D&DAA OUTING’S CONVENOR’S REPORT FOR SEASON 2020
What a strange season it has turned out to be with this Covid 19 pandemic’s rules and regulations affecting all sectors of society, even our fishing.
All fishing, particularly for salmon, started off as normal, even trout fishing, for a week or so before lock down hit. Thoughts about the season ahead looked dismal with the regulations changing one way or another, putting outings for members in jeopardy for the year. Our annual fixture being one of them.
So, when the green light came on, a belated first night of our Stan Tuer outing on the 12th June, with access to fishing and parking at a premium, 23 members and their cars being squeezed together somewhat, flouting social distances rules a bit, but cabin fever was obviously playing a part in this and it was great to see the support of members, with more than half of them, committing themselves to paying the £10 entry fee covering the three nights. Thank you.
Fishing conditions were not good, mist and a cold s/east breeze (excuses excuses) and only four members landed fish, with Alan Pett, 3 fish for 6lb 4ozs excelling before many of us had a fly in the water. Three others shared five fish between them.
12 members attended the second evening, with 8 fish being recorded, with an average weight of 2lb 2ozs. Excellent quality indeed, the best at 3lb 6ozs to Don Mackay and two to M Banks for 5lb.
Very tepid water on our 3rd night made catching very difficult, indeed with just two fish for the ten members present, reflecting what a long, hot summer can do to fish behaviour, even though we had decent conditions on the night. Richard Crowther & M Banks being the only lucky ones, or skilled maybe!!!
The Thurso R B Legion outing on Watten and the Clarkson outing on L Brora were also cancelled.
D&DAA EVENT WINNERS FOR THE 2020 SEASON
STAN TUER TANKARD
Overal winner Alan Pett with 4 rainbows - 8lb 2ozs
Runner-up M Banks 3 rainbows for 7lbs
WILLIE SKINNER PRIEST (Best fish over the three nights)
D C Mackay - 3lb 6ozs
The 3 voucher winners are, Alan Pett (June), M Banks (July) and Richard Crowther (August)
KENNETH WHITSON TROPHY FOR BEST FISH FROM Loch Brora
Chris Kirkbride with 8lb salmon on 8th September
THE JUDY GOZZET TROPHY FOR BEST BROWN TROUT/SEA TROUT
Chris Kirkbride with sea trout 2lb on 8th September ( with the same ghillie, he might take new bookings!!)
SANDY BANKS TROPHY for the best VERIFIED fish outwith competition winners.
I have to point out here, that heavier fish were caught ,noticeably at 4lb 4ozs on 26th June and at 3lb 13ozs on 8th July and recorded on the return ticket but unfortunately were not verified.
It has been stated on a number occasions over the past few years that good fish needs to be verified by a fellow member (it used to be a Comm Member only) to be eligible for an end of season award.
I can only apologise to members concerned but rules are rules, so after a bit of checking the winner is; Richard Crowther with a fish of 3lb from Lannsaidh on the 3rd July.
The only tagged fish from Lannsaidh was recorded by Duncan Todd.
The best catchers on our Laggain outing for stock were jointly John Macdonald and his brother Alex who shared the prize donated by the Eagle Hotel.
Look forward to seeing you all at the AGM.
Michael Banks