Chairman and Secretary Report for Season 2021.
The year started off in a similar vein as the previous 12 months or so, covid rules and regulations controlling our every move.
With this in mind our AGM for season 2020, was cancelled, our Secretary Richard informed all members of the guidelines for DDAA permits for 2021 and of any changes to membership fees and permit costs. This was all agreed with the committee prior to publication. The main price change only affected Loch Lannsaidh.
Member only fishing. No visitors to be permitted but members fishing with their guests would be accepted. The same booking system was in use as last year with reservations made through the Secretary and the Eagle Hotel.
There were no indoor committee meetings held throughout the season, although there were two al fresco meetings held, both observing the social distance rules in place, no wine or nibbles either.
Early in the year the association was approached with regard to leasing the lower River Evelix with the prospect of acquiring salmon fishing for the members. After some of the committee members undertook a familiarization tour of the area offered, it was later decided not to pursue the offer any further. Mainly due to the condition of the overgrown banks of the river and the well -known fact that the river is a late on spate river. Also, the cost of the fishing offered was prohibitive.
The Lairg to Loch Buidhe pylon line is well established now. The construction road passing close to Loch Laro, making the trip to Laro more accessible at present.
Wood Group, the construction team involved with the project, have been approached by DDAA and a plan to have the boat mooring area at the loch side improved, by the Wood Group contractors at no cost to DDAA, has been agreed. The improvements, hopefully, will be completed by the summer of this year. The metaled surfaced construction road may well be returned to the condition of the original habitat, prior to the project commencing, but the access will still be better than what was there before.
Correspondences by e-mail and phone were the norm, i.e., to gain acceptance or refusal of the issues raised within the committee. There were concerns over the number of members in the association, the number of fish to be kept when fishing on Lannsaidh, charges for fishing and boat hire on the lochs. Any major changes implemented would later be ratified at the next AGM whenever that may be.
The changes to the committee are as follows: Bill Rose has retired from the role of President, Michael Banks is now the President elect, Don Mackay Vice President elect, Hamish Macrae Chairperson elect, Jim Campbell Vice Chair elect. Colin Taylor has retired from committee and Willie Sutherland has been co-opted to committee, all positions to be ratified at the next AGM
The introduction of the government’s vaccine programme over the late Spring started to give hope of a return to a more normal life with restrictions being relaxed somewhat.
The fishing season started to get underway, boats on the lochs and anglers trying their luck.
The catch and relocate weekend on Lagan went well 53 brown trout safely relocated to Ghiubhais. Secretary Richard, going above and beyond the call of duty in orgainsing the weekend, caught the most fish and also had an overnighter in his car at the lochside. His wife later told me “Absence makes the heart grow fonder” not sure what she meant by that!
The competition nights on Lannsaidh in June, July and August were well organised by Michael and produced some good sport for those lucky enough to catch.
There was no club outing this year and the Clarkson outing on Loch Brora was not contested as there was little interest from all the clubs usually involved.
Restocking of Loch Lannsaidh was completed on three occasions, supervised by Bill Rose, with rainbows and blues introduced to the loch.
Maintenance to the Associations equipment was carried out. Boats had hulls cleaned and wooden fixtures painted. The sheds at Lannsaidh and Laoigh both had a coat of weather proofing applied.
One member of the committee went a bit overboard when he decided to inspect the underside of the Captain Bob when it was on the water. He found no damage; we were relieved to hear.
Once again, through diligence and observing safe practices, the Association managed to offer fishing to the membership when it was deemed safe to do so.
We are indebted to the volunteers who serve on committee, those who help out with launching and recovering the boats, and those who volunteer to maintain the equipment: boats, moorings, sheds and access roads to the lochs. The President and Secretary deserve special mention for the amount of time and effort they give to the running of the association.
Finally, thanks also to Eric, Suzie and their staff at the Eagle Hotel who provide an excellent service in administering the issue of permits and keys for the various lochs that the association leases.
Hopefully, we will have a season of normality this year and some good fishing.
Tight lines
Hamish Macrae