Newsletter 2008

The draw took place recently for our Annual Christmas Raffle – it was presided over by Mr John Scott MSP, and the winners are as follows:-

Daiwa Fly Fishing Rod (Courtesy of Daiwa)                          Won by Mrs Mhairi Gibson

£100 note   (Courtesy of K Imrie Treecare)                            Won by Mr John Miller

Snowbee Fishing Rod  (Courtesy of Ultimate Angler)            Won by Mrs Fiona Ross

Trout Net    (Courtesy of Glasgow Angling Centre)                Won by Mr Darren Miller

Wooden Fly Box (Courtesy of Glasgow Angling Centre)         Won by Mr Ronan Hunter Blair

Falconry Experience (Courtesy of Skyhigh Falconry)             Won by Mr M Thomson

Bottle Whisky  (Courtesy of Mr Stuart Crooks)                        Won by Mr J Dalrymple-Hamilton

Golf Umbrella   (Courtesy of Spirit Aerosystems)                    Won by Mr William Galbraith

Fishing Voucher  (Courtesy of Burns Fishery, Tarbolton)        Won by Mr Colin Hek

Fleece Jacket  (Courtesy of ART)                                            Won by Mr Robert Shields

Polo Shirt   (Courtesy of ART)                                                  Won by Mr Robin Wilson

Fishing Voucher (Courtesy of Alderneuk Fishery)                  Won by Mr C Malcolm

Bottle of Red Wine (Courtesy of ART)                                     Won by Mrs Judy Provan

Fishing Voucher  (Courtesy of Carrick Angling Club)              Won by Mr Ray Storer

Pair of Sunglasses  (Courtesy of Glasgow Angling Centre)     Won by Mr Hugh Logan

Tube Fly Box  (Courtesy of Mr David Slider)                             Won by Mr Elmer Carson

Worcs Fly Line  (Courtesy of K2 UK)                                       Won by Dr TD Haskins

Chocolate Fondue Set (Courtesy of ART)                               Won by Mr J Orpwood

Impulse Fly Box  (Courtesy of Mr David Slider)                        Won by the Marquess of Douro

Food Voucher (Courtesy of Burns Country Smokehouse)       Won by Mr Brian Ferguson

Liqueurs  (Courtesy of Mr Oli Anderson)                                  Won by Mr Peter Waller

Box Sharpe’s Flies  (Courtesy of Kilmarnock Angling Club)       Won by Mr Rob Woodward

Upland Reservoir Flies (Courtesy of Kilmarnock Angling Club)   Won by Mrs C Purdon

Abu Garcia Reel (Courtesy of Kilmarnock Angling Club)           Won by Mr D Pitt

Okuma Reel  (Courtesy of Kilmarnock Angling Club)                  Won by Mr Stewart Kean

Wychwood Fly Box  (Courtesy of Kilmarnock Angling Club)      Won by Mr B Halstead

Wheatley Fly Box   (Courtesy of ART)                                       Won by Mr Alistair McCartney

Car Service  (Courtesy of Ardneil Garage, Troon)                    Won by Mr Ian Hughes

Fleece Jacket  (Courtesy of ART)                                             Won by Mr William Forbes

Bottle Wine  (Courtesy of Mr John Scott MSP)                          Won by Mr Patrick Dromgoole

Bottle Port   (Courtesy of Mr George Steel)                              Won by Mrs Fiona Walker

Christmas Hamper  (Courtsey of Mr Robert Dalrymple)            Won by Mr Gordon Stewart

Members Prize  (Courtesy of ART)                                          Won by Mr B Halstead

The Trust would like to thank all who donated prizes to the Raffle for their kindness and overwhelming generosity, and also to all who bought raffle tickets – a profit of almost £1500  was achieved and we are extremely grateful to all who took part !

Thanks are also extended to Mr Grant Steel of the Chestnuts Hotel where the Draw took place, and of course to Mr John Scott MSP, whose presence and good cheer adds greatly to the proceedings.

The Trust is pleased to announce that John Webb, biologist with the Atlantic Salmon Trust, and the countries foremost expert on wild salmon, will be leading a salmon spawning walk in December. This event will take place on Sat 13th Dec, venue weather dependent, although likely to be in the upper River Ayr in the Muirkirk area. At spawning time salmon lose their natural reserve and their spawning behaviour can be easily observed if you know where to look.

The struggle to reproduce can lead to some spectacular and aggressive courting by the cock fish. At the same time small male salmon parr will also be trying to get some of the action. John Webb has a great ability to make sense of the frenzied activity and will be able to explain the behaviour in detail.

If you would like to take part in this salmon spawning walk please contact the Trust by email info@ayrshireriverstrust.org or by phone 01292 525142. Numbers will be limited so please book your place early.

Our Annual Fisherman’s Supper recently took place in the Princess Royal Suite at Ayr Racecourse. Jim Stevens, Vice Chairman of the Trust, gave a warm and informative introduction to the evening’s proceedings, and after a thoroughly delicious meal the Trusts’ biologist Brian Shaw gave an excellent speech highlighting a few of our latest activities, and peppered it with some funnies in his own inimitable fashion.

The Guest Speaker was Harry Morris, the author of the “Harry the Polis” series of books, and he kept the room entertained with stories of some of the interesting individuals he had encountered during his 29 years of service with Strathclyde’s finest.

The Master of Ceremonies Ian McGregor, once again, kept a masterly control of proceedings throughout the evening, and Jim Stevens brought the evening to a finish with a heartfelt vote of thanks.

Other highlights of the event included a Mini Auction with some wonderful Fishing Lots, and a Raffle Draw – these raised £1300 for the Trust. Many thanks to all who had successful bids and to the donators of the Raffle prizes and Auction Lots – details are given below:-

Auction Lots donated:

2 rods on the Taymount Beat, River Tay               – Courtesy of Mr George Mainland

2 rods on the Knockdolian Beat, River Stinchar    – Courtesy of Lord Richard Wellesley

1 rod on the Aboyne Water, River Dee                  – Courtesy of Mr Gordon Dawson

2 rods on the Upper Kinnaird, River Tay                – Courtesy of Mr Jim Tritton

Raffle Prizes – Donator & Winners:

Bruce & Walker Norway Speycaster 12ft   ( Bruce & Walker )   Bob Nairn

Cortland 9ft fishing rod                          ( The Ultimate Angler )   Alan Ferguson

Fly tyers wooden box                                    ( Mr Peter Ross )   Alan Ferguson

Fleece jacket                                                                 ( ART )   Jim Stevens

Polo shirt                                                                       ( ART )   John Squires

Stillwater fly box                                          ( Mr David Slider )   Ashley Todd

Fly box                                         ( Glasgow Angling Centre )   Stuart Keen

Blue Backpack                                     ( Spirit Aerosystems )   Nick Candlish

Business Organiser                             ( Spirit Aerosystems )   Ashley Todd

Golf tees & balls                                   ( Spirit Aerosystems )   Kenneth Gibson

Pen & pencil box set                             ( Spirit Aerosystems )   Bobby Ireland

Baseball cap                                         ( Spirit Aerosystems )   Bill Saviour

Fishing Waistcoat                                      (Mr Ian McGregor )   Veronica Smith

Wellie boot bag                                       (Gamesport of Ayr )   David Findlay

Days fishing River Girvan                   ( Carrick Angling Club )   Nick Candlish

Days fishing Alderneuk Fishery           ( Ms Wilma McDermid )   Alistair Paton

Worcs fly line                                ( Mr Miller Gourlay, K2-UK)   Robert Stevens

Shakespeare fly line                     ( Mr Miller Gourlay, K2-UK)   Gordon Todd

Trout weigh line                            (Glasgow Angling Centre )   Jim Gibson

Car service                 ( Mr Nick Candlish, Doon Engineering )   Willie McCulloch

Bottle Rose wine                                                         ( ART )   Susan McInnes

Bottle white wine                                  ( Mr Alex Anderson )   Jimmy Mair

Bottle whisky                                                              ( ART )   Ian Hughes

Bottle whisky                                                              ( ART )   Bob Nairn

Bottle whisky                                          ( Mr Phil Haughton )   Douglas Smith

Bottle Gin                                  ( Mr Carlos Van Heddegem )   Douglas Stewart

The Girvan Fishery board would like to extend a welcome to all for its 2008 AGM. The AGM will be held on the 27th Nov at 7.30pm in the Dailly Bowling Clubhouse. The guest speaker this year will be Mr John Milligan, owner of the famous Ballathie Estate and Hotel on the banks of the Tay, and current Chairman of the Tay Salmon Fishery Board. Mr Milligan has had a long and distinguished carrer in industry, recognised by being Chancellor of Dundee University. He has a lifelong love of the countryside and fishing and is a member of Prestwick Golf Club.

As well as the usual reports at the AGM the key business of the evening will be the River Girvan Anglers Code of Practice. If you would like to contribute to the discussions or just hear more about activities on the river please come along.

Refreshments will be available.

Now fully subscribed

Ayrshire Rivers Trust are hosting an Invasive Weeds Seminar in the Dower House, Dean Castle, Kilmarnock, on Wednesday 26th November, 1.30pm for 2pm start. The aim of the seminar is to highlight the scale of the problem that non-invasive weeds pose throughout Ayrshire. Presentations will include the results of the Trusts 2008 Invasive Weeds Survey, and the River Tweed Invasives Project will share their experiences since its inception in 2002. A discussion will then explore the need for strategic control, methods, timing, funding etc. and highlight the risks associated with neglect and poor management.

Places are limited so it is essential to book early. Contact Stuart Brabbs on 01292 525142 or email stuart@ayrshireriverstrust.org

Giant Hogweed	Japanese Knotweed	Himalayan Balsam

The official salmon and sea trout catch returns for 2007 have recently been published by FRS. Nationally catches of spring salmon were down in 2007 but this was offset by an increase in the grilse catch. The proportion of salmon released nationally was the highest recorded at 61%. Sea trout catches remain at historic low levels although there was a slight increase in catches on the west coast in 2007.

Of the Ayrshire rivers the Doon had the highest official catch in 2007 with a total of 908 salmon and grilse recorded, followed by the Stinchar (813) and the Ayr (793). The Ayr catch was the third highest recorded in the official time series which dates back to 1952. The release rate for salmon was below the national average for all the Ayrshire rivers although the Doon and the Stinchar achieved release rates of over 50%. The official catch and release rates on the Ayr and Irvine were amongst the lowest recorded in Scotland, although it is recognised that reporting anomolies may be partly responsible.

Locally sea trout stocks and catches are at very low levels, although the 2007 return from the Stinchar was the best for nine years and on the Girvan the best for five years. Ayrshire Rivers Trust is pleased to see that the conservation measures for sea trout appears to be successful with four out of the five districts achieving release rates of 80% and above.

The full report can be downloaded at the following web link:
Scottish salmon and sea trout catches 2007

After over four years with Ayrshire Rivers Trust biologist Pete Minting has taken up the offer of a PhD at the University of Sussex and will be leaving the Trust at the beginning of October. He will be studying the effects of a recently introduced tropical disease on the UK’s rarest amphibian, the natterjack toad.

On behalf of the Trust, Chairman Peter Kennedy  noted the great contribution Pete had made to the Trust “His diligence,  independent thinking and technical ability has helped the Trust to develop greatly. Pete was involved in all aspects of the Trust’s activities but had particular responsiblity for the expansion of the highly regarded “Salmon in the classroom” educational project, research into the genetics of local salmon populations and surveying and conservation work with the endangered Ayrshire freshwater pearl mussel population. We wish Pete great success in the future and we look forward to meeting “Dr” Minting in due course.”

New legislation is about to be introduced which will make it an offence to introduce, or have the intention to introduce, live fish or spawn into Scottish waters without the appropriate written permission. The new legislation will come into force on the 1st Aug 2008 and appropriate authorities will be either:

a) the local District Salmon Fishery Board (DSFB), where there is one in place, but only for proposed introductions of salmon or sea trout.

b)  the Scottish Government via Fisheries Research Services (FRS), in areas where there are no DSFB, or for applications relating to the introduction of any species other than salmon or sea trout.

For example any organisation or individual planning to stock fish such as brown or rainbow trout, or any coarse fish into any watercourse in Ayrshire would have to apply to FRS for written permission. Proposals to introduce salmon or sea trout anywhere in the Stinchar, Girvan, Doon or Ayr catchments would require the permission of the local DSFB, whilst salmon or sea trout stocking in the Irvine or Garnock would  require permission from FRS.

Details of the application mechanism will be available shortly and will be advised by the Trust. We understand that the application process will be paper based initially with a web-based system under development. There will be no fee for the applicants.

The press release from the Government can be seen at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/06/30112811

Have you any unwanted or unused “Tackle in the Attic” ? The Trust is appealing for any donations of fishing tackle which are surplus to requirements for us to sell to raise funds for the running of the Trust. If a donor expresses a wish to discover how much the item achieves then we will keep them informed.

We are looking for good quality, intact items, particularly old reels, and urge you to raid the attic, garage or garden hut when you have a spare moment.

One supporter, on moving house recently, gave us her late husband’s fishing tackle which subsequently raised over £500 for the Trust.

Items can be handed into our office Monday to Friday from 9am until 5pm, or we can arrange for them to be collected from your home at a time to suit you. We hope that “Tackle in the Attic” will be an on-going fund raiser for the Trust, and are sure that the rivers of Ayrshire will ultimately benefit.

We can be contacted by telephone (01292 525142) or by email at janette@ayrshireriverstrust

Three primary schools have won prizes for their work on the Salmon in the Classroom project run by the Trust this year. Kelburn (Largs), Sacred Heart (Girvan) and Kincaidston (Ayr) primaries produced excellent art work during the course of the project which runs from February to June each year, and the Trust biologist Pete Minting, who manages the project, presented the awards at the end of term.

A total of 14 schools took part in 2008, the largest number of schools to take part since the project began in 2003. Funds for the project have been secured from a number of sources including the Big Lottery Fund Fairshare Trust, Scottish National Heritage, The William Grant & Sons Fund, Spirit Aerosystems and local councils.

An original artwork of a salmon by a local artist was given to each of the winning schools.

For more information on Salmon in the Classroom see tab on left of Home Page.

Our annual Fisherman’s Supper will take place in the Princess Royal Suite at Ayr Racecourse on Friday 7th November 2008, 7pm for 7.30pm.

The main speaker is Harry Morris, the renowned author of the hilarious “Harry the Polis” series of books.

An auction will also be held on the evening, with lots comprising of a small number of days fishing on select beats in and around Ayrshire.

Tickets cost £25 and can be obtained from Janette Galbraith on 01292 525142 or by email janette@ayrshireriverstrust.org

New legislation is about to be introduced which will make it an offence to introduce, or have the intention to introduce, live fish or spawn into Scottish waters without the appropriate written permission. The new legislation will come into force on the 1st Aug 2008 and appropriate authorities will be either:

a) the local District Salmon Fishery Board (DSFB), where there is one in place, but only for proposed introductions of salmon or sea trout.

b)  the Scottish Government via Fisheries Research Services (FRS), in areas where there are no DSFB, or for applications relating to the introduction of any species other than salmon or sea trout.

For example any organisation or individual planning to stock fish such as brown or rainbow trout, or any coarse fish into any watercourse in Ayrshire would have to apply to FRS for written permission. Proposals to introduce salmon or sea trout anywhere in the Stinchar, Girvan, Doon or Ayr catchments would require the permission of the local DSFB, whilst salmon or sea trout stocking in the Irvine or Garnock would  require permission from FRS.

Details of the application mechanism will be available shortly and will be advised by the Trust. We understand that the application process will be paper based initially with a web-based system under development. There will be no fee for the applicants.

The press release from the Government can be seen at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/06/30112811

In mid May Trust biologists noted a few dead stone loach in the Water of Fail, upstream of Failford. Dead fish in any stream are always cause for concern and a few days later many dead trout and a few dead salmon parr were found in the burn. No specific cause could be found and the fish kill was probably due to poor water quality and the hot weather and low water conditions prevailing at the time. It was not possible to obtain oxygen readings but the Fail is known to suffer from the effects of diffuse pollution and it is likely that low oxygen levels during darkness led to the death of the fish.

Previous surveys in the Fail by trust staff had found that populations of salmonid fish were either very poor or absent. The high water levels (which help to maintain water quality) that occurred throughout 2007 would have allowed the trout population to expand in the Water of Fail, only to be seriously hit when tough conditions arrived again. Implementing measures to reduce the impact of diffuse pollution in lowland streams in Ayrshire is one of Ayrshire Rivers Trust highest priority actions.

Our Annual Country Fair will take place on Sunday 1st June at Skeldon Estate, Dalrymple from 11 am until 4 pm, courtesy of Mr S.E. Brodie QC.

We are delighted to announce that the Dawn Group are sponsoring this year’s Fair, and thank them most sincerely for their generosity and support.

Attractions will include Falconry, Archery, Duck race, Mini Zoo, Fly casting and Electrofishing demonstrations, Bee hives, Plant and craft stalls, Home baking and teas, Ices, Bouncy castle, Face painting and Bring and buy. There will also be quizzes for both adults and children, and a raffle draw. Disabled access to lawned area is good and assistance to the gardens and river will be provided if required.

Admission (parking included) is £4 and children (U16) free

A fish kill in the Glazert burn, a tributary of the Annick Water, was reported to Ayrshire rivers Trust today (17th April) by SEPA. A Trust biologist visited the burn where a number of dead fish, including trout, salmon parr and many stone loach were found. The fish kill was caused by farm slurry entering the Glazert Burn via a ditch. A pipe had become dislodged during a farm slurry transfer operation and had discharged a large quantity of slurry into the ditch before the situation was brought under control.

The lower 400m of the Glazert Burn was affected. No dead fish were seen in the Annick Water where dilution would have reduced the toxicity of the pollution. In a strange way the most depressing aspect was the lack of dead fish in the burn. The Glazert Burn is a purely agricultural catchment and the low fish population is typical of fish populations in lowland streams in Ayrshire. Direct pollution incidents such as this do not help but a much more serious, and unseen, threat is posed by the long term impacts of diffuse pollution. If the burn had been healthy then hundreds of  fish would have been expected to be killed in the stretch affected.

Water quality has been identified as one of the main priorities within the Ayrshire region of the Scottish Rural Development Programme. Measures designed to reduce the effects of diffuse pollution, particularly when groups of farmers work together, are likely to  be well received. Ayrshire Rivers Trust are interested in working with farmers, and their advisers, to develop collaborative projects to tackle diffuse pollution and to enhance biodiversity, particularly in intensive agricultural areas such as the Glazert Burn.

An Ayrshire fishing club has sent a formal letter of claim to a farming contractor near Darvel in Ayrshire following the release of slurry into the Gower Water, a tributary of the River Irvine, in November 2006. The pollution caused a major fish kill, involving many thousands of mostly juvenile salmon and trout. The Darvel Angling Club, who lease the fishing rights of some of the affected area downstream, have instructed the Anglers’ Conservation Association (ACA) to claim £16,000 in damages on their behalf, for a loss of amenity and to cover the costs of restocking the river.

According to research carried out by the Ayrshire Rivers Trusts (ART), the Gower Water has been one of the most productive salmon and trout spawning tributaries in the Irvine catchment. Detailed calculations derived from electrofishing data led to an estimated fish mortality of over 7,000 salmon and trout. SEPA successfully prosecuted the farmer concerned, who was fined £1,000 at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on 13th September 2007.

Andrew Wallace, Managing Director of the Rivers and Fisheries Trusts of Scotland and the Association of Salmon Fishery Boards, commented: “This first case to be taken by the newly revived ACA in Scotland is the beginning of a new chapter for Scottish fisheries managers.   Fishery Boards with their statutory powers to protect Scottish fish stocks, combined with high quality information provided by Fisheries Trusts, pride themselves on seeking solutions to problems through education and dialogue. But sometimes this isn’t enough and it is vital that those who threaten our water courses and fish stocks know that we, in partnership with the ACA, will use the law, where necessary, to protect the Scottish aquatic environment”.

Mark Lloyd, Executive Director of the ACA, said: “Slurry is one of the most damaging pollutants because it decomposes very rapidly and the bacteria remove all the oxygen dissolved in the water. Fish and invertebrates are therefore suffocated to death. We hope that it will not prove necessary to go to court to get the farmer to pay for the damage caused to our members’ fishing”.

Darvel Angling Club Secretary Billy Galbraith added: “We were horrified to see so many young fish lying dead in the river. This incident will affect the whole of the River Irvine’s trout and salmon populations for many years to come and we are claiming this compensation so that we will be able to help the river recover as quickly as possible”.

Brian Shaw of the Ayrshire Rivers Trust commented: “The River Irvine has one of the highest human population densities of any salmon river in Scotland and it is also intensively farmed with much of the river habitat suffering from degradation. The Gower Water was considered to be one of its most pristine and most productive tributaries, supporting a high density of juvenile salmon and trout. It was all the more frustrating for a fish kill to occur in that part of the catchment. The Trust welcomes the involvement of the ACA in the incident as the support they provide helps its members get the compensation they require to protect the health of their waters”.

Ayrshire Rivers Trust is pleased to be able to promote a Trust members discount scheme with a number of local fishing tackle shops. Trust members will receive a 10% discount on purchases on production of a current membership card. Details of participating outlets can be found in the Membership page (see menu on left). As well as providing a wide range of fishing tackle all of these shops also provide an excellent information and advice service with details of local fisheries, permits, catches and conditions available.

Help to support your local fishing tackle shops and the Trust by becoming a member. Details of how to join the Trust can be found in our membership page.

Special garden opening at Blairquhan Castle in aid of Ayrshire Rivers Trust and Scottish Gardens Scheme charities. Come and see the snowdrops and enjoy walks alongside the River Girvan in a spectacular setting. Teas and cakes available in the Castle. Adult £6, concession £4, child £3 (free parking). Open 12-4pm. Many thanks to Pat Hunter Blair. For more information on the Castle including directions, see www.blairquhan.co.uk

 Salmon leaping at the Linn, Blairquhan 2007

Sorry to say that the Riverfly Workshop is now fully subscribed. Due to the amount of interest generated the Trust may try and arrange a further workshop later in the year.