PDAA NEWS LETTER JANUARY 2016

Welcome all members, to the 2016 new fishing season, at this time the River Tay was very high as the winter has been very wet, with extensive flooding ,althoughdropping now,with very little frost or snow. Since there has been little snow, this may affect the river levels later in the spring, when the snow melt normally keeps the river levels up. Due to the extensive flooding, great care should be taken, early on as the river bottom could have changed extensively, and river banks very unstable, and liable to collapse when walked on.

2015 AGM. The main points of the AGM were as follows :-

1/ Subscriptions raised to: Senior £190, OAP £150, Youth £ 85, Junior £10.

2/ All members, except juniors and youth, to join at senior rate for at least one year, even OAP’s, before if eligible going onto OAP rate – Agreed.

3/ The number of members present at AGM to make a quorum be reduced from 30 to 25 – Agreed.

4/ Age at which any OAP related discount applies, is the state retirement age.

5/ More permits to be put online – not more than two thirds online and one third in Malloch’s.

Norrie Wilson won the malt whisky for first salmon of the season. Dave Mitchell was made an honorary member of PDAA, in recognition of past and present service. Robert Fyfe awarded a donation of £100, towards expenses for representing Scotland in the Youth International Fly Fishing competition. Peter Backhouse awarded the Steele Trophy for the heaviest salmon,28lb, of 2015. Neil Wilson given the officer position of Webmaster/IT Manager.

Scottish Government Wild Fisheries Review. The results of the WFR of 2015 are as follows: - It is now mandatory by law to release all salmon caught between 15th January and 1st April, however it is also recommended, that the Tay Salmon District Fisheries Board, recommendations are followed during the year, which are that all fish should be released up till 1st June and after that, only one male fish under 10lb per day, should be kept, and all other fish released. The rivers in all Scotland have now been graded, from 1 to 3, depending on their conservation status, by the Scottish Government, the River Tay has been given grade 1 status, which means fishing in 2016 will remain the same as previous. Grade 1 means no extra conservation is required. Grade 2, means that ‘some’ fish can be kept, but is to be recorded and possibly changed annually, Grade 3, means that there is no surplus, and fishing can only be carried out by C&R. At this time, the River Earn and Eden are graded 3, but the Earn is under review following an appeal, so may change. At the time of writing (17th Jan 2016), no change in grading 3!

Fishing for 2016. Dalmarnock, Upper and Lower Bolfracks have not been renewed for 2016 due to cost. Although Lower Bolfracks produced a lot of fish, when approached to renew the lease, the price was increased and considered unrealistic. It is hoped to take Edradynate and Aberfeldy Town Water fishing in conjunction with Aberfeldy AC. Findynate again booked for 5 weeks, with a possible 2 for 1 , offer for the season. Upper Delvine lease renewed for 3 years, and intend now to refurbish the fishing hut for use by PDAA members, although a work party will be required .(If any members are interested in joining the work party, please register interest ,with your details). The owner a.Gemmil has been asked to repair the road to the river and maintain to allow access for a saloon car. Talks are ongoing with Blairgowrie and Rattray AC for salmon and trout fishing. Loch Horn trout loch lease has run out, and it is not intended to renew this, due to high cost of leasing/stocking, continued loss of fish stocks, either by predators, otters, cormorants, or poachers, of which PDAA has no control. Also complications with the boat insurance. In 2016 major work by the Forrestry Commission in this area, with roads blocked as tree removal takes place. It is intended to add an extra boat, on Glensherup on a Wednesday, in addition to Monday and Friday boats. Possible trout fishing on Aberfeldy AC and Blairgowrie & Rattray AC private lochs, still being negotiated.

Salmon fishing. It is still being reported, that many members are still not showing up, on the beats on the days, their permits are issued for, without even letting the gillie know.It is important to check in with the gillie on arrival and departure. It is imperative to inform the gillie if you cannot make it.

Permits. Stobhall. As agreed by the committee, members will only be allotted, a max of ONE permit, over the total 3 days at Stobhall. This to ensure a fair distribution, of these very eagerly sought after permits.

Scone Game Fair. Once again PDAA attended with a trade stand and marquee tent which keeps our presence in the public eye, and attracted some new members, it is intended to repeat this in 2016.

Membership Books: Find enclosed the 2016 membership book, please compare to the 2015 and note the changes. Since the book is edited and published, so early in the season, that some of the fishing leases are not finalised, please note that although every effort has been made, to ensure the dates, and the balloting/online booking system, to be used to distribute these permits, that the Salmon Secretary, will issue details during the season, when and how these permits will be available.

PDAA Club Coaching: Up to now PDAA has 2 x approved AdBOS coaches, and is actively encouraging more, so far have made contact with a local church youth club for coaching classes. I have heard through the grapevine that there may be a few more coaches amongst the membership, and if they are interested in taking part, please let the committee know.

Charity : PDAA again offered ,’Lets tackle cancer’, charity and also’ Perth Silent auction charity’, fishing lots at Upper Delvine, to be sold for charity funds.

Tay Liason Committee and River Trout /Grayling fishing. I have attended quite a few committee meetings of this group at Dunkeld ,for a number of years, and would appreciate if anyone has a genuine interest, in representing PDAA in this, to take over. The estate at Kinnaird, Upper Kinnaird is up for sale. When this is completed PDAA will have to apply again for the Kinnaird trout fishing under TLC, on River Tay.

PDAA website: As members can see, the website, is looking very well, due to a lot of work, by webmaster NW. If anyone has anything of interest, photographs ,articles, etc, which could be posted, on the website, please let the committee know………………..Ted