I am man enough to admit I was a wee bit nervous about the Kelvin Angling Association AGM – I mean, up on that stage in front of a couple of hundred intellectuals ready to start an intense debate on the finer points of the books and river management. I was thinking maybe that the members would maybe give a wee bit of praise about all the hard work we have put in to improving access and moving things forward.
Instead we had a rammy involving debatable members (its a loooooong story) who were stinking of alcohol shouting and swearing at us – and please, yet another call for a vote of confidence in Paul Reid? I mean, he was up for re-election, anyone in the room could have stood against him however nobody wants to do the hard graft that he does, hell I do not want to do the hard graft that he does – someone (one of the drunk ones) made a point that he does not pay for a permit so why should he be asking others for a permit. Hell, the guy only gives up a huge amount of his personal time to get shit done for the association. So when he was safely voted back in folk decided that he was fair game. Caroline from the Clyde River Foundation was interrupted twice during her presentation on the work being carried out – both times not one good question was asked – unless you call “How much money do you want”? a serious question.
Who I feel sorry for are the ones that do have questions and concerns to address that cannot because of the ruckus.
To be frank, it is a waste of my time!
Got a phone call from Alex, long time fishing buddy who commiserated with the AGM tale and told me his own story of woe involving the Glasgow Angling Centre. He bought a new pair of Scierra waders a couple of weeks ago – first time out and he was drenched through – day absolutely ruined. Not a nice situation when you are ball deep in freezing cold water. He duly drove the 50 miles to take them back to the Glasgow Angling Centre only to be met with an employee who refused to believe him that they leaked, they did a test seemingly involving filling them up with water and then looking for leaks. Guys, that has got to be one of the shittest ways of looking for seeping leaks in waders there is. He was also told it could be condensation in breathable waders? I have had the odd spot of sweaty legs in summer while wearing rubber waders however in breathable waders in winter? Thing is, all Alex wanted was an exchange of 2 week old waders – can you see any kind of con involved in this at all? It is a motiveless con that should have been resolved there and then – it is a simple case of a manufacturing fault – seemingly they have now been sent off for testing by the manufacturer.
Whatever happened to statutory rights and good customer service? This is another reason to buy a pair of Orvis!
I am embarrassed to say I have not been near any fishy stuff for some time. I am a member of a forum where I agreed to partake in a “fly swap” – this is where the members tie up an agreed number of flies and then given out to all the members. I was supposed to tie up 28 flies – this may not sound a lot to some folk however when you factor in the fact I get home from work at 5.30pm and then have a hectic time of meals for the boys and then bed time antics I usually go to my bed at around 8.30pm. This is because the whole craziness starts again at 0530 in the morning (with a few wake up sessions during the night).When you can factor in teething and illness into the whole shebang things get messy. It leaves not a lot of time to do much!
So I pulled out the fly swap on the last day – and felt like shit for doing it.
Anyway, so what fishy stuff have I been doing? Well, I have been at a few Kelvin meetings and that is about it. I have got to get my ass in gear and get my rods out, it is kinda funny as I have been thinking of getting my old two piece Greys GRX out – it is a lovely rod very forgiving. I think I will look my old Lamson reel out as well for a change. I have pretty much decided I need a total change of fly lines this year. Last year my 4 weight and 5 weight fly lines were looking a bit tatty (especially the 4 weight) so looks like there are purchases in my future.
Only 37 days to go!
Maybe we should have a creche next year for the AGM..utter joke the way some people behave..they only come for the confrontation..I did however find the guy shouting abt the bailiff being done in funny..as was Pauls response to the ” what did he get for it” …” i presume criminal injuries” lol..and his answering of a question with ” annnnnnn wut! ” too funny..have left a couple of questions on the forum that i didn’t hear about on the night 🙂 Cheers Davie..
Well you went and mentioned the “O” word again. 😉
Gee and I thought we had it bad with our angling meetings. It doesn’t look like you’re holding the meeting in a pub. Is there a bar in the lobby of that place, or do they just to the meeting drunk?
ChuckG
Chuck – The two possibilities are that it is a constant state of inebriation or the local pub does a roaring trade on AGM night – I think it may be a mix of them both.
Davie – Exactly the problem – you did not get to ask a serious question and get a reply!
Alistair,I question the drinkers ability to fish ,angling clubs are full of people who want to moan about everything and do nothing .These people seldom fly fish happier with a cargo and maggots ,i love the drinkers because they pay for permits which helps others but they seldom go fishing ,so it benefits the sober anglers who get the aid of their money for permits without the added fishing pressure .
cheep drink = less fishing
Dont let them grind you down
stuart
I don’t think some of our RKAA members appreciate the number of meetings and time Paul puts in on behalf of the Association. I for one would like to express my thanks for all his efforts.
Met Alex up at the GAC on Saturday when handing in the new permit packs for this season. Alex was taking no prisoners think Gordon the manager was glad to get back to his office. Learned a few things about warranties on waders and boots while Alex was making his case about his waders.
Aye – Alex said you had already handed in your permits, mine are still sitting in my kitchen. I am going to have to get them done this evening. So it was a Manager that he was talking to – good grief 🙁
Some of the lads fishing the river are scum and should be banned so should the sunday salmon fishers The agm was a disgrace…alcoholic arseholes..
What would you as a member think we should do about it? Feel free to post in the official forum!
I would be interested to hear a members take on the whole situation. I should add that at the end of the evening it is all handshakes by the way 🙂
Alistair, have you tried Widfisher flylines from the forum website? I’ve fished a WF4 on my GRX 3-4# the past two seasons. The rod loves tlat line almost as much as I love that rod… Super cheap too.
Hey Rob – that is actually the line I may be going after – Fred is away to NZ until the start of March so hope to get one when he returns!
How do you find its floating ability – does the tip sink?
They float great Alistair, very supple too. Not had any problem with the tip sinking so far, and I always nail knot my leaders to my flyline.
That’s me sold – just have to wait on Fred coming back from NZ
Maybe in future a warning on the web page or newsletter, that anyone under the influence of alcohol will be refused admission the the meeting?
To tell the truth we`ve questioned the point of going to another AGM after that debacle.
Problem is Peter, who will actually stand at the door and refuse access? Personally I do not get paid enough to deal with that kind of abuse (I do not get paid at all)
What upsets me more is that a guy like you did not get a chance to ask about any of the improvements that have been made or are in the process of being made. Please continue to come to the AGM’s as maybe if more people asked sensible articulate questions about the future of the river then it may drown the headbangers out!
I know what you mean about the door, you`d have to be armed to the teeth to stand a chance. I thought if it was printed in the newsletter, then even if it deterred one or two of them, it would be a step in the right direction. The RKAA is starting to get an unwarranted reputation for having knuckle-draggers as members, because of a few imbeciles.
if you think there would be a problem with admissions you just ask the local cops to attend…simple….as with the meeting, just abort it if the cretins start…because they will at every meeting…dont be as accomodating….hold the meeting when and where the board decide…30 miles away… the river would soon die if the likes of paul reid and some of the other conservation minded anglers/individuals left the association… your dealing with scum here…..hard tactic required..