Dornoch & District Angling Association

2023 AGM Reports

- Chairman, Competition and Treasurer's reports with the proposed 2019 AGM minutes at the end

Chairman and Secretary Report for Season 2022.

Once again, our planned AGM (season2021) was cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control. Our last AGM was held on 22^nd March 2019.

Since then, the committee have had to take many decisions, with regard to the government’s control of the covid pandemic, that affected us all. Some of the decisions taken were of a temporary measure, but others of a more permanent nature will need to be ratified at our next AGM.

The decision to continue in 2022 with members and guests fishing only, (no visitor permits) was agreed within the committee. Booking, as the past season, through the secretary, and the permits issued from the Eagle Hotel. Presently, we have in the region of 180 paid up members.

The new owners of Cambusmore Estate are comfortable with the existing conditions of our lease and, with the addition of fishing on the rivers Fleet and Carnaig on offer, the committee were delighted to accept.

The access road to Loch Laro is now well established and a parking and turning area has been constructed at the loch side. The new moorings will be completed when conditions allow. This work will be undertaken by Wood group personnel at no cost to DDAA.

Scottish Water’s reservoir engineer was in contact with the association regarding the dam and screen fitted at the outlet of Lannsaidh. The recommendation was that the screen should be removed due to the possibility of a 1 in 10,000-year extreme rainfall event, which, in his opinion, if the screen blocked up then the dam may rupture. Obviously, the removal of the screen would give the fish in the loch an escape route. The association have suggested other alternatives to the engineer. We are awaiting his response.

 The road from Lannsaidh to Laoigh is becoming more challenging to drive on. Due to the deteriorating state of the road surface, possibly, because of the volume of water board traffic carrying out routine inspections of their equipment at the loch. The state of the road has been reported to Scottish Water by their own employees, this may result in repairs to the road surface. We wait in expectation.

  The season got underway with the annual maintenance to the boats stored at Balloan. Hulls scrubbed clean of peat water staining; thwarts and seats repainted; and damage to one of the hulls repaired with fiberglass. Unused equipment, that had been stored at the Lannsaidh shed, was relocated to Balloan - mainly weed cutting ropes and a drogue. Whin cutting on the access road to Lannsaidh and Laoigh was carried out and repairs to the road as far as Lannsaidh was completed.

The boats were then launched late March. Also, maintenance and improvements to the moorings at Lannsaidh were completed for the third boat to be put on the loch (which Andy Hughes gave us his permission for). The lease for Lannsaidh rent was increased to £450. It is a 20-year lease with a review every 5 years. This is the first time in 10 years that the rent has been increased.

Andy has also decided that the access gates to Lannsaidh will be repositioned. This is to alleviate the problem he encountered over the covid period with campervans blocking access to his property.

Re stocking of Lannsaidh was carried out on three occasions. A total of 780 rainbows introduced to the loch over the season.

The competition evenings at Lannsaidh, organised once again by President Michael, were well supported, and some good sport had. The prize giving will reveal who the skilled anglers are, or, maybe, who the lucky ones are.

There was no outing this year. The Clarkson once again cancelled due to little interest from all the clubs usually involved.

Members of the committee were tasked to find an online booking system which would be beneficial to the association, the secretary, members, visitors and the Eagle Hotel staff. There is a national fishing online booking provider who is willing to set up a unique system for DDAA.  The decision to proceed will need the approval of the membership at an AGM.

During early April, secretary Richard was working overseas on a construction project for a couple of weeks, and unable to administer the bookings. Fortunately, for the association Lisa, Richard’s wife, undertook the task seamlessly for which we are most grateful.

The volunteers, who give up their time to the association launching and recovering the boats; carrying out essential maintenance to the boats, equipment, sheds and road repairs (all undertaken by a few for the benefit of all other members), deserve praise for their efforts. The President and Secretary who work tirelessly for the good of the association also deserve special mention.

The Eagle Hotel proprietors, Eric and Suzie, and their staff, again provided an excellent service in administering the permits and keys to the lochs we lease. Eric had a cask of Balblair whisky bottled, (approximately 120 bottles were produced and labelled with a fishing scene), in recognition of DDAA being established over 40 years ago. I am unaware of how many bottles are left in his possession, better be quick before they all go.

 Finally, the committee continue to provide good fishing on a variety of lochs and rivers at a very reasonable cost to the membership. Hopefully, this coming season, with covid regulations scaled down, we will be able to have normal service resumed.

Tight lines.

Hamish Macrae.

OUTING CONVENOR’S REPORT FOR 2022

All three evening outings for the Stan Tuer Tankard were well supported, with the second evening having the most and very obliging fish to boot. Don Mackay was the clear leader on the first night.

Richard Crowther then swept the boards over nights two and three, taking all his fish within a small area of the loch which has been his “purple patch” on many other occasions.

His eight fish total over the three nights was more than enough to secure the tankard and also the associated prize for the best fish (The Willie Skinner Priest) beating G Simpson by one ounce.

The three evening winners to receive a free day ticket were Don Mackay and Richard Crowther.

Over the course of the year, quite a number of fish in the 3lb bracket were recorded, but were not verified.

Towards the end of September a fine rainbow of 4.5lbs was recorded and verified for Tom Sharp to secure The Sandy Banks Trophy.

We had no annual outing again at Loch Brora, with their being little appetite for it, and the loch was very reluctant to give up it’s stock leading up to the time we would normally have had the outing and indeed it was not until the last few weeks of the season that sea-trout in particular were in any numbers for anglers to have had at least some success. This period sees pressure on boat availability of the other club boats on the loch (ie Golspie and Brora) that we would need to make a successful day out.

If there are members out there that would like to see a return of this outing, or other suggestions please, please get in touch with your possible venue and time of year. Thank you.

It would be great to get something in place for this season.

Within the confines of the Loch Brora Club, it was decided to resurrect The Clarkson outing (a mix of Brora, Golspie & Dornoch members) in September. Although only a small number turned up, we had an enjoyable day out. It is hoped that this might stimulate a bit more interest for this year.

Over the 2022 season, in general members had a fairly successful year, but unfortunately the majority of the permit returns showed fish were caught, but the bigger fish were not verified, therefore restricting the number of trophies the association has, in being awarded to successful members. I appreciate in some cases that verifying a fish can be difficult, especially when fishing alone, but it does disappoint me that having various unallocated awards (given by either friends or family of past members in recognising the enjoyment the club has given them) is not being fulfilled.

We had no fish verified from Ghuibhais for the Bill Hives award. Unfortunately no salmon were recorded to the Dornoch boat on Loch Brora (no lack of trying) so the Ken Whitson trophy was unclaimed.

D&DAA EVENT WINNERS 2022 SEASON

Stan Tuer Tankard

Overall winner Richard Crowther with 8 fish for 13lb 1oz

Runner-up Don Mackay with 6 fish for 7lb 8ozs

Same outings for the Willie Skinner Priest - best fish, Richard Crowther 2lb 4ozs

Sandy Banks Trophy for best verified rainbow Tom Sharp, 4lb 7ozs

The Judy Gozzett Cup for best brownie or sea-trout – Chris Kirkbride 1lb 12ozs from L Laoigh

Wishing all members tight lines for the new season.

Michael Banks

Current Assets

Other Debtors                                        £47

Cash in Hand                                           £0           

Bank Account                                    £6,476

Fixed deposit                                   £20,000

Debtors and Prepayments                     (£45)

                                                 -------------

                                           Total current Assets                        £26,478

Current Liabilities

Accrual                                                £700

                                           Funds held for Fleet                           £247

Net Current Assets                           £26,478

                                                  -------------

Total Assets less Current Liabilities    £25,552

Represented by;

Balance as at 1^st Jan. 2022              £23,277

Add Surplus for the year                   £2,275

                                                  ------------

Balance as at 31^st Dec. 2022          £25,552

Examined and found to be correct.

The Association should continue its efforts to find a bank which will take a deposit in the name of the Association rather than in the name of an individual, as at present.

George Munro

Auditor

Proposed minutes Minutes of the AGM of Dornoch Angling Club

 Friday 22nd of March 2019

Chairmans Welcome and Introduction of Guests

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and continued by making known the safety arrangements for leaving the premises in case of an emergency and stressed that should the fire alarms be heard people should leave the premises in an orderly fashion.  He then introduced our guest for the evening Mrs Catriona Wood. There were 48 members in attendance.

Apologies

There were 49 apologies

Adoption of the minutes of the AGM dated 22nd March 2018

Acceptance of the minutes was agreed and proposed by John Chapman and seconded by John MacDonald

Matters Arising from the minutes of the 2018 AGM

No matters arising

Chairmans Report

The chairman read his report and mentioned that Ronnie Anderson had passed away recently and being a fairly new member of the club had not really had chance to take advantage of its benefits condolences were passed to his family.

He also mentioned the changes of classification to the River Brora from three to one but felt that regardless of conversations with Neil Wright and Martin Livings he still remained in the dark as to final arrangements.

He also mentioned that many thanks should be given to the Dornoch Golf Club for their help in purchasing the new boat trailer.

Treasurers Report

Mr Dickenson, Treasurer confirmed his report was available on the club website and he had no further comment.   Acceptance was proposed by Jim Campbell and seconded by Don Mackay.

Honorariums

It was agreed that these should remain as last year being: Secretary £300, Boat Convenor £75, Road Convenor £30, Chairman and Treasurer Expenses £10 each.

This was proposed by Charlie Wood and seconded by Eric De Venny.       .

Election of Officers (Due to retire)

Bill Rose (President) willing to be re-elected proposed by committee and seconded by John MacDonald

James Mackay: proposed Eric De Venny and seconded Richard Dickenson

Andrew Mackay: proposed by Richard Dickenson and seconded by Eric De Venny      

Jim Campbell: proposed by John Sutherland and seconded by Eric De Venny

Don Mackay (new committee member) proposed by Michael Banks and seconded by Jim Campbell.

Loch Brora Rules For DDAA Members

Still awaiting clarification by River Board

Laro Pylon Project

A question has recently been asked as to the effect the proposed construction of a pylon line running the length of the Loch Laro road and some distance along the Cracail road will effect access during construction and to that end Richard Dickenson has been invited to join a steering group along with Kyle of Sutherland angling club and SSE.

Competition Convenor’s Recommendations for 2019

Three evening bank competitions at Loch Lannsaidh for Stan Tuer Trophy.

First Friday in May, June, and July Entry fee £10 to cover all three nights or £4 per evening maximum of four fish to be kept.

Catch and relocate from Loch Lagain hopefully at least two day weekend of May 18/19th weather dependant and subject to confirmation.  Measuring stick and everyone responsible for keeping their own tally.

Person with most points wins a bottle.

Competition Convenor proposes The Club Championship be held on Loch Brora on July 13th 2019.  Maximum number of anglers 15 of which 10 places already taken.  Points system to determine the winner.   Meal at the Eagle Hotel in the evening, total cost being £25 per person.  Proposed by Michael Banks and seconded by Richard Dickenson.

AOCB

Andrew Mackay suggested that whilst the pylon line was being constructed perhaps SSE could be persuaded to create a better mooring for the Laro boat.

Eric De Venney confirmed that none of the four original tagged fish had been caught and in addition this season two further fish have been released having different coloured tags.  In case members have forgotten any lucky member who catches a tagged fish will be entitled to a slap up meal in the Eagle Hotel so if you do catch a tagged fish remember to remove the tag which should then be taken to Eagle Hotel for confirmation.

With no other business the meeting was closed. 7.51pm

Presentation of trophies (Mrs Catriona Wood)

Stan Tuer Trophy:  Don Mackay

Willie Skinner Trophy:  Michael Banks

Championship Cup:  John McKnight

Best Fish of the Day:  James Mackay

Ken Whitson Trophy:  Bill Rose

Sandy Banks Trophy:  Michael Banks

Winners of Bank Fishing Evenings:

May…Don Mackay. 

June…Michael Banks.  

July…Iain Miller

.

Catriona Woods was then presented with a bouquet of flowers by Bill Rose.

Finally Mr Richard Dickenson for his continued hard work on behalf of the club  was presented with a Life Time Membership.