Cramond Angling club cut permit costs and introduce initiatives to encourage youth

Cramond Angling Club (CAC) have cut the cost of an annual permit on their nine-mile stretch of The Almond and there is more water to fish as the club has taken on an additional beat.

Adult permits next season will be £35 with seniors (over 65) priced at £25 and one child (under-16) will be able to fish free with subsequent permits for second and third children at £5 each. Students in full-time education can now fish for £15, down from £25.

The price cut from £45 for adults and £35 for seniors is due to successful discussions with landlords plus the Crown and Rosebery Estates, and club bosses are keen to encourage people to get involved in the sport and, hopefully, bring friends along.

Permits are available now and application forms are on the website (www.fishalmond.co.uk).

The additional beat extends club waters from the Forth Estuary to around Newbridge and the club has been successful in a grant application to Edinburgh Airport’s Community Fund who have awarded more than £1,000 towards funding junior coaching.

Joe Arndt said: “The first coaching sessions will be alongside groups such as scouts with Scottish Angling National Association (SANA) coaches, then, when our coaches receive their second stage certificate, they can take groups by themselves.

“Folks should keep an eye on our social media etc for further details on junior coaching which will be available early in the season.”

He added: “Introducing youngsters to fishing is high on the club’s priorities and having sorted out the leases we can begin to look forward more positively to the future and concentrate on building up the junior section and improving access to the river for all.”

The club is also continuing to support for the Artlink charity whose aim is to increase opportunities to take part for those who experience disadvantage or disability in the East of Scotland. Cramond AC provide them with complimentary permits and assistance on their outings to the river.

There were nearly 100 members last season and Joe said: “Fishing was good last season with nymphing techniques working well.

“There were also some really impressive brown trout catches by Alan Tragis, using traditional methods, and Colin McKay who landed a 3lb trout to a dry (fly) in late September.”

Meanwhile, Phil Dixon has confirmed the heats for the Scierra Pairs next year and six are in Scotland.

Stenhouse on Saturday, March 21, Raith Lake on Saturday and Sunday, April 18 and 19 (sold-out), Lake of Menteith on Sunday, April 26, Harelaw on Saturday and Sunday, May 30 and 31, Black Loch on Sunday, June 28 and Glencorse on Sunday, July 19 (sold out). The Grand Final is at Llyn Brenig in Wales on Sunday, August 30.

Mike Horn from Kirkcaldy (6lb 6oz) was second in the heaviest cod event run by St Serfs SAC in Fife and he was only 8oz behind the winner, Paul Buddles from Alnwick in Northumberland who won the £1,000 prize with a fish of 6lb 14oz. Simon Pattison from Rosyth was third (6lb 5oz) one ounce behind Mike with John Corner from Livingston fourth with a fish of 5lb 7oz.

The conditions were not ideal conditions with a very strong West-South-West, blustery wind and some heavy showers but 128 anglers plus eight juniors braved the weather.

John Corner landed the heaviest bag of 20lb 13oz with Paul Buddles second with 19lb 12oz. Others placed were: 3, Alan Combe (Kirkcaldy) 19lb 4oz; 4, Mike Horn (Kirkcaldy) 18lb 8oz; 5, Paul Tuck (Maryport) 16lb 3oz; 6, Gordon McLeod (Edinburgh) 9lb 1oz; 7, Simon Pattison (Rosyth) 8lb 3oz; 8, Sandy Watson (Ayr) 6lb 15oz; 9, Barry McEwan (Port Seton) 6lb 2oz; 10, Fabio Calzetta (Tillicoutry) 5lb 15oz. Juniors heaviest bag: Ryan Duncan (Methil) 1lb 14oz; 2, Blake Ferguson (Stirling) 14oz.