Fishing The Fly Scotland

Index => Rivers & Lochs => Topic started by: Mike Barrio on 11/09/2008 at 21:10

Title: Ardhuncart Fishings update
Post by: Mike Barrio on 11/09/2008 at 21:10
Hi folks :cool:

I've been following up the trout fishing situation on the River Don Ardhuncart Fishings since the subject was raised a while back.

I now have some feedback from Dave Brown regarding the availability of permits, so I'll copy most of the email below for you :wink

Hope you find it useful
Best wishes
Mike Barrio

( Copied from email )
I have now sorted the brown trout tickets on the Ardhuncart of the river Don they will be as follows:

1.                Two tickets will be available Tuesday – Thursday throughout the season with the exception of the month of August when no tickets will be available.

2.                The cost will be £10/day, and must be pre-booked by phone by contacting Dave Brown on 01224-777579 or by E mail contact david.brown4@psnworld.com. The tickets will be subject to availability on a first come first served basis.

3.                Permits can be collected and paid for the following day at Tyries Steading, Kildrummy, on the Honeybarrel road.

4.                All returns nil or otherwise must be posted in the collection box at the iron bridge West side after fishing or posted to the address shown on the permit as soon as possible afterwards.

5.                Precedence shall be given to Salmon fishers should they wish to fish a particular pool.

6.                All migratory fish both Salmon & Sea-trout caught are to be returned.

7.                Fishing is Fly only throughout the season.

8.                Parking is in the designated area’s only.

9.                All gates must be closed after use please respect the country code.

10.             All don fisheries board rules apply.
Title: Re: Ardhuncart Fishings update
Post by: Hamish Young on 12/09/2008 at 07:52
Not sure the august thing works for me  ???
Title: Re: Ardhuncart Fishings update
Post by: Rob Brownfield on 12/09/2008 at 08:35
I thought the "Salmon anglers are more important than you lowly Trout anglers" attitude had been banished to the past....

I pay more money for the privalige of driving a 4x4..does that mean I can drive to the front of the que at traffic lights?  :wink

I really must get out on the Don...I do like the river :)
Title: Re: Ardhuncart Fishings update
Post by: Cameron deBoth on 12/09/2008 at 11:33
I thought the "Salmon anglers are more important than you lowly Trout anglers" attitude had been banished to the past....

I pay more money for the privalige of driving a 4x4..does that mean I can drive to the front of the que at traffic lights?  :wink

I really must get out on the Don...I do like the river :)

Yerp I'd also love to get a day out on the river, need some waders tho  :roll
Title: Re: Ardhuncart Fishings update
Post by: Mike Barrio on 12/09/2008 at 21:32
Hmmm ...... yes :roll

So I guess that means no trout fishing on any Monday, Friday or Saturday throughout the season and no trout fishing in August :z6

Plus a reduction to only two rods per day :z6

I could be really funny :z4 and point out that I notice in the email that "brown trout" has been given no capital, yet "Salmon" and "Sea-trout" have! ......... but it is not funny ???

Is it just me, or is this "silver tourist" thing on the Don getting silly :z8

Mike
Title: Re: Ardhuncart Fishings update
Post by: Peter McCallum on 12/09/2008 at 22:04

I could be really funny :z4 and point out that I notice in the email that "brown trout" has been given no capital, yet "Salmon" and "Sea-trout" have! ......... but it is not funny ???


Maybe their his own trout (Brown.... gettit?? :z6)
Title: Re: Ardhuncart Fishings update
Post by: Mike Barrio on 12/09/2008 at 22:27
Maybe their his own trout (Brown.... gettit?? :z6)

Nice one Peter :z4  :z4  :z4
Title: Re: Ardhuncart Fishings update
Post by: Mike Barrio on 12/09/2008 at 22:41
I should hasten to add that I like salmon fishing, I like sea-trout fishing, I like brown trout fishing, I like rainbow trout fishing and ( although the opportunity hasn't arisen for me for years ) I'm sure I would like sea fishing, pike fishing, carp fishing etc etc etc :cool:

The River Don is not in the same league as rivers like the Dee or the Spey when it comes to salmon fishing and it is about time this was accepted :z7
However ........ it is an exceptional mixed species river that can produce beautiful trout, sea-trout and salmon and this is what makes it special in my humble opinion :wink

Best wishes
Mike
Title: Re: Ardhuncart Fishings update
Post by: zeolite on 16/09/2008 at 13:22
I don't think that complies with the PO idea of reasonably priced fishing and fair access now does it?
It smacks of doing the very minimum to keep the PO order in place. Frankly it is taking the piss!

I am a mostly salmon angler I should say.
Title: Re: Ardhuncart Fishings update
Post by: Hamish Young on 16/09/2008 at 17:47
I don't think that complies with the PO idea of reasonably priced fishing and fair access now does it?
It smacks of doing the very minimum to keep the PO order in place. Frankly it is taking the piss!

Yup  :z6
Title: Re: Ardhuncart Fishings update
Post by: Hamish Young on 18/09/2008 at 14:38
I spoke with Dave Brown this morning (he was returning my call), as I was just on my way to bed after a nightshift. As I had been up for 25hrs at the point he rang I hope I wasn't too 'fuzzy'.....

We discussed a number of things which give me concern with regard to the recent information that has been provided regarding the availability of trout fishing at Ardhuncart. I cannot break any confidences, but it would be fair to say that his hands are somewhat tied, particularly with the August access.

I feel that the ticket price they are charging is entirely reasonable when compared to the river average, which in itself is artificially high thanks to a handful of beats. As I said, the syndicates hands are tied a little and the current arrangements offer the best they can do, and it's better than some others.

I do still have some concerns, but having now spoken to Dave their heart is very much in the right place. I would like to think that things might change a smidgen in 2009, but there are other beats which offer less (if anything at all) and my short term focus will be on them and not Ardhuncart.

Hamish  :z3
Title: Re: Ardhuncart Fishings update
Post by: Mike Barrio on 26/09/2008 at 00:21
I spoke with Dave Brown this morning (he was returning my call), as I was just on my way to bed after a nightshift. As I had been up for 25hrs at the point he rang I hope I wasn't too 'fuzzy'.....

We discussed a number of things which give me concern with regard to the recent information that has been provided regarding the availability of trout fishing at Ardhuncart. I cannot break any confidences, but it would be fair to say that his hands are somewhat tied, particularly with the August access.

I feel that the ticket price they are charging is entirely reasonable when compared to the river average, which in itself is artificially high thanks to a handful of beats. As I said, the syndicates hands are tied a little and the current arrangements offer the best they can do, and it's better than some others.

I do still have some concerns, but having now spoken to Dave their heart is very much in the right place. I would like to think that things might change a smidgen in 2009, but there are other beats which offer less (if anything at all) and my short term focus will be on them and not Ardhuncart.

Hamish  :z3


Thanks for that Hamish :z16

All the above makes sense now .......... Let's hope for some changes in 2009.

Best wishes
Mike
Title: Re: Ardhuncart Fishings update
Post by: Hamish Young on 29/09/2008 at 19:31
It has been brought to my attention that readers of another forum have been looking for an update on what's happening on the Don - particularly with regard to the RDBTIA.
Sadly I am unable to oblige them on their own forum, members from 'that site' might like to know that some of the principals from this forum have had their memberships of the 'other site' deleted - me among them  :roll
No reason given, no email sent, no phonecall made.
One might have reasonably expected, bearing in mind the previous good relations I personally thought I had with the chief 'conspirator' of that site, that this would be unthinkable but sadly not the case  :z10

This means being able to provide objective and accurate information about what's happening with all things Don is really only possible via websites such as this, arguably with less of an agenda  :wink

However, I would remind anyone who has a legitimate query to get in touch.... my details are readily found on this forum  :wink

Title: Re: Ardhuncart Fishings update
Post by: Paul Rankine on 30/09/2008 at 13:05
Hamish,
         
"This means being able to provide objective and accurate information about what's happening with all things Don is really only possible via websites such as this" .

Methinks that statement was and always will be the case.  :z4

Paul.
Title: Re: Ardhuncart Fishings update
Post by: zeolite on 02/10/2008 at 23:19
Back in to the interweb after a bit of restricted access

I think the Ardhuncart situation is most unfortunate. I know Hamish will have done his best and I have some sympathy for him but the access that is being provided is shocking and I really think that the syndicate and Mr Brown are a disgrace. Since they are in breach of the PO, I am tempted to get a few of my ex-mining neighbours in a minibus up for a visit next season if access arrangements do not change. With rights come responsibilities.
Some might ask why I am so concerned about acces to a river I don't fish anymore because I now live in Fife but I reckon it is the thin end of the wedge. there have been access issues on some of the Tay beats and I do know that the Tay board have threatened them with removal of them from the PO order.
It is a sad day when the goverment in their wisdom have provided the ordinary man with access to fish but certain individuals think they are above the law. Hang isn't that the way it has always been?

Hamish I appreciate the info wherever you post it. Thanks.
Title: Re: Ardhuncart Fishings update
Post by: Mike Barrio on 02/10/2008 at 23:51
Back in to the interweb after a bit of restricted access

I think the Ardhuncart situation is most unfortunate. I know Hamish will have done his best and I have some sympathy for him but the access that is being provided is shocking and I really think that the syndicate and Mr Brown are a disgrace. Since they are in breach of the PO, I am tempted to get a few of my ex-mining neighbours in a minibus up for a visit next season if access arrangements do not change. With rights come responsibilities.
Some might ask why I am so concerned about acces to a river I don't fish anymore because I now live in Fife but I reckon it is the thin end of the wedge. there have been access issues on some of the Tay beats and I do know that the Tay board have threatened them with removal of them from the PO order.
It is a sad day when the goverment in their wisdom have provided the ordinary man with access to fish but certain individuals think they are above the law. Hang isn't that the way it has always been?

Hamish I appreciate the info wherever you post it. Thanks.

Hi Ian

The picture is not quite as clear cut as that, syndicates are not necessarily in control of all access matters and very often have to follow the guidelines set out in their lease ...... I know of at least one beat on the river where this is the case :wink

"access to fishing" issues are being worked on throughout the river system, but these cannot be solved overnight and a little patience is required.

Best wishes
Mike Barrio
Title: Re: Ardhuncart Fishings update
Post by: Paul Rankine on 03/10/2008 at 20:38
To those it may concern ,
                                   
Quote
these cannot be solved overnight and a little patience is required.

Amen .

If you are geniunely concerned about Don access to trout fishing or indeed anything else covered by the Protection Order why not contact Hamish directly for info, or even offer your help.

It's always easier to criticise or to try and diminish other peoples efforts ,not so easy to try and accomplish something meaningful.

Like everything in life there are those who talk and there are those who DO.

Hamish and everyone involved in the Don improvement group deserves the wholesale support of the Scottish angling community .

Paul.

Title: Re: Ardhuncart Fishings update
Post by: zeolite on 03/10/2008 at 20:50
Paul...I do talk to Hamish, although not lately, and I have every sympathy with what he is trying to achieve and I have said this in my last post. I cannot be more help as I live too far away and spend too much time offshore. (I think you noticed my absence.) What I have no sympathy for is people breaching the law. If people were fishing illegaly the likes of Mr Brown would be the first to start screaming for the police. Why does it have to be one way? I call that hypocrisy.

Mike...I think a whole season is patience enough surely? I know that there are things going on behind the scenes but it seems that at the end of the day bigger sticks are required.

Title: Re: Ardhuncart Fishings update
Post by: SAY on 03/10/2008 at 21:18
Back in to the interweb after a bit of restricted access

I think the Ardhuncart situation is most unfortunate. I know Hamish will have done his best and I have some sympathy for him but the access that is being provided is shocking and I really think that the syndicate and Mr Brown are a disgrace. Since they are in breach of the PO, I am tempted to get a few of my ex-mining neighbours in a minibus up for a visit next season if access arrangements do not change. With rights come responsibilities.
Some might ask why I am so concerned about acces to a river I don't fish anymore because I now live in Fife but I reckon it is the thin end of the wedge. there have been access issues on some of the Tay beats and I do know that the Tay board have threatened them with removal of them from the PO order.
It is a sad day when the goverment in their wisdom have provided the ordinary man with access to fish but certain individuals think they are above the law. Hang isn't that the way it has always been?

Hamish I appreciate the info wherever you post it. Thanks.

Gents,

Excuse my ignorance on this thread but what does the Don PO actually say..????  Where do you obtain a copy...????

I searched on the internet for this and the Statutory Instrument mentions that under the Don PO, those fishing for freshwater species within the Don catchment are required to have written permission to do so.  Which I assume basically means that to fish for Brown Trout on the Don you are required to have a permit (written permission) as in the same way when fishing for Salmon and Sea Trout.

Forgive me If I'm wrong but are there not other syndicates within the river where access is restricted and possibly no details on how to obtain access...??

SAY

Title: Re: Ardhuncart Fishings update
Post by: Hamish Young on 03/10/2008 at 21:36
Gents,

Excuse my ignorance on this thread but what does the Don PO actually say..????  Where do you obtain a copy...????

You can get a copy here: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1990/Uksi_19901971_en_1.htm
As it is a legal document I am unable to provide a freebie copy  :z6

I searched on the internet for this and the Statutory Instrument mentions that under the Don PO, those fishing for freshwater species within the Don catchment are required to have written permission to do so.  Which I assume basically means that to fish for Brown Trout on the Don you are required to have a permit (written permission) as in the same way when fishing for Salmon and Sea Trout.

In essence a reasonable summary of what a PO is for  :z16

Forgive me If I'm wrong but are there not other syndicates within the river where access is restricted and possibly no details on how to obtain access...??

SAY

Indeed, I am in the process of finalising a letter to the Clerk of the Don Board with a list of those beats/syndicates/proprietors who are not providing reasonable or affordable access to fishing for Brown Trout following a letter I previously wrote the board outlining some of my concerns. If individuals feel that someone is taking the piss (for want of a more eloquent phrase) they should contact the RDBTIA (as principal point of contact, that would be me) and let me try to get to grips with it rather than reporting things willy nilly to the SE. A beat can be removed from the PO but it would be better to try and get a change rather than a loss - if you follow me.
A threat to the PO as a whole has been mooted in certain cricles which is frankly worrying.

There is more to this than just Ardhuncart and it is by no means certain the syndicate will continue with the lease on that water next year. So in '09 things may be different there.

Retaining the PO is of paramount importance to the future of the river, all of those with a legitimate concern for the river would do well to remember that.

SAY - if you need to have more explained I would be delighted to try and do so. My email contact for the Don is rdbtia@btinternet.com

Hamish  :z3
Title: Re: Ardhuncart Fishings update
Post by: zeolite on 03/10/2008 at 21:39
Thanks for that Hamish.

A bit of bedtime reading I think.
Title: Re: Ardhuncart Fishings update
Post by: Hamish Young on 03/10/2008 at 21:42
Thanks for that Hamish.

A bit of bedtime reading I think.

It's interesting but, dare I say it, dated.
I would like a re-write but that is sadly some time off. Just wish I could dedicate my time to the subject 100% but sadly there's bills to be paid so my full-time job takes precedence.
Title: Re: Ardhuncart Fishings update
Post by: Paul Rankine on 03/10/2008 at 21:54
Hi Zeolite,
             
You make comment on the PO and the situation at Ardhuncart but have not actually  read the Order ?
 ??? ??? ???

Paul.




Title: Re: Ardhuncart Fishings update
Post by: SAY on 03/10/2008 at 22:02
Hi Zeolite,
             
You make comment on the PO and the situation at Ardhuncart but have not actually  read the Order ?
 ??? ??? ???

Paul.






Paul,
It seems that way and probably hasn't spoken to Mr Brown either.


Hamish,
Thanks for the information, very informative and best of luck with your efforts with the RDBTIA.

SAY
Title: Re: Ardhuncart Fishings update
Post by: Sandy Nelson on 05/10/2008 at 07:24
I have watched this one with some doubt as to say anything.
However what i cant understand is why everyone is getting so wound up over Ardhuncart.
Most of the Don beats are as good as each other (although possibly at different times of the year :wink)
The only thing i can see is that Ardhuncart was probably the cheapest fishing on the river (day tickets)
It was restricted before in terms of numbers, so nothing really has changed except the prices, which are now in line with the rest of the river. Early season this still makes it a worth while trip.
As for the issue with the salmon anglers right of way- Whats new, i've fished the Don since i was 11 and it has always been like that.
The protection order is much missunderstood, By me also, until Mr Young got the details and explained it properly.
However The Don Trust once it has a good foothold appears to be the way forward.

It's like people getting excited about the mad rush of people going to fish the river due to the articles appearing magazines.
Has anyone ever noticed this happen, I haven't :z8
There are many rivers in the UK capable of producing fish like the Don and they do. Only difference is the Don has a grand history (i belive intended to keep the locals off the Dee) which is well documented. But as any of us who fish the river with any regularity knows, she doesn't give up her secrets easily. SO you have a choice learn to fish or find somewhere else, most people do the latter (once they've fished it a couple of times) unless they are local then if they cant do the former they just slag it off.

Anyway back to Ardhuncart, a lovely beat with good accessibility for those less able bodied. Plenty of nice fish. But like most places worth going ,you have to book. No change there then.

Perhaps we need another post about what is considered reasonably priced fishing, and what the expectations would be per pound? maybe we could compare this to the cost of tackle and how much you would spend on gear to make yourself cast better (itself an illusion :roll) Then Perhaps Cross reference the two to see where people priorities lie (might also indicate how susceptible to advertising we all are) :z18

Sandy