With thanks to Tom Brown who handed this newspaper cutting in (below) for the NNR 60th ‘Then and Now’ land use display at their 60th Anniversary Celebrations Open Day in the Barbour Hall, Glencaple on 15th July 2017!
If you have any old newspaper cuttings, or photos/ slides or information about how the land and river have been used over the years, please do get in touch so we can digitalise them to keep your originals safe and then pass them on to the NNR for inclusion in their display on the day!
Here’s a sneak preview of the kind of thing to expect! (SEE More fishy things happening on the day, after this article!)
From the DUMFRIES COURIER Friday 28th Oct 1994
IAN HAMILTON, of Glencaple, spends his winters knitting… not socks or cardigans but fishing nets.
A haaf-netter for 45 years, he is one of the very few who still produce their own special nets to fit on the huge handheld frames used in this ancient salmon-fishing tradition.
“The younger people taking up the haaf-netting can’t be bothered making their own nets,” he told me. “They prefer to buy the machine made-version. Hand-knitting is becoming a dying craft.”
Ian gave me a demonstration in his kitchen. He used a kyle, a small wedge of wood on which to wind the strong nylon thread which is then knitted with a large bodkin.
The size of the kyle ensures that the side of each square measures exactly 1.25 in. – the size laid down by law. This is to ensure that smaller fish can escape through the net.
The haaf-netters, who have been active on the Solway estuary for centuries, fish from February 25 to September 9 and there are at present no members in the Nith Estuary Association.
Ian, a retired local government officer, fishes on the Caerlaverock stretch where there are 43 members and a waiting list for tickets confined to people living in the parish. They cost £60 and according to an age-old rule the holders have to “pay the minister any tiend of fish to which he may have right”!
“We’re lucky nowadays if we get one salmon on an outing,” said Ian. “But it’s a way of life.”
Haaf Net Knitting Demonstration
Wilf Larson has volunteered his services to demonstrate knitting Haaf Nets at the Barbour Hall in Glencaple for the NNR’s 60th Anniversary Open Day.
He will give information on size of nets, types of knot, tools used and a general overview of the skills required in making nets for both trout and salmon. Wilf has fished all his life on the Boreland stretch at Kelton and has a life times experience on the river.
Come and see him in action – he may even let you have a shot!
Fly Tying demo
David Gilbert will be demonstrating tying flies with barbless hooks in line with the Nith conservation code.
David will promote the best Catch and Release practice, and will have copies of the ‘Catch and Release’ leaflet to hand out to those interested!
Come and see for yourself how these wonderful flies are tied!
NNR 60th Anniversary Celebration Open Day 15th July 2017 Barbour Hall, Glencaple