Foot and mouth
advice for anglers
 AS the Secretary of the Federation of Highland Angling Clubs, I am very pleased with the positive number of enquiries made to the Federation over the last few days concerning the present situation regarding the foot and mouth epidemic.This considered and responsible approach by anglers in the north is both heartening and welcome. I have included in this week's column a combined directive from Scottish Anglers National Association (SANA) and the Salmon and Trout Association (S&TA) in the hope that it provides some direction for the weeks ahead. It is in the interests of us all to support farmers in this time of crisis, and to take any measures that will contain the present outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease as quickly as possible. The message from the NFU is simple: "Don't go into the countryside and don't access fishings over farmland." As the brown trout season gets underway, this advice also relates to the access of hill lochs over moorland. An increasing number of fisheries, including still water fisheries and waters covered by Protection Orders, are closing or will not open until it is safe to do so. Access through Forest Enterprise land, affecting many Protection Order waters, is already closed. If you do go fishing, first check whether the fishery is open. Comply with local preventative measures, such as disinfectant foot baths and restrictions to access, and don't be tempted to take the dog, leave it at home The countryside is effectively in quarantine. SANA and S&TA Scotland fully support the NFU in their policy of containment. We ask our members and anglers everywhere in Scotland to consider the possibility that the disease may be spread by their actions and to err on the side of extreme caution. The situation is fast moving and it is possible that the Scottish Executive will give formal advice on access to fishings within the next few days or may already have done so before you receive this. Please respect whatever advice is forthcoming and let us earnestly hope that timely preventative measures taken now, will halt the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease and prolonged disruption of angling will be avoided. | THE continuing cold weather and additional snowfalls rendered angling to a virtual standstill last week, but as always a few hardy souls ventured out. Ken MacLean, out with Willie Hay, boated a fresh run salmon of 8.5lb on Loch Ness. It was caught about quarter of a mile west of the River Moriston's estuary and was tempted by a green/gold Toby. Willie, a newcomer to salmon angling, did the honours with the net. It was the first salmon of the season to be taken from Inverness Angling Club's boat. The club boat bookings for Loch Ness are still being administered by Sandy Paterson. The only other salmon reported from the Ness system was taken on the River Oich by Gordon Armstrong. At 8lb it was taken on a black/orange Devon.
THE Findhorn produced its first and second salmon of the 2001 season last week. THE Brora produced another salmon on Monday last to Bob Townend in the Madman. At 9lb it came to a 3" Willie Gunn.
THE Helmsdale saw another four on the bank last week, three from Beat 1 Below and one from the Club water. Andy Sutherland took the one for the Club water by picking a clear spot amongst the ice-flows and was rewarded with a sea-liced springer of 8lb. MORAY Fly Fishing League Chainnan Alan Liddle advises me that there is a place available for a team to join their league. It is not necessary to be an established team. Interested parties can form a new one. Contact Alan or directly to the League Secretary, Willie Hunt.
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