River Ruel – help sought!

Dear members, you maybe aware that Bob Clark (Convener) and the Committee have been pursuing a lease of another bit of the River. The Minister’s Pool is actually in the middle of our existing beat and is one of the biggest and significant pools on the River. The Club has secured the lease for 3 years initially. The pool is limited however by a large dead tree lodged in it and to maximise our fishing of the pool we would like to try and remove it if possible. I am appealing to the wider membership on behalf of Bob and the Committee for help with this. Do you have experience in this area of work? Do you have access to equipment or an off road vehicle with a winch? Could you provide the labour the task might need? Can you advise on the best way forward here? Any help would be greatly appreciated. The pool will make an excellent addition to our beat and is something we will all be able to utilise!

On Sunday 23rd October an impressive crowd of family, friends and D.D.A.C. Members gathered at the Clachan of Glendaruel , for the unveiling of a memorial plaque in remembrance of Colin MacDonald (senior) and his wonderful commitment to the River Ruel. 

   Mrs. Hazel MacDonald, her son and Club member , Colin (junior) and their extended family and friends joined with D.D.A.C. Members , all of whom wished to commemorate and celebrate the tireless work carried out by Colin (senior) over his years as bailiff of the River.

D.D.A.C. President Davy Landsburgh welcomed those gathered before sharing a  touching account of Colin’s work to improve salmon and sea trout stocks and his determination and ingenuity in finding solutions to overcome the challenges faced. Davy included an emotional and personal account of how Colin had helped him develop as an angler and clearly many others present shared this sentiment of a man who was always willing to offer assistance and share his knowledge and expertise.

  Colin (junior) was then invited to unveil the memorial plaque that has been mounted on a large stone on the bank of the River. Colin (junior) then gave a both factually interesting and lovely dedication to his late father.

After the ceremony the MacDonald family kindly invited all in attendance to come to the Marine Hotel in Hunter’s Quay for lunch allowing more stories and tales of Colin’s role as bailiff to be enjoyed.

  Fittingly the rain stayed away for this occasion to celebrate the life of a gentleman angler and true custodian of the River Ruel.

(Thanks to Davy for making and fitting the memorial plaque and to Bob Clark for clearing the ground around the stone.)

Duncan F MacGillivray 

Secretary.

Duncan F MacGillivray