2009 Report

With the Summer long drought of 2008 only giving way on October 1^st we were very fortunate to find a window on 14^th & 15^th of November which allowed us access to the redds.  Our main efforts were concentrated on the fords on the Upper Tormsdale, Muckle Ford, Dalemore and the Mire Pool.  We also operated the side sluice at Loch More. Despite working with a rapidly rising water we managed to obtain 120,000 eggs which were fertilised and taken back to the Hatchery in Halkirk.  The ratio of Males to Hen fish on the redds was  five to one in favour of the Males whilst the sluice gate proved to be fifty, fifty.  In early May of 2009 these were planted out as unfed fry in the upper reaches of the system, with particular care taken over numbers and location  in the Rumsdale Water and the Red Burn area.

The high waters continued through January and in to mid-February when we witnessed several fish running the pass at Loch More.  The first fish of the Season was taken on 25^th February by local angler Jimmy Sutherland from beat four and weighed in at twelve pounds. Although it was steady for much of the month we never really felt that there were huge numbers of fish in the system.  This proved to be the case for much of April with  reasonably good water not having the desired effect.  The April fish stated to arrive in mid May and we continued to fish very well though not spectacularly.

From the third week in April through to the end of May we had one of the biggest smolt migrations that I have seen since the 60s.

The grilse were even later arriving this year and are still arriving in early October.  Although we have detected five case of Anisakis Simplex (Red Vent) the greater number of grilse showed no evidence of the problem.  We made a point of examining the smaller grilse very closely and found no signs.

I am pleased to be able to report that for 2009 there has been no incidence of Pollution nor Disease.

For varying reasons we had to put several plans on hold with regard to improvements but we are confident that these will be carried forward in the near future.