About Inverness Angling Club

As the club approaches its centenary, it can justly claim to have made a significant contribution to game angling in Scotland and further afield through the innovation and skills of members such as Alexander Grant, the ‘Wizard of the Ness’ and inventor of the Grant Vibration rod; John Reidpath, developer of the Hairy Mary, the first modern hair wing salmon fly; long-term club president Charlie MacKenzie, whose casting abilities were second to none; John Cathcart, of ‘Black Shrimp’ fame; and past and present Speycasting world champions and record holders, Scott Mackenzie and Gordon Armstrong.

The club is managed by a 16-strong committee, led by president Mike Campbell. The annual general meeting, held in November, receives reports on the affairs of the club, gives the general membership a chance to raise issues and appoints officials for the following year.

Club Rules

Rules regulating the River Ness fishings

• 1. Fishing Seasons
  
  • 1.1 Salmon – February 1st to October 15. All salmon caught prior to June 1 must be returned to the river. Brown Trout – March 15 to October 6. Sea Trout and Finnock – March 1 to October 15. Estuary Beat (from Black Bridge to the sea) – March 1 to October 15. All sea trout or finnock under 10 inches must be returned unharmed to the water.

• 2. Permits
  
  • 2.1 Only members of Inverness Angling Club, and holders of visitor or free day permits, may fish on the club’s water on the River Ness. Permit holders are entitled to fish with rod and line on both banks of the River Ness from Clachnahagaig Stone to the sea – a distance of some three miles.
    
  • 2.2 No permit holder may fish without his permit in his possession. Permits must be produced on request by a river watcher or other permit holder on production of their authority card or permit. Permit holders must allow committee members of Inverness Angling Club, or their appointed watchers, to inspect fish and tackle in their possession.

• 3. Fishing Methods
  
  • 3.1 Fishing from bridges, abutments or boats, and bait fishing with natural shrimp or prawn (and the possession, on the river bank, of these baits and associated tackle), are strictly prohibited. The use of gaffs, tailers and knotted mesh nets is prohibited under Scottish law.
    
  • 3.2 Worm fishing is permitted between March 15 and September 30.

• 4. Order of Fishing
  
  • 4.1 Anglers arriving at either side of a beat will begin fishing, in order of arrival, at a beat post and move down two yards at every cast until either terminating fishing or reaching the next beat post. When an angler has moved down 30 yards, the next angler will follow. On reaching the next beat post, an angler must give up his place and take his turn behind those waiting.
    
  • 4.2 An angler at a beat post who is not ready to fish will lose his turn and take next place.
    
  • 4.3 A waiting angler will not commence fishing if an upstream angler is within 30 yards of the beat post. He must wait until the other angler reaches the post and leaves the water.
    
  • 4.4 After landing a salmon or grilse, an angler must leave the water and take his place behind those waiting. An angler who loses a fish may continue fishing.
    
• 5. Catches
  
  • 5.1 All salmon caught prior to June 1 must be released, regardless of condition.
    
  • 5.2 Anglers must observe a daily catch limit of two fish (salmon or grilse). Thereafter, fishing may continue on a catch and release basis.
    
  • 5.3 Permit holders are required to submit a return of their catches, including released fish and nil returns. Returns must be received by the secretary no later than October 23. Failure to comply will mean automatic suspension.
  • 5.4 All heavily coloured or gravid fish must be returned to the water unharmed.

• 6. Trout Fishing
  
  • 6.1 All of the above rules apply to trout fishing, with the exception of 4.4 and 5.2.