St Mary's Angling Club News

All systems go!

2012-01-29T20:03:00.000Z

Photo 01 - It's winter at last!

Wild Trout Competition.

Following our meeting on Wednesday evening the following was decided. Our Wild Trout Competition will be held on Sunday the 15^th 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.

Who I met today!

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).

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What we're up to!

2012-01-22T19:46:00.000Z

Photo 01 - Spray everywhere all day!

Committee meeting

Our committee meeting takes place on Wednesday where a number of topics will be discussed with the end view of taking the club ever forward. This first meeting of the year will point the direction that we must take to achieve the goals that we have set. Among the items for discussion are

(1) Our habitat improvement programme specifically how we can capitalise on the work already carried out and achieve our aims for this season. Some significant funds may have to be employed to realise our vision.

(2) The Arctic Charr programme specifically what are our options to secure funding to ensure its continuation.

(3) Fishing guides specifically should we tolerate them and if so what charges do we levy? The increasing occurrence of anglers retiring for the night and then waking up as fishing guides devoid of any qualification whatsoever needs to be addressed! My own view is that they should be sent packing!

(4) Our wild Trout competition specifically finalising the details and those of the other competitions we intend to resurrect.

(5) The new loch level as part of the St Mary’s Loch option, we need to clarify the new system and discuss the implications for the club.

(6) The TTGI Initiative with regard to the loch specifically the electro fishing report and the moves to be implemented to further understand the mechanics of our breeding Trout.

(7) Changes to out rule sheet to take into account the new police guidelines on aggressive uncontrolled dogs.

(8) A.O.C.B

Photo 02 - Five foot length of grazing land lost!

Fishing in a gale!

It might not be everyone’s idea of ideal fishing weather, but often to those who brave the weather rewards ensue! Yesterday was a wild day consisting of high baseline wind speeds and with huge gusts of wind that if catching you off guard will propel you in the direction of the wind. Fishing against such a wind is not practically possible; therefore you must fish with it using the wind to the best advantage. I decided to trot a wind vaned float down the edge of the drop off into deeper water and after three forays saw the float wobble, dip and then disappear!

After a lively fight by the Pike I was able to subdue it, quickly unhook and photograph it to return it to the water with the minimum of distress. The Pike weighing 7lbs 2oz (photo below) was undoubtedly a male having no discernable distension of its abdomen indicating egg storage. It was in excellent condition and very lively for the time of year. It was interesting to note that it had further down its intestinal tract half a mackerel four of which I had thrown in at the start of my session. I took a couple of scales to determine its age and will report the result next week. The difference this year in the early fishing has been immense with loads of Pike being caught compared to the last two years of deep freeze weather when relatively few were caught.

Photo 03 - Excellent condition 7lbs 2oz Pike!

Warmth on cold winter days!

I recently purchased a petrol fuelled hand warmer from that well known maker of petrol lighters Zippo. In a nutshell, you fill it with the required amount of petrol, light it and although there is no flame by means of a catalytic process fuel is burned and the heat warms the outer casing hence your hands. One fill to maximum level will generate significant heat for up to twelve hours. This extended duration of use is great for when you are tackling down in wet freezing weather stopping those extremities from assuming a blue and functionless form! Comprising of only three individual parts there is little chance of losing any vital component as no tampering is required once the process is started. Compared to the charcoal stick variety this is a huge advancement! So avoid the unpleasant effects of cold weather and nip down to one of our recommended dealers and get one!

Photo 04 - Zippo handwarmer!

The wider world in my view!

Another out of touch fool!

Lord Snooty was quick to throw a fire blanket over Michael Gove’s flammable suggestion that the public should donate a new royal yacht to the queen in her diamond jubilee year! In these times of Con – dem manufactured hardship where families are desperate to keep their heads above the water suffering punitive assaults on their living standards in all aspects of life! I would ask Mr Gove where the public would find the funds necessary to fund this ludicrous project. Perhaps cutting down on meals or taking out payday loans would allow this aim to be met!

This ridiculous idea could only come from a millionaire buffoon completely out of touch with public feeling who has no idea of the overwhelming financial pressures the general public finds itself under. Yes if the queen wants a new yacht then she should get her cheque book out and purchase one! This is after all what the public have to do when they require a new car or some other purchase! We keep this woman and her entourage of hangers on in absolute luxury at great cost to ourselves, to ask for donations to provide what is a completely unnecessary item is nothing short of an outrage!

I hear that Gove on hearing of the outcry at his absurd idea is now going to canvass private businesses for funds! If these businesses have spare money, why is it not being used to create some much needed jobs as youth employment rises to an all time high! Yes the country is in a mess, with these Con – dem fools it only gets worse! Count me in as one who will not be donating to any royal yacht fund!

Nice to see Tory puppet supposed Scottish Secretary Michael Moore being brushed aside by Eck Salmond. Yes Eck stated he would only deal with Lord Snooty thereby sidelining the Tory puppet! I have no doubt that the urban dictionary will soon include the word Libdem as meaning UNELECTABLE/INSIGNIFICANT!

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A Great Day's Fishing!

2012-01-15T19:52:00.000Z

Photo 01 - The top of the Lowes by Stevie!

A great days fishing!

Yesterday turned out to be a very fine day with respect to the weather quite unlike what you would expect for a day in the depths of winter. A loch at peace with calm untroubled waters and mild temperatures coupled to give the perfect day for contemplation of all the wonders that Mother Nature offers to the keen eyed angler.

A pair of Coot was squabbling furiously in the manner that appears to be their defining trait, thrashing the water into froth. In the distance a group of Mallard loosely formed into pairs in readiness for mating were feeding in an altogether more sedate fashion. Similarly further afield a group of Mute Swans gracefully taking their fill in almost complete silence provided a most serene picture for most of the day.

Overhead a cruising Buzzard lazily wafted on the air currents surveying all that was beneath him with keenly focussed eyes on the lookout for his next meal. Two frantic black men playing a dangerous game pursuing this raptor cleverly trying to worry the creature by diving on it but pulling up just in time to avoid possible death were squawking furiously, the unruffled Buzzard largely ignoring them, probably in the thought that at any time he could slice his pursuers with his razor sharp talons!

A cheeky and solitary Robin stationed itself on a nearby tree keeping an eagle eye on me for titbits which I threw to ease the constant quest for food that faces all creatures in the lean times that winter brings. Each morsel expertly carried away to its secret cache for consumption later. The disquieting silhouette of a lone black man partially visible on a tree watched the proceedings, no doubt with foreboding intentions, carefully noting the Robin and the area in which the stash was concealed with a view of planning an assault later! I had no doubt a battle of wits between the two would soon take place!

On the water to my left there was some underwater activity in the weedy shallows evidenced by splashing water, possibly a skulking Pike making an explosive attack on some unsuspecting prey fish, whilst on the surface of the water in front of me fish were breaking the surface gently sucking down some of the many flys that were apparent at mid day. These were quite likely some of the wily Trout that inhabit the loch making the best of the unusual winter feast on offer.

To the right of me two pairs of Goosander were diving for their next meal and although in the time I watched them they caught nothing they would undoubtedly be successful at some point of the day. Similarly the sinister black outline of that desecrator of fish, the Cormorant was spotted making several dives in his quest for food.

Cock pheasants that had so far escaped the attention of the guns fought furiously to establish who was top dog when it came to who was to be the ultimate suitor in the mating game. Some female pheasants watched from their vantage points appearing to be largely unimpressed by the melee! An often seen elderly lady walked her usual route along the “Captains Road” picking up fallen branches doubtless to use as kindling to light her log fire which would be put into use later on in the day as the cold crept in for the night.

Breaking my nature watch for a spell was an elderly gent, the spitting image of old Jack Hargreaves, he of “Out of Town” fame who was on a brisk walk with Whisky a small elderly terrier who in terms of walking speed despite his small legs, constantly outdid his master. The enthusiasm with which they set about this adventure was obvious to see!

We talked of many things and sorted out some worldly problems in workman like style. All too soon however, Whisky desirous of the need for pastures new signalled his need to recommence the trek by pulling on the rustic lead made of jute string, and so it was that we bade each other goodbye on the common ground that is the preserve of angler and countryman and went our separate ways.

Sitting quietly for a while, the grazing sheep silently surrounded me skilfully singling out the sparse shoots of grass from the moss giving them a degree of nourishment. I thought to myself looking at their voluminous, greasy wool coats, they would indeed be unperturbed by heavy rain or hard frost.

As the day wore on the light began to fade and v shaped formations of ducks came home to roost for the night, the squabbling of the pheasants ceased, the sheep gathered at their feeding trough eagerly awaiting the arrival of their shepherd with the much needed late afternoon supplementary feed. The saw billed ducks and coots disappeared to prepare for their slumber. Slowly and quietly the Loch o the Lowes pulled down the black curtain signalling the end of the day’s performance!

Yes this was a real day’s fishing, a privilege to behold, a rich cake of varied ingredients that brings one closer to nature, becalms a troubled mind and gives rise to a warm glow in the breast that in old Izaaks words, “is only available to honest men and anglers”! You just couldn’t get better!

Oh I nearly forgot to mention I landed a splendid, fat as a pig 13lbs 10oz Pike (photo below) in the peak of condition, nurturing inside her a huge number of eggs that on fertilisation will bring the next generation of Pike! Just the icing on the cake that was a great days fishing!

Photo 02 - The icing on the cake @ 13lbs 10oz!

A Personal Quest!

One of our long time members Stevie Nimmo set himself a laudable challenge at the turn of the year, to catch a Pike on the Lowes and on St Mary’s using his own fishing tackle. Yes surprisingly the two tasks above have haunted him for over a year now. He has landed Pike from both lochs on the tackle of others but catching one on his own tackle has eluded him. Completing his task is a third challenge to catch a Trout from the Lowes!

Yesterday the first part of the challenge was completed in style, not with one but with a with a brace of Pike, not huge at four and two pounds on the Lowes, but in his own angling logbook two fish of great significance, part one completed! So the rest of the year can now be devoted to catching a Pike from St Mary’s and a Brown Trout from the Lowes. The St Mary’s Pike will happen there is no doubt about that, it’s just a case of putting in the time using his experience gained over many years fishing for the wily Trout in St Mary’s, Stevie’s name is on the majority of trophies held by the club!

Photo 03 - Part 1 of the challenge complete a significant two pounder!

Now the third part of the challenge he has set himself is a different proposition altogether! Trout do populate the Lowes which is mesotrophic in nature, but there are not great numbers of them. Historical records show that odd catches do turn up but that also they are infrequent. Invariably however the Trout that are caught tend to be magnificent specimens such as John Pennycooks 4lbs 11oz beauty http://sites.google.com/site/stmarysloch/home5 The Trout in the Lowes are ultra smart, this being the result of years of avoiding the attention of marauding Pike which are present in the wee loch in large numbers! Poor survival skills in this environment mean an instant and ignominious death!

This will be a most difficult challenge! Whether or not this is accomplished we have here a true angler pitting his skill against a formidable truly wild adversary! The way it was in old Izaaks day, and the way that it should be now! Respect due!

Photo 04 - Stevie with a four pounder just to make sure!

Tweed Trout and Grayling Initiative Update.

A meeting of the above group was held on Tuesday which we attended. Of particular interest to us was the final report from the electro fishing survey carried out last year which has now been completed. Unfortunately the report is currently on paper and to scan in the many pages and diagrams would take some considerable time. Kenny Galt the initiative’s biologist has agreed to send us the information on disc which will make uploading it much easier. The results of the survey will be uploaded to our science pages soon after we receive it.

Kenny is also preparing an information sheet for our Trout anglers giving ways that the sex of the Trout may be determined. This information will be of great use to us in trying to understand the role of female Sea Trout in populating the lochs with young Trout. As expected the results from the cameras on the regulators have not as yet yielded any results but Kenny assures us that as soon as results are available they will be passed to us which is great news. Over the next few months we will also look at ways we may play a useful part in the national angling diary scheme mentioned last week.

Photo 05 - Evening from the boathouse bay by John Wright.

The wider world in my view!

The Breast Implant Scandal!

It was very disappointing to read that private consortium, the Harley Medical Group cannot offer help to the 14,000 women with the faulty implants initially inserted by them! This is a classic example of the folly of allowing private medicine to become an established part of the health care structure! Private health care establishments are happy to charge exorbitant prices to desperate people who have the ability to pay for simple routine often cosmetic procedures such as breast enhancement, cataracts, hernia’s, varicose veins etc. They are not so keen however on the more intricate and complicated procedures that do not offer a good financial incentive because of the possible development of complications or no financial incentive at all as in the case of righting the breast implant procedures!

Butcher Thatcher, philanderer Major and hapless Lord Snooty are all advocates of private medicine each stealthily increasing the private market share and promoting the erroneous belief that competition is a cure all for all manner of industry ills. Yes the branch of medicine that picks and chooses the type of operation to get involved in, leaving the long protracted cases for the taxpayer to rectify through that great institution the NHS! To their eternal shame the Labour administration did little to rectify these anomalies!

Some might say that the women themselves are to blame for choosing private practice in the first place and they would probably be correct! These people are content to jump the queue and recover in relative luxury due only to the size of their bank balances. However when things go belly up they turn to the NHS in their time of need after finding out their private practitioners don’t want to know and wash their hands of them! Why is it that the already severely oppressed ordinary taxpayers have to foot the bill for corrective action caused by these selective dabblers in medicine?

There is a clear issue for Lord Snooty here, and it is that if a mistake is made by private practice then it must be corrected by private practice! These charlatans consumed by greed put profit above the best interests of their patients! The NHS is not there to mop up after these opportunists, neither is the taxpayer there to fund the rectification of these mistakes. When profit enters the medical arena all is lost, corners are cut and it is the patient every time that pays the price!

The concept of private medicine is fundamentally flawed and needs to be removed from the medical arena as a matter of urgency or at the very least as an interim measure made fully accountable and liable for their actions! The unwelcome return to the Victorian system whereby those who can pay receive priority health care and those who cannot pay receive second rate treatment is abhorrent! Is this really the vision of health care we would wish for ourselves in the 21^st century?

The actions of the private company that manufactured the implants using cheap industrial grade silicon are a shameful act of profit over wellbeing! The directors of this company must be prosecuted to the full extent of the French law and any assets seized, lest others try and copy their antics! Where were the statutory regulators of medical products in this matter?

Yes indeed, Lord Snooty yet again has much to answer for!

Care required!

2012-01-08T19:44:00.000Z

Photo 01 - Me with a fifteen, half of a fine brace, photo JW.

Well that’s the New Year under way, all the Christmas lights that cheered through the cold winter nights now taken down and packed away for the next one. There’s not much soul about the next couple of months unless you are an angler! This is the time of year when very heavy Pike are cruising around still looking for a meal. These fish now concentrating on egg and milt production love to get their gnashers round an anglers offering to fatten them up for the rigors ahead. This year should be much better than the last two where freezing temperatures severely curtailed the winter movements of the fish. Many of the Pike caught in the last two years were heavily covered by algae caused by their inactivity

The much milder winter (so far) has seen Pike showing increased mobility and the early specimens caught thus far have been in the most excellent condition. Unlike the “plastic” variety sought after by many of the terminally challenged, these fish are wild, full finned muscular hunting machines which will gift to a capturing angler much satisfaction! Because they are cold blooded the exterior temperature dictates their fighting abilities and this year with the water temperature currently five degrees centigrade and six in the Lowes the acrobatic display given by the Pike on the angler’s line is very pleasing indeed. The females are now carrying many of the eggs required for Spawning, and it is especially important at this time to handle these fish carefully!

Have a look at the video uploaded by “Muppet of the Year” and winner of the “Butchers Apron” Dangerman. Bottom line is if you are doing anything that he is you are well out of order and need to reassess you technique! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPyaB3zxDz4 we will now use this video as a learning tool for new anglers demonstrating how not to go about Pike fishing!

Photo 02 - The other half of the brace a very stocky ten. Photo JW.

Very best wishes from the club!

It’s always good to meet fellow brothers of the angle at any time of year but perhaps more so at this time of year. Gordon and Mike two of our hardest working members and good anglers to boot came upon me today on the Lowes. They had enjoyed a spell fishing at the hall in very heavy wind and had come up to catch up and exchange the season’s greetings. Very much enjoyed speaking with you chaps although I was very sorry to hear that Mike is having to undergo a surgical operation in the near future. On behalf of the club Mike we pass on our good wishes for a speedy recovery and thank you for the mug and biscuits! Hope to see you soon! Another couple of dyed in the wool real anglers!

Arctic Charr

We will now recommence our efforts to reintroduce the species back into St Marys Loch. To recap our attempts were scuppered by those perennial bunglers the Con-dems, when they brutally slashed the budget of the Scottish National Heritage who were committed to funding our laudable project through their innovative Regional Grant Scheme. We must now go cap in hand to a number of charitable organisations to seek the funding we require to continue with this project of national importance which is how it was described by SNH!

Photo 03 - Severe bank erosion caused by very high water flow.

Riskinhope Burn

The photo 03 & 04 shows the damage that can be caused by very high flows of water. The erosion of this bank continues at an alarming rate and the tenant shepherd has lost three feet of valuable grazing along the length of the burn. This burn is not one of the productive burns from a fishing point of view holding very little in the way of fish. As such it is not on our list for urgent remedial work.

However this is exactly the problem that we are experiencing on the Kirkstead burn which is an excellent feeder burn for our fish and the bank reinforcing work we are carrying out seeks to rectify this problem. What is happening at Riskinhope is that the burn gets wider as the years go by and the deeper pools are levelled so that in reduced water flow conditions there are no refuge areas for fish to take cover. The uniform shallow depth is also another undesirable effect that ensues after a number of years. In productive burns such action eventually leads to barren areas and if corrective action is not taken the whole burn becomes barren! A good example is the Megget which is now a shallow canal devoid of fish holding features, fish only using it as a causeway to more productive areas such as Syart and Glengaber

Photo 04 - Crumbling bankside.

Tweed Trout and Grayling Initiative

A meeting of this group is being held on Tuesday where we will be asking if the initial results are to hand from the four cameras installed on the regulators at the outlet of the loch. My own feeling would be that with the high waters we have been experiencing not much data will have been captured. However we will find out on Tuesday. We have been asked to participate in an online catch return system whereby anglers may record their catches of freshwater fish ion an online diary. Whilst this is a most worthy idea it comes at completely the wrong time for us!

We have commenced our own system of online, in person and paper returns. To raise the profile of submitting returns we are offering a £100.00 tackle voucher to be used in one of our recommended dealers to the anglers name which is pulled out of a hat at our AGM, so get those returns coming in and nil returns also count towards this! It may be that we could join the scheme in the future but to do so at the present time would only cause confusion! http://www.anglingdiary.org.uk/

The wider world in my view!

I was glued to the radio today when I heard that Lord Snooty is taking action on the pay of business fat cats! Laudable sentiments indeed, however what needs to be made clear is whether the pay of these leeches on society is merely to be capped or as requires to be done brought down to what any level headed individual would term as reasonable! I am in no doubt whatsoever that it is the former! This makes Lord Snooty’s statement valueless! The company director on a huge wage having it capped would I am sure be able to struggle on and feed his family perhaps having to restrict himself to a lowly Jaguar as opposed to a Maybach.

Another bold statement from the headline grabbing Con – dems that when examined under the microscope means nothing! Yes the rich get richer and we the working classes see our living standards decline rapidly! Who needs time travel we are already back in the Victorian age thanks to Snooty and his pals!

Lord snooty is proud to preside over a “growth” government; yes for once he speaks the truth! Fat cat pay – Growing, Unemployment – Growing, Inflation – Growing, the gap between the rich and the poor – Growing, god help us if we have to endure more of this Tory nonsense! A leopard cannot change its spots, likewise with the Con – dems they look after the rich, it will always be thus!

Good to see bungling Lord Snooty having to apologise (again) after incurring the wrath of disability action groups with regard to his profoundly insensitive comment relating to Tourette's syndrome directed to Ed Balls. Yes its clear Mr Balls has the measure of this millionaire fool; when the mask slips you see their true colours. Shame on these fools!

Doing the right thing!

2012-01-02T19:59:00.000Z

Photo 01 - Where the incident took place, note the marker for walkers.

Doing the right thing!

Regarding the incident with the dogs reported last week I’d thought last week on Boxing Day saw the end of the matter. Rather disappointingly there followed what could only be described as an incredible and reprehensible pantomime of paranoid fantasy and fiction! I was intimidated and threatened and told “never to come to their door again”, I had my vehicle blocked off at the loch side Starsky & Hutch style whilst they both tried to convince me in rote fashion by repeatedly chanting “no one was bitten” and that the whole incident was a figment of my imagination, which is very strange since I was a third party!

On Boxing Day they accepted their misdeeds that occurred without question as was reported last week, however less than 24hrs later they apparently had 4 witnesses (strangely absent on the day of the incident and on Boxing Day) to say that no one was bitten by a dog, and a further 2 witnesses to confirm that we (Ian & I) had threatened them! If I were to describe the situation as preposterous that would be to do the situation an injustice! This was high buffoonery at its very pinnacle!

Photo 02 - Stevie & Kris basking!

We all four were called outright liars and fantastically, I was accused of orchestrating a long term campaign against them with an end view of setting up the pair in question with the ultimate goal of having all their dogs destroyed! Did you ever hear of such contrived, outlandish nonsense! I recollect meeting them twice in the past, the first was to exchange pleasantries and inform them of our habitat improvement works, and the last time was to remove some chainsaw wielding Muppets from the top of the Lowes for the very lady in question! They even had the audacity to call the police to register a complaint against us!

Yes the fine words of contrition uttered on Boxing Day turned out to be meaningless as a new dark direction was taken in the most cynical and calculating manner! The two people involved should hang their heads in shame! You behaved abominably! We did what we had to do to avert a possible tragedy at a later date! They were simply the actions that would be taken by any self respecting, responsible individual!

How do you think we would have felt if for instance, a child ended up getting maimed in the future because of our inaction? We did the right thing, there was no alternative, when a pack of dogs run rampant and do not respond to the commands of their custodian as was the case, the potential consequences could have been grave indeed! The police having completed their investigations have dismissed the complaint against us and have fully vindicated our actions! Underlying all the shenanigans, the simple facts of the matter were that a man was bitten by an out of control dog!

A police warning has been issued to them! We have been instructed by the police that if loose dogs or dogs under the direction of one who clearly cannot exercise control over them are running around and appear aggressive in any way, as was the case with the lady shouting frantically and the dogs paying no heed whatsoever, the person under threat should phone the police immediately! We will now include this in our club rule/advice sheet.

Anglers should note that the above situation prior to this event had never before been encountered and that this instance should be regarded as a one off situation, you should not fear fishing any part of the lochs! All the farmers/shepherds in the area are one hundred percent honest, decent people completely beyond reproach, and have full control over their invariably good natured dogs!

I cannot find words expressive enough to thank our two anglers and our loch keeper for the upstanding and diligent manner in which they conducted themselves in very difficult circumstances! Your actions are an example of the type of behaviour that underpins decent society! Winning a popularity contest never crossed their minds, only the possible consequences of a potential future incident with someone being seriously hurt was uppermost in their minds! The easy option would have been to dismiss the event as a close shave, keep quiet and never go back to fishing the top of the Lowes for fear of personal injury, and when something nasty happened at a later date distance themselves from the fall out!

Photo 03 - Kris with the last Pike caught in 2011

To Stevie, Kris and Ian – you did the right thing! I know that in the unlikely event of a similar situation arising in the future you would do the same again as I would! The club commends you for your exemplary and courageous action, we are proud to have such principled members guided by honour and integrity and a loch keeper with the same values who does not flinch when the going gets tough, being guided only by selfless motives! You are the building blocks from which a righteous society is constructed!

On behalf of the club, allow me to extend my sincere thanks for the honourable manner in which you all conducted yourselves throughout what turned out to be a most serious, murky and convoluted incident! We would also like to thank the police for the courteous, prompt and efficient manner in which the matter was dealt with. We are content that angler’s walkers and any legitimate users of this land may now do so in a safer environment

And to the two people who perpetrated the incident and the sinister farce which ensued – you made a number of serious errors of judgement; you have disappointed everyone, your spineless actions were deplorable in the extreme! The keeping of dogs brings with it an inherent and binding responsibility to exercise instant control over them! You were found wanting in this respect!

Not only did you shamefully attempt to abrogate responsibility for your wrongdoings, lamentably rather than accepting your shortcomings and trying to rectify them, you sought to cast doubt and blacken the names of four innocent individuals in a futile attempt to save your own skin! Your only gain from this whole affair is an official censure and the scorn of responsible citizens everywhere which is only right and fitting! Your underhand and deceitful behaviour was unnecessary, unforgivable and epitomised the very depths of depravity! Human behaviour doesn’t get much worse than this! Your behaviour in this matter was utterly appalling; I hope you can live with your actions!

We have not named the people who brought about this situation because of probable employment consequences were their employers to find out. Our wish is not to have them penalised on this front. Incidentally I fished the top of the Lowes on Saturday and today, the dog’s whilst never in close proximity to me were under the shepherds control. Hope it continues!

Photo 04 - First Pike caught in 2012!

Angling report December 2011

Only 11 returns were received for the month of December showing that the best of the month was one at 14lbs 5oz with three fish between 8 – 12lbs, five fish between 5 – 8lbs and two fish around 3lbs. Angler numbers were very low. Eels are still active probably due to the mild weather and fleshy baits often come back in tatters!

The last Pike of 2011

It has become a tradition over the last few years to see who can land the last Pike of the year.and the first of the New Year. So it was with great anticipation that Stevie, Les, Mr Pike (Kris Olson) and I began our session to win the coveted honour. If we all blanked then the glory would have fallen to Treasurer John Wright who nabbed a very nice six pounder on Thursday. To cut a long story short this was the result. Stevie – lost one good fish, Les - lost a fish of unknown quantity, me - lost two fish using huge Mackerel (suspect they were small fish) Kris - lost one fish but in his own inimitable style landed a two pounder to win the day! Our initial thoughts of strangling him eventually subsided as we paid homage to a lad (god) with a terrific average catch rate! Well done Kris yet again you have shown us the way!

Now for the first Pike of 2012 and Kris wasn’t there, he’s booked in to see some Panda’s at Edinburgh zoo! It was between me, Les and Stevie and you know what I got it with I think the smallest Pike I’ve had for a very long time a 2 pounder approx. Still a Pikes a Pike. I suppose I only got it because Mr Panda wasn’t there!

Just a nice piece of music!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bosouX_d8Y&feature=bf_prev&list=FLm00huTvJenRXM7ZMoAEVEQ&lf=plpp_video

Very best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year to all our readers and in addition to our anglers Tight Lines!

We will be back to our usual Sunday spot next week.

A very serious incident!

2011-12-26T19:36:00.000Z

A very serious incident!

Two of our most valued and respected members were today (Christmas Eve) confronted by a pack of 5 Collie sheepdogs whilst keeping their own counsel fishing at the top of the Loch o the Lowes. The majority appeared to be hyper excited at being let out, one however (older dog) appeared very aggressive baring his/her teeth and jumping up on to Kris Olson and biting his (thankfully) clothed arm! His heavy winter clothing preventing actual body damage! Whilst this was going on others went into his fishing bag and proceeded to consume all their fishing bait in a matter of seconds!

One actually got hooked by a trace whilst grubbing around in the fishing bag but thankfully this was one of the calmer ones and the trace was quickly removed! They appeared to be under the “direction” of a female who in spite of repeated shouting could exert no control whatsoever over them! Luckily Kris’s mate Stevie witnessed all that took place!

Kris in a gale with a stocky five!

This is a completely unacceptable situation which requires immediate rectification! Dogs will be dogs and the area in which the anglers were fishing would no doubt be viewed by the dogs as their territory. This being the case the anglers could well expect some attention including jumping around and barking, but would also expect a degree of control to be exerted by the custodian of the animals! What is completely unacceptable however is when the dog attacks without provocation and the custodian of the dog appears powerless to do anything to stop this! If a child had been involved this could have turned into headline news in the gutter press rags such as The Sun!

This area encompassing the Southern Upland Way and other walkways is used by men, women and children in the guise of walkers, anglers and the occasional picnicker! I have encountered many sheepdogs from the Cappercleuch area and all have acted within what would be termed acceptable limits, most being extremely friendly, even the boisterous ones with no malicious intent being immediately brought to heel by their owners!

Unfortunately on speaking to a few others it is clear this is not the first time these particular dogs have displayed errant behaviour, in the past however their aggression stopped short of attack!

We will approach the owner of these dogs in the next few days to express our concern and seek an assurance that incidents such as happened will never be repeated!

Our interim advice to anglers (pending formal SSPCA and police advice) when confronted by out of control dogs is to do whatever you deem necessary to minimise personal injury and end the situation quickly! In cases of actual attack without exception, after the incident and immediate medical measures the police should be called! We should also be notified of any incident relating to these dogs (irrespective of whether personal injury results) so we can bring them to the attention of the police and our riparian owners. It is incumbent on those who keep dogs to be able to exercise immediate control over them!

26/12/2011 Today Ian and I met with the shepherd who is the owner of the dogs. Unfortunately it was not possible to have constructive dialogue with the female involved in the incident, We explained the incident as it was reported to us and expressed our concern at what had taken place. Credit where credit is due the shepherd agreed with our points of concern and has agreed that if anglers are fishing the top of the Lowes the dogs will not be let out into the fields unattended or with anyone who cannot exercise proper control over them. It is not our wish to see dogs punished or their activities curtailed but the safety of the public is of paramount importance!

We have heard back from Kris and whilst he was shaken by what occurred he does not want to press charges. Whilst this is his right, we have decided that we will log this incident with the police so that if in future such an attack takes place background information is available to them! Whilst we commend the latest words and right thinking attitude from the shepherd concerned we move forward on the principle that- Ordinary members of the public, angler’s, walkers and any others must be able to carry out their activities on land which is legally accessible to them without fear of being attacked by rogue dogs! Naturally we would like to be notified immediately if any further problems are encountered!

They made a difference!

Thanks again to Frank Green who sent us the following information regarding the refurbished war memorial plaque. Frank sent us the following link to the Scottish War Memorial Project.

My thanks to Secret Skwirrel for the following information which he spied on the St. Marys Angling Club website

Giving something back
A few weeks ago Ian asked me to have a look at the war memorial close to the AA box in the village. He said Mrs Mitchell (the elder) could remember when the memorial was easily read as the printing was highlighted in black against a golden background, but now the whole plaque was black (with corrosion) readable only at close quarters. He asked if I would be interested in restoring it to its former glory.

A small part of my work is restoring clock dials for the jewellery trade so I had a look at it and on examination found under the black patination the base metal was yellow brass.
So today Ian and I went along and carried out some work on the plaque and in less than an hour we had her looking shipshape. Now all that is required is a rub with a very fine abrasive pad two or three times a year which will keep the plaque in tip top condition as a fitting memorial to those who paid the ultimate price in the quest for freedom from tyranny.

“And what a difference they have made to the plaque, it is now looking braw.”

Click the link below to visit the SWMP site.

http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/warmemscot-post-48608.html

The Megget memorial at Cappercleuch.(

A right thinking lady with a vision of making something just that bit better, a lady intent on maintaining a fitting reminder for those who come later, telling of the ultimate sacrifice made by so many lest we forget, a lady who wanted to ensure that those who went before are not forgotten and afforded a correct degree of respect reflecting their sacrifice!

The very best of sentiments, selflessly pursued by one who cares! Along with our loch keeper Ian, they took the steps necessary to follow through on their idea. Yes if only the society we currently endure under the wretched Con-dems was based on such a premise the country would be a much better place! Mrs Mitchell, Ian, your vision came to pass, and now the comments of significant others applaud that vision. Respect due!

Some information on a couple of the soldiers from the area has been added since Secret Skwirrel notified the forum moderator of the work carried out, and I am sure if anyone wants information on others, these are the people to contact.

Muppet of the year 2011!

It’s that time of year again when we find out whom if anybody has won the Muppet of the year award, awarded to the biggest fool that we have had the misfortune to come across! The competition seeks to expose those who are an embarrassment to decent anglers and would serve angling best by taking up another sport! It would be much preferable if we had no contenders for the “prize”, but this year unfortunately we have three candidates.

(1) The bully boy! http://www.stmarysanglingclubnews.blogspot.com/2011/12/cowardly-threat.html A thug with a shortage of brain cells, his removal would benefit angling greatly!

(2) The offensive litter louts! http://www.stmarysanglingclubnews.blogspot.com/2011/11/autumn-day-salmon-fishing-2.html A couple of lads who thought they were anglers, but they were wrong they’re Neds!

(3) Dangerman! http://www.stmarysanglingclubnews.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2010-01-01T00:00:00Z&updated-max=2011-01-01T00:00:00Z&max-results=50 Quite frankly a fool that beggars belief, of neither use nor ornament! He knows his video is disgraceful and attracts masses of negative comments! By his own making Britain’s most despised angler!

The votes cast were as follows –

In 3^rd place with 5 votes are The offensive litter louts!

In 2^nd place with 12 votes is The Bully Boy!

In 1^st place with a massive 135 votes is Dangerman!

Therefore Dangerman is awarded the Muppet of the year award 2011!

Many however felt that whilst fully deserving of the award he should be eligible for a further award to commemorate his ability to torture, maim and invariably euthanize any Pike that is unfortunate enough to take his bait! Resultantly he has been awarded a special award of the Butchers Apron as a tribute to his butchery skills in handling Pike! Dangerman now joins last years winner the charlatan Mr Kens in the hall of shame! Check out some of the comments on his shocking video they are hilarious!

So there we have it people, here’s hoping the competition is cancelled for next year!

Dangerman aka Kevin Austin!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPyaB3zxDz4

Great news for the club but bad news for our Trout!

I was delighted to speak with Pete Young our oldest serving member of the club made possible by stalwart member Stevie Nimmo. What had become obvious over the last season was that Pete was not catching as many Trout as he usually does. On speaking to him he told us that he had developed cataracts in both eyes impairing his sight and resultantly was missing more Trout than usual. Well on speaking to him yesterday he announced that one eye has been treated and although he is still applying medicated eye drops four times per day, the sight in the treated eye is much improved on the pre operative state. He also said that he hoped to have his other eye done shortly.

That’s great news Pete! We are delighted all has gone well for you and wish you all the best for the upcoming op! The St Mary’s Trout on hearing this news will no doubt cringe knowing that with improved eyesight Pete will be back to his old ways and catching many more of them!

Feel the cold no more!

Check out the video for a great product that will banish the cold forever! It’s so versatile you can wear it in the house, or it’s just as much at home on the lochside whilst you are waiting on the biggie! Ideal for driving, gardening or just for a leisurely stroll in the park. Check it out below!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xZp-GLMMJ0

The above unfortunately is not available from any of our recommended outlets!

Needing to chill out and come down from the ceiling then just sit back and listen to Gregorio Allegri’s Miserere. Thought to have been composed around the 1600s, copying this music was strictly forbidden by the pope of the time and was punishable by excommunication. Only when Mozart heard it and transcribed to paper from memory did it become freely available! Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh31j6L95Ok

If however you need a little cheering up after yet another row with the mother in law, prepare to have your laughing muscles stretched to their limit by tuning in to the antics of ace angling bungler Bill Dance – great entertainment!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POdOBXOXQts

Festive TV high spot!

Check out the amazing story of “Wojtek (Voy-tek) the bear that went to war”! It’s the true story of a gregarious and beguiling bear who served as a fully fledged member of the Polish army during the Second World War. Famous for carrying extremely heavy artillery shells to the gunners and for wrestling with his comrades, even though he weighed 500lbs and was 6ft tall capable of ripping limb from limb as though they were paper, he never once hurt anyone and would on occasion allow the human to win the bout! He spent his retirement years in Edinburgh zoo being visited frequently by the now ex soldiers. So revered was he that a statue of him is to be erected in Leith as a tribute to his human like qualities. A bear of more worth to society than all the Muppets above combined! Friday December 30^th 7.00pm BBC2.

Great deals

Check out some of the great deals available from Fishers Direct. If Santa gave you lots of money then purchasing some of these bargains is probably a very good way to spend some!

http://www.fishersdirect.com/hardy-zenith-sintrix-double-handed-fly-rod---salmon-rods-now-in-stock-441-p.asp

http://www.fishersdirect.com/czech-nymphs--weighted-river-bugs-116-c.asp

http://www.fishersdirect.com/greys-xf2-streamflex-plus-fly-rod---unique-2-in-1-river-fly-rod-632-p.asp

http://www.fishersdirect.com/strike-indicators-40-c.asp

Back on Monday again next week when I will be hiding behind my little blog and pedalling some more my drivel!

Whatever you did to celebrate Christmas hope you had a great time!

Merry Christmas to all our readers!

A tale of three fool’s!

2011-12-18T19:54:00.001Z

Photo 01 - A cool view across the foot of the Lowes courtesy Stevie Nimmo.

A tale of three fool’s!

Thumbs down for “The Bully Boy” (fool No 1)!

No great surprise that the Ned walking in the footsteps of half wit Mr Kens, who uttered threats last week remains silent in a state of dormancy fearful of being exposed. You often find this with Muppets! I was able to trace the comment to the local area but that is as close as I can get. If anyone knows the identity of this moron please drop us a line and we will introduce him to our readership! From the comments received it is clear that anglers want these imbeciles out of angling pronto, which is great news for the future well being of angling. It is always distasteful to have to grub around in the very dregs of angling to confront these fools, but it is clear the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. So another fool exposed, the rout continues!

A discussion at the loch today prompted various views all deploring the fool’s attitude, but the collective opinion was that “you are nothing, a person of no worth unfit to be called an angler”! The quicker you are ousted out of angling the better, for the well being of the sport!

Photo 02 - Vintage St Marys permit 1956? Thanks Mark!

The club in days of old!

The photo above was sent in by Mark Cunningham one of our readers and shows a St Mary’s permit costing ten shillings in today’s money, fifty pence. The ticket was issued to Mark’s grandfather who used to visit the loch frequently to try and tempt the wily Trout contained therein. According to Mark his grandfather and his brother used to finish their work on a Friday get the tackle together and set off for the loch on their motor bikes and set up camp and fish right through to Sunday afternoon. They started these adventures just after the Second World War and when they both got married the wives used to come down on the pillion of the bikes along with the required provisions for the weekend. Mark remembers as a young lad coming to the club boathouse and seeing the hatchery in full swing!

From the ticket you will see that there is a section for the hire of a boatman. The club in those days was a somewhat exclusive old boys club for the well to do of the time; the loch keeper was also the boatman who in the fashion of a modern outboard engine would row the anglers to the particular area of the loch that they wanted to fish. The working class lads however were financially restricted to the bank with the occasional hire of a boat as a special treat! According to Pete Young our oldest member, it was very difficult to get membership of the club in those days.

A certain standing in society had to be demonstrated before membership was granted. Nowadays club membership is open to all irrespective of their social standing, the only criteria being the ability to demonstrate good character free of all Muppet tendencies and leanings towards thug like behaviour! Mark, thank you for this fascinating glimpse into the social history of the club! He also said how pleased he was that the club was now alive and facing up to the future! Mark thank you for your encouraging words!

If you are a past member of the club and have an interesting tale relating to the club please drop us a line! It is important that the social history of the club is recorded for our posterity.

Freezing temperatures!

With many of the smaller ponds in the area beginning to skin over with ice we are happy to state that there is no ice whatsoever on our lochs. St Mary’s skinned over for a day last year in the Baltic temperatures but in some parts the ice was so thin that it was not a deterrent to fishing. I’m told the last time the silent loch succumbed was in 1987. Many more freezing days needed before she once again bows to Mother Nature!

Photo 03 - Ivy pottery found in the loch margins.

Poison Ivy Pottery.

See the photo above of a piece of pottery I came across in the margins of the loch. I thought it an odd plant to be imprinted on pottery as it usually evokes feelings of doom gloom and death and this being the case I thought it might be Victorian as this era was renowned for its thanatoid subjects! See the link it could be 1950s, and its not poison Ivy but common Ivy! It’s still however very pleasing to the eye!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1956-Paden-City-Pottery-Ivy-Pattern-25-Piece-Dinnerware-Set-Gold-Trim-/380380755664

Photo 04 - My Prowla trace tube in great nick!

Greys Prowla Trace Tube, long term test.

I’ve had one of these for two years now and I am pleased to say that this is one fine product! It holds a dozen traces comfortably, and the plastic pins that hold the swivels are of robust construction with no breakages at all in two years. This is a first for me as every trace bin I have owned eventually failed because of pins snapping off invariably in cold weather when they became brittle! The foam is also very resilient with no chunks missing and its water absorbing qualities is minimal, water just running off. This is important as water held in the tube starts the corrosion process on your traces.

The central storage section is most useful for the odd float, weight, swivel or whatever you feel is required. The only modification I have needed to make is applying insulating tape around the edge of the compartment to make the lid a tighter fit. Now this is probably unnecessary if you do not store heavy weights in the compartment as I do! The outer casing is very tough as it needs to be as my tackle is treated harshly, this particular tube having been crushed twice and still it survives intact! Like the rest of this product the zip which seals the tube shut is a sturdy affair never once jamming. In summary I can heartily recommend this product as being practical, extremely tough and made with longevity in mind! Want one? Visit Fishers Direct

http://www.fishersdirect.com/greys-prowla-trace-tube-212-p.asp

Photo 05 - The Glen Cafe serving great food even in the middle of winter! Photo by Stevie Nimmo.

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

Christmas pressies!

Received from Mike at Fishers direct. Click the links to see some excellent buys at keen prices. As a recommended tackle dealer you can rest assured that in addition to selling fishing tackle you will receive sound advice from a seasoned angler! Gift vouchers from £5.00 - £500.00 are available if you can’t decide on a pressie! To save messing around in the current snow and ice simply order online and in a couple of days you will have your order.

http://www.fishersdirect.com/vouchers-11-c.asp

http://www.fishersdirect.com/greys-gx500-fly-fishing-reel---new-low-price-615-p.asp

http://www.fishersdirect.com/airflo-cleartec-fly-box---medium-and-large-1467-p.asp

The wider world in my view!

An I pad 2, and a pair of Nazi’s!

I came across a bizarre idea in one of the national dailies last week. An Aberdeenshire council wants all pupils in a local primary school to be equipped with one of those I pad 2 devices to aid their learning to be paid for by their parents! The cost involved 450.00GBP or if that amount of money cannot be raised then they can be leased from the authority for 13.00GBP/month! Did you ever hear of such nonsense?

A school amply served by up to date computers, modern teaching aids and good teachers and they want parents severely oppressed by crushing, inept Con – dem policies to fork out their hard earned on a superfluous piece of technology! Undoubtedly some parents will not bat an eyelid at the prospect of shelling out such a sum but there will be others to whom such a sum will be completely unaffordable! Those children having to use leased machines being stigmatised and made separate from those whose parents have the capability to buy their machines outright!

Yet further evidence as if it was needed of the return to the two tier education system favouring those who can pay! An absolute disgrace! Egalitarianism and acumen are obviously not words in this Lib – dem council’s dictionary, shame on them!

A couple of Nazi’s!

Tory MP Aiden Burley (fool No 2) has been sacked as a parliamentary aide by Lord Snooty for attending a stag party where guests unbelievably in the cold light of day dressed up as SS officers and toasted the murderous Third Reich! Imbecile’s of the highest order, cretins with no cognisance of the horrors committed by the barbarous Bosch! Like Prince Harry (fool No 3), another upper class imbecile with too much money who enjoys wearing Nazi regalia, an ignoble group of upper class Noddy’s running rampant on the back of their excess monetary funds! The very worst trait found in humanity, where respect for the millions of people who lost their lives resisting the brutish and sadistic Bosch is brushed aside as nothing!

Yes, Lord Snooty has removed him from his parliamentary post and the fool himself has apologised. This however is not enough! Lord Snooty now needs to issue a directive to the people of Cannock Chase imploring them to immediately deselect this worthless cretin. The country will be watching the people of Cannock Chase very closely to see their response!

Photo 06 - Auschwitz motto "work makes you free" Simply a killing factory on a huge scale!

Perhaps a tour of the Auschwitz death camp, in particular the gas chambers cynically disguised as communal showers, and a meeting with the few survivors that remain might help to concentrate the minds of these two imbeciles! Two lightweights, an embarrassment and an affront to this country, two sacrilegious fools completely without value! Flogging would be too good for them!

Fool no 1 plus the two above - three fools indeed!

Next week – the results of the Muppet of the year competition 2011. Next week’s articles will be published on Monday 26^th of December.

A Cowardly Threat!

2011-12-11T19:59:00.000Z

Photo 01 - vibrant autumn colour courtesy john Wright

A Cowardly Threat!

The following comment was received on Wednesday, as you can see some of it is gobbledegook, some words appear to be random with no logic thought train and finally I assume is a threat from one who chooses to remain anonymous! This non angler is obviously at the top of his game seizing on one of the hottest angling subjects of the day – calling roach vermin! Most people when they have a gripe write in (clearly highlighting their gripe) and ask for an explanation of their concern, not this fellow though he spouts some nonsense then (I think) goes on to threaten me! Had I just published the comment it would probably be missed by many of our readers. I feel it deserves maximum exposure as it highlights an attitude often seen in Muppets that places the future well being of angling in severe jeopardy!

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "An autumn day Salmon fishing 2":

“So Roach are vermin...?

What does that make you? A parasite...?

As the good Mr Clarkson said, you should be taken out and shot in front of your club members as a deterrent to idiots who hide behind their little blogs and pedal their drivel.

What your back my friend...your a marked man!”

Dear Anon,

Let’s look at what you have written, “Roach are vermin” indeed they are in my opinion, and if you don’t like that description then clear off and read some other blog! You will find many who are of a similar opinion, just look at the endangered Charr in Windermere being outcompeted for food by introduced vermin, the same applies in many other lochs! If I wish to call Roach (or any other fish) vermin that is my right, as it is your right to call them exalted gods if you so wish! Roach in their own natural environment are tolerable but where they have been illegally introduced to the detriment of indigenous species they are vermin!

For your enlightenment the following species are also considered to be vermin by certain factions of the angling fraternity. Carp, Perch, Rudd, Eels, Pike, Grayling, Trout, Pumpkinseed and there are probably many more that do not immediately come to mind! Try and do a little reading and you will be surprised at what you can discover! I would have been more impressed if you had joined in the condemnation of the likes of Dangerman who carried out mutilation to the fish he caught! Your thoughtless comments whilst having comedic value do nothing to further the aims of real anglers!

What appears on this blog is down to me! If club members are upset or outraged by what I have written, they have the right to censure me! You however have no say at all!

“what does that make you? A parasite?” I’m really struggling to follow what you are trying to say here! When you ask a question and answer it yourself you could use any derogatory word you like, so if in your view I am a parasite then that is the case, it is your view for god’s sake are you not aware of this! Your words are very disjointed and devoid of logic with guesswork being the main tool when trying to decipher what you are trying to say!

“As the good Mr Clarkson said, you should be taken out and shot in front of your club members as a deterrent to idiots who hide behind their little blogs and pedal their drivel.”

I’m glad you have a view on that clown Clarkson, even though I do not agree with it! It may well be that I should be shot in front of the club members, but that would be for the club members to decide, you, my dear fellow would have no input into such a process!

I believe we have spoken before as the words you pen are the same puerile comments that you left on a previous occasion, again I might add anonymously! That being the case I will give you the same answer that I gave you then – I am not hiding behind my little blog as you erroneously suggest, everyone knows who I am! Specsavers may be an option for you as clearly you have not seen my name at the end of every comment I make! Oh and “little” blog is not really appropriate these days as we regularly attract over one thousand loyal readers every month from all over the country (see Google map below) with more viewing every week which makes this an ideal platform to expose you and your kind!

Photo 02 - Where our visitors come from, sorry but its a photo of laptop screen, note the Irish numbers

Might it be that as before you are hiding behind the veil of anonymity? I think that this could be the case! Have you not the wherewithal or the courage to identify yourself? Actually I am beginning to sympathise with your wish to remain anonymous as I know a good few people who if they had written the type of tosh that you have, would insist on remaining anonymous for fear of being ridiculed as a prize Muppet!

Catch the end of my drivel for a killer punch!

“What your back my friend...your a marked man!” Now this is a stab in the dark and forgive me if I have deciphered your words incorrectly, but did you mean to say “watch your back”? Let me clear something up for you! I don’t know what your geography skills are like but this country we live in is not Syria or Iran! In this country Scotland or the UK whichever you prefer, we have a concept called free speech which basically means I can write anything I like. As can you!

But I would temper that last sentence by saying do you not think that you should think a little about what you write? Some evidence supporting what you say perhaps, but that begs the question do you know and understand what you have said? Perhaps some logical flow/ coherence to your words, reasoning or information to benefit your fellow angler, instead of anonymous threats might serve your cause better. Although I must admit I am struggling to discern if indeed you have a cause other than subjecting yourself to mass ridicule! The concept of flowing prose seems to have completely eluded you! If you cannot argue your way out of a paper bag then why not try and improve yourself instead of making a complete fool of yourself by posting a load of nonsense! Are we not here ultimately trying to further the sport of angling by sorting the wheat from the chaff, I have grave doubts that making idle threats progresses that aim!

Photo 03 - Biggest flock of Mallard I've ever seen on the loch.

Most real anglers I know would deplore your twisted train of thought and absurd threats! Angling I am sure does not need bully boy types devoid of thought and reason as you appear to be! The aim of most real anglers is to raise the public profile of angling, by improving standards of behaviour, levels of understanding and relations with the wider community! Your contemptible stance is anathema to me as it is to the angling community! The sport of angling is significantly poorer with your kind on board; angling is not well served by thought free thugs and bully boys! I shudder to think of youngsters entering the sport with you and your type as role models!

I enjoy very much when people write in with views whether or not they agree with me, I’m not so keen however when I have to waste my time putting the commenter’s words together in a myriad of ways to see if any sense could be made of them, I’ve never been too keen on word puzzles such as you have submitted!

Oh and just a little bit of advice to finish with, you may think your comment is anonymous as indeed it is to me and all the other ordinary PC users worldwide. However do not allow yourself to get too cosy under your perceived blanket of anonymity! The blog servers Google know exactly who you are as a record is kept of all internet actions, your IP address has been indelibly logged! They would not divulge your identity to me but they would be compelled to do so if instructed by the police or the courts! Just a little something for you to think about!

Check this website out it explains the above in simpler terms!

http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/mediaberkman/2009/09/17/radio-berkman-130-adventures-in-anonymity-part-one/

Now Anon, if this information has suddenly brought you out in an all over cold body sweat try new “Sure” Ultra Dry antiperspirant for men, it’s really good stuff!

Photo 04 - You're never alone, a wee visitor yesterday!

Please do feel free to respond to my musings, I (and many others) am waiting with baited breath to hear your justification of what you have written, in particular your pigeon hearted threat! In my view an individual who has to resort to making threats anonymously because he is so bereft of knowledge, and unable to conduct himself in a civilised manner cannot be considered to be a member of the brotherhood of angling or righteous society for that matter! Take a good look at yourself and compare your thoughts and actions to the ethos of the lads of the TVMRT (who are a benefit to society) in the snippet below!

Penning this article was a difficult decision, having to weigh up the negative effects of publicising your despicable views against the benefits of showing to the wider angling community that within our ranks there still lurk execrable people like you, people who bring no credit to the sport of angling and excel only at tarnishing the reputation of decent responsible anglers countrywide! Your ignorance was pivotal in my decision hence my decision to expose your reprehensible attitude!

My dear fellow there is no place in angling for thugs, Ned’s or bully boys!

Fie Mr Anon, Fie!

Regards

Richard

Video of an angry loch

Ian was out again later that week when the Kirkstead burst its banks and captured this short video showing a violent scene of Mother Nature’s wrath! At the end of the railings which are part of a bridge is the road to Bowerhope and Arrabella’s (a horse) field to the right where she resides, grazes and entertains visitors in the summer. Of course Viv her owner moves her to safe pastures for the winter which is good news. The force of the water is immense and whilst there are many frightening things encountered in our journey through life, Mother Nature in a sea of red mist must be among the most frightening!

Thanks Ian for permission to use this excellent video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hutdjem5Jd4

High waters again battered our trees and bank works at Kirkstead a cursory glance yesterday revealed that we may have lost a few more trees. Our bank work however remains firmly in place. It’s just a pity our work is being subjected to such a huge test in its first year. We shall see how it goes!

Photo 05 - The TVMRT new Landrover it's a brute!

Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team (TVMRT)

I was recently called to carry out some repair work for this organisation at their base at Peebles Police Station. Their brand new LWB Landrover required some rectification to bring it back to pristine condition and I was happy to oblige! This vehicle is a real piece of work with radios, powered winches, capability of carrying eight people and has all the acute medical equipment to treat and transport an injured member of the public.

And who are these lads? Well they are all volunteers who give up much of their spare time to train in the latest medical methodology and logistics associated with rescue!

I was fortunate to have been able to speak to two of the lads and could do nothing but stand in awe of their actions in conditions that would have most of us welded to a blazing fire!

These lads are unsung heroes putting their well being at risk to save others. The rewards are not monetary but the satisfaction on a job well done must be immense! Visit their website and have a look at the capability they have it will be a most gratifying time! If you see their Landrover travelling the roads around the lochs give them a wave! Yes the stuff that righteous society is built on, selfless people who give freely of their time for the benefit of others!

http://www.tweedvalleymrt.org.uk/?node=main

Membership Renewals

Recommended dealers

Mike who runs Fishers Direct sent me a mail with some of his latest offers. Have a gander and see the bargains he has on offer. I have a most positive review on the trace tube next week!

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

http://www.fishersdirect.com/greys-prowla-trace-tube-212-p.asp

http://www.fishersdirect.com/greys-prowla-forceps-208-p.asp

http://www.fishersdirect.com/pike-flies---popular-selection-of-our-best-selling-pike-patterns-96-c.asp

Thanks for this Mike look forward to your next selection. Our recommended dealer in Galashiels J & A Turnbull (no website) also has some super offers on for the festive period. If you are local get down to Bank Street and check out the bargains. Naturally vouchers are available for those unsure of what to get – a great option!

The wider world in my view!

The future of the country always looked decidedly shaky in Lord Snooty’s (David Cameron) hands. His latest blunder however could see us sunk good and proper! Twenty six countries together and one (UK) out in the cold! Estimates vary on how much we depend on the European Community for trade deals suffice to say it is significant! The fool has made himself 26 new enemies at the drop of a hat. Merkel and Sarkozy will see to it that little is directed our way in the way of free trade and who could blame them! It’s a case of you are with us or you are not! We are now not with them! Bungling Bill Hague said that the bulldog spirit will see us through; the only problem is that the bulldog spirit was last in vogue in the colonial era now long gone! We are now as Napoleon said “a nation of shopkeepers!” The only careers and I use the word in its loosest possible sense available to the youth of today is part time work in the supermarkets of ASDA, TESCO et al. A mind numbing prospect whichever way you look at it!

The Bill Cash’s of the Tory party are overjoyed at how Lord Snooty stood up to the Europhiles, the problem is though it’s all very well to shout louder than anyone else and gesticulate in a more theatrical manner but such tools are without value if there is no analytical thinking behind it! Shame then on paper tigers, puppet Nick Clegg and clueless Ed Milliband for their weak responses to Lord Snooty’s staggering gaffe. There is still time for Snooty to correct this catastrophic error and get us back on board the European ship before we flounder and sink without a trace!

Stop Press!

The excellent Countryfile programme on BBC 1 today featured a very interesting article on the Arctic Charr in Wales. If you missed it catch it on the BBC I player, a superior piece of TV when compared to the current dross on offer, viz X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b018h7pt/Countryfile_11_12_2011/

A severe test of our recent works!

2011-12-04T19:40:00.003Z

Photo 01 - Gordon with his PB of 13lbs, Nice one mate!

A severe test of our recent works!

As you will be aware there has been some very wet weather with the Cappercleuch valley taking a severe beating. Ian sent me the following short videos showing the extent of the downpour.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN4V-83_qWM&feature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmJoSTaoNks&feature=youtu.be

Our tree planting area was overrun with water but largely our trees remained in situ. The damage toll was five trees lost without trace, three protectors lost but recovered next to a wall, two wooden stakes snapped in half and 4 stakes flapping about loosened by the wind and rain.

Photo 02 - Big Al, co winner of the heavy trout cup & £10.00 Well done mate!

Similarly our bank reinforcement was given a huge challenge as millions of gallons piled into our structure. I am pleased to report that the structure remained largely intact in spite of the huge flow of water. We lost three bundles from the top sections as the water lifted them off the iron stakes. It is clear that the original method used by the Wild Trout Trust which we employed will not be up to the job! Their work on lowland soft flow rivers has not the robustness to withstand the extremely high flows of water encountered in the loch area.

Photo 03 - showing the odd fallen tree!

Consequently we will modify the existing iron poles to accept heavy gauge fencing wire which will be pulled over the top bundle of willows and staked into the ground using heavy duty re bar tent pegs. The structure however has stood up very well and it looks like the initiative will be successful! We now need to complete this section of work, sit back and see what happens; doubtless there will be many more downpours before the winter ends! Incidentally the levels of water in the videos above were surpassed on the Wednesday morning. One heck of a lot of water!

Photo 04 - Showing our reinforcing work largely intact.

Loch keeper to the rescue!

I thought i would pick up the various bundles of willows lying around the shore and transport them down to the Kirkstead burn where they will be used to complete our bank strengthening work. Conditions were reasonable and certainly no problem for our Arran boat which I would be using towing one behind the other.

Photo 05 - The remains of a cock salmon at Kirkstead. Nothing is wasted in nature!

The journey down to the burn was uneventful and I secured the boats and unloaded the cargo. I spent about an hour and a half securing trees replacing stakes etc; meantime the weather had worsened considerably with very heavy winds and driving rain. The boats meantime whilst still firmly anchored were broadside on to the wind with waves crashing into the boats filling them with water. This was not good!

Try as I might I could not get the powered Arran’s bow to remain facing into the wind for long enough to power out! The unpowered Arran meantime had been filling up with water at an alarming rate and I was completely soaked from the waist down, my thigh waders having filled up to the knee with very cold St Mary’s water as the waves crashed into me.

Photo 06 - Nice and calm on the way down.

At this point my hands were blue with the cold and I decided the only option was to give Ian a call to see if he could help. Like the trooper that he is he appeared in no time and we tried several times to get the boats out occasionally getting the powered craft out but by then the half filled Arran had firmly wedged itself on to the beach.

It looked like a no win situation and beaching both boats on the bank looked likely. By this time Ian’s wellies had filled up with water as the waved crashed into his legs and he also was beginning to feel the cold! We decided on one last shot and when the Mariner engine took up the slack Ian with perfect timing gave an almighty push and the second Arran was free!

The twenty five minute journey back keeping to the shoreline seemed to take forever as the mighty Arran crashed through wave after wave engendering albeit temporarily a kind of sea sickness like nausea. Ian like a proper guardian angel stopped at all the lay bys to monitor my progress and eventually we reached the boathouse and disembarked bruised, battered, soaking through, absolutely freezing but glad to be back! Yes whilst life was never at risk, it was an ordeal I could have done without but around the point of the village hall I got to thinking if I could envisage a worse scenario!

I then quickly realised it could be much worse! Imagine having to recount the lengthy list of Con – Dem economic predictions that have failed to materialise or having to sit through an entire hour recounting the life of lowbrows Jordan and Peter Andre! Now that’s punishment!

So a lesson learned, to be aware of the weather that is going on around you no matter what you are doing and that re launching craft is extremely difficult when heavy wind and water conspires against you! Once you are wet you will get very cold very quickly! The Arran coped admirably with the heavy swell and that at least gave me a degree of comfort! The Mariner also didn’t bat an eyelid at having to power a heavy boat with some water in it and towing one which was almost half full of water! They say all’s well that ends well and indeed this is the case! St Mary’s loch has many faces capable of changing in an instant, ranging from calm peaceful tranquillity through to unremitting unfettered violence!

Ian I cannot thank you enough for your assistance today, had it not been for your swift appearance I could still be there! When I phoned Ian an information box appeared on the phone saying the battery level was critical so further phone calls would not have been possible! Sometimes it is the simplest things in life that give us the most pleasure. A long hot water blasting by a power shower – absolute heaven!

Photo 07 - The boathouse tree as it was!

Boat house tree gets a haircut!

Yes the contractor engaged to trim the tree appeared on Friday and set about the task. I was not able to get any photos of this work in progress but have a look at the finished result, it is a very good job very well done! All the overhanging branches have now been removed making the boat house a much safer place! I know a few members will now sleep a good deal sounder now that this has been done! One more thing to tick off the to do list!

Photo 08 - The tree as it is now, job done!

November angling report.

Only Pike appear this month with most credit going to the wee loch with respect to numbers if not weight. Four Pike were landed between 10 -16lbs and nine Pike were recorded between 7 – 10lbs and seven Pike between three and seven pounds. Angler numbers were low with 23 angler days recorded. Biggest catch in numbers as usual falls to Kris Olson well done mate! Oh and Les said to tell you that you are for a dookin next time we see you!

Membership Renewals

Photo 09 - 1919 explained below!

War Memorial date mystery solved!

Following a comment left by one of our readers Frank Green from Edinburgh sent me the following link which explains the reason 1919 is used on some memorials as the end of the Great War! First World War dates on war memorials 1914-1918 are the most common dates for the First World War found on war memorials obviously commemorating the year the war commenced and the year the armistice was declared, on 11th November 1918.

However, it is not unusual to find the dates 1914-1919 on First World War memorials. The 1919 date refers to the year when the Treaty of Versailles was signed. This was the peace treaty drawn up by the nations who attended the Paris Peace Conference and officially ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers when it was signed on 28th June 1919.

Some war memorials also feature the dates 1914-1921, although this is less common. On 25^th August 1921 the United States of America signed a separate peace treaty with Germany, the Treaty of Berlin.

As explained above, there are no ‘rules’ for war memorial inscriptions so any of these dates are correct as the local community decided to use the dates which were most appropriate.

Frank thank you for clearing this up for us it is most appreciated. For more information visit http://www.warmemorials.org/uploads/publications/117.pdf

The wider world in my view!

A tale of two windbags!

Motormouth dipstick, (puns intended) Jeremy Clarkson commenting on the oppressed workers forced into strike action by the inept Con Dems would have them shot in front of their families! Yes a disgraceful comment by a clueless public figure that excels only at putting his foot in it just like the half witted gasbag Mr Kens who tried to attack us. An idiot millionaire with no cognition of what it takes to survive under the relentless persecutors of the poor and needy, the incompetent fools that are the hapless Con – Dems! Karen Jennings of UNISON led the charge to demand an apology, something which he initially said he would not do! How satisfying then to see him squirm and apologise after being advised by people who could gauge the revulsion he had generated!

Similarly Con –Dem supremo gormless David Cameron pooh poohed the one day strike describing it as a damp squib!

It was obvious to everyone but him that the biggest national strike since the general strike of 1926 had just taken place! When confronted with this fact on TV the following morning he capitulated, ate humble pie and agreed it had been a very big strike indeed! Looks like the damp squib turned out to be a supersize banger that exploded in his face! He followed on by saying that fresh talks would be started immediately! Just amazing what a reality check and a helping of humble pie can achieve!

Two gasbags, the sum total of whom amounts to nothing! Two people of limited worth who would be better suited to being the 53^rd and 54^th cards in a pack of playing cards! Yes just another example of how perverse our society has become!

Till the next time – Tight lines!

Habitat improvement works.

2011-11-27T19:59:00.000Z

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

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!

An autumn day Salmon fishing 2

2011-11-20T19:44:00.000Z

Photo 01 - Mike on the Tweed almost floating, aerialising some line.

An autumn day Salmon fishing 2

On the appointed day at the appointed hour club competition winner Mike Wood and member who has given the most work to the club this year Gordon McClurg and I met up on the lower stretches of the Upper Pavilion Salmon beat on the queen of Salmon Rivers the River Tweed. The day being very kindly donated to the club by the beat owner Major Sir Neil Westbrook to whom we are most indebted.

Photo - 02 Gordon casting to the far bank at the Brig end pool.

Eager to get started they tackled up quickly and after a brief resume of the pools on the entire beat we headed off to commence fishing at the viaduct around the middle of the beat. On his third cast Mike had the rod tip wavering violently as a Salmon attacked it with fury but alas let it go just as quickly the day looked like it could be a good one! However over the next half hour Mike had endured two further takes and hooked none. By this point there was much examination of terminal tackle and techniques employed!

Photo 03 - A diseased Salmon which swam through mikes legs, photo courtesy of Jake the ghillie.

Ghillie Jake appeared at this point and pronounced that there was nothing wrong with either and that in fact for a first time Salmon fisherman Mike was doing extremely well, so much so that he commented “experienced” fishermen often do not attain the standard achieved by Mike.

Seasoned Salmon angler Gordon who had at this point touched nothing was also quick to agree and it must be said showed remarkable concentration for one who has just come of the fags!. So it was off to pastures new with a change of fly to see if that could make the crucial difference. After much thrashing of the water (it was whipped into a Creamola Foam type froth on slower sections) the end result turned out to be the same – no knocks or indeed fish!

At this point we stopped for lunch to ease the back muscles severely strained by repeated casting. Fish were jumping absolutely everywhere we looked, all however showing varying degrees of colour from pink to black these having been in the river for a few months and unlikely to take a fly. What we were looking for were fish being silver in colour, indicating they were fresh into the river from the sea and more likely to take an anglers fly. Only two such fish were spotted in the morning but even they could not be tempted!

Photo 04 - Mike in so deep I thought he would end up in Berwick!

Charged up with food drink and good cheer we set off again to a new pool on the beat. Redoubling our efforts the outlook looked rosy when Gordon made some arm movements to suggest that he had contacted with a fish but like Mike’s encounters it was short lived. It was difficult to capitulate (not that they wanted to) with the amount of fish splashing all over the place. Uttering the words of one who kneels never entered their heads. No, gritty resolve saw them battle on to the darkening, their flys covering every part of the water within their casting range. Unfortunately that was how the day ended with no fish to show for all the hard work expended! Two real troopers who gave their all on a day when catching fish was clearly not on the menu!

Photo 05 - Gordon waits for a knock!

There was no disappointment however; the dynamic duo were completely thrilled by the experience of fishing the famous River Tweed and not having to pay the 1200GBP daily fee for the privilege of so doing! Recent visitors including magnates of industry and TV personalities who also ended up with empty nets.

There was exceptionally fine weather for the time of year, good company in the fellowship of angling, fish showing everywhere bringing the hunter/gatherer instinct to the fore. This was a day under the banner of true angling where the cares of everyday life are banished to the outer reaches of the mind allowing descent into the very depths of nature, this is the pot of gold available to real anglers!

Photo 06 - A cock and a hen that didn't make it!

A day free of ninnyhammers, brags, blowhards and cretins in the mould of Mr Kens and Dangerman types, in their own words the day was –“just perfect”!

I will speak of our day with the Major and ask if he would be kind enough to grant them a day when the spring fishing starts early next year with the aim of seeing a fish on the bank for a photo! Yes a benevolent beat owner and two anglers cast in solid gold. With members such as above there are no dark clouds on the horizon for the club, could it get any better? Gordon Mike an absolute pleasure fishing with you both!

Postscript the River Tweed of late has been fishing very poorly with all beats being affected in spite of high numbers of fish entering the river system. Click the link to see how the Tweed Foundations explain away this anomaly. http://news.rivertweed.org.uk/blog/_archives/2011/11/8/4935458.html

Not the way to behave!

A couple of anglers arrived yesterday to bivvy at the village hall overnight. They also hired a boat and seemed reasonable types. Because of the mess of numerous charred areas on the grass at the hall Ian had asked them to confine their fire to a particular area. On checking today it was evident their fire had been sited in an area out with the area specified by our loch keeper. First mistake! Ian asks anglers to do certain things for a reason, he is keen to see regrowth of the grass in all the charred areas bar a nominated fire site. How can regrowth be promoted if fires are constantly set in different areas.

Photo 07 - A graceful mute swan seen on Thursday.

The other half of the duo had at this time been rowing the boat back to the boathouse and their mistake was highlighted by Ian. All appeared to be well and it seemed they had acknowledged their mistake which would have been fine. However on leaving the loch several swear words were directed to our loch keeper. Second and final mistake, you might have thought it a smart move lads, it was in fact a really dumb move!

Here’s the lowdown lads – if our loch keeper asks you to do something, you do it without question if you want to fish our lochs. No one else seems to have a problem with this except you two.

Bottom line, we will not allow our loch keeper to be subject to verbal abuse, consequently you are barred from fishing for a period of one year from today. We have your names and car details and if you want to come back after your ban is up your opening sentence had better contain the words “sincere apology” or you will be chased again! Today you acted like Muppets and shamed decent anglers everywhere!

Photo 08 - The restored plaque at the War Memorial.

Giving something back

A few weeks ago Ian asked me to have a look at the war memorial close to the AA box in the village. He said Mrs Mitchell (the elder) could remember when the memorial was easily read as the printing was highlighted in black against a golden background, but now the whole plaque was black (with corrosion) readable only at close quarters. He asked if I would be interested in restoring it to its former glory.

A small part of my work is restoring clock dials for the jewellery trade so I had a look at it and on examination found under the black patination the base metal was yellow brass.

So today Ian and I went along and carried out some work on the plaque and in less than an hour we had her looking shipshape. Now all that is required is a rub with a very fine abrasive pad two or three times a year which will keep the plaque in tip top condition as a fitting memorial to those who paid the ultimate price in the quest for freedom from tyranny.

Mrs Mitchell we hope you like the restored plaque.

We have on a number of occasions had to rely on members of the local community to help us out it is therefore only right and proper that we return the favour at no cost to them. The club also provided the generator to supply power to work the machinery required to carry out the work. It’s true what they say, giving is better than receiving; it was just a small gesture from the club to say thanks for putting up with us! Oh and Ian you made a mighty fine metalwork apprentice. Thanks for your help!

Membership Renewals

A kind of serial Pike catcher!

You’ve heard the name before its Kris Olson, one of our members who comes up with some astonishing catches of Pike. Well he did it again today! During a six hour session on the Lowes he managed a total of seven Pike including a twelve, a ten a seven and four Pike between three and five pounds. How does he do it? I don’t know, but he does use vermin (Roach) as bait which may be the magical factor.

Think I might visit our friends at the Glen Cafe and give them a pair of binoculars to keep him under surveillance whenever he comes! Oh and Cath /Lisa the cheese burgers you did for us today were delicious, cooked to perfection and all the lads at the tree planting/habitat improvement works (story next week) say thanks!

Nepotism by another name

Minister without a clue in the Con – dem administration George Osborne has followed in the footsteps of industry desecrator super witch Margaret Thatcher by selling off public assets for next to nothing! Yes this fool palmed off Northern Rock owned by the taxpayer on to pal’s, city bigwigs Wilbur Ross and Richard Branson for the miserly sum of 747 million pounds. These fat cats know a bargain when they see one unlike Mr Osborne who couldn’t spot one if it was perched on the end of his nose!

This cocaine snorting public schoolboy seems to enjoy frittering away the assets owned by us passing huge bargains on to their own kind whilst we buckle under their oppressive and punitive regime. My dearest wish is that the public service workers bring this inept and corrupt administration to its knees and replace them with some realists and people who have a clue!

Kirkstead burn improvement works!

2011-11-13T19:38:00.000Z

Photo 01 - Another load of Willow rolls.

Kirkstead burn improvement works!

Our tree planting day takes place on Saturday commencing at 10.00am. Parking for anglers has been arranged just over the bridge on the Bowerhope road. The work will in the first instance take place at the mouth of the burn where it enters the loch. The Kirkstead is the recipient of our work and as well as tree planting we will seek to carry out some much needed bank stabilisation work to curtail the erosion that is occurring.

We have more than a dozen Willow rolls which we will stake into the bank using concrete reinforcing bar sledge hammered into the river bed. This will deflect the force of water away from the fragile bank but to provide for long term protection we are to supplement this work by planting a good number of Willow whips through the rolls which will root into the bed providing a mass of roots over a short time to stabilise the bank sides. This should be an effective method of bank stabilisation having been used by the Wild Trout Trust for a number of years now with good results.

The trees which Ian kindly collected for us today are a mixture of Rowan, Oak, Hazel, Blackthorn, Birch and Hawthorn all indigenous trees to the area. Tim Frost from the Borders Forest Trust is coming along in an advisory capacity to supervise the planting of the trees and shielding them by use of plastic protectors and stakes to support them. The trees were given to us by the Forest trust to commemorate the queen’s jubilee and trees will have tags on them to signify this.

One tree has been labelled as a “Royal Oak” coming from acorns harvested at one of the queens residencies; it has a red white and blue band around it as well as a descriptive tag. This most important work will not benefit some of us as the project is long term. This however is not a deterrent as in the spirit of true angling what we do today is for the benefit of those who come later! There can be no more fitting legacy from the current membership of the club!

The bank work however will bring immediate benefits as the already over widened channel will now be contained. We will also in the coming season create some deep pools and riffles further upstream and this will make the bottom part of the burn more appealing to all species of fish. The upper reaches of the Kirkstead is in good condition and our work will see the continuation of this. If we did nothing and allowed the channel to widen further by erosion then no fish would enter what in low water conditions would be a trickle of water irrespective of what the condition of the burn was further upstream.

In the past we would have encountered difficulty with the notion of carrying out work that did not directly benefit the Me me me brigade, but thankfully now they are history and our committed band of anglers fully approve of our actions! Members coming along to help should bring thigh waders if possible. Thanks to Alastair and Selina at the Tibbie for storing the trees until we could pick them up! If you can come along please do as there is much to be done.

Membership Renewals

The cut off date is the 31^st of December 2011!

Photo 02 - The area around the boathouse circa 1930s.

Bygone Days

Photo 02 was given to us yesterday by Ian our loch keeper. He collects memorabilia of the area and has now a very nice collection. The photo shows the area of our boathouse he suspects from around the 1930s. The boats look to be very fresh as does the pier, and this would tie in nicely with the inception of the club in 1933. There are no dreaded fir trees on the far bank the current planting being a legacy from the 60s. Thankfully these are now being harvested and a mixture of hardwood and softwoods being replanted. As far as the aquatic environment is concerned this is a huge step forward!

The boathouse was at this time miles away, it was brought I am told after the Second World War and rebuilt in its present location and a very well constructed building it is too.

Catch returns

Although the number of catch returns has increased significantly a few members have neglected to submit nil returns. These are of equal importance to us for a proper overview of the lochs and every time you put a return in of any kind it goes into the end of season draw for the £100.00 tackle voucher.

The glorious dead!

Whilst working on a private road on Friday at around 11.00am I noted a TV Ariel installer come down off of his ladder and stand for two minutes as I did. I thought to myself that indeed there is good and respect still apparent in this country. On viewing the news that evening this was confirmed as people of all ages took two minutes to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice made by so many that we may enjoy our freedom today! Yes in spite of the Con – dems Great Britain is most definitely still great!

To those who went before! We owe them much!

Boathouse bat

The family of Bats resident in the boathouse roof were evident yesterday mid afternoon. The extremely mild weather saw them taking advantage of the great number of flys still hovering around enough to bring them out in daylight. Great to see they are thriving!

Photo 03 - the "white" house near St Mary's hall.

Tweed Trout & Grayling Initiative

A meeting of the above group takes place on Tuesday evening which we will attend. Of particular interest will be the initial results from the video on regulator one. If any results are to hand we will let you know next week.

Flood protection scheme

A meeting on the St Mary’s Loch Option of the above group will take place at 7 pm on the 30th November at Cappercleuch Village Hall, loch keeper Ian has kindly agreed to be our representative at this meeting.

From bad to worse!

The award of arch blunderer this week goes to Theresa May the Con – dems home secretary. More interested in showing off her bizarre footwear she neglects to tighten up controls on all manner of undesirables and staggeringly relaxes them in this time of heightened terrorist activity! Arch buffoons, public school rich boys Cameron and Osborne were strangely silent on the subject! Who knows what manner of miscreant was allowed to enter the country during this time! Incompetence on a grand scale!

Politicians of every ilk capable of incredulous and plain stupid actions, of that there is no doubt. Just look at the Tory puppet Nick Clegg for an instance! Yes these imbeciles will have us overrun with terrorists, devoid of employment, suffer a second recession and have no welfare benefits or public services to boot! Yes indeed we are all in this together NOT!

It’s them and us, the way it’s always been!

Killers, the angling report for October 2011 and more!

2011-11-06T19:43:00.001Z

Photo 01 - Club Treasurer John Wright presents Piotr with the hip flask engraved with the club logo in recognition of his sterling service given to the club.

Pike Killers!

A rather disturbing find by two of our members John and Gary Conway our father and son team had alarm bells ringing yesterday! Two fairly recently severed heads of jack Pike estimated to be 4-5lbs in weight were found near Summerhope! The only reason we can think of for such a find is that the Pike were taken for the pot. How else two heads would be found in close proximity to each other. Both of them looking to have been decapitated at the same time by the degree of decay noted. The following message is not for the majority of our visitors rather the minute faction that carries out illegal activities such as this.

If you are detected killing our Pike or taking fish out of season, be under no illusions, not only will you be barred from EVER fishing our lochs again. We will use EVERY resource at our disposal to have you prosecuted under criminal law for fish theft and anything else our lawyer can cobble together! Like Mr Kens and Dangerman you will also be subject to mass publicity so that as many fisheries as possible will be able to identify and repulse you!

Thankfully incidents like this are very uncommon, thanks to John and Gary for reporting this.

All anglers should report to Ian our loch keeper or any committee member any instances of perceived or actual misdeeds!

Photo 02 - Close up of the flask.

A Small Thank You!

After the good work carried out by our outgoing loch keeper Piotr we decided to mark the occasion of his departure by the presentation of a small gift. John Wright our treasurer had come up with the idea of an attractive hip flask engraved with our clubs logo and very nice it is too! An inscription of thanks was penned on the rear and to top it all John filled it with vodka to keep out Jack Frost on the winter days ahead. Just a small tribute to one who has served us well!

Remember our new loch keeper Ian has commenced his duties and his contact details are as follows – 01750 42255, Mobile 07724523777 and e mail lochkeeper@stmarysanglingclub.org.uk

Photo 03 - The cameras filming on regulator one.

Filming begins!

Much sooner than we had expected the video cameras have been installed on No 1 regulator at the foot of St Mary’s loch. Yes Dr Ronald Campbell of the Tweed Foundation e mailed me on Thursday to say that the event was taking place. The money for the study has been given by Scottish Water and the study is being conducted by Durham University with whom we will establish contact.

Two cameras are installed giving complete coverage of the regulator channel so anything entering /leaving the loch will be recorded. This is great news for us as now we will have access to information about fish movements.

Many of the clubs elder statesmen have maintained that many of the lochs Brown Trout population leave the loch and travel a short distance down the river Yarrow and head up the Douglas burn to spawn.

Electro fishing results certainly show the Douglas burn to be a prolific spawning burn with much greater numbers of fish when compared to the Kirkstead our most prolific spawning burn!

Now instead of relying on conjecture we will be able to move forward on a factual basis! We will also have information as to the numbers of migratory fish entering and leaving the loch. Yes it looks like at long last we will gain some invaluable knowledge from this study. Credit must go to Scottish Water for being so quick off the mark in getting the study up and running! We are a little late this year for Trout spawning information but should still get some invaluable information as to the movements into and out of the loch!

Angling Report October 2011

Again catch returns submitted are still low compared to the numbers of anglers fishing! No Trout Perch or Eels were recorded. Eight returns were received for Pike caught with the breakdown thus – 4 Pike between 10 – 14lbs and 4 Pike between 6 – 10lbs three nil returns were recorded.

It was pleasing to note that already this month 6 returns have been received, and of course all these are automatically entered into our draw for the £100.00 prize in early October 2012. It is envisaged that we will ask a member of the local community to make the draw for the eventual winner.

Photo 04 - A view up the loch from regulator one.

Tree Planting/Kirkstead bank improvement.

We have received notification from the Woodland Trust that our batch of 105 mixed variety trees will arrive on the 7^th or 8^th of this month. We would have preferred to have had them around a month ago but this was out with our control. We will schedule our planting session for Saturday the 18^th of November. Following on from the planting we will require a few bodies to assist in coppicing a significant number of willow trees to give us the raw material required for natural bank stabilisation works. If time permits we will carry out some of this work on the planting day. Waders pruning shears machettes or loppers would be beneficial.

Movember

No it’s not a misspelling of November but an engineered variation which heralds the arrival of a month long campaign to increase awareness of the all too common disease of prostate and testicular cancer.

It's Movember, the month formerly known as November, now dedicated to growing moustaches and raising awareness and funds for men's health; specifically prostate and testicular cancer. I'm donating my top lip to the cause for 30 days in an effort to help change the face of men's health. My Mo will spark conversations, and no doubt generate some laughs; all in the name of raising vital awareness and funds for cancers affecting men.

Why am I so passionate about men's health?
* 1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime
* This year 37,000 new cases of the disease will be diagnosed
* 1 in 2 men will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime
* 26% of men are less likely to go the doctor compared to women

I'm asking you to support my Movember campaign by making a donation by either:
*Donating online at: http://mobro.co/johnwright
*If you want to go old school you can write a cheque payable to 'Movember', reference my name and Registration Number 1420002 and send it to: Movember Europe, PO Box 68600, London, EC1P 1EF

If you'd like to find out more about the type of work you'd be helping to fund by supporting Movember, take a look at the Programmes We Fund section on the Movember website: http://uk.movember.com/about

Thank you in advance for supporting my efforts to change the face of men's health.

John Wright

So there you go a worthy cause indeed, my fiver is on its way John, so please support John in his campaign. Have a close look at John in the photo and you will see the beginnings of a mouser!

Who I met yesterday

Members John and son Gary Conway arrived down at the lochs for a spell of fishing yesterday. It’s always good to meet seasoned modest anglers such as them! We recounted the season thus far and I was eventually able to coax out of them that they had caught a good number of Ferox further north. One which Gary had featured in the Daily Records fish of the week was I think it was a seventeen pounder which took a great deal of effort to coax in!

Yes another pair of unassuming respectful anglers we are proud to count among our number! I will try and prise a couple of photos out of them in the next few weeks. They were keen to enquire about our tree planting so they could attend if possible! Just great to have this level of enthusiasm for the betterment of the lochs!

Gordon and Mike arrived at mid day for a mini session and the first thing to leave their mouths was “anything we can help with?” A sea change in the culture of the members of St Mary’s Angling Club! Mike also brought with him another of our engines which he has comprehensively serviced. It’s now not only work on the day but homework as well!

This is now a club of significantly different character compared to the “black days” when the defenestration of some undesirables and know all experts marked the upturn in our outlook!

Cormorant watch

Following on from our AGM we would like anglers to record any predatory birds noted whilst fishing. The species we are interested in recording are Cormorant, Goosander and Merganser. Anglers need only add the species and numbers spotted on their catch returns and we will add the results to the Angling Trusts website recording service. Alternatively anglers could go direct to the site and record their findings.

The importance of reporting sightings of these creatures cannot be overemphasised their potential for destruction of our fish stocks is immense!

Our Autumn Days Salmon Fishing!

We are provisionally booked in for the 17^th to see what we can do on the Queen of Salmon Rivers the River Tweed! Of late on the beat there have been two peers of the realm fishing, two knights of the empire and Jeremy Paxman. Yes the scourge of all manner of politicians was fishing last week and unfortunately caught nothing!

Disappointed? Not a chance, like the real angler that he is, he said a day’s fishing is always a pleasure, to get a fish is just an added bonus! Yet another who understands what it is to be a real angler in the footsteps of old Izaak. Absolutely solid gold!

A Fine Day

Loch keeper Ian and I took Esox Lucius down to the bottom of the loch to reposition our spinning marker posts as they had fallen over. Moving at a leisurely pace we traversed the “silent loch” conversing on a myriad of subjects. Then some digging and some castle building and then back into trusty Esox to meander back.

Yes it was a very fine day weather wise, but good company makes it just that little better. I already knew this, but I am now certain that Ian who is absolutely passionate about the area and has impeccable standards of decorum will be a most excellent ambassador for the club. Yes the tradition continues!

Weather change imminent!

Farmers often use the behaviour of their stock to predict a change in weather. Your average man in the street places his faith in the good old BBC or ITV weather forecasts. Some don’t even bother and just take each day as it comes! A core group of our anglers however have come to rely on Gordon McClurg and when he packs his monster Yamaha away for the winter to maintain the pristine condition it always appears to be in whenever spotted. Well yesterday he announced to a group of eager listeners that for him the 2011 bike season is over!

Don’t expect a drastic change in the weather tomorrow but watch over the next couple of weeks and see if the weather deteriorates! He is not often wrong so look out the thermals and waterproofs!

Wear your poppy with pride!

Remembrance day 11/11/11

On Friday the nation will stand in remembrance of those who have given their lives in the two world wars and conflicts since. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them!

Photo 05 - Chantrelles a true delight!

Culinary heaven!

Couldn’t believe my luck today, I stumbled upon a group of Chanterelle mushrooms. These delicious mushrooms are the pinnacle of edible mushrooms with the exception of Truffles and a kilo would set you back over 120.00GBP! Being sautéed in fresh butter tonight! Once savoured the only thing you will use supermaket rubber mushrooms for are door stops!

Moron of the week!

The award this week must go to Lord Hamilton Scotland’s most senior judge who publicly stated to his eternal shame that 172.000GBP P/A was too small a salary to attract the correct calibre of candidate for positions in the judiciary! He has no cognizance of just how insulting that statement is to the majority of the population!

Like rich boys Cameron and Osborne this fool is completely out of touch with the vast majority of the country’s population. They pontificate about what’s good for us, and we suffer! There’s something a little Victorian about that! I am beginning to feel more than a little empathy with these anti capitalist people!

Till the next time - Tight Lines!

A valedictory letter from our outgoing loch keeper Piotr!

2011-10-30T19:54:00.000Z

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!

You’re AGM on Wednesday!

2011-10-23T19:24:00.000+01:00

Photo 01 - looking out from the village hall on a nice October day.

You’re AGM on Wednesday!

It’s the one chance annually for every member to come along and have their say on the direction of the club. The importance of this annual meeting cannot be overstressed it’s the opportunity for every member to air their views in the positive or negative. Members can at this meeting point the club in a different direction if that be the wish of the majority. It can also vote for the status quo. As a member it is your right to have your say at this forum so please come along and give us your views. In my time with the club I have never known such cohesion as is apparent now, our club for the most part is bipartite the groups being Pike anglers and Trout anglers. There was previously a clear division between the groups now that partition thankfully is gone.

What we have now is a group of anglers prepared to help on any matter if it can be shown to be for the benefit of the club, no longer is there bickering between the two factions as was evident in the past. We as a committee have not brought this about, rather it has been an initiative from the membership and as such coming from the grass roots this will be a strong and resilient initiative! Members are coming up with ideas and offers of help all the time and if even one percent turn into developments that benefit the club then that is a huge step forward. In the past free speech was not permitted, it is now encouraged!

I thought it might be useful to compare the current situation with that of 5 years ago under strategic headings –

Income – we have increased income by 500% compared to 5 years ago with resultant benefits to the business establishments in the area and obviously club coffers and assets. Thanks are due to all our permit outlets and of course Peter our loch keeper.

Member participation - we have transformed a resolute dictatorship into a democracy.

Diversity of view - we have regular committee meetings as opposed to none or one. The committee are deserving of our thanks for turning up to meetings in often horrific weather and guiding the club between AGMs.

Relationship with the wider field of angling - we have established meaningful relations with statutory bodies, riparian owners, the local community, the business establishments around the loch, pressure groups, academics and scientists, law enforcement agencies, specialist angling groups and many others whereas 5 years ago relations with these groups were nonexistent or at best minimal and strained to say the least. We have established links with many other clubs in the area, and promoted the fact that we are alive and thriving by attending functions and events of other clubs. It quickly became clear that our very limited dealings with such bodies were shambolic to say the least! This has been rectified and no longer do we need to hang our heads in shame when dealing with these groups!

Loutish behaviour - we have in conjunction with others hounded the Muppets that come to the lochs under the banner of angling causing mayhem and instilling into local resident’s feelings of despair, fear, and revulsion. No the battle is not won as the problem is ongoing, but we along with these other groups have been incessant in our efforts to repulse them and our actions have proved to be the correct ones as the incidence of Muppet behaviour diminishes! This is very pleasing to us as we feel responsible for increasing the number of visitors to the area which unfortunately brings with it a percentage of Muppets! Thanks are due to Peter and Elliot Fraser and others for their efforts in dealing with these Ned’s! The situation 5 years ago – Free for all with regard to fishing and boat usage!

Research - we have under the auspices of the Tweed Trout and Grayling Initiative brought to our lochs a research perspective being the first club in the borders to commission a report from the Wild Trout Trust and act on its findings. The above group’s assistance is now being sought by other clubs and has been commissioned by the Tweed Foundation to advise them on habitat matters. On this subject we have not followed the steps of others but treaded new ground and led from the fore! Through the TTGI we are gaining new understanding of the Trout in our lochs, their habits and life history.

Since stocking is now forbidden by Scottish National Heritage it is futile to pursue the matter any further. The suspension of stocking into any open water in the Tweed catchment is now enshrined in law by an act of parliament. It is therefore clear, the only avenue open to us is to optimise fishing in the lochs by research based strategy and it is under this banner that we move forward with our habitat enhancement programme. The situation 5 years ago - we were the laughing stock of angling in the borders!

Biodiversity - we had and still have a vision to reintroduce Arctic Charr back into their rightful home of St Mary’s loch. Had it not been for the Con-dems misguided swingeing cuts to the funding of public bodies our Charr would have at this point in time been in our hatchery at the boat house. This retrograde step is a huge blow to our aspirations, we will however persist! What has become clear is that no remnant population of the original large eyed Charr remain, they are lost forever!

We need to seek funding of around 12,000 GBP to progress this project and we are actively seeking sponsors. The current economic climate is however damning us at every step! We will continue in our efforts to realise this vision! The situation 5 years ago – no initiatives in place!

Work to be done. – we now require anglers on joining the club now sign up to attend work parties as and when required. This will allow important projects to be carried out. The situation 5 years ago – the willing horse has it all to do.

Lost Income - we have clamped down on permit dodgers and the club has benefitted greatly from this. An angler without a permit is nowadays a rare animal indeed! Our loch keeper has been the lynchpin in our strategy and of course our grateful thanks go to him for his unceasing hard work. The situation 5 years ago – we were losing revenue hand over fist as people fished the bottom half of the loch and far side without fear of being detected!

Upgrading - we have spent large amounts of money in upgrading our fleet of boats by purchasing two 16ft Arran boats with cuddy’s which are rated as sea boats to cope with the worst St Marys can throw at us! Evidence of the success of introduction of these craft can be seen in the figures supplied by our loch keeper which show they are in use much more than our Lomond boats. The safety aspect of these boats gives anglers peace of mind in wild conditions. The situation 5 years ago- restricted usage of boats must be in by 5pm and minimal maintenance!

Alcohol/drug consumption whilst fishing.

We deplore the consumption of alcohol to excess whilst fishing, resultantly anyone found to be incapable through drink or drugs will be asked to immediately wind in and leave the lochs when a degree of sobriety is attained. The offender will also be automatically barred from returning to the lochs for a period of one year. The situation 5 years ago – do as you like. Special thanks to Peter for bearing the brunt of this problem.

Fishing techniques

We have compiled a set of rules for fishing incorporating best practice guidelines from groups such as the Pike Anglers Club GB. We encounter a much lesser number of anglers fishing inappropriately and this bodes well for future stocks of fish. The situation 5 years ago – do as you please.

Fishing access

We have reviewed the way that many visiting anglers fish and with this in mind we now allow fishing from purpose built kayaks and bona fide float tubes subject to weather conditions. The situation 5 years ago few visitors, so no innovation.

Maximising angling potential - we now have an upgraded 15ft boat with flotation tanks and increased strengthening based on the loch o the Lowes. We currently have two 15ft boats in the boathouse awaiting modification. We currently have five engines available for hire one being owned by the club and the other four being donated on a. “If free can be used basis” kindly agreed by club members. Thanks to John Wright and Les Henderson for their invaluable help with this project. The situation 5 years ago - no boat usage on the Lowes!

Quality of membership - we have gotten rid of blowhards, brags and those members, who seek only to take and give nothing in return, and as such the club is a better institution, our list of anglers barred from fishing at the lochs is available to any other club that wishes to have that information. The situation 5 years ago - membership available to anyone who could provide favour!

Child protection and angler wellbeing – we have put all our wardens through the Disclosure Scotland vetting process at our expense, to give peace of mind to anglers and their children who now know that our wardens are not thugs, sex predators or of unsavoury character.

We will press for a borders wide list of sex pests and thugs to be drawn up and made available to all clubs to afford protection to anglers and other water users. The situation 5 years ago – No effective policing of the lochs whatsoever.

Photo 02 - Looking down the loch from the Brambles.

Club direction - we are now guided by experts in the field in our activities. Our scientific advisor Dr Neville Morgan has been instrumental in our desire to press forward with fishery optimisation initiatives and to him we are most grateful! The situation 5 years ago – he who shouts loudest wins the day.

Dissemination of information – we through the news pages on the internet have made current developments available to a wider section of our membership. There is now nothing to stop members from accessing up to date information. Even if you do not have a pc you can drop into an internet cafe, library and type in to the search bar “St Marys Angling Club News” and the information is before you! So many hits has our site had that there is no need to search through endless lists; it comes up first time every time!

Through our news pages we will continue to expose fools, idiots and Muppets! Clowns in the manner of Mr Kens & Dangerman will be subject to trial by mass exposure. Break our rules or make a fool of yourself and you will be subject to public trial! We do this as a service to the many decent anglers who visit us regularly. We will also however feature some of the many decent respectable anglers that are the majority of our membership and visitors who display impeccable behaviour. The situation 5 years ago – Muppets ignored.

We are very keen to inform members of events by use of e mail and text so please when renewing/joining give us that contact information if you have it!

Maintenance - we have carried out much needed maintenance on the club boathouse by removing heavy moss growth from the roof (thanks to members Dick Patterson and Les Henderson) and giving the walls a much needed freshen up with new paint Thanks to Gordon Mc Clurg, Mike Wood, Alan Purves and Les Henderson for their help with this daunting task). Stevie Nimmo worked his magic on our inbuilt generator and we now have power when we need it! All our boats are now inspected twice a year with immediate repair if possible carried out where defects are noted. Anglers are reminded to inform us immediately of any perceived defects in order that we can investigate and rectify as required. The toilet facilities in the boat house have been restored to working order thanks to Les Henderson and Scotty Dunsmore. Thanks also to Elliot Fraser for his engineering prowess with a number of upgrades to our infrastructure. It is necessary to thank again Mike Wood who has taken on the task of servicing our engines, thanks again Mike! The situation 5 years ago – minimal maintenance.

Fixtures & fittings - we now have a vast array of material resources at our disposal kindly gifted to us by Scott Dunsmore one of the many members who has assisted us greatly. It seems that no matter what we are seeking Scotty can help! We are hugely indebted to Scott for his selfless generosity and to long suffering mate Drew who assists Scotty even to the extent to cutting off his head when taking photos of landmark big Pike he has caught! The situation 5 years ago – no resources to speak of.

Habitat enhancement - we have already planted over three hundred willow trees around the loch which will provide cover and food for our young fish of all species; we are soon to embark on our burn improvement programme which will see banks strengthened against erosion, creation of pools, glades and riffle areas to benefit our young fish. Our thanks go to Alasdair White and John Wright for their work on this project. The situation 5 years ago – the topic was never mentioned.

Photo 03 - Looking across the loch from the boathouse.

Social angling - we currently have three competitions per year on the loch, one open and two for members only. Our Wild Trout Competition seeks to involve the businesses in the area and a great first prize of an autumn days Salmon fishing on the queen of Salmon rivers. The prize is currently valued at 1200.00GBP. We are indebted to Major Sir Neil Westbrook for the kindness he has shown us. The situation 5 years ago – no action whatsoever.

Community integration - we make a donation each year to Cappercleuch village hall funds to assist albeit in a small way in them achieving their goals. We also make a small donation of a prize for various community events. We thank the officers of the village hall committee for allowing us to play a small part in the community. The situation 5 years ago – Club operated in complete isolation.

Participation in club events – too many names to list, but a huge thank you to the regular participants in club events. You know who you are and we are most grateful for your unending support! The situation 5 years ago – no participation and no events.

Our membership is comprised of members from all over Scotland with four from England who we tolerate with only a little difficulty! Of course we are only joking Paul & Allan, Dean & Martin in fact our heavy Trout cup will be going to England for six months with Paul so we will need to take out extra insurance and weigh the cup in case they try and shave slivers of silver off (joking!)!

We have had some failures, some misguided initiatives, but from these we learn! Only by seeking a wide diversity of views can an appropriate path be selected so keep those opinions coming they really are most interesting and useful!

So there you go, we have come a long way in five years but there is still much to do! I have said it myself often that self praise is no honour, but it is not with a small degree of satisfaction that I blow the trumpet on behalf of the many members who have assisted us to come to this point and who undoubtedly will take us much further. All this not accomplished by one man, but by a committed band of club members to whom we as a committee extend our grateful thanks for without this input the club would be languishing in the wilderness as it was before under the previous regime!

It is important to make clear that in the past many stalwarts carried the flag for the club. Names like Airley, Miller, Nimmo, and the Young bros to name but a few, were responsible for laying the foundations that have made the club what it is today and to them we are deeply indebted! The names of these people will forever be etched into the history of St Mary’s Angling Club! This blog which will remain on the web forever as a social record of the club will bear testament to their endeavours!

Our AGM takes place on Wednesday the 26^th commencing at 19.00hrs at the Tibbie Shiels Inn at the top of the loch. Hope to see you there!