End of Year Moan

As we are all well aware the boom in jet bikes and speed boats since the late eighties has had a devastating effect on the environment in and around Loch Lomond and in our case the fishing. The main problems seem to be the excessive noise and total disregard for other people’s enjoyment of the Loch. How many times have we seen these crafts speeding along shorelines well within the restricted area as stated by the Loch Lomond Authority. I witnessed utter chaos one day this year when two jet bikes and a speed boat, all seemingly chasing one another, plough recklessly through a flotilla of yachts at the start of one of their regattas. Then there are the numerous occasions when a speed boat passes you, by only a few yards leaving you to deal with the problem of the wake the speed boat creates.

These senseless people seem to forget that they are ruining other people’s enjoyment of the Loch, whether it is us fishermen meandering along the shoreline trolling or quietly fly fishing or walkers trying to have a peaceful ramble along the shores of the loch, or the other number of Loch users out for a bit of R and R, as the yanks would put it, after a long week at the office. It doesn’t matter, Loch Lomond and its shores are there for everyone to enjoy, but by playing by the rules of common decency to others.

This past week or so, the Glasgow Herald has been publishing articles about the problems in and around the Loch, and funnily enough the Jet Bikes and Speed Boats seem to get a special mention. Now, with the forth coming speed restrictions on Lake Windermere, (10mph max) their water authority have published a brochure indicating where these speed freaks can go to continue their devastation, and would you believe it Loch Lomond gets a special mention. I have got to wonder what National Park decrees a 10mph speed limit for all water craft, and then issues a brochure advising those same speedsters that they can go to another National Park and create mayhem there. Surely, the National Park‘s should be working together towards the same believes and not just fobbing off one problem onto another Parks doorstep.

To help our case with regards to the speed freaks, I would suggest that in future all incidents be reported to the Park Authority, whether or not you managed to get a boat registration number or not. For at the end of the day the Authority will use whatever figures they have to hand to substantiate their decisions and actions.

Onto the problem with the Coarse fishing brigade, I don’t want to mention anything about permits or the like which I believe is under negotiation at present, between our committee and that of the Coarse fishing body. Our problem and that of the environment with regards to existing stocks of natural fish within Loch Lomond is the introduction of foreign species to the system, for example, Barbell and Ruff. Well, the jury’s not back in yet with regards to the Ruff problem, but I’d bet you they’ll have eaten the odd Perch fry, and Salmon Parr or two in their life’s cycle. All those extra fish must have detrimental effect on the existing natural stocks of fish within the Loch Lomond system. I know Mike Brady and the rest of the committee are battling to try to stop this crazy behaviour until more investigative work can be carried out to see what damage is being done, if any, to existing fish stocks by introducing these new species of fish into the system.

So come on folks lets be unanimous in our backing of the committee in their fight to improve our sport and that of the natural beauty that surrounds Loch Lomond. At the end of the day it’s for our benefit, who wants to listen to the constant buzz of jet bikes and speed boats. You sort out the speeding problem and I’m sure they’ll move on to other waters, preferably the sea (Baltic).

On that last note I wish you all a Merry Christmas and lots of Tight Lines for 2005.