Items filtered by date: November 2018

Awards for two

A lady member who caught her first salmon from the Little Isle Pool of the River Ness this season was awarded Inverness Angling Club’s Angler of the Year Trophy at the club’s AGM. On receiving the trophy from president Graham MacKenzie, Geraldine Connah told the gathering that her success was largely down to all the help and advice she had received from fellow club members. The Corie Horne Trophy for the first spring salmon went to veteran angler Lawrence Deans.

 

Delighted: Trophy winners Lawrence Deans and Geraldine Connah with Graham MacKenzie

Committee elections

IAC members attending the club’s AGM last night (November 22) re-elected Graham MacKenzie as president and Steve Black as secretary for further two-year terms. Vice president Alex Elliott and treasurer Gordon Smith have another year of their terms to serve. Committee members elected were Neil Fraser, Paul Owen, Bill Byers, Harry Fraser, Tony Quinn, Lawrence Deans, Walter Mackay, Donnie Allan, John Ralph, Steve Watt, Graham Forbes and Tracy Stronach, believed to be the first lady to serve on the committee. John Ralph will serve as membership secretary.

Issues raise extensive debate

Two issues raised at the AGM concerned catches. Worming is currently restricted to the period from July 1 to August 31. Jim McDowall’s proposal, extending the period to September 30, was approved by 14 votes against 11 for the status quo.

There was considerable discussion about rules restricting members to the killing of two salmon or grilse under eight pounds in the period from July 1 to October 15. A proposal by Davie Dyce to give anglers the choice to kill four fish in that period was defeated by 30 votes to eight.

Visitor sales soar

Sales of visitor permits for the IAC’s town fishings were expected to be high this year as very low water conditions affected fishing on so many other rivers. And so it proved. The AGM heard that day permit sales hit a five year high at 353, well over the 329 sold in 2017 and 177 in 2014. Such sales are important for club finances and help avoid any increases in membership fees. Sales of weekly permits fell to one, three down on 2017.

Members achieve high release rate

In a season when Category 2 applied from July 1, allowing the retention of two cock fish under eight pounds, club members achieved a creditable 87 per cent release rate of salmon and grilse. The total catch of salmon and grilse for the season was 233, up 29 on the previous year. 192 salmon and grilse were released and 41 retained. Predictably, August and September were the most successful months.

Adult membership holds steady

IAC membership remained stable during 2018 compared to the previous year. AGM reports confirmed that adult membership totalled 241 - one less than in 2017. There were 129 seniors (128 in the previous year), 28 introductory rate (32), ) zero intermediate (3), 5 ladies (3), 39 concessionary (33), 7 honorary (7) and 33 associate (34). Junior membership fell from 131 to 89. Sea trout permits issued fell from 59 to 49.

Club AGM

Members of Inverness Angling Club are encouraged to attend the club’s annual general meeting which will be held in the Raigmore Hospital Recreation Hall this Thursday (November 22) at 7.30 pm. The meeting will give members an opportunity to receive detailed reports on the progress of the club and elect a committee that will be responsible for guiding activities in 2019. Chris Conroy, director of the Ness District Salmon Fishery Board, will address key issues facing the fishery.

Hydro Concerns

Plans to develop an Archimedes screw hydro scheme at the Holm Mills weir have raised significant concerns about the potential threat to migrating fish in the Ness System. The proposals, submitted by The Highland Council, are currently being considered by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. Inverness Angling Club’s concerns have been passed to the Ness District Salmon Fishery Board which is discussing the scheme with the council and Sepa.

Stuff for tyers

Kind donations of tools and materials have made a major contribution to Inverness Angling Club’s fly tying classes. These are held from 7 pm each Wednesday evening in the upstairs conference suite of Dow’s Bistro, adjacent the junction of Old Edinburgh Road and Balloan Road. All are welcome, experienced or beginner.

Such is the array of materials received that IAC members who tie trout or salmon flies are invited to view the collection and select, for personal use, some of the hair, feathers (hackles, wings and quills), twinkle and accessories available. The materials are held by Alan Scott whose contact details can be found in membership cards. Please call 07785 287995 in advance to confirm a time for a visit and bring your current membership card with you.

Ali instructs and entertains

Enthusiastic fly tyers from the junior and senior sections of Inverness Angling Club gathered for a real treat on Wednesday evening (November 14) when Ali Hutchens gave a fascinating and entertaining demonstration of his tying skills. He presented a variety of tips to produce the best looking flies - for both angler and fish! These will help trainees to develop their skills. As a token of the club’s thanks, the Stronach family presented Ali with a tying tool block, specially made by family head Stephen and inscribed with the IAC logo.

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Inverness Angling Club

Ness Walk
Inverness
Highlands

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