grasscarp tells all

U.C.A.P.A. Cash Cow Being Fattened Again

2008-10-29T01:19:00.004Z

We have spoken to 10 bone-fide anglers (all holding U.C.A.P.A. Ltd Salmon permits) and not one of them agree to the price rise.

All of them are disgusted at the fact that there are no concessions for junior or O.A.P's

8 of then asked why day tickets are not available

6 of them asked if the decision to raise the permit prices was made at an A.G.M.

8 Asked what the money is being spent on as none of them have encountered a bailiff this year

4 Expressed concern at the lack of control there is over the number of fish any one angler can take in a season 1 person informed us that he knew of one bone-fide angler who had killed 15 fish so far this year.

One would have thought that with the current financial situation world wide it would have been more pertinent to freeze the price of permits. We also feel that by imposing the £20.00p fine for non returns will do more harm than good. Many anglers forget to send in returns which sadly is the nature of the beast. By imposing exorbitant penalties anglers will simply not buy a permit and take their chances like a lot of people fishing the Clyde for salmon. It is a well known fact that the U.C.A.P.A. Ltd bailiffs are ineffective.

Check out the U.C.A.P.A. web site and compare their comments on migratory fish and non migratory fish. It appears from reading it all they are interested in as far as Salmon go is the Main Stem. Should they not be developing all of the tributaries down stream of Stonebyres? All they seem to care about is how much money can be made.
The people who are paid gratuities should only be paid on results. Would we expect to pay our police not to detect crime? The bailiffs should only be paid on results and proof of patrols. We wonder how many prosecutions there have been in relation to Salmon poaching on the water controlled by U.C.A.P.A. over the last 10 years?

We say this to senior citizens ask yourself this how much money does Mr Quigley get paid in honorarium and does he get a free permit? UCAPA seem to be the only angling association or club that does not offer concessions perhaps after all the honorariums are dished out to those in favour there simply isn't enough left in the kitty to allow for concessions. Bet they change the rules when they get older to suit themselves as they seem to do in everything. UCAPA is a closed shop and if you are not a pal of old Joe's then you have no chance of becoming an elitists amongst anglers as they seem to think they are

New Group and A TIME for CHANGE

2008-06-21T00:42:00.002+01:00

For all those paranoid schizophrenics out there beware we hear that a new organisation is being formed to take the River Clyde from the dark ages into the new era. We know of at least 5 organisations with fishing interests who have already agreed to join the new Association of Clyde Anglers. They are the pro-active clubs and organisations within the Clyde catchment. We also hear that any club, association or Still Water fishery can become involved. Apparently a new web site is under construction and will soon be posted giving details of membership etc.
The new group will not be sitting on their backsides raking in money from anglers and paying inflated expenses and honorariums to committee members and bailiffs. They will be campaigning to have all the barriers removed or fish passes constructed. The main aims of the new association are the protection of the fish and promotion of angling for the benefit of all.
Grass Carp wish the new organisation good luck for the future and we are sure that there are many out there who will support such an organisation.

Do the Idiots at Scottish Executive think Clyde Bailiffs are geniuses!

2008-06-01T00:13:00.004+01:00

Apparently the Scottish Executive think that the new bailiffs on the Clyde are some kind of geniuses. Some of the lads were issued with their warrants around the 28th of February 2008 given the standard booklet issued by Executive and expected to pass an exam a couple of weeks later. Should these lads not have been issued with the Institute of Fishery Management training manual? The executive have now withdrawn these warrants saying that the guys never sat the exam. Does it not say on letter from Ian Robertson that bailiffs are required to attend and pass the IFM training course at first available opportunity.

Apparently Mr Robertson feels that these bailiffs have powers of arrest and should have passed the exam. The police have powers of arrest when the first join the job but are not expected to sit and pass their final exams within a couple of weeks. We bet Robertson could not pass the exam.

We have also heard that 80% of the bailiffs that did sit the exam failed it! Does that mean that they are thick or that the exam is set by academics who don;t have a clue what bailiffing is all about. Or that the Course run by the IFM was so vague that the guys did not learn anything. Not a good advert for the ability of the IFM as a training body.

The guys on the Clyde System are all volunteers dealing with some nasty people at times when doing their duty on the river. Do you think the poacher cares if the bailiff has passed some poxy exam or not. Look at the Biologist for the Clyde River Foundation he passed all his exams to get where he is but he seemingly doesn't understand the terms and conditions of licences as we have heard that some of his staff were found taking illegal samples on the River Nethan. What is Mr 'Goes By The Book' Robertson going to do about that ? We would like to challenge Robertson to accept a Manual written by us, study it for three weeks and see if he can pass the exam we set him.

To our knowledge there has never been a case where a Clyde bailiff has made a false arrest or had a complaint registered against him. Thing is Mr Robertson the Clyde bailiffs have what you do not and that is commonsense and know what their powers are without sitting exams. Their are people in high places who have sat and passed many exams but who don't have one ounce of common sense which is apparent in this case.

We could not believe the information that was sent to us. it appears that a lot of bailiffs from the Clyde catchment have had their warrants revoked because they have not sat the exam. The Scottish Executive have in effect stripped some association of 80% of their bailiff force and declared open season for poachers on the Clyde. We hope Mr Robertson is prepared to sit and pass the bailiffs exam and instead of sitting on his fat arse go out and assists the other bailiffs who have warrants and who work for free. probably not we don't think he has the bottle to do the job these guys do.

Why are the IFM training courses held in some obscure places which are difficult to reach by public transport? Not everyone is as affluent as Mr Robertson and cannot afford a car. Given that the Scottish Government are always harking on about cutting down our carbon footprint they should ensure that the IFM set their sights on place that can be easily reached by everyone. The Clyde Clubs do not have the cash that District Boards have to book accomodation for their bailiffs to attend the IFM course and the IFM rake in a fortune from this set up. Do they think that some of the pricey hotels they pick would allow the poorer bailiffs to pitch a tent within their grounds. It becomes more and more apparent every day that those who are in control of fishing's are not interested in protecting the fish but are more interested in the fact that a bailiff can answer a question in some exam. We are becoming a nation of over qualified under experienced academics. It takes balls to do a bailiffs job not some scrap of useless paper, which will not protect the bailiff if he is attacked.

Institute of Fishery Management should change the name to Institute of Flipping Muppet's.

Avon's brand new shiney just out of the box bailiffs

2008-05-27T22:50:00.002+01:00

Well done on passing your exams lads and hope that you can live up to the warning posted on your clubs web page. POACHERS BEWARE.
What everyone would like to know is why has it taken so long for the AAC to get their act together to protect the river. Where on the river have the poachers to BEWARE???? as it has been a free for all from Birkenshaw to the Clyde. Salmon have been getting removed wholesale from below Ferniegair to the confluence in the past and nothing has been done about it apart from outside bailiffs visiting. Or does the AVON stop at Stonehouse!!!!!!! and suddenly evaporate into thin air. We are not taking away anything from the brave souls who have passed their exams they are to be commended, as bailiffing is a thankless task and these guys will be putting their lives on the line in some cases. We will monitor their progress and wait and see if the warning is like a lot of other stuff issued by those who profess to be the stalwarts of the club simply a load of HOT AIR. Its convictions that will be the measure of the new bailiffs success not idle threats by some pompous committee member. They now have the papers to do the job lets see if the have the balls that is required for the job! Good luck lads!!!!

Are Permit Outlets now taking sides???

2008-03-23T03:03:00.003Z

It has come to our attention that certain permit outlets seem to be taking sides in what is becoming a war between angling associations in the Clyde catchment. We have been assured that a member of the Upper Avon Angling Association had approached the owner of the Anglers Emporium in Hamilton a few months ago with a view to them selling permits on behalf of the association, at the time the owner agreed. When the permits were taken in he had for some reason changed his mind. We could not believe this so we had someone telephone the shop to ask for a permit for both the Avon Angling Club and Upper Avon A A controlled waters only to be told by the women who answered that they did not sell U.A.A.A. permits. When asked why she replied no-one from the U.A.A.A. had been in to give them permits.
The next offender seems to be Gibson's the Ironmonger in Larkhall, when he was approached to sell U.A.A.A. permits he politely declined saying that he did not wish to fall out with the Avon Angling Club ????? Why would the Avon Angling Club want to fall out with him???? and do they create that much business for him??? it looks like both these shops have been approached by a certain club and dissuaded from selling U.A.A.A. permits.
We say this these shops have the right to sell whatever they want, but anglers also have the choice of shopping where they want. Simply by choosing not to sell U.A.A.A. permits these shops are causing a great inconvenience to their customers if those customers want to obtain permits for both sections of the Avon. It means that anglers will have to go to 2 different outlets to get permits or travel to somewhere that both can be obtained.
We respectfully request that any angler out there with any sense of fair play withdraw their financial support from both of these outlets and we say SHAME on both of them.
We have also heard that other dirty tactics have been adopted in attempt to stop the excellent work done by the lads of the U.A.A.A. but we will save that for later.
If support for these two establishmnets is withdrawn do you think the custom from the Avon Angling Club will keep them open? We think not! and say this to them be BE CAREFUL GENTLEMEN your future is in our hands now!!! we are ready to go to the press with this information can you handle the adverse publicity?????

Just who the hell does Mr Limmerick think he is??

2008-03-21T02:33:00.002Z

It has just come to our attention that John Limmerick of the Avon Angling Club wants to remove some photographs and other historical artifact from the walls of the Avon Angling Club hut. Shame on you sir! these photographs depict the hard work done by former members of the club in past years and form an important part of the clubs history. Mr Limmerick could not lace the boots of these past members and we would like to remind him the photographs and other memorabilia are on long term loan to the Avon Angling Club by those who supplied them. If he does decide to try to wipe out some of the clubs successful past then the photographs and other artifacts will need to be returned to their rightful owners. Removal and destruction of said items will be construed as theft and malicious mischief and as such, any such action will be reported to his former employers namely Strathclyde Police. If the man wishes to remove all traces of the work done in the past he has a mighty task ahead of him. Is he also going to remove the club hut, hatchery and fish pass at Craig Dam? as these are all monuments to those who built them long before he was ever heard of. We strongly advise Mr Limmerick to tread very carefully here, we would hate to see him falling foul of the law. He is doing the good name of the Avon Angling Club no good and what exactly are his credentials???? Another would be Dictator !!!!!!! full of his own importance. John the 'Clyde' Limmerick as he is known on the Avon web page should bugger off to the Clyde beside his U.C.A.P.A. buddies and leave the Avon to those who genuinely care about it. We also heard that he met with some opposition to his childish carry on and we salute those who stood up to him. His ego must be in tatters!!!!

How Wrong They Are

2008-03-20T23:42:00.004Z

It has just come to our attention that many people out there reading our blog page think that James Delaney is behind it. We can assure you that James only supplies us with the odd snippet of true information and anything he has sent he has signed his name to it. We have known James for many years and he has actively been involved with the Avon A C, Mid Clyde AA and N.V.A.A. over many years. He works tirelessly for the benefit of the river and all wildlife at his own expense and gives up hundreds of hours of his own time each year. Unlike some who are involved in angling he does not claim massive expenses and anything he does claim is donated straight back to the club or association.
It would come as a great surprise to many to find out the true identity of Grass Carp indeed the multiple identities but that would spoil the fun in keeping all the paranoid people out there guessing. We will however throw one clue into the melting pot one of us is from within the ranks of a certain large association and privileged to certain information. That being said he wishes to remain anonymous for the time being but will expose his true identity in the future. Exposure at this current time would mean a lot of information would not be forthcoming. This member is so sickened by the tactics of that association that he feels the need to let everyone know what goes on behind closed doors. So we say to that organisation look within!!!!! Apparently some allegatiuons were made at the recent R.C.F.M.T. ltd A.G.M. Leave James out of it and look elsewhere!!!!!

A recipe for total disaster

2008-03-20T19:20:00.003Z

We received this letter from a concerned gentleman, although he intimates it is from him as an individual we are sure that many others share his concerns we certainly do.

Loch Lomond Angling Improvement Association AGM

2008-02-20T14:30:00.002Z

The L.L.A.I.A. are to hold their Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 26th February 2008.
We have been informed that the A.G.M. will be held without the association accounts being presented. On top of that we have been informed that a female had been their treasurer for several years but never attended any meetings. She has since resigned, it appears that there is something underhand going on within this organisation which is doing their credibility no good.

Loch Lomond Angling Improvement Association is rotten to the core

2008-02-11T22:14:00.001Z

Grass Carp have recently been handed a pile of documents relating to the LLAIA and boy do they make interesting reading. It is our understanding that serious criminal offences have been committed and as such we will be contacting Strathclyde Police with a view to securing prosecutions against those involved. However before we do that we intend publishing all of the evidence we have to hand to let you the angler see what has been going on. We will name and shame all of those invloved begining with Micheal Brady who is a law on to himself.
One example is that a camera worth £34,000 including software had been proposed for purchase from LLAIA funds and after a period of three years the camera would become the property of Mr Brady.
This is only one example of what is going on another is that LLAIA have been electro-fishing Clyde Tributaries for many years without an electro-fishing licence and removing (stealing) fish for brood stock illegally. Aparently they were arrested for this and last year they decided to get the appropriate licence.
We will post a copy of their constitution and then let the reader make their own minds up.

Rumours of Libel

2008-01-22T21:16:00.003Z

Grass-carp has heard through the grape vine that a libel action is to be raised against them, we say bring it on. We can't wait to present even more detrimental evidence against those named on here.

We would like to thank the observant person for spotting our spelling mistake (see comments), would hate to upset him or her by a simple slip of the pen so to speak. Seems they understood what we are on about and given all of what is going on is it safe to fish ???????? We would also like to thank that anon person for taking time to read our blog and keep us on the straight and narrow unlike some of the deviants involved in angling.

We were asked if a petition could be raised against U.C.A.P.A. Ltd Management by several anglers

2008-01-21T01:44:00.000Z

Please let us know if you download petition to give some idea of response thank you, we are here for you the angler please support this petiton if you wish to see the 'Clyde' being mananged properly. It will need new blood to acheive this objective ARE YOU THAT NEW BLOOD?

Another example of U.C.A.P.A.Ltd encouraging others to break the law!!!

2008-01-20T22:13:00.000Z

Another example of U.C.A.P.A.Ltd encouraging others to break the law!!!

2008-01-20T22:05:00.000Z

Please note that in the first paragraph on this page Mr Quigley almost boasts that U.C.A.P.A.Ltd had commissioned the Clyde River Foundation to carry out electro-fishing surveys above and below the S.E.P.A. Gauging Station at their expense. What Mr Quigley failed to do was get the permission of the Nethan Valley Angling Association or the riparian owners before this survey was undertaken on their behalf which is a Legal Requirement before any such electro-fishing work is carried out. If the N.V.A.A. had wished prosecutions could have been brought against the research team from the C.R.F. Quigley seems keen to do what he wants yet from listening to what others have to say it seems he will do everything in his power to stop the N.V.A.A. from electro-fishing or trying to improve the habitat for fish. we also are lead to believe that the C.R.F. were very embarrassed over this incident. The riparian owners were none to happy either we have been told.

We would also like to draw you attention to the mention of natural barriers in the Nethan causing more problems to migratory fish than the S.E.P.A. Gauging Station. We would like to know where these natural barriers are. The Nethan has 6 weirs on it three of which have either been breached or are absolutely no problem to fish. There are no waterfalls as such, and given that salmon once spawned in the Logan Water a tributary of the upper Nethan where were these natural barriers then? have they appeared overnight? Once again U.C.A.P.A. Ltd have demonstrated their total lack of knowledge of one of their most important tributaries! We know for a fact that salmon have been getting poached from the River Nethan right up to Burnfoot near to Kirkmuirhill and the first obstacle which affects them is the S.E.P.A. Gauging Station. We have also been informed that the N.V.A.A. proved salmon juveniles in the river up to 2003 at the Hawksnest Farm, Burnfoot.

If Mr Quigley is referring to the landslide in the Nethan Gorge near Crossford we have been informed that members of the N.V.A.A. monitor this on a regular basis and have expressed no calls for concern but agree that the situation could be greatly improved so how about it U.C.A.P.A why not spend your money on clearing blockages instead of wasting it on surveys which really proved nothing except the biologists might not have been sampling the right areas. We also believe that Aberdeen University carried out I.S.A. sampling at the Hawksnest site and Ross Gardiner from Labs at Pitlochry was there he could have confirmed salmon were present at the location when sampling was done and in good numbers.

Biologists attitude to spread of salmon and total ignorance of Fish pass legislation

2008-01-20T18:56:00.001Z

Confirmation Of U.C.A.P.A.Ltds supposed involvemenet at Strathclyde Loch Hydro Station

2008-01-20T18:53:00.000Z

The Farce At Strathclyde Loch

2008-01-20T00:07:00.000Z

Fact; North Lanarkshire Council are about to have a small Archimedes Screw Type Hydro Station built at the top out fall from Strathclyde Loch.
Fact; Until Kemp Meikle of the R.C.F.M.T.Ltd raised an objection this project was destined to go ahead.
Fact; No provision had been made for the safe passage of migratory fish in and out of the loch as is required by law.
Fact; Joe Quigley secretary of U.C.A.P.A.Ltd insisted that their 'chairman' had been involved at all stages of the planning.
Fact; The chairman of U.C.A.P.A. Ltd is a Senior Ranger with North Lanarkshire Council and as far as we are aware was advising them. How embarrasing it must have been when they found out that if the planning had gone ahead they would have broken the law.
What are U.C.A.P.A.Ltd trying to do stop the spread of salmon? the South Calder was historically a salmon spawning tributary and if all the weirs are addressed it could be one again.
One would have thought that the chairman of an association which makes thousands of pounds from salmon permit sales would want as many salmon in the system as possible and would be doing everything in their power to open up rivers. The opposite is the case here as can clearly be seen from this fiasco and that of the S.E.P.A. Gauging Station on the River Nethan. Either they do not know the legislation in relation to Fish pass and Screens or the they are showing utter contempt for the law by ignoring it.
Fact; It was after the Gauging Station on the River Nethan was raised at the meeting of the R.C.F.M.T.ltd then the objection re the Archimedes Screw on the grounds of no safe fish passage that the trouble at the R.C.F.M.T.Ltd began.
It is our belief that Kemp Miekle and Roddy Finnie were singled out because a certain 'chairman' must have got his arse booted by his employers and it all smacks of revenge now.
Fact; The Biologist for the Clyde River Foundation even stated that it should be screened top and bottom and well left alone. What kind of attitude is this, we should be doing all that we can to save this endangered species not screening them out. We will shortly post the e mails to back this post up.

Abercorn Angling Clubs reply to draft reply regarding Water Framework Directive

2008-01-18T22:44:00.000Z

Kemp Meikle sent out a draft reply to all clubs for feedback and highlighted points of interest in an attempt to make it easier for the clubs. It is obvious that the secretary of Abercorn has no time to read correspondence judging by paragraph 1 but has the time to sit and write the above. The tone of the letter is one of aggression and given the fact that this gentleman is unwilling to read documents why is he now the illegal secretary of the R.C.F.M.T.Ltd?. What Kemp had been looking for here was input from all the clubs in regards points???? Obviously Mr Ritchie was too ignorant to realise this, but he obviously has a negative attitude to it all anyway.
This is now what seems to be running the R.C.F.M.T.Ltd God help the Clyde. As each day passes more and more filth is being exposed, the Clyde is a disgrace and we blame those in authority for the current situation.
Time to stand up and be accountable gentlemen as we are now about to turn attention towards the Crown Estates Office and others as we have recieved copies of lots of corrospondence in which they have been asked to intervene yet have kept well out of it.

Don't You Find It Strange?

2008-01-18T16:43:00.001Z

Since Grass-carp started publishing evidence of gross misconduct and underhanded dealings within the angling world not one of those named has even attempted to defend themselves. Is it simply the fact that we are publishing irrefutable evidence damming their underhanded tactics?.
They know of the existance of this blog page yet are not man enough to answer the questions posed. They can no longer hide behind closed doors attacking people with lies , their little power base has been exposed and please remember you the anglers ellect these people to be office bearers of your respective associations. Once again we will expose U.C.A.P.A. Ltd for miss management of the Clyde.

Our next post will once again show U.C.A.P.A. Ltds attitude in relation to the law and the spread of salmon! we have accumulated a fair bit of evidence but are working on more look out for 'The Farce at Strathclyde Loch'

The simple answers to Tom McGregors article

2008-01-17T20:01:00.000Z

Tom refers to some confusion in regards to has the right to fish the Upper Avon and we note that John Limerick was quick to point out that holders of migratory permits for the Avon can fish for the lesser species. The fact is they have the right to take the lesser species i.e. if lets say a brown trout is hooked while fishing for salmon and it is within season it may be retained. Mr Limerick should check out his legislation being an ex police sergeant. Given the fact that the Avon Angling Club continually refute the fact that migratory fish are above Ferniegair Weir none of their migratory permit holders should be fishing in the upper reaches.
Tom also mentions the fact that some salmon may have been caught by anglers fishing for grayling in lower reaches of the Avon and he is sure that they were all returned we can assure you they were not.
Tom then takes a trip down memory lane and mentions how anglers were all friends and goes on about the rift in the Avon. Well Tom here is how the rift came about> The AAC had the use of Jim Bells ponds when Jim was alive and they kept their brood stock there. Sadly Jim died and Jim Tait, William Weir and John McSkimming took over the running of the pond. The AAC continued to keep their brood stock there as Jim and Willie are both long serving members of the AAC committee (we believe ex now) The lads concentrated their efforts into rearing fish for the river while the rest of the committee continued to hold their secret meetings on a Saturday at the AAC hatchery. Some bright spark decided to change the locks on the hatchery without the knowledge of Jim or Willie. Jim Tait arrived to do some work in the A.A.C. hatchery only to find that he had been locked out without being informed. As you can imagine he was very angry and the current situation is a result of the early actions of some of the A.A.C. committee.
Tom also mentions the fact that all this discontentment that is going on has come at a bad time, well Tom take a close look at the actions of the Association that you are a director with namely U.C.A.P.A.Ltd and how they have illegally brought a motion of no confidence against two men who were taking the R.C.F.M.T.Ltd forward and their slanderous attack upon the integrity of the N.V.A.A. then you might just start to realise where the discontentment is coming from.
Hope this clears up one or two points Tom and we will continue to inform the anglers of the truth. Your article must have caused some confusion to your readers too so we hope we have clarified the situation some what

More Evidence re miss management by U.C.A.P.A.Ltd

2008-01-15T14:53:00.000Z

The above document is an extract from the minutes of the meeting of the Clyde Fisheries Group on the 9Th of November 2007. Please note point 12 RK being Robert Kerr of SEPA and DB is Douglas Brown of the Kelvin Angling Association (who always has something to say about others waters yet his own is being poached rotten). Also note that Robert Kerr clearly states that S.E.P.A. have a legal obligation in relation to fish passage at the structure. Yet it also appears that U.C.A.P.A.Ltd have blatantly asked S.E.P.A to break the law by requesting that the gauging station not be modified. When you read other documents on our blog page Mr Quigley of U.C.A.P.A.Ltd insists that the R.C.F.M.T.Ltd be run to the letter of the law. Clearly a case of double standards.

Not only anglers but the Scottish Executive and Crown Estates office must ask the reasoning behind U.C.A.P.A.Ltds thinking, why are they trying to prevent the spread of salmon throughout more of the catchment? As salmon lease holders they are the ones who should have been pressurising S.E.P.A. to do something about the gauging station and not the N.V.A.A. who have no salmon interests at all. The difference is the N.V.A.A. feel that they have a duty of care towards the river improving it for all species.

We have it on good authority that the N.V.A.A. not only instigated the move to address the gauging station but also constructed a working scale model of one section of the structure and installed a baffle and lift pool system set up to scale, then critically tested the model filming every stage of the tests. They then produced a DVD which was sent to S.E.P.A. for them to examine, this DVD can be viewed on a visit to the N.V.A.A. hatchery.

Reply To Metting of R.C.F.M.T.Ltd 11.12.07

2008-01-09T17:33:00.001Z

2008-01-09T17:24:00.000Z

2008-01-09T17:23:00.000Z

2008-01-09T17:20:00.000Z

Nethan Valley Angling Association Hatchery/Education

2008-01-07T13:43:00.000Z

We have just been given a great privilege, having been invited by the Nethan Valley Angling Association to visit their hatchery and wildlife education unit at Lesmahagow.
We attended on Sunday 6th of January. When we arrived the lads were busy repairing the hatchery roof under adverse weather conditions.
We were treated with openness and there was a friendly atmosphere, a hot mug of coffee being the first order of the day. We were then treated to the grand tour and boy were we impressed, the lads proudly showed us inside the hatchery where we saw thousands of trout alivins and eggs. We were told that there were around 75,000 eggs stripped this winter but that the hatchery was running way below capacity. When asked the reason we were told that was all that were required for this years research and development, and that there is no point in raising fish just for the sake of it.
Next to the hatchery is their research hut and on first sight it looks just like a little garden shed, but on opening the door the amount of equipment. eg microscopes, computer. tv, microfiche and preserved samples cast in resin was unbelievable. It is like the Tardis inside and there is a wealth of educational material to be seen. The lads told us that school children visit and take samples from ponds and view them under the various microscopes. Then we were treated to dvds of fish pass models the lads have very professionally constructed and tested. They have information on just about everything they have ever done recorded on a second computer which is housed within the education unit. Basically there is too much to see in one visit. In total they have one large pond where they keep their excellent quality brood stock brown trout, and 5 smaller wildlife ponds one of which has pain strikingly been made predator proof.
To say that we were impressed is a total understatement, these lads are the true hero's of the system, everything they do is done by volunteers who often subscribe to buying large bags of peanuts and wild bird seed . We were told that around 11am a regular visitor would appear for his breakfast from the bird table and true to form just before 11 a beautiful Great Spotted Woodpecker landed on the table just outside the window and is he a handsome specimen. It was a rare treat for us as we had never seen one up close before he has been affectionately named 'Woody' by the guys.
How is it that these hard working dedicated people can do so much with little or no funding is beyond us. One lad told us that he is out of pocket to the tune of over a thousand pounds a year
in fuel and other materials. He has often footed the electric bill as have some of the others. When we hear what U.C.A.P.A. Ltd have tried to do to prevent these dedicated and very knowledgeable people from doing it makes our blood boil. Consider this 'Quigley' gets around the same for sitting on his fat backside stirring it up as one hatchery lad from the N.V.A.A. spends from his own pocket to keep this wonderful facility going. When asked why they do it we were asked "Have you enjoyed your visit"? we answered of course we have. We were then asked " have you learned anything?" again we replied yes, we were then told" that is why we do it, to educate and give pleasure to all who love the countryside and her rivers". Gentlemen and Ladies of the Nethan Valley Angling Association we salute you.
Please do not take our word for what goes on up there you will be made welcome and you will be treated like Royalty. It is well worth a visit just for the excellent coffee they make and visits can be arranged by contacting James Delaney tel 01698 321558 or alternatively through any of the links on www.nethan-valley.co.uk Which is an excellent web page full of very interesting information for young and old alike, however the web page does not do the actual facilty at Lesmahagow justice it is a must see and with changes taking place almost weekly it is always worth a revisit.
The United Clyde Angling Protective Association Ltd (we use the words united and protective lightly as they are doing neither) should hang their heads in shame at their slanderous attacks upon this little association. It is now blatantly obvious to us that this is all generated through sheer jealousy of what the N.V.A.A. have achieved.

A chance to Have your say

2007-12-29T02:33:00.001Z

Is this reason Trust directors were witch hunted?

2007-12-27T20:43:00.000Z

Now The Truth Comes Out

2007-12-27T10:33:00.000Z

The following document that was sent to us will demonstrate the total lack of professionalism
within the ranks of one particular organisation that seems intent in destroying the integrity of the River Clyde Fishery Management Trust Ltd. It seems to those not involved that U.C.A.P.A Ltd seem to be calling all the shots when it comes to the River Clyde or at least they think they are. Please note however paragraph 3.2 Proposed visit to Hollyrood........ JM is James Mathews of U.C.A.P.A. ltd and DM is David Moon of the same organisation. Reading the text demonstrates that even their own members are unaware of each others agendas. We would also like to draw your attention to the first set of documents we previously posted and it seems funny that after Mr Mathews was complained about, a four man delegation from U.C.A.P.A.Ltd turns up at next meeting and a vote of no confidence in the Chair and Planning Secretary was raised by U.C.A.P.A.Ltd and seconded by the Avon Angling Club over supposed irregularities in the annual accounts. That is why we have highlighted paragraph 3.1. There is more to U.C.A.P.A.Ltds agenda here and we intend getting to the bottom of it. We will attempt to secure a copy of the letter sent to all clubs re Mathew's behaviour.

This guy is a tit by the way

2007-12-24T13:06:00.000Z

Stench From Clyde (and it isn't sewage)

2007-12-24T12:57:00.000Z

Interesting Evidence

2007-12-22T21:45:00.001Z

Over the last few days since the blog was set up we have been contacted by many concerned anglers and some members of the public. Very interesting stuff has been sent to us by various people such as copies e-mails and letters sent by Mr Quigley to various people. Some of them make interesting reading and will show him for the real 'man' that he is, or should we say isn't. How one man or an angling association can carry on they way he has in the name of U.C.A.P.A. Ltd and still remain a director is way beyond us. The man has destroyed the good name of U.C.A.P.A.Ltd. The man sends off offensive and erroneous letters to those in authority thinking they are saying "good boy Joe" instead they see him for what he really is a snitch or clype. We have been told that every time that man turns up at a River Clyde Fishery Management Trust meeting the meeting is thrown into chaos. He keeps quoting Company House rules yet his own association are more guilty than anyone in breaking terms and conditions laid down by other authorities. Wonder if he declares his annual windfall from U.C.A.P.A. Ltd coffers to Inland Revenue? We will take the time to inform them for him just in case he has had a slip of memory. Does he also declare to the Department of Social security that he as treasurer gives gratuities to bailiffs some of whom are claiming benefits?? Is that not illegal?? As the bible says "He who is without sin cast the first stone!" now we intend replying with boulders. As an example of Quigley's underhand lying tactics we would like to refer you to the Nethan New's page on www.nethan-valley.co.uk we were directed to said page and it makes interesting reading. Why has the Nethan Valley Angling Association not sued him for the lies he printed? we believe the man is a loose cannon and seriously has mental health issues and when you hear about U.C.A.P.A. Ltd's so called Head Bailiff Jim Mathew's A.K.A. Blinky, it will only strengthen our cause. More of that to come in the future, we are now researching every director of that association's history and will no doubt be able to reveal a lot more in the near future! Watch this space!
Grasscarp would like to wish everyone out there a very Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year

Have Your Say

2007-12-18T00:25:00.000Z

This blog has been set up as a forum for anglers to express their concerns, in regards to mismanagement and non policing aspects of the River Clyde and her tributaries. Stand up and be counted, as the more information we can gain the stronger our case will be against those who have a duty to protect and improve the river.
We would like to congratulate the Mid Clyde Angling Association on its adoption of a tagging system in a bid to improve the conservation of the Atlantic Salmon . If only some others were so like minded the Clyde could become one of the top 5 salmon rivers in Scotland. We congratulate those who had the courage to try to introduce such a scheme.