warmest driest summer for years. By all accounts, the perfect conditions for producing grapes in the South of England, but not really conducive for fishing in the north of Scotland.
Over the year the figures for the number of outings to the lochs were up significantly on the previous year, but, due to the weather conditions, the amount of fish caught was down. As the season progressed our President was becoming concerned regarding the number of fish not caught and instructed our secretary to put out a call to arms and encourage more members to get out there and start catching, as there was the possibility that due to our stocking programme there was more fish going in than was coming out.
Loch levels dropped over the season as the drought continued, especially noticeable at Loch Buidhe where the dam at the East end of the loch was permantly breached by the landowner, resulting in our boat being left high and dry at its moorings.
Over the season damage to our boats was observed. The hull of Cracail Mor boat due to the boat coming to rest on rocks as the level dropped in the loch. One of the boats on Loch Laoigh suffered damage, the foot brace being forced out of the fixing. Unfortunately, this was not reported at the time of damage, which of course poses a problem to the next hirer of the boat, especially, as on removal of the brace, there is now a direct path to the bottom of the loch for anyone taking the boat onto the water. Both boats on Laoigh had the transoms repaired with a more robust grade of ply.
Ongoing maintenance to roads, sheds, boats, and controlling encroaching vegetation, was carried out by the hard-working members of the association’s committee, assisted by willing volunteers.
Thanks to all who helped in launching the boats at the beginning of the season and those who helped take them back off the water again at the seasons end. The committee are actively trying to source another boat trailer to alleviate the amount of manual handling required when transporting the boats to and from Balloan farm steading and the lochs. None of us are getting any younger.
The stocking programme continued under the control of our President. Once again, a catch and keep weekend resulted in fish caught in Loch Lagain transferred to Loch Laoigh and Loch Ghiubhais. Loch Lannsaidh’s stocking continued with fish supplied from our usual source. The stocking programme for this season 2019 is already planned and underway, with permission for 1500 fish to be introduced in Loch Lannsaidh, 150 into Loch Laoigh and 50 into Loch Ghiubhais.
Numbers participating in club competitions over the year were up on last year, and thanks to the competition convener for his approach in attracting members to support the evening bank competitions and the Clarkson trophy competition. The £10 for three nights Bank competition will continue for 2019.
The competition convener is planning to hold a competition to determine the 2019 club champion, on possibly Loch Brora, if there is enough interest from the membership. There would need to be a firm commitment well in advance of the date, as the boats from the angling clubs from Loch Brora, Golspie and Dornoch would need to be reserved for the day. This initiative will be discussed at the AGM.
The Eagle Hotel proprietors and staff continue to provide an excellent service administrating the permit issue and providing general advice to guests regarding all things fishing in the area. This fine service was recognised at the recent Highland Hotel Awards as the Hotel won the Highland Country Hotel fishing award. Well deserved.
The tagged fish, sponsored by the Eagle Hotel, are still in Loch Lannsaidh by all accounts, as no one has returned a tag to the Hotel so far, unless, of course, one of the ospreys has fished them out.
This season the Hotel has generously offered to continue with the sponsorship, and a further 4 tagged fish will be put into Loch Lannsaidh, doubling your chances of winning a voucher from the hotel.
Finally, 2018 has been another good season for the club, with members and visitor numbers fishing, up on last year.
The committee continues to strive to improve the fishing and facilities available to members and visitors.
Tight lines for 2019.
Hamish Macrae.