Loch Dee Development Plan - Added 07/07/2006
The association drew up their management plan for Loch Dee in 2003 with the co-operation of the Forestry Commission and the Galloway Fisheries Trust, who also monitor our actions. We are pleased to confirm that the results are now beginning to show and there are good signs that the lochs native brown trout are thriving. More fish between 1lb 8oz’s and 2lb are being caught regularly and the numbers of smaller fish have also increased.
Since 2003, in excess of 15,000 native fry and fingerlings have been reared and released back into the loch and its feeder streams.
Fertilised eggs and milt are stripped from brood stock trapped in the feeder burns in November and December. This task is carried out by members of the association, trained by the GFT, Fisheries Development Officer. The eggs are brought on in the GFT hatcheries, and various sized fry have been reared and released into different parts of the burns and loch to aid dispersal and give a better chance of survival. We intend to start a pH monitoring system this year to ensure that the fry are only introduced to sites with the best pH levels recorded throughout the year.
Since 2003, we have removed approximately 240 pike from the water, ranging in size from 2lb to 8lb, plus 5 larger specimens up to 20lb. These fish have been transferred safely to other local waters. We believe that this is a vital part of our strategy, and this alone has had a significant effect in the results now showing. The fatality rate during this operation is very low, and the fish survive the operation of relocation very well.
The current management plan is on a 5 year cycle with annual reviews, after which, we will critically examine the results with the GFT, and plan the next 5 years. Our ultimate aim is to establish Loch Dee as a first class, truly self- sustaining, wild brown trout fishery.
The progress to date is most encouraging and our objectives are very much in sight.
Results Of The 60th Anniversary Open Fly Competition - Added 02/07/2006
60th Anniversary celebrations continued on the 1st July 2006 as the association staged an open fly competition at Loch Ochiltree.
Overall, 33 anglers from Newton Stewart A.A., Stranraer & District A.A. and Dalbeattie A.A. caught 38 trout on what was a very difficult day due to strong winds and bright sunshine.
George McShane of NSAA triumphed as the adult winner, catching 4 fish for 8lb 6oz’s and more significantly, bagging himself a fantastic Sage fly rod as the winner. Below, Calum Crosbie presents winner George McShane with his prize.
In second place was D. Pride with 4 fish for 7lb 11oz’s and in third place, A. Johnstone with 3 fish for 7lb 7oz’s, both of whom received a fly reel and line for their valiant efforts.
The heaviest fish of the competition went to F. Marshall with a beauty of 3lb 15oz’s.
Rory Crosbie triumphed as the juvenile winner with 4 fish for 8lb 3oz’s (putting a lot of the adult members to shame) and won himself a fly rod in the process. Below, Rory being presented with his prize by proud father Calum Crosbie.
The juvenile runner up was C. Gibson with 2 fish for 3lb 6oz’s.
All brown trout landed were successfully returned alive to the loch.
Insurance For Members - Added 29/06/2006
Members of the association aged 16 years and over are automatically covered by insurance at no additional cost.
The policy in force provides for Personal Liability cover to £100,000 and Public Liability cover to £5,000,000.
60th Anniversary Open Fly Competition - Added 24/06/2006
As part of the clubs 60th Anniversary celebrations, there will be an open fly competition at Loch Ochiltree on Satuday 1st July 2006 at Loch Ochiltree. There are some fantastic prizes up for offer including a Sage Rod for the winner.
Further details can be found below: -
Date - Saturday 1st July 2006.
Venue - Loch Ochiltree.
Time - 10.00am - 6.00pm.
Entry Fee - £5 Adults / £3 Juveniles.
Participants - Stranraer & District AA / Dalbeattie AA.
Juveniles - 13 to 17 years of age.
Method - Fly only.
Species - Trout only.
Limits - 5 fish limit and then catch and release using barbless hooks.
Any fish caught to be verified by another angler and will be counted as being 1lb in weight.
Prizes - A rod each for the adult and junior winners with reels and fly lines for 2nd and 3rd prizes.
The River Cree produces it's first springer of Season 2006 - Added 01/04/2006
The River Cree produced it's first springer on 30th March and was caught by local angler, Gary Copeland (pictured below). The fish weighed in at 8lbs and was taken in the Doctors Pool on a Red & Gold Devon Minnow.
(Gary Copeland and his 8lb springer which is the first salmon of the season.)
Season Opening Ceremony – 1st March 2006 - Added 02/03/2006
( Article: Galloway Gazette | Photos: Peter Foster www.deephoto.org )
(The landlord of the Galloway Arms Hotel, Gordon Andrews and Club President Jock Galloway enjoy a toast to the new season along with some of the members of the angling club.)
Newton Stewart and District Angling Association are celebrating their 60th anniversary this year, and in that respect an official opening of the season took place on Wednesday, 1st March, at the Suspension Bridge Pool.
Mr Bob Park, who this year celebrates his 88th birthday and one of the oldest (if not the oldest) person who is still an active member of the club paid a toast to the king of the river, the salmon, and then officially opened the season with the first cast on the River Cree.
(The honour of toasting the King of the River was made by the club's oldest member, Bob Park.)
Bob even reluctantly gave the river a wee taste of whisky, which was kindly served by Mr Gordon Andrews from the Galloway Arms Hotel, from his quaich.
(Getting down to business, veteran member Bob Park makes the first cast of the season and was heard to say "It's a long time since I had something as big as this in my hands".)
A number of ex-presidents also attended the opening and along with a good turnout of members partook of a toast to the club’s achievement.
(Past presidents and the current President of the angling association commemorate the opening of the 2006 season. From left to right: Colin McDowall, Bob Park, Barry Strachan, Jock Galloway and Jim Sutherland. Kneeling in front: Lex Muir and Andy Johnstone.)
Jock Galloway (President) said a few words and asked the members present to support anything that the club put on to celebrate this milestone. He also pledged a bottle of malt whisky to the person who captured the first verified spring salmon which is returned to the river.
Anyone with any suggestions on how to make this year extra special is asked to contact either the secretary Mr Jim McDonald or any committee member with their ideas.
The first thing that the club have managed to secure is a visit by the Hardy/Greys roadshow on 20th April. It is hoped to hold a number of events throughout the season to mark the occasion.
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