Terms & conditions
We have decided, that until the dispute between the LAIA and ourselves is sorted out, to give all and sundry permission to fish in Loch Awe without any form of payment.
However, due to the complexities of complying with regulations regarding catch returns fishing for sea trout and salmon will cease for the immediate future.
This offer is for a limited period but prior to withdrawing it we undertake to give at least one months notice.
People who do not intend to catch sea trout or salmon do not need to ask for a permit. I hope you enjoy fishing Loch Awe, this free fishing will not last forever.
In the event that you are challenged by a water bailiff tell him you have our permission to fish and if he doesn’t like it to “go *%#$ himself”. If he asks you for your name tell him you want his first and sight of his warrant, and make a note of it and the date and time. You can then send the details to us if you wish.
Queries may be addressed to: info@fish-the-awe.com
UPDATE: 21st October 2024
In August 2023 I agreed with Robert Younger, who is the Clerk to the Argyll District Salmon Fishery Board (the ADFSB), that if the Loch Awe Improvement Association (the LAIA) instructed a senior lawyer for an Opinion on their, and my, respective rights to fishing on Loch Awe we could both use that Opinion to help us come to an agreement. Although this was agreed with the LAIA in September it was not until December that legal Counsel were instructed. I was finally sent a copy of that Opinion on 19th April 2024. I have had one TEAM meeting in May 2024 with a gentleman who was only able to comment but not authorised to make any commitment. Since then there has been no meaningful discussion between the LAIA and myself. At the beginning of this fishing season I put a notice on my web-site that all and sundry had my permission to fish (except for salmon and sea trout) for no charge.
I occasionally get an email from someone checking up that the announcement of free fishing on the web-site is still current and I am happy to confirm this. Yesterday I received another similar enquiry and again was happy to confirm the notice on my web-site. Today I received an email from that gentleman recounting what happened:-
“Hi Brian,
Thanks very much for your reply. Lovely day at the loch today. I was approached by a water bailiff, who said the dispute between LAIA and you was sorted out yesterday. And I needed to pay for a permit. I disagreed and told him I had your permission. He said you don’t have the final say . I didn’t pay permit and away he went mouthing off that you just want to keep all the money for yourself and he wasn’t too happy.
Thanks again mate.” (I have withheld his name)
It is very clear to me that the LAIA are acting dishonestly in that they, from the Opinion that they obtained, know that I have the right to grant permission to fish on the Loch but have instructed their water bailiffs to give a false account of the legal position. I was asked not to make the Opinion public while negotiations between the LAIA and myself where ongoing. Since it is clear that the LAIA do not intend to negotiate and are misleading both their own members and the general public I have decided to make the Opinion a public document.
Brian G Hamilton