Items filtered by date: September 2019

Boat removed for maintenance

Ruthven regulars should note that the club boat on this popular trout loch will not be available from this weekend. It is being removed for essential maintenance. Watch this space for updates.

More to come?

With the autumn, the Braes Pool of Inverness Angling Club’s fishings comes into its own. It has been delivering a few fish already, the latest a fresh eight pounder today (September 17) to the rod of Andy Massari. The hope is that there will be more to come. 

Ladies return for casting tuition

Just over a couple of weeks ago, the ‘Ladies who go Fishing’ day on the club water of the River Ness was cut short as extremely heavy and persistent rain raised the river to a dangerous level. As a result, three of the ladies - Seonaid Mustard, Fiona Johnston and Jane Spoor, who had spent the morning at Highland Hospice being taught knots and fly tying - were denied an afternoon of casting tuition.

But the ladies were determined to secure an introduction to the finer arts of salmon fly casting and Inverness Angling Club coaches Graham MacKenzie and Alan Scott were happy to respond - hosting the ladies on the Little Isle Pool. Again, weather played a part - this time downstream winds that gusted to over 40 mph. The ladies persevered, however, and all three made good progress in using the double Spey and snake roll casts. Associate member James Emery from Norfolk also deserves thanks for being on hand to serve up tea and coffee.

Leading ladies: High winds did not trouble these enthusiastic Ladies who go Fishing

Otter claims pink

What is believed to be the first sign of Pacific pink salmon in the Ness catchment this year came with the discovery of the remains of a humpback at the tail of the MacIntyre Pool this week. It looks as though it is what's left of an otter’s meal and was found by James Buchanan who alerted the Ness District Salmon Fishery Board. A regular visitor from Kirkintilloch, James recently rescued a distressed baby otter from the river.

Terrific teeth: The head of the pink salmon found by the Ness

Access restrictions for marathon

Early October will see the usual disruption to angler access to the Little Isle Pool for the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running. But organisers are doing everything they can to minimise the impact on anglers.

For logistical and safety reasons the weekend closure on Bught Road begins on Friday at 1.30 pm and continues through to Sunday midnight.

Significant logistics movements will be taking place around the isle car park on Wednesday, October 2, when members are asked to park in the RNI car park wherever possible.

Limited mobility/disabled members will get access towards the Little Isle car park and, depending on weather, they will be able to park hard right on the Bught Park. Access for limited mobility/disabled members will be via Ballifeary Road/Ness Walk junction roundabout They should show their pass and disability pass where appropriate at this junction. 

On Friday (October 4) from 1.30 pm, and all day Saturday, stewards are briefed that use of the Little Isle fisherman’s car park will be possible. Access by showing of passes will be at Ballifeary Road/Ness Walk junction roundabout.

Time to trout

Time flies when you’re having fun. And time has certainly flown by since the first IAC Winter Trout League was staged at Achagour Trout Fishery. We celebrated the tenth anniversary of the league over the 2018/19 sessions and next month (October) will see the start of the eleventh consecutive tournament.

Organiser Alex Elliott is looking forward to seeing all previous participants and to welcoming new ones. Give it a try; it’s challenging at times but really rewarding on a good day. Those who read the water and weather conditions, and come up with the right fly or lure, can score well.

Alex is also keen to see more under 16 junior club members taking part in the competition, subject to the agreement and support of parents or guardians, and transporting them to the fishery.

Senior and junior entry forms, and the competition rules, can be downloaded from the web site by clicking the content index on the top right of the home page, selecting Fishing and Winter Trout League.

Winter Trout League

Regretfully, the Winter Trout Leagues for 2021/22 and 2022/23 have been cancelled because of lack of interest.

 

Fly tying series set to re-start

Successful angling engages a variety of skills - none more so than the tying of flies. They are the essential element in attracting, hooking and landing your chosen quarry. Salmon flies embody shape, movement and colour to attract a fish that stops feeding as it enters fresh water. Trout flies are designed to match the type of insect on which fish are feeding. 

IAC runs a close season fly tying class which has helped develop anglers’ skills and introduced novices to this fascinating pastime. And some have already experienced the thrill of catching a fish on a fly they’ve tied.

Accredited coaches and expert tyers lead the classes which will be held in the upstairs conference suite of Dow’s Bistro on Balloan Road, Inverness, from 7 to 8.30 pm each Wednesday evening. They will run from October 23 to December 11, break for the festive season, re-start on January 15 and close on February 26. 

Novices and non-members are welcome. Tools and materials can be supplied. Those who did not take part in the 2018/19 series should register by Friday, October 4, 2019, by text to 07785 287995 or e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. giving their full name, age, postal address, telephone number and e-mail address.

Concentration: Tyers creating their favourite flies

Mixed fortunes

The final fishing days of August proved to be one of mixed fortunes on the River Ness. Friday brought smiles to the faces of members Ally Henderson, Donald MacPherson and John Benson with fine individual catches. Saturday saw Ladies who Fish enjoy a fish-less but successful day raising funds for the Highland Hospice. That was until early afternoon when many hours of incessant rain produced a fast rising river which scuppered the hopes of visiting ladies and local anglers.

Ally Henderson was out on the Silver Wells on Friday where perseverance produced a fresh fly-caught grilse of six pounds. Meanwhile, Donald MacPherson was up on the Mill Stream where he landed a cock fish of seven pounds. In the evening, downstream on the Friar’s Shott, John Benson’s continuing search for sea trout was rewarded with a two and a half pounder caught then released on a size 14 teal blue and silver.

Success: Another fish for Ally

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Location

Inverness Angling Club

Ness Walk
Inverness
Highlands

Email Contact

contact@invernessanglingclub.co.uk

Drop us an email and we'll respond to all inquiries as soon as possible.