DDAC have now got a three year lease on the Ministers pool on the Ruel. This gives us unbroken access on the West Bank and from the bridge at the Shinty pitch to the bottom end of the pool on the East bank. Two large trees that were in the pool have been removed by “Tree Care Sor” this help services, money for this was provided by the Glendaruel Windfarm Trust and we thank them both.
River Ruel
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
Work being carried out to prevent bank erosion and help reduce silting of gravel on the spawning beds of the upper Ruel
Work is underway on improving access at Otter Ferry Road Bridge. If using the lay-by please park at the extreme end away from the river to allow vehicles to pass each other. A stile will be erected when the new fence is in place.
New bridge and stile over ditch and fence near top of our water, above Clachan of Glendaruel Road Bridge. Please note creosote is still tacky.
Fished the Ruel yesterday afternoon, had about a dozen wee Brown Trout and 6 Sea Trout, although not the biggest these were the best of the bunch. All fish were safely returned …. Graeme Henry.
Not the biggest, but caught these on Saturday on the Ruel and a 3rd that leapt back into the water before its picture could be taken. The fish not pictured was about 2lbs, but couldn’t determine what it was. Thought it was a Brownie, are there Browns of this size in the Ruel, can anyone confirm. The river was running just nice. Fish were returned. ….. Graeme Henry.
Two new stiles and a bridge have been built to improve access to the upper reach of the association water. Thanks to Stevie Cooper who did most of the work, Ronnie McVicker, the farmer who carted the wood down to the river on his quad bike, Davy Landsburgh and Russell Buchanan for donating the wood and Glendaruel Wind-farm trust for the funding.
Convener Bob Clark took this short video of the River Ruel in full spate, he said “Once the river drops a bit and the water clears it should be perfect”
Dunoon and District Angling Club 