Laia

Congratulations to Tim Jacklin and his fishing pal Duncan on the catch and release of an 11lb 12oz. ferox trout on Loch Awe this week. A fitting reward for winning a days guided fishing in the Wild Trout Trust Auction.

Fancy a day fishing for ferox on Loch Awe? Just one of 100's of lots on the Wild Trout Trust Auction site.

For those who wonder what their permit money is used for:-
Have a thought for our wardens who work like trojans to try and keep the lochside clean and litter-free in often very trying circumstances. This week Ricky and Cliff spent several hours collecting, by boat, in excess of TWENTY full bin bags which Ricky had previously filled along the shore between Cladich Bay and the LAIA boundary of Kilchurn Bay. Four of these bags were filled with bottles and broken glass......bu...t when they returned to collect them, these bags had been opened and the contents scattered. Doubtful that the Highland Coos were responsible for this................Just saying 😡😡
Can we all please pull together and help our wardens in keeping the lochside as we would wish to find it. Bin bags always available from Loch Awe Boats and willing hands are always welcome!!
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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:- Thursday, 14th March, Porsonachan Village Hall, 7pm. Guest Speaker:- Aya Thorne of Marine Scotland's Freshwater Laboratory, Faskally and founder member of the Ferox 85 Group. All members welcome!

Litter is not just unsightly, but has lasting consequences for the freshwater environment. LAIA spend a large proportion of the funds from fishing permits on providing and uplifting rubbish bins. Please use them. http://www.bbc.com/…/20180426-why-plast ics-are-not-just-an-…

The power of catch & release. Well spotted!

A Big thanks to Al Rawlings for his awesome presentation at our AGM last Friday, sorry we could not arrange better weather for your trip..but there's always next time. Safe Journey 'El Presidente'.

Fancy learning more about fishing for ferox trout and the ecology of Loch Awe? Why not bid on this Auction lot and help Wild Trout Trust to support work on trout habitat in Scotland. There are plenty of other lots to bid on at the WTT Ebay auction which ends this Sunday; https://www.ebay.co.uk/…/WTT059-1-day-f or-2-r…/273098669486…

Just a reminder!! AGM, Friday 16th March, 7pm, Portsonachan Village Hall. All members welcome!! Don't forget to send in your catch return before it's too late: £200 to win in the Prize Draw.

In response to the recent escape of farmed rainbow trout on Loch Awe, LAIA have consulted with Scottish Government to provide clarification on our responsibilities under the Protection Order. We can confirm that it is not possible to fish for rainbow trout prior to the start of the season (15th of March). From the 15th, all anglers WILL require a legal permit to fish, even for rainbows and when caught rainbow trout must be removed from the loch. Please also note that an increase in fishing pressure has potential to harm native brown trout stocks and we ask anglers to be respectful of the by-laws.

LAIA AGM:- Friday 16th March 2018. Portsonachan Village Hall - 7pm. Our guest speaker this year is Al Rawlings who will no doubt be known to many of you already. Al is a pike angler, writer and photographer, based in Ireland for the past 23 years. He has been Ferox fishing since 2003 and caught numerous large trout from Irish waters. However, his "claim to fame" is being the first angler - publicly - to catch over 500 x 20lb+ pike 😮😮 Al will be presenting his journey in...to the search for big Ferox. All members welcome!
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In light of the recent rainbow trout escapes from the fish farm on Loch Awe, please be aware that there are no exceptions to the byelaws. Regardless of the fact that rainbow trout are a non-native species, the purpose of the protection order is to conserve stock and promote responsible fishing. In fishing for rainbows, out of season, brown trout could also be caught. The season commences 15th March. Until then, it's pike fishing only. No trolling and no lures over 5". The loch is wardened year-round.

The more we learn about these incredible fish, the more questions arise on how to best manage this rare form of brown trout. Researchers from Glasgow University have begun to look at the mechanisms of how they become 'ferox'.

6 weeks to go!

Annual General Meeting:- Friday 16th March 2018, Portsonachan Village Hall, 7pm.
More details to follow. Meanwhile, don't forget to submit your catch returns from last season to Janet at the Boatyard address........remember - even a nil return is valid for the Prize Draw (£200!)