2015 Annual REDFA Report upstream at Waters Meet 05.02.16 Mark Strong rising waters engulf YFF`s Wetheral fishing bothy 06.12.15 Mike Grimes the aftermath as waters subside 02.02.16 Mike Grimes GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE Paul Davidson Chairman CAA Chairman Mike Ashwin Secretary PAA D.Chair Adrian Brown D.Chair Eden Owners & Church Commssioners Mike Harrison Treasurer Nigel Austin CAA Secretary Marion Baldwin KSDAA Treasurer Jamie Birley PAA Chairman Bob Bradney YFFC Bill Candeland BAA Secretary Steve Dawson AAA (new Chair) Irene Downing KSDAA Chair John Harper BAA Chairman Alistair Horn AAA John Pape Riparian Owners Colin Pilmer CAA Paul Richardson AAA Chairman (now retired) Adrian Sharpe YFF CONTENTS 1 Chairman’s Report 2 Secretary`s Report 3 Treasurer`s Report 4 Angling Reports Appleby Angling Association Brampton Angling Association Carlisle Angling Association Carlisle and District Coarse Angling Club Kirkby Stephen & District Angling Association Penrith Angling Association Yorkshire Fly Fishers Club Borderlines 5 * Salmon fisheries data - Conservation measures & Tagging - C&R rates * Net Limitation Order & Byelaw developments * Avian Predation and Eden Area licence 6 EFP progress update 7 Eden Rivers Trust report 8 2016 Events and Meeting dates & Volunteer activities and contacts 9 List of REDFA Members 10 REDFA Membership Form 1. REDFA – Chairman’s report I want to start off by offering our condolences to any of our members that have been affected by the recent floods. The damage to property and personal belongings is by no doubt devastating to all concerned. Hopefully many have or will get back to normality as soon as possible. In regards to the river, it will be a long time before we know the true extent of the damage to the Redds and what impact it will have on all fish stocks. 2015 has been a very challenging year in regards to what has been going on behind the scenes with several projects mainly to do with 2017 Net Limitation Order and Eden Fisheries Plan. As you are already aware the EA have formed a steering group which includes REDFA (who is represented by myself and Mike Ashwin) Solway Haaf Netters, ERT, EA, Natural England, Esk & Liddle, Dumfries and Galloway Council (Annan Stake Nets). The purpose of the group was initially to set out an agreement on reducing salmon exploitation within the Eden and Esk catchments and the Solway estuary due to the decline in returning adults over the last few years which has placed the River Eden in an "At risk” category. There have been two meetings to date (The Haaf Netts representatives failed to attend the 2nd meeting) and a third meeting which should have taken place in the middle of January. Due to EA`s flood workload and other considerations, this did not go ahead as planned. In the light of this REDFA tabled their conservation measures proposals to the EA last week, to allow sufficient time to introduce these measures prior to the 16th June. Our initial thoughts are that the EA will be asking for a 100% Catch and Release for 2016 on a voluntary basis. If this is the case it will be opposed by REDFA. The Conservation proposals drafted and tabled by REDFA are for an angler limit of two salmon (carcass tagged) and two sea trout per season, and for this to be linked with net restrictions to reduce the 10 salmon limit for licence holders and the unlimited sea trout they have at the moment. Whatever is agreed can only be introduced under a voluntary rod arrangement for 2016. However it is highly likely that the EA will be pushing for a major reduction in salmon exploitation at a national level for the NLO review in 2017 and there is a high likelihood that they will want to see an introduction of a 100% C&R on all rivers that are " at risk “ This will be challenged rigorously by REDFA and we have been given an assurance the Angling Trust will also defend this position which is re-assuring. I would like to thank all clubs and riparian owners that have agreed to and paid their enhanced membership contributions over the last year. The support is overwhelming and is greatly appreciated. Without this support REDFA would not be in a position to fulfil its objectives. Most beats up and down the river reported good catches of brown trout throughout the season. The seatrout catches were very promising compared to the previous decade or more, we hope that continues into the future. Salmon fishing in the spring was very good on some beats and continued right up into July. The back end didn’t materialise again but that could have been due to the dry conditions. Grayling fishing started brilliantly in the end of October into November but then the rain started and has forgotten to stop. Hopefully 2016 will bring good catches throughout. I will close on that note and wish everyone tight lines for the coming season. Paul Davidson 2. Secretary`s Report 2015 will be recorded by fisheries as another year of severe flood events, but in future years may also be marked as a year when REDFA adopted its business plan to build and strengthen its representation of Eden`s fisheries interests. This was a transition year when significant contributions were made by Clubs, Riparian Owners and individuals both financially and in real time, working on particular strategies and projects, very much a team effort to turn around the fortunes of our river. Adrian Brown took the chairing role for steering the Eden Fisheries Plan, Nigel Austin coordinated the introduction of our Salmon carcass tagging scheme and Paul Davidson difficult discussions around Solway migratory measures. Our membership is growing and we have a stronger platform to represent fisheries which we must use wisely and effectively. The Annual report records much of this work and we hope gives an insight into developing strands of work. Important of these being :- ▪ Migratory conservation measures and Tagging ▪ Net Limitation Order & Byelaw reviews ▪ Rod fisheries data ▪ Avian Predation and management of the Eden Area Licence ▪ Consultation and responses on Catchment planning and Water Resources ▪ Planning applications and Abstraction Licensing ▪ Water quality regulation ▪ Activities to support Clubs and fisheries ▪ Representation at regional and national level on the above REDFA has regular dialogue with its EFP partners Eden Rivers Trust, Environment Agency & Natural England on wide ranging matters in delivery of the fisheries plan. Many of these hinge on future resources and actions that organisations can commit to and this will undoubtedly set the agenda for improved monitoring and restoration of Eden`s waterbodies. Daniel Brazier has joined ERT as the new Catchment Fisheries Specialist and we look forward to working more closely with the ERT team in the months ahead. Likewise our EA colleagues who have the difficult task balancing major flood restoration programmes against a diminishing fisheries and biodiversity budget. In September there was the unwelcome Skitwath Beck pollution incident which highlighted concerns that are ever present over farm pollution but also our preparedness to deal with these incidents. The pollution was picked up and tracked by an observant river watcher and illustrates how each of us has a part to play in looking after our nearby waters. Legal matters are progressing to what we expect to lead to prosecution in this case. Through the year REDFA was directly involved in the Ullswater Drought Permit Order consultation which concerns transfer of water from Ullswater to Haweswater and south to Lancashire conurbations. The importance being that the proposed relaxing of daily and yearly transfer limits would directly impact on Ullswater, River Eamont and downstream Eden levels. REDFA called together affected fisheries and our response and recommendations are being considered by United Utilities and the EA as part of their Environmental Assessment reporting process. A final word of thanks to Mike Harrison, who stands down from his role as Treasurer, having kept the books in good shape during his time in office and through this transition period. Mike Ashwin REDFA Secretary REDFA Year End Accounts as at 31st October 2015 with earlier year comparisons Income 2014 - 2015 2013 - 2014 2012 - 2013 2011 - 2012 2010 - 2011 Riparian Owners £899.00 £389.00 £439.00 £424.00 £286.00 Clubs £4,750.00 £388.00 £388.00 £392.00 £392.00 Members £422.50 £412.50 £402.00 £464.00 £422.00 Environment Agency (in error) £300.00 Donations £5,040.00 £592.00 £5,170.00 £384.92 £325.00 Raffle (at A.G.M.) £50.00 £20.00 £75.00 £68.00 Lowther Show £141.00 Contributions to Junior Day £670.00 Total Income £11,972.50 £1,801.50 £6,474.00 £2,032.92 £1,425.00 £350 received under Riparian Owners is paid in advance for 2015 - 2016 N.B. Expenditure Honorarium (Secretary) £100.00 £300.00 £350.00 £350.00 £350.00 Honorarium (Treasurer) £300.00 £300.00 £300.00 £300.00 £325.00 Stationary/Postage £81.84 £166.59 £95.13 £22.07 Angling Trust £55.00 £55.00 £55.00 £50.00 A.G.M £101.27 £58.95 £112.00 £146.00 £190.00 Raffle £40.00 Eden Rivers Trust (Room hire) £100.00 £150.00 £150.00 £100.00 £200.00 Webpage Management £200.00 £200.00 £200.00 £200.00 £200.00 NWFCC £100.00 £100.00 £40.00 Cup engraving £14.95 £21.95 Workshops &Summits £258.00 £90.54 £213.27 £348.00 Retirement gifts £100.00 £50.00 Environment Agency (repayment) £300.00 Lowther Show Costs £81.09 £72.69 £38.09 REDFA leaflets £40.00 Junior Day Tuition Fees £629.20 £300.00 Other (Direct debit) £120.00 Charged Administration Costs £9,000.00 Mileage £497.75 Stationary £232.59 Total Expenditure £11,694.90 £1,409.02 £2,035.90 £1,951.08 £1,377.07 Surplus £277.60 £392.48 4,438.10 £81.84 £47.93 Angling Trust Grant received - £1893.00 (not included as income and £ 824.24 spent on Avian predation equip) ( £1068.76 grant balance held in HSBC account) ((9 Account Balances as at 31.10.15 31.10.14 Increase in 31.10.15 Balances made up H.S.B.C.