Post on 18-Sep-2020
transcript
Loch Lomond Angling Improvement Association
Fisheries Improvement Group
Introduction
The freshwater environment is critical to the life cycle of all fish populations. Salmon
and sea-trout require high quality streams with unimpeded access to and from the
spawning areas. Ensuring the best possible habitat is available is fundamental to
maximising fish production. Once habitat surveying is completed, a practical
programme of habitat enhancement is planned to restore impacted areas. This will
include bank protection to mitigate against the effects of erosion and removal of
obstructions to ensure migratory fish get free passage to their spawning grounds.
The previous committee embarked on an expensive smolt farming experiment where
brood stock from the Lomond catchment area were taken up to Fort William,
stripped of their eggs/milt then reared to pre smolt stage. The pre smolts were then
brought back down to the Lomond area to be held in holding tanks to imprint them
before release into the Endrick or Fruin.
This committee are promoting catch and release by offering incentives and are eager
to embark on a program of habitat improvement. Many association members have
contacted the committee and are eager to help.
The Vice Chairman of the LLAIA recently conducted a survey of various stretches or
the River Fruin, an area largely neglected by the previous committee and found
some areas badly in need of remedial work at the earliest opportunity
Conclusion
It is the intention of the committee to work closely with Dr Andrew Burrows of the
LLFT, Scottish National Heritage, Landowners, National Park Authority, Marine
Scotland and local farmers to improve the river habitat in the areas which we either
own or lease. The LLAIA / LLFT will draw up a site-management plan that assess the
state of the Lomond system and plan appropriate improvements.
River Fruin April 2012
This is the largest of a number of trees that have fallen into the river at the stretch
known to anglers as the” Horseshoe”, this tree will need cut into sections and
dragged out by a tractor / digger. The tree spans the complete river width.
River bank erosion, soil getting washed into river and clogging gravel
River Fruin Tributary April 2012
This is one of the main spawning burns on the Fruin.
It was blocked from bank to bank with dead wood preventing the free passage of
Salmon and Sea Trout.
Debris removed from blockage
River Fruin April 2012
Spawning burn now free from obstructions after only 45minutes work
20 tons of boulders ready for bank maintenance
River Fruin April 2012
The Vice Chairman of the LLAIA, Sid Gath checking the gravel for compactness
Invertebrate life, vital for juvenile fish was also catalogued.