PERMIT costs for members of Inverness Angling Club was one of the main talking points at the club's annual general meeting.
There was a good turn-out of members at the Raigmore Hospital Recreation Centre last Thursday evening, and after a great deal of discussion they voted to increase the yearly membership fee from £125 to £150 with all other permits going up pro rata.
There was also a lengthy discussion on concessionary membership with the qualification period increasing to 12-years continuous membership from the previous 10-year period.
Angler-of-the-year awards were made to Jim MacDowell and Aiden Macdonald, who both performed courageous life-saving efforts on the river this year.
A bottle of malt was awarded to William Sterling for catching and releasing the first fish of the season off the Town Water in April.
The senior club membership for 2011 stands at 230, with four lady and 119 juniors on the books. In addition there are 46 concessionary members and four honorary members.
The total number of salmon and grilse caught during the season was 247 - 110 salmon and 137 grilse - compared with a total of 393 in 2010. The percentage of fish returned was 42 per cent. A total of 41 sea trout were also caught.
On the club's stretch of the River Nairn, a total of eight salmon and grilse and a number of sea trout were caught.
Members heard that provision for mandatory catch and release upstream of the Dochfour Weir has not been progressed, and a decision will be made by the Ness District Salmon Fishery Board in December if this is to go ahead.
The board intends to hold an open meeting early in the New Year, which will be advertised locally and advised through the club's website when known.
The recently formed Merkinch Angling Club, which was set the club up to encourage people of all ages to take up the sport are currently looking for new members.
It costs £25 to sign-up which includes all transport, tackle and tuition and that's a bargain by anybody's way of thinking.
I know the club have organised some good outings in the last, and their next trip will be on Saturday, December 10. Further details can be obtained from club secretary Sean Cowan on 07825 303179.
If you have a fishing story, club news or photos for publication contact the sports desk on 01463 732222 or email sports@highland-news.co.uk. We would be delighted to hear from you.
LAF
