Items filtered by date: March 2020
Defiant angler removed
Bailiffs from the Ness District Salmon Fishery Board acted on a report of people fishing the Inverness Angling Club waters of the River Ness today (Friday, March 27). An individual was removed.
Anglers are reminded that the club beats are closed in accordance with government recommendations to protect the public during the current coronavirus pandemic. Anyone ignoring emergency laws, and the club’s closure of the fishings, could face potentially serious consequences under these laws and for their club membership.
Club closes Ness fishings
With some anglers ignoring advice not to fish in current circumstances, Inverness Angling Club has closed the Ness fishings with immediate effect.
President Alex Elliott said: “River and loch fisheries have closed throughout Scotland as clubs and proprietors follow government advice. We are aware how important our sport is to our members but their health, and the health of others, must be our top priority. The situation will be reviewed in three weeks time.”
In order to protect club officials from the spread of the virus, the club has decided to suspend membership renewal until further notice.
Club advises - No Fishing
As expected, Inverness Angling Club has recognised current restrictions announced by the Government to deal with the spread of coronavirus. In a statement today (March 24), club secretary Steve Black explained:
“Members will all be aware that the Government has placed restrictions on the movement of people over the next three weeks, unless under certain criteria. They will also have seen, on social media, that a number of rivers throughout Scotland have now closed to all fishing.
“Inverness Angling Club’s advice is that members should consider their own safety, and that of others, and give serious consideration to adopting a similar stance and avoid fishing. We would also advise that the huts are no longer open for use as we have no regime to sanitise them.
“FishPal, who have previously sold visitor tickets on our behalf, have taken the decision to suspend all bookings over the next three weeks.
“For members who have yet to renew their membership, the club is waiving the £20 fine for late renewal for this season. Renewals will only be accepted by post to the membership secretary John Ralph, 98 Fairflied Road, Inverness. Under no circumstances should individuals visit John’s home address in an effort to renew.”
Membership information is available at https://www.invernessanglingclub.co.uk/fishing/permits/ness-permits
The news section of the web site will update members as soon as new information is available.
Tackle shop to close
The tackle shop of Grahams of Inverness will close tonight (Monday, March 23) in response to recommended measures dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. It’s understood that the shop’s online service will continue to meet general shopping needs.
The shop is a key centre for the renewal of Inverness Angling Club membership. If possible, anglers who have yet to renew their membership should do so today.
Club officials are currently discussing alternative methods of dealing with membership renewal requests that meet social distancing requirements. These will be advised as soon as possible through the club web site and Facebook pages.
Hut gathering concerns
The individual nature of fishing loch or river offers ideal relief from current controls on public gatherings designed to slow the advance of coronavirus. But while they fish alone anglers are also social beings who love to swap stories by the banks.
It’s a concern for Inverness Angling Club president Alex Elliott. “We all love to gather at the club huts for a chat and a cup of coffee, but it’s not wise in current circumstances when a dangerous virus can spread so quickly through social contact. While members can carry on fishing, I’d advise that they don’t gather at the huts.”
Good craic: But unwise in current circumstances
Trout league falls victim to virus
Advisory measures limiting public gatherings to control the spread of coronavirus grow ever more stringent, and are likely to continue for many months. Consequently, the organisers of Inverness Angling Club’s winter trout league have decided to cancel the remaining sessions of the league, which are held at Achagour Trout Fishery.
Three sessions remained - March and April, which competitors were due to fish on their day of choice, and the final in May, when all fishers gather for a grand fish-off and social event. Organisers felt the sessions, especially the final, posed an unacceptable risk, particularly for older anglers.
Meantime, there will be no decision on the results of the 2019/2020 event. The matter will be kept under review.
Club cancels SGM
Recognising efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus, Inverness Angling Club has cancelled its special general meeting scheduled for this Thursday evening (March 19).
The meeting was called to determine changes to annual fees to meet the terms to the Equality Act. The committee will keep matters under review and update members through the web site and Facebook when appropriate.
My Ness contract awarded
Today’s issue of the Inverness Courier (March 13) reports that Highland Council has awarded the contract for the My Ness art project by the Little Isle Pool of the River Ness to Simpson Builders of Beauly. The installation will feature two curved walls on opposite sides of the river.
As previously reported, stakes marking the proposed position and width of the walls appeared on Wednesday morning. The project will involve the demolition and rebuilding of the anglers’ hut which has been a feature of the site, in one form or another, for over 100 years.
On your marks….?
Is this the start of the famed ‘Gathering Place’ by the Little Isle Pool of the River Ness? The stakes, which appeared this morning (March 11), mark the proposed position and width of the wall which will frame the site. Discussions continue between Highland Council and Inverness Angling Club on the design and position of the anglers’ hut.
Get set: A starter for the wall?
Boat launch delayed
Inverness Angling Club is delaying the annual launch of its boat on Loch Ruthven, the famed trout fishery. Given current inclement weather, the launch will be delayed until April 1.
The boat is available free to members on booking through Grahams’ tackle shop where the key to the padlock can be collected. When there are no bookings from members the boat is available to clients of Grahams, securing valuable income for the club.
IAC advises all users of the boat to wear a lifejacket.