The season started reasonably well, spring salmon and some
large sea trout being caught but it never really got going due
to low water conditions during the year and fishing was, once
again, challenging. When rain did come, intermittent runs of
small grilse and sea trout occurred on both main rivers but the
back end of the year did not bring a winter run of large fish.
Fowey counter numbers were down on the 10-year average
but large sea trout still arrived in the upper reaches of the
system in good numbers and a large number of redds were
evident from mid-November onwards.
No heavy winter spates
occurred so hopefully the eggs will have developed well and
will not be as vulnerable to attrition as they develop and hatch
this year. Predation at sea, lack of food sources, global warming are all
taking their toll on our fish stocks – but what is critical is the
survival of smolts and their return to the sea. Without these
there will be no run. If we do not send smolts back to sea they
cannot come back.
This brings me to some good news. We
are now lucky to have two hatcheries operating in our area –
the Lynher and Fowey Hatchery. I will let others update you
on their excellent progress later in the meeting.
It was obvious upon walking the banks up in the spawning
sanctuary of the upper Fowey that the majority of the sea
trout redds appeared in those areas where volunteers had
been working – testament to the effectiveness of these
efforts. The work of Chris Janes and his small band of
volunteers is gratefully recognised. There is also excellent news in that the FRA has now
managed to purchase the Draynes sanctuary – so we will
have these sanctuaries in perpetuity. It will now be important
to keep them in good condition.
We must also maintain our excellent efforts in catch and
return – this can only benefit the overall spawning success
and ensure the viability of future stocks. It also demonstrates
to our riparian owners and Regulatory Authorities we care
about our fishing and are committed to its conservation. I
must also stress to all the importance of careful handling of
fish as you return them. Much can be done to ensure their
survival after the enjoyment and privilege of catching them.
The Chair took to opportunity to thank, on behalf of the Club
members
The Secretary for once again producing an excellent
annual newsletter and for his efforts on behalf of the
club.
The Treasurer and his auditors for all their hard work
during the year
The Club Wardens.……..noting that if anyone
wishes to step forward to look after any of our stretches
they should approach the Chairman later.
Finally, the Chairman thanked the Committee Members for
their continued support and hard work in the last year.
In closing he wished members a successful 2017 season.
The Secretary noted that it had been quite a busy season
behind the scenes. All the usual activities took place
(meetings, newsletters, membership correspondence, rental
renewals etc.) and additionally -
The Duchy leases were re-negotiated and the club
has moved from annual leases to 4-year leases on
both the West Looe and Inny. This is much more
acceptable to the club as it enables us to do longer term
maintenance on the beats – work on which has already
started.
We lost a rented short stretch of River Lynher (Beat 9,
Lynher Farm, 2 meadows) up at Bathpool as the
owners’ sold the property and fishing rights to third
parties.
There was a lot of legal work including changing out
the LDAC trustees (to T Sobey, D White and P Jordan)
and other land registry matters -
Prevented the sale of a short stretch (110m) of
our fishing north of the road bridge at Newbridge -
as the Turnpike Cottage owners’ tried to include
our fishing rights in their auction.
Purchased the Hendergrove Stretch (800m) of
the upper Fowey: (Beat 2b, lhb opposite
Golitha). This stretch was offered to the Club offmarket
and the Club agreed to purchase as it
protects the Golitha fishing on the opposite bank –
already owned by LDAC. Contracts have been
signed and payment made in full.
Unable to register Beat 15: Cadsonbury Beat;
Lynher. The LDAC Trustees have had to
withdraw the LDAC registration of this beat as the
NT formally objected to the registration due to
deed issues from the 1942 and 1967
sale/purchase agreements. We intend to continue
to fish the beat and to explore options to complete
the registration without resorting to an expensive
legal tribunal.
Sold c.50m (600m2) of LDAC land/ roadside
verge to Highways England. This sale is
progressing. Value to Club is approximately
£850.00. Please note the on-going traffic
restrictions and the need to enter Lewarne
Coombe from the west now (Halfway House) as a
result of their ongoing works. There is no access
from the east (Trago) until end-April.
Other news -
FRA has purchased 5100m of the Draynes
sanctuary stretch that they previously rented. This
should protect these important sea trout breeding
areas in perpetuity. They have control of over
70% of the valley now. Thanks to Chris Janes,
Roger Lashbrook and Rob Williams et al….for all
their efforts in improving the stretches over many
years.
ORVIS EXETER are now offering 10% on all
fishing related items (incl clothing, waders tackle
etc..) to club members in 2017. Present your 2017
season ticket to get the discount. Shop visits only
– not online. Thanks to Arthur White for arranging
this.
We are now looking for a new website
manager to keep the club website up to date.
Please come and see Secretary after the meeting
or get in touch if you can help.
Finally - We need your latest email and postal address
if we are going to keep in touch with you. That’s
in your hands, not ours….
The Treasurer reviewed the 2016 profit/loss account for the
Club and provided a breakdown of all expenditures and
income for the year to 31st December 2016.
He illustrated that the finances were in fair order but that the
Club had shown a loss of £327.91p for 2016. This loss could
be attributed to increased legal costs associated with trustee
and land registry matters.
As subscriptions accounted for 91% of income in 2016 it is
important to maintain membership numbers. Happily 2016
membership levels were maintained at the same level as the
previous year.
For the 2016 season the club therefore had eleven (11) life
members, fourteen (14) junior members and one hundred and
seventy six (176) full members (adults/disabled). Total club
membership again therefore stood at a total of two hundred
and one for 2016. An additional 20 beat and complimentary season tickets were
also issued to riparian owners as part of lease agreements
and these individuals were therefore allowed to fish our
waters – bringing the number of potential anglers to two
hundred and twenty one (221).
2017 cost/rental increases are estimated to rise by some
2.5% (over 2016 levels) and subscription for adult members
are therefore to rise by £3.00 pa to cover this. All other ticket
rates have been held at 2016 levels. Updated ticket prices
and membership details are available on the club website
The new FRA-operated hatchery at Colliford is now up and
running thanks to the generous funding from SWW and the
efforts of all the volunteers who helped set it up and run it.
Initial concerns over water temperature and
quality/quantity have proved unwarranted and the
Hatchery Manager was pleased to report that the first 6
months of activities had proved a success:
Brood stock collection quotas had been met. LDAC
waters provided two thirds (2/3) of the brood stock
and one angler (J Hake) had collected over 50% of
the total.
Just under 40,000 eggs had been stripped and the
brood stock returned back to the river.
At the time of the meeting the first 2 fry had hatched
and with low water temperatures (assisted by a
chiller unit) eggs are developing well.
A CEFAS inspection had been carried out and the
results were more than satisfactory.
The vision for the hatchery is not just to make it work
– but to make it work well.
Volunteers were once more thanked for their efforts
in making the operation the success it is to date.
Firstly Arthur White thanked LDAC for the financial contribution it
makes to the running of the hatchery on the Lynher. Unlike
the Colliford hatchery the Lynher hatchery receives no
funding from SWW or other external agencies; the £2000
pa running costs have to be met from contributions from
local anglers and the volunteers themselves.
Operating problems from previous years had been
resolved inasmuch as -
The EA had granted the Hatchery a license to collect
brood stock in November, after the season had
closed. This means that the brood stock are no
longer held for long periods in warm (autumnal)
waters and their health has improved – allowing for
more successful stripping. Thanks were given to the
EA for their support.
Later stripping increased the viability of eggs as the
water temperatures were now lower during their
development.
Operation to date -
Brood stock quotas met
52,000 eggs stripped. However one batch was poorly
developed and those eggs (10,000) were then reintroduced
into artificial redds in the river to prevent
their inevitable deterioration in the hatchery.
Of the remainder approximately 50% of the eggs had
hatched to date.
The stocking plan for the fry this year would involve split
releases – half the stock would be reared on whilst the other
half would be introduced to the river as swim-up fry. This plan
prevented rising water temperature from impacting
survivability during the summer.
This year the hatchery would also be looking to raise funds for
a chiller unit to further improve survivability rates in the future.
Due to the ongoing road works west of Trago and with 4 weeks of planned night closures through April there will be no access to the Lewarne Plantation pull-in/parking between Jacks and the Halfway House.
The club gate will remain locked until all the resurfacing/road works are completed (estimate 2nd May).
Temporary access to the RHB is only from Bodithiel Bridge where a temporary access is being created by the old gate. Parking is now further up Bodithiel Lane under the viaduct; the lower Forestry parking area we normally use is closed off by Highways England. Access to the LHB from both Bodithiel Lane and the Halfway House end is un-affected. Please note that access to Bodithiel Lane is only from the A390.
I am pleased to confirm that LDAC members will now be entitled to receive 10% discount on all fishing related goods at the Exeter Orvis Store this year. This includes items of fishing tackle, waders etc and clothing from the dedicated range of fishing clothing.
The season saw a very encouraging increase in the total of rod-caught
salmon year-on-year, rising from 33 in 2014 to 93 in 2015, up 282%. Sea
trout increased from 253 in 2014 to 268 for the 2015 season, a rise of 6%
year-on-year.
On a river-by-river basis the Fowey fared better than the Lynher with a higher
number of rod-caught salmon (55 in 2015 versus 25 in 2014, up 220%) with
the river producing 150 sea trout versus 140 in 2014, up 7%. The Lynher nonetheless saw a significant rebound in salmon numbers year-on-year; rising from 7 (in 2014) to 37 (in 2015), an increase of 528%; 2015
sea trout numbers also rose, reaching 73 (versus 64 in 2014), up 14%. Some minor rivers saw a reduction in fish caught, most notable on the Inny
where only one (1) sea trout was reported. Fourteen (14) sea trout were
reported from the Seaton (up from 8 in 2014, an increase of 175%); probably
reflecting a heavier fishing effort last season.
Here is an interesting chart (produced by the Lower Teign Fishing Association) for converting Salmon & Sea Trout length into an estimated weight - LENGTH-WEIGHT-CONVERSION-SEATROUT-SALMON.pdf
LDAC rent the fishing at Ashford Bridge from Coodes Estate - they have asked if we can distribute details of the some fields available to rent - those North of the bridge, where LDAC have the fishing.
See the map below - please contact Paul Jordan (sec@ldac.org.uk) in the first instance to register any interest
