Just a quick update on the recent discolouration on the lower stretches. As you may have seen on the news there was a fairly serious incident in the Maryhill/Bearsden area involving a burst water main. Several houses had to be evacuated as a result and I believe part of the road next to the main has collapsed. The Fire Brigade were involved and SEPA attended. Given the seriousness of the situation the Fire Brigade were authorised to pump water directly into the Kelvin. This resulted in a lot of silt in the river from the run off and from the pumps. SEPA dispatched an ecologist to check for any effect to the river and we are awaiting the report, however the initial word is that insect life appears unaffected and there were no signs of distressed fish.
The water main is now under control so the water should be starting to clear. The Committee will continue to liaise with SEPA to monitor for any lasting effect.
This is exactly the type of event where the effect could be monitored through the Clyde Riverfly Monitoring Partnership, so the sooner we get this up and running the sooner we will have base line data for any future incidents.

Kind regards
Paul

We have had a number of complaints regarding anglers on the falls above the pool at Bishops Mill. Several of these have been from residents and relate to noise, drinking alcohol, and even drugs! Just so everyone is clear, drinking or taking drugs at the river is illegal and extremely dangerous. Other complaints have mentioned threatening behaviour from people stood on the falls.
Obviously the reputation of the Association is at risk here so we will be discussing options at the next committee meeting, but until then can I ask that no members walk onto the falls unless they have a very good reason, i.e. to retrieve a lure etc.
Groups of anglers hanging about on the island only draws unwanted attention from the residents, and is causing erosion to the grass making the area unsightly.
I had hoped that the recent ban to fishing from the falls would have put an end to the problems we have experienced in the past, but it seems that there are still anglers that feel the need to go onto the falls just to hang about. As a result there have been several reports from members relating to fishing from the falls. While the anglers in question might not actually be fishing, it’s easy to see why a member in waders with his rod by his side might be perceived as fishing. This makes life difficult for the bailiffs and the committee who are charged with responding to these reports.
As far as I can see there is very little to be gained from being on the falls, and while there is a very small slip that can be fished from the majority can easily be covered from the downstream bank. Of course if the present situation continues the residents will take action and we won’t be able to fish there at all.
If you see any anglers drinking or taking drugs at the river, please pass the details to a bailiff or call me (07730682748).
Kind regards
Paul

Just a quick message to thank everyone that helped to remove the Biffa bin from the Falls Pool next to BishopsMill. The bin had been there for a number of years, but the recent purchase of some chains and a two ton hand puller allowed us to get it turned and up out over the falls. One less snag for us to worry about.
On a slightly less positive note, it appears that someone has taken it upon themselves to dislodge a lot of the branches that had built up around the base of the bridge above the falls. A large part of this build up is now in the pool below, so we are back to square one as far as snags go. Hopefully the rain will raise the water level enough to wash this through, however this is of little consolation to anyone who has tried to fish there this week. It would have been an idea to cut the larger pieces of wood before it was all dislodged, and to wait for higher water. If the snags are still there after the weekend we will try to get them out with ropes.
To anyone else that is thinking about taking any maintenance issues into their own hands, please contact the Committee to discuss the problem and your solution before you go ahead. In most cases we can organise a work party to tackle the job in an organised manner.

Kind regards
Paul

We will be meeting on Easter Sunday at 10.30am. Come along and say hello if you are free. Meeting point will be the bridge over the Kelvin on Kelvindale Road.

Kind regards
Paul

I have posted the information below already, but just to make everyone aware that this meeting requires you to register in advance. I have spoken to a few of you already and your details have been processed. For anyone else that wants to be a part of this project, please give me a call as soon as possible.

previous post
Here is some more information on the Riverfly Monitoring Project that was discussed at the AGM. We need as many volunteers as possible to commit to taking samples once a month. This is your opportunity to help protect the Kelvin and ensure it’s continuing improvement. Please get in touch if you would like to attend the meeting. There will be volunteers from other organisations associated with the Kelvin, so it’s important that we are represented. In fact it is important that we are seen to be providing the lion’s share of the volunteers.

Clyde Riverfly Monitoring Partnership (CRIMP)

The Clyde River Foundation and Riverfly Partnership warmly invite all club members to the Clyde Riverfly Monitoring Partnership launch meeting to be held on

Sunday 17th March 2013, 1.00pm – 4.00pm.
Lecture theatre 1, Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ.

CRIMP is a citizen science project which aims to provide training in riverfly monitoring to volunteers across the eight counties of the River Clyde catchment. Riverfly monitoring can help protect the quality of our rivers; increase our knowledge and understanding of invertebrate populations and promote the conservation of their habitats. Volunteer involvement is important to the development of this project and will allow us to assess the sustainability and practical benefits of using the method on a large scale. CRIMP will provide another tool to inform management of the fishery and freshwater ecosystem. For example, we have had two recent examples of river pollution (one in Lanarkshire and one in Renfrewshire) where well-trained volunteers could have sampled the incidents more quickly than even the statutory bodies – we see this as a way of helping to protect your river; your fishery.

CRIMP will involve the Clyde River Foundation (CRF) coordinating monthly river health checks undertaken by specially trained volunteers. We will deliver training workshops in riverfly monitoring three times per year, followed by a half day site selection and sampling “run through” day with each angling club. From there, volunteers will monitor their given sites monthly and report their results to the CRF. The CRF will collate and check results, and report back every three months to contributing angling club secretaries, with a facility for more rapid communication with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) if pollution is detected.

We will be continuing the work in the Kelvindale stretch. Meeting at the Kelvindale Road Bridge at 10.30am. Come along and get some fresh air!

Campsie Angling is running free events and tuition during 2013.
All welcome from complete beginners to experienced casters.

26th Feb 2013
Angling Seminar, Lennoxtown Memorial Hall at 7pm.

James Litster (World Fly Fishing Bronze Medallist, 6 times Scottish Internationalist) will discuss a range of fly fishing topics. Fly tying event included.

From March 2013
Fly casting tuition at Whitefield Pond, Lennoxtown.

If you would like to try fly fishing or improve your casting, tuition will be available from March 2013. This will be arranged subject to demand. For more information please contact
Lawrence Meechan on 07986 963031

More activities for 2013 to come. Please see the club website for more information at www.campsieangling.co.uk

The work party is this Sunday, which is in February and not March as the title of the last post suggested. Apologies, I have now corrected the mistake!

We are having a work party this Sunday and it looks as if the weather will hold up. The plan is to meet at Kelvindale Road where it crosses the Kelvin. Drinks and snacks will be provided, so come along in your old clothes and get stuck in. Activities will range from pruning trees to collecting litter, and everyone is welcome.
Kind regards
Paul

Permits are now available at the following shops:

Glasgow Angling Centre

JB Angling – Kirkintilloch

Hooked in Scotland – Shettleston Road

Tackle & Gun – Shawlands

Angler’s Rendevouz – Shettleston Road

Kind regards

Paul