Cramond Angling Club

Cramond Angling Club – Committee Meeting
Meeting Minutes
Held at Cramond Boat Club 2000hrs
10h February 2010
Chairman
Hamish Barrie (HB)
Vice Chairman
Millar H-Laing (M H-L)
Treasurer
Fen Howieson (FH)
Secretary
Mike Harle (MH)
Outings Secretary
Scott Henderson (SH)
Present: HB; M H-L; FH; MH;SH; Wan Mahamood, Chris Adams, Adam Cross, Jim Gillespie, Mark Roccio, Calum McRoberts, Jim Madden
Apologies: Wan Mahamood, Dan Penman.
Approval of Previous Minutes The minutes of the 13th January 2010 Committee Meeting were approved and will be on the website page “links and downloads”. The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting, December 2009, were approved for presentation to the Members at the 2010 AGM.
1.    Chairman’s Report
1.1 Survey – HB to contact Rob Briers on the possibility of a further River survey by student(s). Email sent.
1.2 Website – now launched and working well. Thanks to Wan and Fen. 1.3 Opening day Fourteen members attended, to be included in first newsletter.
2.    Vice Chairman’s Report
2.1 Waste Bin – glad to report that a new litter bin has been sourced for the Grotto pine copse. To be installed prior to trout season. Secretary to appraise 2 Div HQ.
2.2 Website – Three articles have been added: Constructing a tapered leader for the river; Attaching a braided loop demonstrated by junior member aged 11: and A simple guide to trouting on the Almond
3.    Treasurers Report
3.1 Membership is now at 109. (245 for 2009). 3.2 Income from sale of tickets/permits £1826.80p 3.3 Expenses, – £1046.93 include £300 for printing day tickets. 3.4 Day Tickets – printed and issued. Fishers paid £100 towards printing. 3.5 Ning Almond Forum – shutdown. 3.5 Visits A visit has been arranged to the East Calder Sewage Treatment Plant on 26th
February. 3.6Kick Sampling Training is arranged for 25th March at 1000hrs, Dowies Mill – weather
permitting.
4. Secretary’s Report
4.1 Invertebrate (Kick) Sampling Pete Hill’s reports sent to Committee members by email as they become available.    Ongoing MH
4.2 MH to write to BAA regarding the clearance of footpaths on the South Bank of Beat 3. Pending proposals from Bank Maintenance team.    Pending Proposals
4.3 Correspondence ; 4.3.1Sent: Hon Membership ; Pete Hill, Paul Buchanan, Mike Wilson (Fishers).
Closed Closed
For approval 8th March 2010
1
Corr. Sent Contd 4.3.2 Mr J Nevin thanking him for his kind offer of 2 rods on the River Tummel East Haugh
Beat on 11 May 2010. 4.4 River Tummel. See 4,3,2 above. Secretary to advise all Members and entries will be
drawn at the April Committee Meeting. Tickets £10 per entry.    Ongoing 4.5 Outing 27th March 2010 Loch Tay – Highland Lodges Secretary to advise all Members.
5. Outings Secretary Report –. 5.1 Outings Programme 2010
5.1.1 Friday 26th March 5.1.2 Saturday 8th May
available. 5.1.3 Saturday 22nd May 5.1.4 Saturday 5th June 5.1.5TBA Mid June 5.1.6 Saturday 17th July
5.1.7 Sat. September 25th
5.1.8 Sat October 30th 5.1.9 TBA November
6.    Open Issues
- Loch Tay (Highland Lodges). 4 boats, 3 anglers /boat. – River Isla. 8 rods available £40 per angler, boat and ghillie
- Loch Faskally. Trolling for salmon, £21 per angler. – River Almond Competition: Hinshelwood Trophy. – Junior Competition Allendale. – Crosswood Reservoir; Evening Session; boat and bank;
including BBQ. – Crosswood Reservoir; Tam Kerr Trophy. Boat and Bank
0900 to 1700hrs. £17 Bank and £19 Boat. – River Earn Lower Aberuthven – £27 per rod. – River Tweed; Lower Caberston. Details to follow.
6.1 Work Party Calendar Adam Cross and Millar Laing took ownership of Bank Maintenance Projects. Sunday 21st February – Meet at Cammo entrance Grotto Bridge to SEPA monitoring station.
6.2Signage at Beat 3 – Signs collected and held by MH. Landowners / leaseholders to be contacted before installation of signs. Jim Gillespie agreed to assist ML and AC regarding clearance and signage.    Ongoing
6.3 Kirkliston Day Tickets – Tickets printed and issued to Kirkliston Post Office.
Closed
6.4 Installation of gauge boards. – Below the waterfall on the East Wall. Bracket and gauge board now available, to be installed at low water.    Action: FH/MH
6.5 Storage of Club Tools and Equipment – No tool store containers available due to demand. Calum McRoberts has kindly offered to store tools etc . at Turnhouse Farm. Inventory to be updated and sent to him. Calum is unable to store the tools due to quantity. Alternatives being sought.
6.6 Waste Bin at Grotto See 2.1 above.
7. New Business
7.1 Fishing Assessment – Fen reported that the FDSFB independent auditor ha completed the re-assessment process across the District. It is expected that the rate will be increased by 70%. If the rate/pound remains the same this will mean an increase in cost of approximately £500 per annum to CAC.
8.
AGM Business – Instructions from the Members – see below.
8.1    Catch returns – for 2010 to be entered into a draw, one prize only of free membership for 2011. The existing Rules will be enforced in 2010 and any Member who does not enter a catch return will be penalised within the rules.
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Cramond Angling Club
Ongoing
Action: MH
For approval 8th March 2010
9
8.2    Waterfall – missing keystones. Seek external funding for the work, survey due by hydro-geologist in early 2010.
8.3    Beat 3 Bank maintenance – focus to move to the North Bank of Beat 3 for Season 2010.
8.4    Prepare for Trout in the Classroom Project with the involvement of FDFSB, RAFTS etc. to implement in January 2011.
8.5    Promote the Club’s Junior Section whenever possible. 8.6    Continue to involve CAC in the West Lothian Bio-diversity Plan where
possible.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
No other business. The Meeting Closed at 2050hrs.
10.    Next Committee Meeting – Wednesday 10th March 2010 at 2000hrs.
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Cramond Angling Club
For approval 8th March 2010

Cramond Angling Club – Committee Meeting
Meeting Minutes
Held at Cramond Boat Club 2000hrs
10th March 2010
Chairman
Hamish Barrie (HB)
Vice Chairman
Millar H-Laing (M H-L)
Treasurer
Fen Howieson (FH)
Secretary
Mike Harle (MH)
Outings Secretary
Scott Henderson (SH)
Present: HB; M H-L; FH; MH;SH; Adam Cross, Jim Gillespie, Mark Roccio, Calum McRoberts, Jim Madden Apologies: Wan Mahamood, Chris Adams, Mark Roccio
Approval of Previous Minutes The minutes of the 10th February 2010 Committee Meeting were approved and will be on the website page “links and downloads”.
1.    Chairman’s Report
1.1 HB prompted members to prepare for the first Newsletter of the year. After some discussion it was agreed that this would be issued at the end of June, with the second at the end of November.
2.    Vice Chairman’s Report
2.1 Waste Bin – is available for installation.    M H-L will arrange time/date and advise. HQ 2 Div. Have no objection, Secretary to get permission for access from the site.
Ongoing
2.2 Membership Levels MH reminded Members that the cut-off for membership may need to be considered this Season.
3.    Treasurers Report
3.1 Membership is now at 156. (245 for 2009). 3.2 Income from sale of tickets/permits £2906.68p 3.3 Expenses, – £1319.98p. 3.4 A visit took place to the East Calder Sewage Treatment Plant on 26th March. A short
article by Alison Brooks is on the website. 3.5Kick Sampling Training is re-arranged for 6th April at 1000hrs, Dowies Mill – weather
permitting. 3.6 Angling For Youth Development – Three Season Tickets to be donated to allow 6
Juniors to fish in the company of adults. (See www.afyd,co.uk for information)
4. Secretary’s Report
4.1 Invertebrate (Kick) Sampling Pete Hill’s reports sent to Committee members by email as they become available. Some discussion ensued due to the lower sample rate.
Ongoing MH
4.2 Beat 3 pathways. Calum McRoberts met with BAA and has obtained permission to open the path from Boathouse Bridge upstream on the Airport bank.
4.3 Correspondence ;
Action C McR
13th April 2010
1
For approval in Committee 14 April 2010
IN Date
15/2/10 16/2/10 3/03/10
OUT Date
12/2/10 15/2/10 15/2/10 18/2/10 8/03/10
From – Subject
2 Div HQ – no objection to waste bin A Lindsay – Human Rights and Fishing Laws of Scotland Edinburgh Central Library – offer of database inclusion
To – Subject
RBS re AGM results and Copy of Minutes 2 Div HQ – installation of waste bin Members – Loch Tay and Tummel Outings A Lindsay – Human Rights and Fishing Laws of Scotland Edinburgh Central Library – application for database inclusion
4.6 Outings – Rest of Season. Secretary to write all members of the latest details.
Action MH 4.7 Paths for All – MH to follow up and advise.    Action MH
5. Outings Secretary Report –. 5.1 Outings Programme 2010
5.1.1 Friday 26th March 5.1.2 Saturday 8th May
5.1.3 Saturday 22nd May
5.1.4 Saturday 5th June 5.1.5TBA Mid June
5.1.6 Saturday 17th July 5.1.7 Sat. September 25th
5.1.8 Sat October 30th 5.1.9 TBA November
6.    Open Issues
- Loch Tay (Highland Lodges). 4 boats, 3 anglers /boat. – River Isla. 8 rods available £40 per angler, boat and ghillie
available. – Loch Faskally. Trolling for salmon, £21 per angler. 4 boats, 12 rods
- River Almond Competition: Hinshelwood Trophy. – Junior Competition Allendale. Budget £250 to include a barbeque and drinks. – Crosswood Reservoir; Evening Session; boat and bank;
including BBQ. – Crosswood Reservoir; Tam Kerr Trophy. Boat and Bank
0900 to 1700hrs. £17 Bank and £19 Boat. – River Earn Lower Aberuthven – £27 per rod. – River Tweed; Lower Caberston. Details to follow.
6.1 Work Party Calendar Adam Cross and Millar Laing took ownership of Bank Maintenance Projects. Sunday 15th March – Meet at Boathouse Bridge Beat 3 for path clearing and signage.
6.2Signage at Beat 3 – Jim Gillespie agreed to assist ML and AC regarding clearance and signage. M H-L has landowner information and sign positions. Ongoing
6.3Installation of gauge boards. – Below the waterfall on the East Wall. Bracket and gauge board now available, to be installed at low water.    Action: FH/MH
6.5 Storage of Club Tools and Equipment – A cubby at Cramond Has been identified as belonging to the City of Edinburgh Council, contact Kris Kempa. Secretary to contact re lease/rent opportunities.
6.6 Waste Bin at Grotto See 2.1 above.
7. New Business
7.1 Fishing Assessment – FH reported that the FDSFB independent auditor had 13th April 2010
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Cramond Angling Club
For approval in Committee 14 April 2010
Ongoing
completed the re-assessment process across the District. It is expected that the rate will be increased by 70%. If the rate/pound remains the same this will mean an increase in cost of approximately £500 per annum to CAC.
8.    AGM Business – Instructions from the Members – see below.
8.1    Catch returns – for 2010 to be entered into a draw, one prize only of free membership for 2011. The existing Rules will be enforced in 2010 and any Member who does not enter a catch return will be penalised within the rules.
8.2    Waterfall – missing keystones. Seek external funding for the work, survey due by hydro-geologist in early 2010.
8.3    Beat 3 Bank maintenance – focus to move to the North Bank of Beat 3 for Season 2010.
8.4    Prepare for Trout in the Classroom Project with the involvement of FDFSB, RAFTS etc. to implement in January 2011. HB and MH to contact
local schools regarding this.    Action: HB and MH 8.5    Promote the Club’s Junior Section whenever possible. 8.6    Continue to involve CAC in the West Lothian Bio-diversity Plan where
possible.
9    ANY OTHER BUSINESS
9.1    Beat 3 From Boathouse Bridge along the N bank access is blocked as far as the Poplars, and the path is neglected.    ML
9.2    Union Canal Lade Fish Legal are representing FDFSB to British Waterways. 9.2    WLC – Removal of Barriers to Migration WLC missed deadline for
applications, now 1 April 2010. The Meeting Closed at 2110hrs.
10.    Next Committee Meeting – Wednesday 14th April 2010 at 2000hrs.
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Cramond Angling Club
For approval in Committee 14 April 2010
13th April 2010

Cramond Angling Club – Committee Meeting
Meeting Minutes
Held at Cramond Boat Club 2000hrs
14th April 2010
Chairman
Hamish Barrie (HB)
Vice Chairman
Millar H-Laing (M H-L)
Treasurer
Fen Howieson (FH)
Secretary
Mike Harle (MH)
Outings Secretary
Scott Henderson (SH)
Present: M H-L; FH; MH; SH; Jim Gillespie, Mark Roccio, Calum McRoberts, Jim Madden Mark Roccio, Chris Adams, Wan Mahamood Apologies: Adam Cross, Scott Henderson, Hamish Barrie
Approval of Previous Minutes The minutes of the 10th March 2010 Committee Meeting were approved and will be on the website page “links and downloads”.
1.    Chairman’s Report
1.1 FH agreed to compile the Newsletter. Articles are required before the end of May.
2.    Vice Chairman’s Report
2.1 Waste Bin – is available for installation.    M H-L will arrange time/date and advise. HQ 2 Div. Have no objection, contact number provided for access.    Ongoing
2.2 Junior Competition – Allendale Tarn is booked entries closed on 12th April. 12 entries at an overall cost of £16.50 each. This includes entry fee, barbeque and drinks for the competitiors. MH to write to John Pass re donation etc.
3.    Treasurers Report
3.1 Membership is now at 187. (192 end of March 2009). 3.2 Income from sale of tickets/permits £3758.88p 3.3 Expenditure, – £1483.06p. 3.4

3.5 To be paid – Public Liability Insurance and FDFSB levy approx. £750 based on 2009 figures.
3.6 Scale Sampling – the results are in and members who donated scales have been written to by FH. The vast majority of salmon caught were grilse, having spent 2 winters in fresh water and 1 sea winter before spawning (4 year cycle). We had a salmon, which first spawned as a Grilse, hence it’s small size and returned to spawn for a second year. This is not uncommon, most spawned grilse return about the same size as they spawned the first time around. If anyone needs help telling the difference between a Grilse and a Salmon FH is happy to explain the tell tale signs. Unfortunately two kelts (grilse) were killed in April 2009. Sea trout scales need to be collected to gain information on sea trout runs.
3.7 SEPA Kick Sampling – Due to the height of the Almond this was done in the Brox Burn at Broxburn. Alison Baker and FH from CAC and two anglers from Fly Fishing West Lothian attended. Instruction was provided by Jill Gillard of SEPA, to whom thanks are extended. A good number of Baetidae, Heptageniitidae, Stoneflies,
Paragraphs 3.6, 3.7 and 7.2 added following Committee Meeting May 12th 2010
Caseless Caddis, Freshwater Shrimp, were found, indicating good water quality due to the diversity of the invertebrates. FH hopes to arrange another kick sampling day later in the year.
4. Secretary’s Report
4.1 Invertebrate (Kick) Sampling Pete Hill’s reports sent to Committee members by email astheybecomeavailable. Somediscussionensuedduetothelowersamplerate.
Ongoing MH
4.2 Beat 3 pathways. Calum McRoberts met with BAA and has obtained permission to open the path from Boathouse Bridge upstream on the Airport bank. Complete
4.6 Outings – Rest of Season. Secretary to write all members of the latest details.
Complete
4.7 Paths for All – Not viable due to limited funding and volunteer workers needed.
4.8 Expenses Claim Form – to be sent to all Committee Members.
5. Outings Secretary Report –. 5.1 Outings Programme 2010
5.1.1 Friday 26th March 5.1.2 Saturday 8th May
5.1.3 Saturday 22nd May
5.1.4 Saturday 5th June 5.1.5TBA Mid June
5.1.6 Saturday 17th July 5.1.7 Sat. September 25th
5.1.8 Sat October 30th 5.1.9 TBA November
6.    Open Issues
- Loch Tay (Highland Lodges). 4 boats, 3 anglers /boat. – River Isla. 8 rods available £40 per angler, boat and ghillie
available. – Loch Faskally. Trolling for salmon, £21 per angler. 4 boats, 12 rods
- River Almond Competition: Hinshelwood Trophy. – Junior Competition Allendale. Budget £250 to include a barbeque and drinks. – Crosswood Reservoir; Evening Session; boat and bank;
including BBQ. – Crosswood Reservoir; Tam Kerr Trophy. Boat and Bank
0900 to 1700hrs. £17 Bank and £19 Boat. – River Earn Lower Aberuthven – £27 per rod. – River Tweed; Lower Caberston. FH to confirm with SH that this outing is no longer possible due to lack of availability.
6.1 Work Party Calendar Adam Cross and Millar Laing took ownership of Bank Maintenance Projects. Sunday 18th April – Meet at Cammo for bank repairs / willow weaving on Beat 2.
6.2Signage at Beat 3 – Jim Gillespie agreed to assist ML and AC regarding clearance and signage. M H-L has landowner information and sign positions. Ongoing
6.3Installation of gauge boards. – Below the waterfall on the East Wall. Bracket and gauge board now available, to be installed at low water.    Action: FH/MH
6.5 Storage of Club Tools and Equipment – A cubby at Cramond has been identified as belonging to the City of Edinburgh Council, contact Kris Kempa. Secretary to contact re lease/rent opportunities.
7. New Business
Paragraphs 3.6, 3.7 and 7.2 added following Committee Meeting May 12th 2010
Complete
Ongoing
7.1 FDFSB Update from Fen Howieson, having attended the FDFSB meeting on 12 April. 7.1.1 Assessments – the new assessments are in and this will increase the Boards
income by approx. £40,000 p.a. these new rates will affect CAC, but the uplift will be minimal, with 6 of the Teith/Forth proprietors being hit very hard, with one facing an increase of £20,000 in the levy. As the meeting was a 2010 budget meeting I’m really pleased to announce that the increased income will be used to employ a Full Time Biologist.
7.1.2 Union Canal Lade – British Waterways have now responded to their second lawyers letter, so they have pushed the ball back into the Board to prove Salmon spawn upstream of the lade. It may be an idea for CAC to fund a days electro-fishing (targeted with local knowledge) to progress this quickly! Something to debate at the Committee Meeting.
7.1.3 Midcalder Poaching – The PF threw out the case and has requested that the rods and brown trout are returned to the offender. The Board will write to the Crown for an explanation, as this result is not acceptable and will use a Teith Case as the test case. My gut feel is that the PF’s decision will not be taken lying down and the Board will press for the correct result.
7.1.4 Weirs – SEPA were originally going to assess the lowest weir on each of the Districts Rivers, Patrick has convinced them that they should target the River Almond’s weirs, so this is an excellent result for the Almond and should mean that the Almond will be the test case for removing all unnatural barriers.
Note: As you’ll see the River Almond formed a big chunk of the Boards discussions today and this reflects well on Cramond Angling Club.
7.2 Sub Management Group – The members have all agreed, so several representatives from CAC, FFWL, SEPA, SNH and WLC make up the Group. An initial Meeting will be arranged shortly to formalise the FMP and hard work will be needed during 2010 to survey the entire catchment. The priority will be “walk over” habitat surveys, obstruction mapping and invasives. It will be necessary to work with WLC and CEC regarding treatment of invasives.
8.
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AGM Business – Instructions from the Members – see below.
8.1    Catch returns – for 2010 to be entered into a draw, one prize only of free membership for 2011. The existing Rules will be enforced in 2010 and any Member who does not enter a catch return will be penalised within the rules.
8.2 8.3 8.4
8.5 8.6
Waterfall – missing keystones. Seek external funding for the work, survey due by hydro-geologist in early 2010. Beat 3 Bank maintenance – focus to move to the North Bank of Beat 3 for Season 2010.
Prepare for Trout in the Classroom Project with the involvement of FDFSB, RAFTS etc. to implement in January 2011. HB and MH to contact
local schools regarding this.    Action: HB and MH Promote the Club’s Junior Section whenever possible. Continue to involve CAC in the West Lothian Bio-diversity Plan where possible.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
9.1 Draw for the Tummell, May 11th was completed and won by Jim Madden. MH to advise Mr Nevin. There were 5 responses to this draw.
Paragraphs 3.6, 3.7 and 7.2 added following Committee Meeting May 12th 2010
9.2 Fish Identification – Calum McRoberts suggested that suitable flyers be included next season when membership information is sent out. – Agreed
9.3 River Fly Partnership – Jim Madden (JM) spoke on this: Craig MacAdam is the Scottish coordinator for this project. Up to 12 people are needed to attend an in depth day course for kick sampling etc. Estimated cost approximately£6K from external sources, e.g. Lottery Grant, Morrisons Programme. This would allow sampling of more burns within the system.
MH to sort paperwork. JM to provide draft information for website.
9.4 Club mobile phone – Wan Mahamood asked to be relieved of this as he is now working full time and is unable to respond to calls ad lib. M H-L agreed to take this over.
The Meeting Closed at 2130hrs.
10.    Next Committee Meeting – Wednesday 12th May 2010 at 2000hrs.
Paragraphs 3.6, 3.7 and 7.2 added following Committee Meeting May 12th 2010