And the winner is...
The Morison Family and DBIT board of Directors are delighted to announce the inaugural winner of the Morison Trophy. The Morison Trophy, awarded for the heaviest fly-caught salmon of the season from the Deveron, has been won by visiting angler, Mrs Jean Marshall. Her notable capture which was safely returned, weighed 29 lbs (Length 43 inches / Girth 23.5 inches) and was caught on a ‘flamethrower’ (size 8) fly, from the glebe pool on the Upper Netherdale beat. The large male salmon was safely landed with the able assistance of Ghille, Mr David Low. Mrs Marshall will see her name engraved onto the beautiful silver trophy and will receive a G-Loomis Versa Spey fly-rod as well as a porcelain flagon of Royal Salute by CHIVAS REGAL.
Catching the limelight
In May, anglers from all corners of the UK and parts of Europe, enjoyed a week’s fishing on ‘Scotland Hidden Gem’. The Deveron Fishing Festival 2011 welcomed over 220 anglers who fished a different beat each day with hospitality from Hardy & Greys and G-Loomis to name two. All anglers were greeted at the festival opening at Turriff Angling Association (TAA) lodge on Monday 16th. Everyone received a goody bag of locally produced goods, information from tourism Scotland and most importantly their festival programme. Midweek, trade exhibitors invited their own guests associated with the game angling industry. The opening night of entertainment was hosted by Buckley’s of Turriff with an evening of talks focusing on the theme “We are Deveronside” giving a formal insight to the river.
To spray or not to spray?
Biosecurity Project update by Alastair Fenn
During the project’s first year our main objective has been to identify all invasive non-native plant species locations and set up effective control, eradication and prevention methods.
Hatchery update
236,000 salmon and 44,000 sea trout ova were successfully laid down during late 2010. The resulting fry have been stocked back to where the broodfish originated. The upper catchment locations included the Blackwater tributary, Allt Deveron and Davidston Burn (Isla). The lower river target areas included the Auchinbaddie, Miaggie, Auchintoul and Auchinnina.
Mr John Wilkie
All at the Trust would like to pass on their sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr John Wilkie, a keen angler and member of Turriff Angling Association, whom sadly passed away earlier this year. He will be remembered fondly by all who knew him.
The Board Report
At the Board’s AGM in September, Andrew Wallace, Chairman of the Rivers & Fisheries Trusts of Scotland, gave an informative overview of how District Salmon Fishery Boards and River Trusts are encouraged to work together to improve our salmon rivers – a topic which is often the cause of much confusion.
The full report can be read on the Board Report page.