River Nairn angling season launch called off due to Covid restrictions
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A ceremony which traditionally marks the opening of the River Nairn Angling Association season will not go ahead this year.
Members normally gather at the Jubilee Bridge in Nairn and bless the waters with a drop of whisky.
The anglers then share a dram and disperse to the beats on their seven-mile stretch of water which begins at the harbour and continues upstream to Holm Rose, near Croy.
Billy Maitland, a committee member and one of a team of anglers carrying out improvements over the winter to help members access the best pools, said a survey showed the river had not fared as badly as they feared from recent spates.
“We have over 140 members and we have a great squad on WhatsApp who always respond when work has to be done,” he said.
“A lot of clearing of debris and fallen trees has been carried out to improve access to the pools for anglers.”
Members are restricted to fishing on certain stretches from only one bank.
Major improvements were carried out by engaging a local contractor to clear a path on the Kildrummie side of the river between the popular Green Road and Hangar Pool.
“We’ve created a footpath about three-quarters of a mile long and members will benefit greatly from this.
“We also have a new beat at Nairnside which has 11 pools, excellent fishing, restricted to members only. One of our remits is to enhance the river fishings and we are lucky we have such an enthusiastic crew.”
The association urges members to socially distance while enjoying the river. Permit prices are unchanged for 2021 and the season starts on February 11.
