Wild Trout Competition.
Following our meeting on Wednesday evening the following was decided. Our Wild Trout Competition will be held on Sunday the 15th of April on St Mary’s loch. Fishing is to be by bank only and any legal method may be employed. Competitors will be restricted to one rod although a second rod may be carried if a change of tactics is required. Fishing may by use of fly, spinner/lure or bait. Entrants may elect to fish on a catch and release basis by informing the stewards prior to the competition. It would be beneficial to the clubs research if Trout to be taken are sexed before the competitor leaves the loch.The entry fee will remain at £16.00 unchanged since the inception and as usual in addition to your days fishing you will be treated to a great bacon roll & coffee at the Glen Cafe and a post mortem barbeque at the Tibbie Shiels Inn after the weigh in has taken place. Our flyer will appear soon and applications are invited after they have been published.
We will confirm the second and third prizes shortly. The first prize however has been confirmed and as before it is an autumn’s day Salmon fishing on the Upper Pavilion beat on Tweed kindly donated by Major Sir Neil Westbrook. Stay tuned to keep up to date with developments!
Photo 02 - Three Swans meander over the loch.
Habitat improvement programme.
In order for us to achieve the improvements required to maximise the recruitment of fish to the lochs we are continuing with our improvement plans. Our bank stabilisation work has taken terrific punishment due to persistently high waters but it has nevertheless remained in place and served the purpose for which it was constructed.
In order for us to meet this year’s objective we will be holding regular work days from mid April onwards. These will alternate from Saturdays to Sundays each week and it is envisaged that two to four members will be required on a day to complete the work. A committee member will also be present to muck in and direct the work. We would only envisage calling each member once in the current year; however anyone up for more than one will be made most welcome. We will provide a working lunch for all who attend.
The work will essentially be in two parts – firstly the harvesting of willow branches which will provide the raw materials for our stabilisation works. These will be bundled together and tied in 10 – 12 ft lengths. This work will also allow the willow trees from which we harvest the branches to proliferate and bush out further making for more cover in a short time. Secondly the bundles will be staked into the bank where water erosion had scythed away the bank side. We will use one inch reinforcing bar to stake the bundles into the stream bed and thick gauge wire to pull the upper bundles tight into the bank and stop them riding up in very high water. We will supply all the required tools but members attending for the actual stabilisation work should bring waders.
The Kirkstead is our most important burn and as well as Trout and Salmon plays host to Perch Pike and Brook Lamprey in its lower reaches. It is vitally important that we halt the degradation of this most useful stream, our works this year will go some way to achieving that aim! We will publish a list of dates on which work will take place and members on seeing a suitable date should contact us. We will contact members who have not responded shortly after this.
Arctic Charr.
The committee has approved the motion that we look at all possible means of funding to bring this enigmatic species back to St Mary’s Loch where it belongs! Some initial moves are already underway.Woman’s best friend!
Firstly I came upon Lenny the shepherdess based at Chapelhope who we have assisted on a couple of occasions helping to round up her sheep. Just like “little Joe” and Hoss Cartwright from “Bonanza” she is often seen on horseback marshalling her working dogs to herd her sheep. Today however she was on her more modern 4wd buggy complete with box trailer full to the brim with 6 dogs and three riding pillion on the buggy! A great example of man and man’s (or should that be woman’s) best friend working together in complete harmony! Just great to see!Next member Scotty D from Larkhall came up to fish with me for a few hours so we could get a blether. A cook of some, repute his sausage Bolognese is a feast to behold. He like a true angler said catching fish is good but that the lack of it would never ruin a day in such beautiful countryside. A man capable of taking something from any kind of day just like old Izaak. A super outlook on life and a real angler indeed! Yet another we are proud to count among our number!
Invalid update!
A few members were enquiring as to how one of our members Gordon Mc Clurg was doing after he developed an illness last week. Well I phoned today and can report that thankfully he is on the road to recovery. All is not yet 100% and doubtless it will be a few weeks before we see him pulling more big Pike from the Village Hall swim! Gordon we are all made up to hear you’re doing so well! Be patient and we will see you soon. From us all at the club all the best mate!A pheasant enclosure? No its a TV aerial!
Finally at the end of my day I bumped into Doreen Davies walking her dog in a proper manner unlike many of the townies who drive to a scenic spot open the door and let the dog out for five minutes. Like Lenny above they care and look after their dogs properly! Many townies could learn from this example!I noticed an old TV aerial and mentioned that it was an old relic. Not so said she, it had only been out of commission for a couple of years. She then proceeded to tell me of the persistent poor TV reception in the area and the exploits of a couple of individuals to try and improve reception when the BBC said all that could be done had been done. They climbed a good few peaks with a portable TV and battery and noted where reception was best. They then later erected a wooden framework and covered it in chicken wire (photo 03) with the idea that the TV signal would bounce off it and therefore supply more households and give a better signal. And you know what it worked! Absolute genius! Even the BBC was apparently impressed! And I thought it was a pheasant enclosure, how could I have gotten it so wrong! What a fascinating story of ingenuity!
Photo 03 - Only I could think this was not a TV aerial!
Great speaking with you all folks I very much look forward to the next time! Just a few of the rewards other than fish available to a real angler!
Fishing Guides!A discussion took place as to how to best deal with these people. It was felt that on the whole they should be allowed to book anglers on to the loch. We would however make clear to anglers if you wish to know the ins and outs of fishing the lochs the club itself is your best resource! There was a view that we should charge these people extra but given that in many cases we are not aware of anglers appearing under the charge of a guide it would be very difficult to do so.
Of concern to us is the increasing trend for charlatans to emerge in an instant of time as self proclaimed fully fledged fishing guides. We cannot and will not tolerate these jackals! We will investigate the guide scene further and come up with a recommended list as a service to our readers, it is essential that only properly qualified guides appear on our list.
Photo 04 - Where the van was hauled out of the Lowes!
An unusual place to park!
A large van this week skidded off the road and ended up fully submerged in the loch o the Lowes. Thankfully the driver was able to get out and seek assistance. Perhaps a warning to us all of the dangers of black ice! The van was eventually hauled out on Tuesday and taken away for assessment. As far as we are aware no significant contamination of the loch occurred. Thanks to Ian for bringing this to their attention!The wider world in my view!
Holocaust Memorial Day
Friday marked that most important anniversary when the vanquishing Red Army swept aside the Bosch and liberated the pathetic specimens that were the inmates of Auschwitz – Birkenau! A sight that reduced the battle hardened Soviet troops to tears such was the despair associated with the death camp! Countries all over the world paused to remember the millions who perished and the few who survived only to suffer mental and physical ailments for the rest of their lives! Most importantly the German nation reflected on its shameful past and showed true humility and sorrow for what had taken place. The holocaust is simply too important to forget! It demonstrated the darkest time in the history of the human race and showed the inherent propensity each human has for actions completely without thought or feeling! It must remain forever in our line of sight as a beacon signalling the depths we are capable of reaching! This marker point in human history must never be revisited! RIP
"There were many ways of not burdening one's conscience, of shunning responsibility, looking away, keeping mum. When the unspeakable truth of the Holocaust then became known at the end of the war, all too many of us claimed that they had not known anything about it or even suspected anything." - Richard von Weizsaecker (German politician).
New from Fishers Direct!
The very latest arrivals for the fly dressers among you.
6 comments:
Looks like a busy year ahead mate. Hope you can get your hands on some funds for the charr project it would restore the area. Thats the most unusual tv ariel i have ever seen years ago we had piped tv we didnt need to erect chicken houses!
cheers
Jerry
Richard imagine having one of those chicken box aerials on your roof! I don't think planning would approve. It just goes to show how resourceful country people have to be! We have much in the town that they have no access to!
I really enjoy your "who I met today" series it give people a feel for the area and the people who dwell in it.Scotty looks much too burly to be a cook! Is he your bodyguard? Another enjoyable read hope you are well.
Best wishes
Helen
Me ans two mates went on a holiday to the fens and hired a guide at 180 per day. We got two pike at 2 and 4 pounds. We spoke to a couple of locals and they said we were completely in the wrong area. Forget guides contact local anglers!!
Hello Jerry yes every year is a busy year if things are to move forward! I also hope we can get some funds. LOL it is a most unusual aerial and when Doreen told me the story I initially thought she was joking! Yes we had British Relay here who did the piped TV in the towns.
Cheers
Richard
Hello Helen, I agree planning would not be amused. Yes country dwellers often have to rely on their own ingenuity. I am glad you enjoy the series, I very much enjoy meeting the locals and anglers.
Scotty is indeed a most creative and excellent cook and no he is not my bodyguard why would I need one? Mind you if I did need one he would be my first choice! Many thanks for your kind words I hope you continue to enjoy reading the news.
Many thanks for your comments!
Richard
Hello Tam sorry to hear of your misfortune. I have mixed views on these people we have one in the area who is excellent. Local knowledge is always best. I would try and find a club in the area and ask their opinion. Many thanks for your comments!
Richard
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