Final Loch Report 2024

As 2024 draws to a close we reflect on what can only be described as an unusual year in terms of conditions and a superb year in terms of the fishing.

This is the first year in the 14 years we’ve been here, that we have not had to have the aerator on at all or use the weed cutter. In years past, we have been known to remove up to 70 tonnes of weed which as you might imagine is no mean feat. However this year the weather conditions have worked with us to suppress weed growth and yet keep the loch in superb condition. Not having to use the weed cutter has also probably accounted for the lack of any significant algal bloom this year which has meant that fishing has been uninterrupted.

Normally we would start to use the aerator from around May onwards in order to keep the water circulating around the loch, which in turn, helps to combat against algal blooms. This year however, this has not been necessary due to the amount of rainfall and windier days we have had coupled to lower temperatures throughout the summer months. All in all therefore, the weather has very largely been on our side and this has led to some superb fishing and catching throughout the year. A visit from an Egret in November which is only the second time in 14 years that we have seen it, rounded off the unusual aspects of 2024.

The stock in the loch is second to none and we would like to thank our new supplier, John Kane for the superb quality of fish that you have all been commenting on. Not only are the fish in superb condition but the variety and variation in size of the fish has been a massive feature this year. Lots of people have reported landing their best ever fish whether that be a brownie, blue or rainbow and for some of you, it’s been the first tiger. More and more of our anglers are now making an effort to ensure the use of barbless or be-barbed hooks which is greatly helping to maintain the health of the fish and it’s been quite noticeable this year that many of you are making every effort to keep the fish in the net and in the water before releasing. Handling fish, as you all probably know, is one of the major contributors to poor fish health and as we have a full catch and release policy on all browns it is vital that we adhere to good technique as much as possible.

One or two people who have fished here for more years than they would probably like to admit to have said what an exceptional year they have had, with record numbers being landed. Let’s hope that we can replicate these successes in 2025 ……. which is not too far away now!

The membership that we introduced in 2021 has also proved to be an outstanding success and we are pleased to be able to say that 2025 is looking very healthy.

We ran our usual competitions last year and all the places were taken up by the members.

Youth competition winner was Owen Palmer

Bank competition winner was James Gardiner

Boat competition winner was Owen Palmer

Pairs Competition winners were Karl Feguson and yours truly

Once again our annual Charity Day in aid of St Abbs Independent Lifeboat was a roaring success and a great time was had by all. Throughout the year we sold bits and pieces of tackle that had been donated by Margaret Nichol (Ted Wise’s sister-in-law) and the proceeds from this were added to our takings.

This year we managed to raise a staggering £2605.33, which is our best ever total. We know that St. Abbs are extremely grateful to everyone who contributed and we would also like to add our thanks to you as well. You know who you are!

Next year we are hoping to run the same competitions again which will be open on a first come first served basis to our members. We will announce when the competitions are open to join, next year, through the members website.

It wasn’t all good news however in 2024 as we said goodbye to a couple of dear friends, Brian Turner and Ted Wise. Both well known to most local anglers and two very knowledgeable and respected gentlemen.

We also very sadly had to say farewell to Nell, our 10 year old cocker spaniel who was very much a part of the loch and was always on hand to welcome everyone.

And…

Whilst we have said how kind the weather has generally been for us this year it dealt us an end of year reminder as to how unpredictable it can be, through the recent Storm Darragh, by once again peeling half the roof off the motor room. Hence another wee job for the winter months!

Thankfully however, with the help of Karl Ferguson and JJ we managed to get all the boats off and stored for the winter the day before the storm hit. Had we not done this I have no doubt that it would have been carnage down there with the boats. Every cloud has a silver lining as they say!

Next season we will be launching our new Coulam boats to go with our existing ones. This will give us a standardized fleet of very good quality boats and we are very much looking forward to seeing you enjoying them. We are carrying a very good head of fish forward to next season and so we expect good numbers of over-wintered fish to be evident at the start of next year. Always a welcome bonus at the start of the year.

So, it just remains for us to say thank you to you all for a very enjoyable and memorable year and to extend a very warm welcome to the new members joining us in 2025.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy and Healthy New Year and look forward to seeing you all again very soon.

Carmel and Gareth.