The Committee’s Blog

We are very pleased to announce that a new lease on the Craigbell Pool has been negotiated and LLAIA members will once again be able to access it three days a week. There will be no booking system and members will be required to observe the following code of conduct.

1. Fishing will be available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each week.

2. Only two anglers may fish the pool at any time.

3. Fishing is by fly only and all rules applicable to LLAIA fishings on the River Endrick shall apply.

4. When anglers are waiting to fish the pool, those already fishing must steadily progress through, leave the water and return to the head of the pool to wait in turn.

5. Unless fish are damaged they should be returned at all times.

6. No alterations shall be made to the weir or the river bed.

7. When in doubt as to the identity of persons fishing the pool, members should seek to confirm their status and if in any doubt contact the Association bailiffs.

As many of us know, the Craigbell Pool can hold a fair head of fish resting after their passage through the Potts. If conditions are right and the fish in the mood it can be day out to remember.

Regards,

LLAIA Committee.

For many years the Loch Lomond Angling Improvement Association has managed its own hatchery operation. In 2008 the smolt programme was commenced.The following year the hatchery was closed and the operation outsourced to the north west Highlands where fingerlings and parr were reared for introduction to LLAIA controlled waters.

Last winter (2011) the previous administration decided against catching brood stock, closed the smolt programme and in February the remaining hatchery fed fingerlings were brought south and planted out just prior to the AGM.

A survey of the LLAIA hatchery site reveals that it has fallen into a state of disrepair and is no longer fit for purpose. The current committee believe that investment in this facility would be inadvisable due to the risk to the water supply (it is on the top of a hill) and the massive investment that would be required to get it up to a functioning state.

Contrary to the information supplied to Association members, the proprietor of the hatchery operation mentioned earlier is prepared to do business with this committee in the future. However, there is a problem in accessing hatchery space this year and we have no guarantee that space will be available. Therefore it is almost certain that in 2012 the LLAIA will have to rely on natural spawning to replenish juvenile fish numbers.

Without an artificial stocking safety net every pair of spawning fish will be crucial to our future sport.

While there have been encouraging signs in respect of conservation efforts related to our sea trout stocks, which everyone recognises as being particularly vulnerable, up until recently the LLAIA has been almost alone in Scotland in refusing to act to conserve wild salmon stocks. looking at our most valuable stock component, the heavy spring salmon that enter our system normally from March onwards, the figures are depressingly stark:

- In Scotland in 2011 over 90% of the spring stock was returned.

- LLAIA members on the other hand recorded only returning one spring salmon.

Exploitation of the wild salmon stock at this level cannot continue otherwise we may face a collapse of arguably our most important run of fish. The new committee are clear about the way forward, particularly since the safety net of the hatchery has been removed.

We need to return as many fish as possible, especially spring fish.

To this end the LLAIA has introduced a reward scheme for members and ticket holders alike, incentivising the return of spring fish. The Association in conjunction with the Glasgow Angling Centre will reward every angler who returns a spring fish to the system.

For each salmon returned, the Glasgow Angling Centre will donate a £20 tackle voucher and the LLAIA will match this with a voucher to the same value or a bottle of whisky.

Obviously each claim will be looked at carefully, so we would expect photos (video if possible), witnesses, scales, fin clippings, as much evidence as possible. Further information regarding fin clippings and scales is contains in the following links:

http://genome-lab.ucdavis.edu/Protocols/tissuesampleprot.pdf

http://web.nrdpfc.ca/finclip.htm

 http://www.celticseatrout.com/anglers/scale-samples.htm

http://www.stateofthesalmon.org/fieldprotocols/downloads/SFPH_p1.pdf

For avoidance of doubt, it is unlikely that there will be a brood stock collection later this year. We will rely on a completely natural stocking, so as members you have to consider seriously how best to enhance and protect future stocks on our system. Members will be given the opportunity later this month to complete a questionnaire which will, amongst other things, consider the future direction of conservation policy. Until then we would urge everyone to think very carefully about killing spring fish.

It is your system, make sure that you do what is necessary to keep it healthy, put them back if possible and claim your reward. 

Regards,

LLAIA Committee.

We’d like to remind members of the ongoing Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority 2012 Byelaw Review Public Consultation which is currently ongoing, ending on 18 June. 

One of the issues at stake is the restriction of camping on four of the main islands on Loch Lomond, namely: Inchmoan, Inchconnachan, Inchtavannich and Inchcruin.

The report can be accessed at:

www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/lochlomondbyelaws

Whether you’re in agreement or disagree with any of the proposals we would ask you to exercise your right and complete the response form which can be submitted online or downloaded and forwarded to NPA Headquarters, 20 Carrochan Road, Balloch G83 8EG

Regards,

LLAIA Committee

Would all members please note that the River Leven Clean Up is scheduled for Saturday 12th May and Sunday 13th May.

Meeting point: Bonhill Bridge at 10am on both dates.

Work parties will concentrate on the following sites:

Saturday

1. VOLDAC to Black Bridge (tow path)

2. Academy to Polaroid Bridge (tow path)

3. Boat Hole to Blue Bridge (east bank)

Sunday

1. As above if required

2. Bonhill Bridge to Black Bridge (east bank)

3. Polaroid Bridge to Boat Hole

4. Blue Bridge to pump house

A skip all be located at Bonhill Bridge. Van and trailer will be used to access skip and Dalmoak dump.

Gloves, black bags, recently serviced strimmers and chainsaws will be available. Refreshments (light) will also be provided.

Remember to bring suitable clothing/footwear, and most importantly….yourselves!

Regards,

LLAIA Committee.

The answer to that question really shouldn’t take much thought……

When it comes to improving our salmon stocks, there is no doubt that the only real way forward is through letting nature take it’s course.

A lot of time, money and dedication was put into our hatchery operation, only for it to be eventually abandoned. Similarly, the smolt programme, which was terminated rather prematurely it seems…….

What we have found very interesting, and many of you will have contributed to it, was  the survey of members conducted several years ago. These results have now come to light and it shows that a very high percentage of members were in favour of some degree of catch and release. Nothing was ever put in to practise…why?

We can assure our members that while this has not been an easy transitional period, the members of the committee have been working very hard to set the Association back on track, with ‘Improvement’ our main thought. A clearer picture of how the Association stands will be presented at the EGM in June. 

The  recent ‘Report’s’ section mentioned the work carried out by the Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust and the siting of smolt traps on the rivers Endrick and Blane. The numbers of fish recorded to date show a marked increase in the natural salmon population, which is very encouraging. How has this come about? One definite reason. We know that many of our members have been returning fish and as mentioned earlier, there can be no replacement, no matter how ambitious or expensive, for Mother Nature’s ‘own way’.

A survey will be circulated prior to the EGM, which will cover a wide range of topics affecting the Association. This will also cover  your thoughts on Catch and Release.

Spring salmon play a very important part in our plan and rather than introduce a mandatory catch and release policy, members are asked to subscribe to the voluntary release of any salmon caught between now and 31st of May. As an incentive we are offering a bottle of finest malt whisky for each fish returned. It is expected of course that any claim will be authenticated by witnesses, photos, video and if possible fin clipping and scales. This is a chance for everyone to invest in the system’s future and drink to it’s health! If you don’t partake of the ‘water of life’ we’ll give you a voucher for Glasgow Angling centre instead.

We hope that you will give this initiative the full consideration and support that it deserves and help in the restoration of our wild salmon stocks.

Look forward to meeting and hearing from you very soon.

Regards,

LLAIA Committee.

A total of 200 returns (~40% of all members) were received.

Salmon – 231 salmon taken, 67 declared released, anecdotal evidence suggests more were released

Sea Trout – 471 taken, 225 declared released, anecdotal evidence suggests more were released

The above figures show an increase from 2010 catches for both salmon and sea trout.  In particular the Endrick and the Fruin fished much better, probably due to the favourable water conditions throughout the late summer and early autumn. However, it is disappointing that many anglers (including some highly successful ones) still do not return their annual catch return forms. 

There were several large sea trout in excess of 6Lb caught throughout the system during the course of 2011, most that we are aware of were released.  This level of restraint is to be applauded and the anglers concerned should be congratulated on returning this key element of our stock.

The Catch return form for season 2011 did not allow for inclusion of fish returned. However, it is known that the numbers were  higher than shown.

LLAIA Committee