The River came up by over 1′ yesterday, but is dropping nicely and clearing, there is a really good chance of Sea Trout over the next couple of days.  Last week 2 anglers on Tuesday evening managed to catch more than 35 brownies, 3 finnock, lost 2 Sea Trout and 1 Salmon, so as you can see it’s worth fishing the River following any rises in River level.

Tight Lines

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.
9
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

6 rods available, Bank fishing for Salmon, starting at 09:00 – 17:00, Price is £27.00 per angler.

For more information see http://www.fishpal.com/Scotland/Tay/LowerAberuthven/?dom=Tay 

To book any of these outings or further information, then please contact Scott Henderson (Outing Secretary) on scott@fishcrosswood.co.uk or 07796 226667, bookings are on a first come first served basis and your place will be confirmed upon payment.  Cheques to be made payable to “Cramond Angling Club” and sent to Scott Henderson, 5/3 Ferry Gait Crescent, Edinburgh EH4 4GS.  As usual presentations will take place at the 2010 Annual General Meeting.

4 Boats available, 3 anglers per boat trolling for Salmon at £21.00 per angler

For more information see http://www.fishpal.com/Scotland/Tay/LochFaskally/?dom=Tay

To book any of these outings or further information, then please contact Scott Henderson (Outing Secretary) on scott@fishcrosswood.co.uk or 07796 226667, bookings are on a first come first served basis and your place will be confirmed upon payment.  Cheques to be made payable to “Cramond Angling Club” and sent to Scott Henderson, 5/3 Ferry Gait Crescent, Edinburgh EH4 4GS.  As usual presentations will take place at the 2010 Annual General Meeting.

8 Rods available, £40.00 per angler, Boat & Gillie included

For more information see http://www.fishpal.com/Scotland/Tay/Islabank/?dom=Tay

To book any of these outings or further information, then please contact Scott Henderson (Outing Secretary) on scott@fishcrosswood.co.uk or 07796 226667, bookings are on a first come first served basis and your place will be confirmed upon payment.  Cheques to be made payable to “Cramond Angling Club” and sent to Scott Henderson, 5/3 Ferry Gait Crescent, Edinburgh EH4 4GS.  As usual presentations will take place at the 2010 Annual General Meeting.

CEC Countryside Rangers are currently in the planning stages to run an event on Cramond Foreshore entitled “Your Local Environment – Get Involved!”

Further information will be published once we have it.

Opening day.