Spring Newsletter 2025
Dear Member,
Welcome to this year’s Spring Newsletter.
I hope that you are well and looking forward to the new season.
Members are reminded to use the club’s Facebook page or Email (LADAC.enquires@outlook.com) to check information or to contact the club. It was decided at the AGM that the Whatsapp group will be deleted and re-started as members re-join.
Office bearers :
President – Archie MacGilp Jnr
Vice President – James Montgomery
Treasurer – John McInally
Secretary – Andy Musgrove
Boat Convener – Kerr Mitchell
Any member wishing to help with boat/jetty repairs can contact Kerr Mitchell via the WhatsApp group
We had a very disappointing catch return rate this year with only 62 returns out of over 140 members. THIS IS A REQUIRMENT OF OUR LEASE. We must have returns to give to FLS which affects our lease on the lochs. All members are sent a return form in the autumn newsletter with a due date attached. At this years AGM it was agreed that members can send a catch return to the club email. However, only paper returns will be included in the draw for a free membership.
Not only is this a requirement within the leases we hold, it also allows us to monitor numbers to then assess stoking programmes for the Lochs.
This years Free Membership goes to Phil Foster
Following the Treasurers report at the AGM our expenditure is beyond our income by around £3,000 per annum. Whilst last year a part of this was the purchase of replacement boats due to age of the fleet, the biggest concern is the cost of Brown Trout. Due to the significant increase in fish prices, we were only able to have one stoking in 2024. Previous years has seen us deliver a second stocking half way through the season.
Due to the above, it was agreed at the AGM to increase the Membership fee to £90 per member. New Membership remains at £100 and Juniors remain at £10.
Membership numbers dropped last year and a decision was taken at the AGM to allow for Members to take one guest each for winter fishing on Loch Mackay and Lochan Duin (Vets Loch). Members taking a guest must ensure the guest wears a Life Jacket and only one fish is retained between them. It is hoped that this will bring more people to the club by introducing them to fly fishing.
Our Main FE Leases are due for renewal in 2027. We are being asked to provide more data regarding the use of the Lochs and the numbers of fish caught either retained or returned. This is due to the increased pressure on FE to provide information and it is important that we adapt to provide data in order to maintain our leases and recreational fishing for the future. As well as potential electronic fish returns, Andrew Ford has volunteered to look at a web-based system that would allow members to log which Lochs they fish and catch return information live time on the day that we will hopefully be able to trial later this season. All members are asked to keep a diary of their Club fishing, which lochs, fish caught etc to help the club going forward.
National & Championship Competitions
Congratulations to James Montgomery on winning the Club Championship 2024. Archie MacGilp Jnr was runner-up.
Club members participating in the national competitions are as follows:
SCOTTISH NATIONAL: James Montgomery, Archie MacGilp Jnr, George Mitchell & Donald MacDonald
TEAM A: James Mongomery, Archie MacGilp Jnr, George Mitchell
TEAM B: Donald MacDonald, Donald McGregor & Kerr Mitchell
BOATS
Date for boats being launched for 2025 is SUNDAY 9th of March 10.00am at Coop Car Park in Lochgilphead.
Date for bringing in boats is SUNDAY 12th OCTOBER
Please support the boat launch and take-in. This is achieved so much more quickly with plenty of able bodies!
Dinner & presentation
Its great to see everyone at the dinner this year and hope we can keep building numbers attending in the future, it was a lovely evening.
Fly Tying Evenings
Thank you to all members who have been running and attending the fly tying events in the MS Centre over the winter, this is a great activity for members to get involved with in the off season.
Work Parties
Several short work parties will be organised over the year, please keep an eye on whatsapp group and facebook for updates.
Renewing Memberships
As well as the traditional method of sending in your renewal to the Treasurer and paying either cheque or bank transfer you can also pop into Fyne Tackle with your completed renewal form and pay via the club card machine. Your membership card will then be handed to you there and then.
Members should display LADAC car badges when fishing and should carry membership cards for inspection. Also bailing of boats should be considered good practice and good manners.