THE DEVERON FLYER Newsletter 25 Winter 2013 the DEVERON FLYER Newsletter 25 Winter 2013 Visit Our Updated Website

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THE DEVERON FLYER Newsletter 25 winter 2013 THE DEVERON FLYER Newsletter 25 winter 2013 Visit our updated website www.deveron.org

2012 has been a bumper year for Trust • Work goes on... • Welcoming the new season restoration and fish access projects. The Trust in full swing Inside pages Opening ceremony 2013 Inside pages Burns and bridges Here are a few highlights... THE DEVERON FLYER BEFORE The Deveron, Bogie and Isla Rivers Charitable Trust Newsletter 25, winter 2013

Welcome to the 25th newsletter of the Deveron, Bogie & Isla Rivers Charitable Trust. The Trust’s objectives are to ‘conserve, protect and rehabilitate salmon, sea trout and trout and other indigenous species of animal, bird, insect and plant life and more generally to promote the ecological cycle for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Deveron’. Funding secured for 2013 AFTER

We are delighted to announce that

⬅ grant aid of £62,116 has been CHAPEL BURN, GLASS BEFORE ⬅ FISHRIE BURN secured from Scottish Natural Heritage Modification to this ‘hanging-culvert’ was These photos show the result of an (SNH) to extend the DBIT’s successful completed during the summer. By raising extensive bank restoration project biosecurity programme until October the water level downstream using boulder on the Fishrie burn (King Edward). 2013. The award-winning first phase placement, fish can now pass through the The project has stopped the acute of the project included the enlistment culvert unrestricted. Primarily a trout stream, siltation of important spawning of ‘River Champions’ which were the Chapel burn should now sustain larger gravels, allowed mixed riparian instrumental in the removal of 212 juvenile stocks for years to come. Thanks go vegetation to grow providing fish American Mink, the injection of 27 Catch at the Wrack: Deveron Fishing Festival 2012 to all trust members who contributed to this shade/cover, and now the vertical Japanese knotweed sites, removal of

⬅ project. larch logs will protect over 370 30+ rainbow trout, the treatment of GLENDRONACH BURN, FORGUE AFTER metres of valuable arable land. many kilometres of Giant Hogweed Keeping the rivers accessible Whilst existing works were on-going to repair the flood BLOCKAGE REMOVALS The two-stage channel has been and two fishing festivals. Alastair Fenn, banks of the Glendronach burn, the DBIT negotiated DBIT staff along with Fishery Board bailiff ⬅ formed to allow the burn to ‘spill’ the original project officer, has taken DBIT staff have been clearing debris, the Glendronach burn means the river with the distillery for the old weir to be removed. Happily, (James Minty), removed 13 tree/flood ISLA (LINN POT), KEITH up to the larch logs but no further. up a role in Northern Ireland. The restoring riverbanks and removing is now passable. Concrete removal at they agreed without hesitation for which we are grateful. debris obstructions during the summer. The Modifications have been undertaken on an historic A continuation of the project on the DBIT wish Alastair and his family well obstacles all year to allow easier the Linn Pott has been aided by the Autumn 2011 did not produce high water levels during obstructions were discovered during hogweed obstacle within the Isla catchment. The project opposite bank is planned for 2013, – his hard work and enthusiasm will access for juvenile fish as they travel Rivers and Fisheries Trusts of Scotland the spawning season. We did not find juvenile salmon control carried out in the Isla catchment. Our was undertaken with financial assistance from the subject to landowner approval and be missed. Phase two of the project up-stream to spawn. and SEPA. There is on-going restoration upstream of the weir during our 2012 surveys – all a thanks to Mr Harvey Grant of Lower Netherdale Rivers and Fisheries Trusts of Scotland (RAFTS) further funding from SEPA’s Water will continue and extend the control Work has been carried out on the project on the Fishrie burn which will strong indication that the weir was proving to be an for also removing numerous blockages from and SEPA’s Water Environment Fund. We are Environment programme of all INNS (invasive non- Chapel burn to modify a hanging be completed in 2013. obstacle at certain water heights. the Meaggie burn this autumn. grateful for all the assistance given. Fund. Continued on back page culvert. The removal of an old weir at Full coverage of these projects inside THE DEVERON FLYER Newsletter 25 winter 2013 THE DEVERON FLYER Newsletter 25 winter 2013 Visit our updated website www.deveron.org

We are delighted to announce that

native species) within the catchment. River Deveron Conservation Code Robin Vasey, who has worked for salmon and trout 2013 with the Trust since its formation has many years’ experience in the control Tight lines for 2013! The River Deveron Salmon Fisheries Board remains extremely concerned of INNS, will take over from Alastair. over fragile levels of fish stocks in the river and in particular spring salmon and Assistance will also be given by Roger With the new season upon us, all eyes are on conservation and reward sea trout. As a result some amendments have been made to the conservation Polson (DBIT Director). code for the coming season: The principal project is the grazing l All salmon are to be returned up to the end of May. control trial at Auldtown of Netherdale. l From June 1st to October 31st, anglers may retain one salmon or grilse This site is a juvenile forestry per rod per day with a maximum of two fish per rod per week. Anglers plantation with severe infestation of are asked to observe the Board’s aspiration that all hen fish, and any Giant Hogweed, which has proved cock salmon over 10lbs be returned. very difficult to curtail using normal l All sea trout to be returned throughout the season. The guidance on sea methods. After much consideration, trout will be in place for a minimum of three years or until stocks recover research and collaboration between Grazing Giant Hogweed should see the plant eradicated to acceptable levels. a diverse range of stakeholders, it has l Brown Trout from 15th March to 30th September – all Brown Trout been decided to implement grazing as seed banks. The most efficient control the DBIT have chosen to use black under 10 inches in length to be returned. No more than 2 brown trout the main control method. is obtained by commencing grazing face sheep as the grazers. Evidence per rod per week to be retained. Studies show that grazing with in the spring when the plants are indicates that over time (several years), Opening Ceremony l Injured or damaged fish outwith the above limits should be handed to domestic livestock is an effective small. Giant Hogweed contains toxins grazing removes the juvenile hogweed of the River Deveron the proprietor. method of control for large stands of (furanocoumarins) whose toxicity is plants, promotes a dense sward of l All visiting anglers or local anglers returning from outside Britain must hogweed. Evidence for the effects of enhanced in the presence of ultraviolet grazing-tolerant species, which limits We are delighted to announce the read, act upon and sign a Gyrodactylus salaris declaration form grazing came mostly from the use of light. These cause inflammation of the the amount of suitable substrate in opening of the river Deveron fishing immediately prior to going fishing. Please contact the DBIT or your beat sheep, but Giant Hogweed is also very skin and mucus-secreting membranes which hogweed seeds can germinate season 2013 and the presentation Ghillie/Manager/Agent. palatable to cattle and goats. These (lips and nostrils), when exposed to and establish. of the Morison Trophy. The trophy is grazers eat most above ground plants, light. Bare and unpigmented skin is If you would like to become a being presented for the second time thus greatly reducing photosynthesis, particularly susceptible whereas darker volunteer please call the Trust at the opening ceremony on the 11th depleting energy and eventually the and hairy skin is resistant. For this reason office on 01466 711388 February at 10am, Turriff AA lodge. The Spring salmon reward scheme trophy presentation will be followed by IN BRIEF Mr Neil Stephen has kindly Bridge alterations the opening ceremony in association Chivas Brothers Ltd have again very generously sponsored our agreed to act as the ghillie’s On the 8th January Miller Plant with William Lawson’s who will be spring salmon reward scheme for 2013. Any angler safely returning Ghillies evening representative on the Trust Hire removed three sections of providing refreshments for all guests. a salmon caught between 11th Feb and the 31st May, can follow Board for the coming three boulders directly downstream The Morison Trophy is to be officially the set claim procedure below and receive a bottle of Chivas Regal The RDevDSFB/DBIT held seasons. Please contact him on of Banff Bridge on behalf of presented by Mr Paul Young. Mr Young Paul Young, above, will bless Rod-catch stats Festival award 12 year old Scotch whisky (70CL). Strictly Over 18s Only. a ghillies evening in early 07801 658324/neilmuiresk@ Aberdeenshire Council. The is a Scottish television actor and some the Deveron with a dram, Preliminary figures for 2012 show that The DBIT were To claim call 01466 711388 October. Many interesting gmail.com. Our thanks to James boulders were removed after of his credits include The Tales of Para thereafter, the first cast of the more than 3,182 salmon and grilse thrilled to be Claim Procedure topics were covered and an Minty (RDevDSFB) for helping concerns were raised about Handy, No Job for a Lady, Coronation season will be taken by Mr were caught last year which is an recognised by the 1. Take a scale sample (6-10 scales from behind and below dorsal fin) from action plan was drawn up to organise the evening and the potential of the boulders to Street and Still Game. Paul has gone Craig Wyness, winner of the increase on the previous year’s total of Scottish Thistle Awards. The Deveron salmon, place in scale packet/dry envelope and record details of fish to allow by Richie Miller (The Trust’s also to Turriff AA for the venue. obstruct migratory fish passage on to find long-lasting fame among the 2012 Morison Trophy 2,755, and well above the long-term Fishing Festival received the award for fish to be verified. Senior Biologist) to address The gathering will now be in extreme low river flows and fishing community, fronting a series of average. Spring catches increased by Best Nature Based Tourism Experience. 2. Take photo of fish (If possible) many of the river issues raised. repeated annually. low tides events. fishing TV shows, which began with 66 per cent to 255 salmon by end of We would like to thank our sponsors 3. Return salmon to river unharmed. ‘Hooked On Scotland’ on the BBC in May, with 188 (74 per cent) returned (William Lawson’s and Trout & Salmon 1991. Paul Young has this year been to the river. The sea trout catch Magazine), beat proprietors, Turriff For further information please contact The Senior Biologist, Richie Miller, at given the honour of blessing the decreased from 592 to a total of 521, Tackle, David Burgess, anglers and all The Offices, Avochie, Rothiemay, Huntly, Aberdeenshire AB54 7YY Telephone/fax: 01466 711388; Deveron with a dram of Glen Deveron ranging from 3lb to 8lb of which 73 the trades involved with the festival email: [email protected] or visit the Trust’s website www.deveron.org Whisky. All are Welcome. per cent were returned safely. which proved to be a great success. The Deveron, Bogie and Isla Rivers Charitable Trust is a registered charity. No. SC 032131 THE DEVERON FLYER Newsletter 25 winter 2013 THE DEVERON FLYER Newsletter 25 winter 2013 THE DEVERON FLYER Newsletter 25 winter 2013