Habitat improvement works.

 Photo 01 - Getting stuck in!

Habitat improvement works.

Last Saturday saw us embark on the first stage of our habitat improvement programme with 105 mixed variety trees to be planted and a pilot project to stop the unceasing erosion that is occurring on the Kirkstead burn.

The day did not start well as I found myself marooned in the middle of the loch with an engine that refused to run for more than a minute at a time. The only option open then was to row down to the burn with an Arran in tow absolutely loaded with willow bundles. Heavy going would be an understatement I can tell you, however at this point Gordon & Mike arrived and on seeing my predicament rowed out to offer assistance. Mike transferred into my boat and managed to get the engine running albeit only for a few minutes so rowing became the order of the day relieved every now and then by a short burst of engine power. Sharing the rowing we eventually got down to the burn and unloaded the cargo of willow rolls and essential tools.

 Photo 02 - John and Gordon planting history!

 

None of us had any real experience of planting trees but thankfully Ian had taken delivery of tree planting tools from Tim Frost of the Borders Forest Trust, and he had passed on the finer points of tree planting. After a briefing session given by Ian, all present set about the business of the day, planting trees. Stevie Nimmo and Gary Conway electing to take on the heavy work of natural bank reinforcement.

 Photo 03 - Mike celebrates his tenth tree or the fact that Celtic won!

 

The process of bank reinforcement is carried with rolls of willow branches tied and staked into the river bank with 10mm steel reinforcing rod. Some of these willows will take root but we are to supplement this by planting a decent number of whips through the bundles. This will give a network of roots into the bank walls giving much needed protection and stability to the banks. We will also place some stones behind the bundles giving extra reinforcement. We would anticipate that the area should have a good degree greenery at the end of next year as the willows establish themselves. 

 Photo 04-Stevie demontrates to Gary how to show a piece of iron who's boss!

 

We will use two methods for the bank stabilisation work that used above with metal stakes through the rolls and by using shorter stakes with heavy wire attached being tensioned and pulled into the bank and secured by a heavy duty type tent peg. It may be that this method will encourage more willows to root into the band as they will be pulled into the earth bank. Only time will tell which method will yield the better results as this method has not yet been employed by the Wild Trout trust.

 

 Photo 05 Stabilisation work done!

 

This type of natural stabilisation not only looks better than built up rock held in place by heavy duty wire fencing and in addition will create a habitat for bank side fauna which will benefit whatever species of fish that decide to reside or visit the improved sections of stream. There are also great benefits for the landowner in that the land reclamation process has begun and no more valuable grazing land will be lost. In time land will actually be reclaimed so there is benefit all round.

The area in the photo (05) is but the first stretch, and in the next few weeks we will complete this section using different methods of construction to see which method stands up best to the ravages that winter can bring.

The tree planting is part of our long term strategy of improvement and when it comes to fruition will also give further strength to the banks and provide much needed food and shelter for our young fish. The varieties planted are indigenous trees as follows, Rowan, Birch, Oak, Blackthorn, Hawthorn and Hazel totalling 105 in number. 

 Photo 06 - John collects the gear on completion of the task!

 

We fully expect that a number of trees will perish for whatever reason, and we will carry out checks in the growing season to see what has not survived and possibly replace them with willow whips which are the area’s most successful variety. The Royal Oak has not been planted at Kirkstead but has been planted on the grass bank at the Selkirk end of the boathouse giving her plenty of room to grow. 

 Photo 07 - Gordon & Mike begin the long row back in the big un!

 

We are most grateful and deeply indebted to Alan Mc Clymont who farms at Kirkstead for granting us permission to carry out these works on his land. He could have said no, but instead he embraced the concept of our works and allowed us a great deal of freedom in our doings. Alan if you read this we cannot thank you enough, and we hope you enjoy a dram from the small token bottle we gave you on the undoubtedly cold nights to come! Oh and remember Alan a boat, lifejackets and engine are waiting for you and your family any time you want to take a cruise on the loch. Just give Ian a call!

I just have to mention a story relayed to me by Alan. When he and his sister were youngsters at Kirkstead during the long balmy summers (remember them?) they used to net the deeper pools in the burn removing stranded Trout which were being slaughtered on a massive scale by herons and other predatory birds and cart them to the safety of the loch. Conservationists from an early age, and it shows, just brilliant!

 Photo 08 - Gary shows the malfunctioning engine how it's done! Great work Gary!

We are also greatly indebted to Tim frost of the of The Borders Forest Trust who in addition to essential advice on the planting of trees supplied protectors, stakes and the tools required to plant the trees. Also The Forest Trust who kindly gave the trees to the club as part of their initiative to celebrate the queen’s jubilee.

At the end of our day we had to get the boats back to base without the aid of an engine and we are hugely indebted to Gordon & Mike who rowed the big boat back and young Gary Conway who like the real trooper that he is rowed the Lomond back without breaking a sweat, mind you he needed two cheeseburgers and two cokes to replenish lost energy! Remember that name this young lad is going to make a name for himself in the sports arena, watch this space!

The club is very much indebted to the following members for their help with the arduous task that we set ourselves, you all worked like Trojans! John Conway, Alasdair White, Stevie Nimmo, Gordon Mc Clurg, Mike Wood, Ian Fernyhough, and Gary Conway.

Allow me to highlight the degree of commitment shown by a few of our members. Stevie Nimmo who had work scheduled in Dundee actually went to work at 04.00hrs so he could be at the loch for around 10.00hrs to give us a hand, and Gordon Mc Clurg and Mike Wood cancelled a day’s Salmon fishing on the Ettrick (in spite of us urging them to go) just to progress the aims of the club. Absolute dedication or what! 

 Photo 09 - The race begins!

This of course does not detract from the sacrifice made by all who attended. Your efforts are much appreciated lads, posterity will reflect on this day as the date members took a major step forward to optimise the fishing on the lochs! This blog which is a social record of the club will remain on the web forever will recount your efforts to those who come later! The would be usurpers of the “black days” are nothing compared to these lads!

The day rounded off in the boathouse where much talk of angling and related banter took place in between chomping on delicious cheeseburgers! Thanks to all at the Glen Cafe for the sustenance!

The Kirkstead burn is our best spawning burn our work at the very least will maintain this status but based on evidence supplied by the Wild Trout Trust it is likely that a significant improvement in numbers using the burn to spawn will result! Ideas are coming rapidly and our work next season will involve many of these ideas, thinking anglers it’s the very best scenario!

Update

Yesterday Stevie, Gordon, Mike and me went down to the Village Hall to cut more willows in what can only be described as a howling gale! Les remained at the boathouse and kindly cut a number of rolls from the willows there. We were going to take the Arran’s out but the conditions were horrendous so we stayed on terra firma! We soon had enough cut to complete the trial section and we will complete this over the next few weeks when conditions allow.

Gordon & Mike each had a rod out for the Pike in the violent conditions and on completing our work the bobbin dropped off and Gordon was into a fish! A super fit 13lbs beauty unhooked and photographed in a flash(photo next week). All comes to he who waits, poetic justice methinks! It’s a PB for Gordon – well done mate hope you have many more and bigger!

Boathouse Tree

The tree at the boathouse is due to get it's haircut on Friday hopefully we will get a few photos.

 Photo 10 - Les plants the "Royal Oak" with suitable reverence!

 

A resolute raptor!

Travelling up to the lochs last week we came across a Buzzard breaking his fast on one of the many road kill Pheasants to be found at this time of the year. As normally happens, we expected the raptor to move away as the vehicle got closer but it did not and we had to swerve to avoid despatching the creature. It just sat there staring us out! No one was taking his meal, of that there was no doubt whatsoever!

A resolute and formidable creature that no doubt would make short work of the ubiquitous black men (Crows) often to be seen mobbing these predators. A goliath among his own kind – Respect due!

 Photo 11 - Three jokers behind some willow bundles! Boys will be boys!

Rogue visitors from last week!

On speaking to Ian today it appears I told an incomplete story last week. Yes the full story is even more damning! They left a heap of rubbish lying around the hall green and worse left a wire trace with hooks and bait tethered to it! The rubbish is bad enough but the trace makes it unforgivable! The thought of a family pet or wild creature being hooked does not bear thinking about! By your deplorable actions you have dragged down the reputation of decent anglers everywhere!

Angling does not need your kind, it would be best for all concerned if you gave up angling as it is clear neither of you are able to comprehend what being a decent responsible angler encompasses! Please do not come back to our lochs! And after a discussion today you are now barred from fishing for an indefinite period!

 Photo 12 - F.A.O Helen the memorial before refurbishment!

Photo 13 - F.A.O Helen the memorial after refurbishment! 

 

Great visitors from last week!

Michael Hetherington and his young grandson Morgan along with Mark Clegg came up last Sunday for a go at the Pike. I spoke with them in the morning and the elder’s enthusiasm had obviously rubbed off on to the youngster. The young lad was gagging to get the rods out and see if they could tempt a specimen into the net. Alas on this occasion it was not to be, even though they fished the sanctified ground where the venerable Kris Olson managed seven Pike the day before!

Kids being kids you might think the day was marked down as a disaster, but have a look at the mail Michael sent me a few days later-

Hi Richard, it was nice to get up to the loch on Sunday we did not catch any fish, my 8year old grandson has just started fishing and I was surprised when I said to him never mind we might get something next time, he replied it does not matter it is just nice to be out in the countryside, which proves there is more to fishing than catching fish, maybe see you next time we are up which will be soon according to my grandson Morgan          regards Michael Hetherington

Words of wisdom beyond his years, a countryman in the making, a real angler in the early stages of his career! Morgan stick in there, you are an example to your peers; hope you catch one next time, you deserve it! Thanks also to Michael for letting me use this. As Michael said in a subsequent mail what a pleasant change to see a youngster enjoying the outdoors and not rooted in the house to an electronic device! Yes the next generation of real anglers in the making!

This is how youngsters should be introduced to angling. I would bet that a youngster introduced to the sport in this way would produce more committed anglers likely to remain in the sport than by going through initiatives such as Tweedstart. This method, using plastic fishing by means of very heavily stocked ponds, the density of stocking which is never replicated in nature, as a means to interest youngsters into the sport.

Special offers at Fishers Direct!

Our recommended dealer in Penicuick Mike at Fishers direct has some super offers available including this Chubb all weather suit. I have a number of Chubb items and found their products to be very good. Have a look at what’s available and you don’t even need to travel, just order on the internet.

http://www.fishersdirect.com/chub-vantage-all-weather-suit-incls-jacket-fleece--overtrousers-902-p.asp

 

All our recommended dealers have been selected because of excellent service; keen pricing and most importantly positive feedback and sound angling knowledge. It is unlikely that you will be able to purchase hamsters, paint ball guns or bird seed from any of our recommended dealers, its fishing tackle, more fishing tackle and the occasional firearm!

Membership Renewals

Renewal applications are now being accepted for the 2012 season. There is no increase in the membership fee of £30.00, a fee which we have managed to cap since 2004. Members desirous of membership renewal should send a cheque for £30.00 to John Wright 8 Castle Place Dunbar EH42 1JD

Just for you!

Helen as promised here are the before and after photos of the memorial. Apologies for not using this format last week.

The wider world in my view!

I would like to extend my very best wishes to all the workers being forced into taking industrial action on Wednesday, “Beaker” Alexander & Co must be made aware of the strength of feeling against the 1970s style bully boy Con-dems goal to return the British worker to Victorian pay and conditions! I am not often in agreement with John Swinney the SNP moneyman but he got it in one, the bungling Con-dems are to blame! Mendacity is the Con - dems only virtue, for the oppressed worker servility is no longer an option, it is now time to unsheath the sword and rid the nation of these unelected bungling fools!