This yearbook is not intended to present a detailed history of the Club or an interpretation of its constitution etc.

The main purpose here is to create an interest in the Club by informing the public of the year's activities, with some background information, and in so doing, help to increase the membership, assist local good causes, and add to Club funds.

The pursuits of "huntin' shootin' & fishin'", (all blood sports by the way), in the Scottish Highlands were once the reserve of the aristocracy and the very rich. Nowadays however, commercialism has introduced a degree of democracy into these sporting activities, resulting in the formation of a plethora of angling clubs and associations.

Over fishing in the past, has resulted in the birth and growth of a marine life conservationist culture, most famously demonstrated by the "save the whale" campaigns. The Achiltibuie Angling Club is not actively involved in saving the whales but is seriously engaged in the conservation of the stocks of salmon, sea trout, brown trout and the protection of their habitats.

The Club was founded in the year 2000 with the support of "Monty's" widow, who very kindly donated his boat on Loch Osgaig to the Club.

The Coigach Peninsula has been a popular sea-angling venue for many decades and European record fish are still being landed in the area. In addition, there is an important 20 Kilometre migratory fish spawning and breeding system running through the Coigach, and the Club is more than happy to assist the riparian owners in maintaining healthy stocks of salmon and sea trout on it. There are also twenty odd lochans scattered around the Coigach that provide excellent brown trout fishing. If all this were not enough, Assynt to the North and Lochbroom to the South offer some of the best game fishing in the world.

The Coigach community is small in numbers but almost every houshold has a connection to some form of angling or other and the Club tries to cater for them all.

Membership or associate membership of the Club is open to non-residents, as are all of the Club's competitions except the Club Championship, which is for members only.

To quote L. Baverstock, "We dislike purism in any form and think that the better angler is the one who is prepared to vary his methods according to what is most likely to succeed".

PREFACE / FOREWORD

The wind has gone round to the North, and there is a distinct feeling of winter in the air. The trout and salmon are safe until next season, (or even longer).

Good time to reflect on seasons past, and what better way than to read the first Achiltibuie Angling Club Year Book, prepared with considerable skill, attention to detail, and hard work by our Competition Secretary, Bill Mullin.

It's only when thumbing through the pages that the full variety of opportunities available to members, becomes clear.

I am indebted to the author for a most enjoyable read.