The 2009 Stornoway Angling Association AGM is to be held at 7.30pm on Tuesday 17 March in the Stornoway Sea Angling Club.

The minutes of the 2008 AGM are as follows-

STORNOWAY ANGLING ASSOCIATION

Minute of the Annual General Meeting held at the Stornoway Sea Angling premises on Tuesday 18th March 2008

Part 1

1          Introduction by President

1.1              Malcolm Mackay welcomed everyone to the meeting. The attendance sheet contained 34 names.

2          Apologies

2.1        Apologies were received from Ken Galloway, Phil Smith, Regis Phillipe, Charlie Nicolson, Roddy Gomez, Simon Scott and Innes Morrison

3          Minute of 2007 AGM

3.1        The minutes of the previous years AGM were considered and approved -             Proposed by Gordon Mackenzie and seconded by Eddie Mould

4          Matters arising from Minute

4.1         There were no comments on the previous minutes.

5          President's Report  

5.1        Copies of the President's Report were distributed at the meeting.

5.2       Membership numbers increased from the previous year. The total membership for 2007 was 259 up from 231 in 2006. The membership was made up of 179 full members, 32 junior members and 43 concessions plus 5 associate members

5.3         The catch returns for 2007 have generally held up well (2006 figures in brackets) Creed     

             numbers were excellent for 2007.

            Loch Langavat 32trips (38) with 26 (28) Salmon caught and two returned 1 (2) Sea

            trout  returned 531 (585) trout caught with 401 returned.

            Loch Faoir Mhoil 15(21) trips with 8 (17) Salmon caught with 3 returned. Sea Trout    

            7 (2) caught and all returned and trout 18(102). As intimated in previous years it is 

            important that accurate returns are kept as the Grimersta estate require a weekly return as

            part of our agreement.

            Creed system 386 (201) day tickets, 123 (77) evening tickets and 149(110) season

             ticket holders with 318 (70) Salmon caught and 145 returned, 410 (245) Sea trout caught

             and 240 released, 501 finnock with 443 released

             Trout Boats  The trout boats were fairly well used throughout the season. Although 

             we had a slow start to the trout season we had a good May and June. Loch Achmore

             produced good numbers of trout up to 1.25lbs reported. There were also good numbers of

             trout reported on a number of the Association lochs closer to town.

5.4         Catch returns As intimated every year it is important that catch returns are completed

             at Sportsworld for all the association lochs.

             Creed returns are particularly important for season ticket holders as the

            Association must provide returns to the Scottish Office by the end of November. 

            If theAssociation are late with their Returns the Association may be subject to a fine

            of up to £5000.00. Please ensure that all returns are in at the end of the season. 

            The Creed system benefited from very good water levels for much of the 2007 season.

            Reasonable runs in early June were followed by good runs of Salmon and Sea trout from

            mid July onwards. Rather than the usual large run of fish over  three or four weeks, 2007

            saw a steady run of fish over a longer period with fresh Salmon and Seatrout entering the

            system in Early October. The Salmon return was the best since the 1960s with far more

            good Sea trout than normal.

            The Creed fishery was very busy during 2007, although good for income, made river

            management very difficult. There are proposals to amend and introduce a number of rules

            for the 2008 season.                                                                                                       

5.5               Prize giving Dinner This is due to take place on Saturday 31^st March in the Crown Hotel. The Prize winners for 2007 were  :-

Club Champion Alan Brown

Jamieson Cup    -   Calum Stewart

Junior Champion Steven Macleod

Maciver Cup Neilson Macdonald

Maclarty Shield Donnie Maciver

Lamont Bowl Calum Stewart

Barker Cup Stornoway AA

Poachers Shield Stornoway AA

Obbe Trophy Norman Duncan

             Mackinnon Plate Malcolm J Gillies 

5.6   Salmon Redd Counting  The high rod catches in 2007 did not lead to a high redd

      count. It would appear that there were not more salmon in the system than the previous two

      years but that the excellent fishing conditions led to a high rod catch. This should serve as a

      warning as it could be possible to take too large a harvest to the detriment of future catches.

      The proposed fish counter will, in the future, make it possible to compare salmon

      runs/catches and ensure that too many Salmon are removed from the system.

                                                                               2002 122

                                                                               2003 153

                                                                               2004 221

                                                                               2005 433

2006    - 303

2007    - 336

      The Association are looking for volunteers to carry out redd counts and redd work. Any

       member interested can contact a committee member for details. The Association is still

       engaged in a program of limited re stocking from the Creed hatchery.

5.7       Acknowledgements

             The president would like to express his thanks to all those who helped the Association

             over the last year.

             We feel a special mention should be given to the following:-                                                    

             Ian Roxburgh who does a fine job on the engines at Langavat.

             Tony Robson for accessing grant funding.

             Donnie Maciver for assisting with transporting boats.

             Gordon Mackenzie for mink trapping, redd works and doing the end of season redd    

            counts.

            Angus Mackenzie for transporting engines, materials etc to the Langavat boathouse.

            Donnie Sinclair for watching duties .

            Sportsworld, Angus Campbells and the tourist office for distribution of tickets etc. A big

            thank you to Sportsworld for introducing a discount scheme for SAA members.

            The Stornoway trust for their continued support.

            Thanks to the members who assist with the boats and especially to the junior members

            who helped planting out the fry.

             A special thank you to Angus John and Dan Maclennan who did an excellent job on

             refurbishing the langavat boats.

            A big thank you to all the fishery proprietors, keepers and managers who make

            fishing available to all our members at very reasonable cost.

            Following the meeting the President wished to thank Gillies Mackenzie for all the work

            he has done on the website.

             Last but not least our keeper Calum Maclean for all his work throughout the season and

             the long hours spent on watching duties.

5.8         Creed Enhancement project

             The major work in 2007 was the refurbishment and the installation of a fish pass in the

             Ois dam. The wet summer in 2007 caused several delays with the works but the dam/fish

             Pass should be completed in the spring of 2008. The works to refurbish the Clachan dam

             Is due to begin in 2008 depending on funding.

             We would hope that the fish counter would also be in place for the 2008 season.

6                    Treasurer's Report

6.1               The audited annual accounts were presented for comments and questions.

6.2               This is a brief summary of the accounts

The increase in numbers of Creed Season ticket holders, day and evening tickets sold boosted the income of the club

At the year end of the year there was a profit of £5793.00, which was an increase on last year of £2897.00. I would caution members expectations as we still require to find keepers wages until April when the Stornoway Trust revenue kicks in. There is also no guarantee that we will have the same ticket revenue as we had last season. This will very much be determined by the weather conditions.

Norman Morrison asked about further grants for Clachan dam etc. Grant applications are in progress and Association awaiting decisions unfortunately Tony Robson was not present to give update. As intimated previously the fish counter has been

Purchased and will be in place for 2008.

6.3               Eddie Mould proposed the accounts and Calum Stewart seconded.

7          Annual Subscriptions

7.1       The committee proposed there would be no changes to the Association membership fees for 2008. There was a proposal to raise the Creed season tickets, Day ticket and evening ticket fees as follows:-

Full Member                                               £25.00

Associate Member                          £25.00

Concession                                     £15.00

Junior                                                         £5.00

Loch Langavat                                            £15.00/day

Grimersta                                                    £10.00/evening session

Creed season                                              £60.00 (£45- 2007)

Creed Junior                                             £20.00

Creed concession                                        £30.00

Creed Day  ticket                                       £20.00 (including £5 deposit)(£17- 2007)

Creed Evening ticket                                   £15.00 (including £5 deposit)(£12- 2007)

Creed Boats                                              £10.00 per day £5 for evening session

There were no other proposals and the fees for 2008 were approved.

8         Competitions 2008

8.1               Malcolm Mackay confirmed the competitions for 2008. Dates to be agreed.

8.2               Obbe Trophy       -     Saturday in April at the Obbe, Leverburgh

8.3               Jamieson Cup       -     May (evening fly competition)

8.4               Poachers Shield   -   May (in Uist) return leg in August (Lewis)

8.5               Junior Competition  - Friday evening in June (venue and date to confirm )

8.6               Langavat Bait competition - Saturday in August . W understand from Jim Magarrity at Aline that the new owner of the estate will not allow bank fishing on the Aline portion of Langavat. We will confirm if this is the case and we may require to find an alternative venue.

8.7               The Club championship would continue to be organised by Calum Stewart .

8.8               The Association have various other trophies for biggest Salmon on Langavat, biggest trout on fly etc.

8.9               All members would be notified about competitions via the Newsletters, the website and in Sportsworld. There will be a list left in Sportsworld for all the Competitions. The Association would encourage members to take part in the various competitions.

9.         Other Fishings 2007

9.1        The Association propose to have five trout boats available free to members on lochs,

            Achmore, Craoibh, Falcag, Brechag and Beg na Craoigh

9.2         The Association understands that the arrangements at Grimersta are as last season for

             Loch no1 and Faoir Mhoil. The previous arrangement for Loch no1 on Friday night is

            £10 paid at Sportsworld as a donation to a local charity. Members may phone the Estate

            at any time to check on the availability of fishing. Grimersta requested that returns for

            Faoir Mhoil are reported weekly. Please abide by the rules as set out by the Association.

9.3         Garynahine We understand that there is no head keeper at Garynahine at present. They hope to have a contact in place for the start of the season. We are currently awaiting contact details.

9.4         Uig and Hamnaway fishing was also available to members depending on availability members to contact Simon Hunt to discuss availability.

9.5         North Harris There is a slight change in the booking arrangements for 2008. The Amhuinnsuidhe Castle Estate has started their own club and the rotation system will involve ACE, SAA and Harris AC. There may be free days available and they will be posted in Sportsworld and Underground.

9.6         Laxadale Lochs We understand that fishing is available as last season contact Sammy Macleod for details.

9.7         Obbe Fishery the Association is currently awaiting details of charges, season tickets Etc

9.8         Details of all fishings will be made available to all members on receipt of membership applications.

9.9         Exchange tickets are also available for North Uist, South Uist and Dingwall Angling Club

9.10           Morsgail Malcolm Macphail is the new keeper at Morsgail. Please contact Malcolm for availability of fishing.

9.11           Eishken We understand that you can contact the Ravenspoint Centre for fishing at Eishken

10    AOCB

10.1            Calum Maclean proposed that the Association should have fly fishing lessons for juniors  

            and beginners

10.2          Eddie Mould is proposing to have orienteering, tackle maintenance etc  for juniors. Ian Roxburgh intimated that we could liaise with Gress and they could provide tackle.

11   Creed Business

11.1 Over the last few years the SAA committee has worked hard to establish an excellent

        fishery for local anglers and visiting anglers alike. With having a very successful season last

        year with excellent numbers of fish and with increased pressure on the fishery we had a

        number of issues that the Association felt required addressing. There were a number of

        complaints on litter in the castle grounds, anglers exceeding quotas and large numbers of 

        youngsters on one pool. Most of these problems were confined to the lower river in the

        Castle Grounds.

        There was a newsletter issued with the Association proposals with only three replies.

         The Following proposals for the Creed Fishery were agreed at the 2008 AGM:-

a)      Fly fishing only between the road bridge and the Matheson pool with the exception of

Juniors who may fish with the worm between the road bridge and the Arnish bridge from 4.30 to 7pm week days and 1pm to 7pm Saturdays.

b)      Maximum of 2 anglers per pool below road bridge. Twenty minute rule to apply.

c)      Catch limit agreed one Salmon and two sea trout(over 3/4lb) per day. Maximum of three Salmon for the Season.

d)      No worm fishing on the river after 15^th September.

e)      Zero tolerance for anglers leaving litter around the catchment- Sanction as for other rules ie loss of season/day ticket.

f)       Only one rod assembled at any time.

g)      Anglers must obey instructions from water bailiffs and appointed river watchers.

h)      All season ticket holders to sign an agreement form.

i)        It was agreed to increase the season ticket fee to £60 for full membership, day ticket to £20 and evening ticket to £15 including £5 deposit.

12      Appointment of Auditor

12.1          It was agreed to retain CIB Services as the auditor for 2008.

Election of Committee

13.1    The following were elected to the SAA committee:-

President                  Malcolm Mackay

Vice president          Alan Brown

 Secretary                 Alex Maclean

 Treasurer                 John Robertson

Maintenance             Dan Maclennan

Committee                Norman Mackenzie

Committee                Eddie Mould

Committee                Calum Stewart

Committee                Murdo Macaulay

There was a vote of thanks from Ken Kennedy for the work carried out by the committee.

Following conclusion of business the president declared the meeting over and wished all in attendance best wishes for the forthcoming season.