The fishing season is coming to a close but Glenelg and Arnisdale Fishing Club have already started work to ensure that next year yields a bumper catch.

The club is working with the Wester Ross Fisheries Trust to look at ways to protect and develop native salmon and sea trout in the local rivers in a bid to increase productivity.  They are acting on a number of suggested measures as club secretary, Colin Macdonald, explains:

"One of the suggestions we are taking forward is to set up a hatchery to allow us to restock the river.  Marine Harvest has donated some equipment to us and we hope to get it up and running by next season.   We are also looking at starting a small, accessible trout fishery in the near future to offer an alternative site for those who can't manage the trek to the hill loch.

"We stocked Loch a'Mhuilinn with 200 brown trout last year thanks to a grant from Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise.  Because of that assistance we now have funds available to continue investment in the club's future, enhance the native fishery in Glenelg and offer premium fishing opportunities to club members and the public."

The club has 54 members and Mr Macdonald hopes their planned changes coupled with the restocking of Loch a'Mhuilinn will help to retain a healthy level of interest for next season:  "The newly stocked fish settled in quickly and fished well throughout the later part of the season.  We stocked quite late last year because of foot and mouth regulations so there are still plenty trout left in the loch for next year."

Jennifer Robertson from Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise said:  "I am pleased to hear the success of the club's efforts to date and I am glad that we could contribute financially to a project that involves conservation of the environment, tourism, and community - all of which are important elements of sustainable community development."