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Chairman's Report 2008To look at the bigger picture first, 2007 was a year of change. The Scottish Strategic Framework for fresh water fisheries has been drafted. This is a product of the Freshwater Fisheries Forum Steering Group. Another Gordon Brown, from the Scottish Executive, was its Chairman. They put together thirty priorities for action, which we will have to work on over this coming year. Although the Scottish Government was a major contributor to this process, it must be stressed that the future of fishery management still lies very much within the sector itself and it is up to us to make it work. Over the last few years it has been rumoured that a National Fishing Licence requirement was in the pipeline. Thanks to the lobbying of many organisations such as the ASDFSB, RAFTS, Fishery Trusts and others, the enthusiasm for yet another layer of bureaucracy has cooled, as has the thoughts that River Boards were likely to be merged. It is beginning to be understood by the broader administrators that the system by which such rivers as our own are run, does work and is an efficient and effective means of freshwater fishery management. The 2007 season was another good year for the Stinchar. We are still to receive catch returns from some Riparian Owners but so far it looks as if last season was every bit as good as the previous year. It is heartening to report that our river is steadily regaining its reputation of being South West Scotland’s premier spate river. There was and is evidence of the beginning of a Spring Run returning. Given the right conditions there are Stinchar fish ready to run the river in this early part of the season. However these fish are not ‘Bars of Silver’ but rather, ‘White Gold’, and deserve the highest conservation priority. The Board stresses to all Anglers to abide by our new Angling Guide Lines and to return these fish. The grilse run was again late, this is a national phenomena and one we are told we are going to have to get used to. Water conditions throughout last summer favoured anglers and fish were caught the length of the river. Bleeding vent syndrome was evident again and it has been advised not to eat fish suffering from this condition. There is some thought that there is the potential for humans to be cross contaminated by this parasite. The closure of the Irish Drift Nets has been a great success. There are estimated to be 68,000 salmon that used to be caught at sea, now able to run the west coast rivers of the British Isles. Throughout the season the Board was pleased to see that anglers were returning fish, however we still as a river fall below the national average of 55% returned, so there is room for improvement. Do please stress to those fishing that a salmon may go well with mayonnaise but it goes better with its own sort. Sadly, the days when sea trout shoaled like herring in this river, are distant memories. It is imperative to the recovery of the stock that our guide lines concerning their conservation are strictly enforced. All sea trout must be returned, it has been stressed to the Bailiff’s to do their utmost to enforce this regulation. The season ended and the catching of the brood stock for the hatchery began. Under Derek McWilliam’s conscientious management I am delighted to say
that the Hatchery goes from strength to strength and has had its best
production yet. Over 100,000 fry have been bred and released into the head
waters of the river and once again this Christmas I anticipate there being
‘No more room at the Inn’. The Board hopes that Landowners throughout the Stinchar catchment
consider signing up to the latest Grant Schemes. Both the SRDP and the
Hadyard windfarm Fund which finances the River Basin Plan via Tommy Louden,
have packages to offer that if taken up would greatly enhance both the
environment and watercourses. There are also monies available from the Board
to fund small Capital Schemes, such as bank maintenance, obstacle clearance
and water gate construction. Any Riparian owner interested in having such
work done should get in touch either with the Board or with Tommy at FWAG. I would like to thank all those who took part in the Bird Surveys which have been carried out on the river. Their efforts produce the evidence that the Stinchar is suffering from more than its fair share of predators. An application for a licence will be made by the Board to the Scottish Executive. Over the course of this winter and spring, reports of above average numbers of ‘dead stock’, both cattle and sheep have been seen in the river. The practice of throwing dead stock into the river rather than having them collected, must be discouraged. The Board will be keeping a close eye on this matter, and must warn that if these animals can be identified and traced back to a farm, the farmer responsible risks loosing his single farm payment. The Board and Riparian Owners have been well served by Tom Lothian and his bailiffs. Although the law regarding the sale of wild salmon has been tightened, poachers are still a threat to our interests. Local practitioners may be a dying breed but there are many new faces in the country these days and we must stay diligent. ART has continued its thorough and painstaking work on the River. Brian Shaw and his staff are always ready and available to advise and help. Their expertise and knowledge greatly assists our management of the river. They give us great value for money and I would like to thank Brian and his team for their efforts. Our hopes for this coming summer are high and already fish have been caught. If we get the right water conditions all the indicators point to the Stinchar having yet another good season. All Anglers are obliged to follow our fishing guide lines, both owners and bailiffs must do their best to supervise good practice. This year sees the first season that the Fish Ayrshire Online Booking Service is being offered to Beats on the River. It is potentially both an affordable and very useful marketing tool and one I would greatly encourage Riparian Owners to sign up for. Our website www.stincharfishing.co.uk continues to advertise and
broadcast news concerning the river. Thanks go to Gordon Hyslop for the
monthly reports given to Charles Ellis. Charles always welcomes any
additional information from those who wish to update the site (Tel: 01465
881 221 Email:
info@stincharfishing.co.uk). Johnny Warrender - Chairman |
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