A valedictory letter from our outgoing loch keeper Piotr!

 Photo 01 - the usual dismal Saturday!

A valedictory letter from our outgoing loch keeper Piotr!

Dear Angling Community,

As you know, I shall complete my duties as Loch Keeper, at the end of this month and hand over to Ian Fernyhough.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my thanks to you and all your colleagues at the Fishing club, for your help and support during my term of office.  I have found it a great pleasure to work with you to help and improve fishing facilities around the Loch and it is with regret that I must now relinquish this duty.

May I wish all of you good luck for the future of the Club, I am sure that with your guidance and the help of the new Loch Keeper, the facilities will continue to improve.

Very best regards,

Piotr

Yes its Piotr’s swansong, by the time you read this he will be in his last 24hrs of service with the club. Nearly three years of ups and downs with the majority of days being in the in between bracket. Yes we travelled a good few miles together dealing with one thing and another, from outright Muppets to the bewildered through to the respectable decent angler that is our normal everyday visitor. It’s been an epic journey as we both learned along the way. Oh and yes we had our disagreements but they were quickly sorted, this is the way after all that society moves forward! The journey however is now at an end and we are left with nothing other to do but to reflect and wish Piotr all the best for the future wherever that takes him!

 However bonds built through tortuous endeavour are not easily broken and we have vowed to keep in touch however great the distance between us! From the club, we wish you the very best for the future Piotr and our grateful thanks to you for your valued work on our behalf!

The end of an era probably best describes the event!

However its business as usual on the fishing front and all bookings for boats and permits should now be sent to our new loch keeper Ian Fernyhough who will continue to offer the excellent service given by Piotr! Ian’s contact details are

lochkeeper@stmarysanglingclub.org.uk and phone

07724 523777 

 Photo 02 - Keen or mad? Gordon & Mike brave the swell.

AGM

 Our club AGM took place at the Tibbie with members travelling from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dunbar and the local towns in the borders. As usual universal participation was the order of the day with views coming from all quarters. Some of the items deemed fit for public viewing were as follows –

Member Subscriptions – it was decided unanimously that in view of the dire economic conditions brought about by that hooray Henry club the wretched Con-dems, the current charges be held at the present level i.e. Member £30.00p/a, Season ticket £50.00p/a, Day permit £8.00 per 24hrs.

Competitions – The heavy Trout competition is now open to all members whether fishing for Pike Perch or Trout. The current winners (Alan Purves and Paul Kelly) will shortly be presented with the cup which is currently being engraved and £10.00 each. The club championship is being resurrected for Trout anglers and will be competed for on a points system by members. Details will be made known after our next committee meeting. The season long Pike competition has been won subject to verification. Details soon!

The annual open wild Trout competition will now be an “any legal method” competition fished from the banks of the loch. Details soon!

Catch returns

To try and stimulate the best possible return ratio it was decided that members and visitors submitting a paper or e mail return will be entered into a prize draw at the end of the year. The winning return will receive a £100.00 tackle voucher to be used in one of our recommended outlets. Nil returns will count towards entry to the draw. It should be noted however that anyone persistently not submitting a return will be subject to sanctions as previously mentioned!

 Photo 03 - Uplifting colours on a dull day.

Trout size limit

A motion put forward by Elliot Fraser asking for the size limit to be increased to twelve inches was after much discussion rejected with the proviso that during the coming season research would be carried out to determine the average size of a three year old Trout which would then be implemented as the new size limit. 

Fishing guides

Mike Wood brought to our attention the recent visit by a “guide” from the city; we must now formulate a policy to deal with these people. We are aware that charlatans may pass themselves off as bona fide fishing guides whilst holding no formal or peer group qualifications whatsoever! We are also aware of exorbitant rates charged by these people which currently does not reflect in our takings. The subject will be pursued at our next committee meeting.

Election to the committee

Gordon McClurg was elected to the committee. We very much look forward to looking forward to working with Gordon who is a true all round angler and a really decent guy to boot! The space became available following the retiral of Les Henderson an able servant to the club. Whilst we regret the loss of Les, Gordon’s wide angling experience and work ethic should fill his place nicely!

Sailing Club

Following the recent incident when six of our anglers had their day ruined by sail boarders, Ian and I will arrange to meet with them to discuss reciprocating etiquette!

Refuge

Following on from the Wild Trout Trust report we are to implement another of their recommendations. We will construct areas of refuge for our young fish in the loch. These areas will be clearly marked on a map to be given out with permits/members tickets. We have not yet decided whether to use tree trunks or galvanised baskets. More information coming soon.

Financial Report

Treasurer John Wright gave a comprehensive report indicating that the club is in excellent financial health with significant assets. However in order to ensure members at the AGM receive up to date information he has indicated that our financial year end will be the 5^th of April. This of course means that the next period will be an extended one to bring us to the new year end.

A meeting that looked to the future and propels the club ever forward, as we strive to maintain, improve and maximise the fishing and the beautiful environment that encapsulates it. A club run by a committed band of enthusiastic and thinking anglers! It doesn’t get any better than this!