Committee Minutes July 2008

Unapproved extracts from Minute of Meeting of Aberdeen & District Angling Association held at the Bothy, Riverside Drive, Aberdeen on Monday 7 July 2008 at 7.30pm.

Ardlethen

The car park is now completed.

Manse Pool bank erosion

Works are to be progressed.

On-line catch returns

A member has volunteered via the forum to prepare a system for doing this via the website. Paul confirmed he has been provided with the catch data input requirements & the reporting output requirements & had answered positively to a number of queries & concerns raised by Committee members on how the system would operate. Paul also confirmed the member has volunteered to prepare a test system for feedback initially & that he has provided reassurance that it can be amended easily thereafter if it needs to be changed.

Dee Counter

It was confirmed that, conditions permitting, demolition works will commence the end of July, works expecting to last around three to four weeks. This was delayed by the time spent by SEPA in issuing the appropriate licence. This is much later than the Dee District Salmon Fishery Board had hoped for.

Maintenance Contract 2008

Alec reported that grass cutting at Ardlethen, Kemnay, & Methlick was being carried out by the same contractor as per last year, & that Kemnay was now completed & that 80% of Ardlethen was done. 

He also reported that the new contractor, Stuart, was doing the rest of the beats & that 75% to 80% was already completed by him plus one Assistant.

Regulation of the introduction of freshwater fish in Scotland

A letter dated 30 June 2008 from the Scottish Government Marine Directorate regarding regulation of the introduction of freshwater fish in Scotland has been received. The legislation comes into force on 1 August 2008 & regulates the introduction ie stocking of all species of freshwater fish in Scotland. The Stocking Convenor confirmed a form was not required to be completed this year for the Don stocking.

Catch Return notices

Catch Return notices for the periods February to May 2008 have been received from the Don & Dee Salmon Fishery Boards. Paul has responded accordingly.

“Marketplace”

An email dated 3 June 2008 was received from the Dee District Salmon Fishery Board regarding a section on the www.fishdee.co.uk site which is now called "Marketplace"

Installation of a fish pass on the River Coy at Crathes.

An email dated 30 June 2008 was received from the Dee District Salmon Fishery Board regarding the Board having just completed installing a fish pass on the River Coy at Crathes. The work was carried out by Deeside Construction as part of the LIFE project and means that for the first time in nearly 200 years salmon and sea trout will be able to gain access to the Coy. Work has also just started on the remaining two obstructions on the Dye and

these should be completed in the next couple of weeks. This has been posted on the website.

New bridges at Ardlethen

The Committee agreed that three new bridges be made for Ardlethen.

Belmuir fishings

The President reported that since the last meeting the opportunity arose at short notice to secure a year’s lease on the Belmuir fishings on the Ythan at the reasonable cost of £1000. He confirmed he had discussed this with various Committee members & took the decision to secure the lease on behalf of the Association. This was consequently extended to a five year lease, £1000 per year. Alec also confirmed maintenance requirements were under investigation. Details were posted onto the website & reaction from members so far has been very favourable.

Sea Angling Trip

The sea angling boat trip held on Sunday 6 July from Arbroath was again a success, with 20 or so cod & a lot of mackerel caught.

Vision Open Day

The recent Vision Open Day was heralded a success, details were posted on the website & reaction was very favourable. Guide flyfishing tackle have kindly donated a fly rod, fly reel, & line to the value of £200 to the Association. Paul is to write to thank them. Various suggestions were made of how to make the best use out of it, Stuart to make a recommendation on this to a future meeting.