A HISTORIC Inverclyde angling club has slammed poachers for threatening members and stealing fish worth thousands of pounds.

Members of Dunrod Angling Club, which holds the fishing rights for Gryfe Reservoir No. 2 near Dowries Farm, say the problem has escalated since Covid.

Some anglers who have approached people who have been fishing illegally have also faced a torrent of abuse.

Andrew Durk, the club's secretary, said he had contacted police, community wardens and the local councillor to voice his concerns.

He told the Tele: "Members are fearful that they are losing their fish on a monumental scale, and poachers have threatened elderly members when they have asked them to leave.

"One elderly member was told to 'get to', and hasn't been back to the club since then, which is really sad.

"It's been more of a problem since Covid, because more people have taken up outdoor pursuits.

"Poaching has been happening almost every day for a couple of years, but recently we have experienced an increase in poaching and anti-social behaviour.

"We have have lost over £1,000 this year alone and we have also had hundreds of pounds of vandalism to signs around the loch."

Club members have spoken to the local community police officer and wildlife liaison officer who have told them to report the incidents as they are happening, and have advised the club of the offences that are being committed and any action required.

They have also contacted community wardens.

Club president Graeme Forbes said: "I think it's partly down to education and making them understand that there is no such thing as free fishing and that our club own the rights.

"Most of our members put the fish back."

Mr Durk, a former police inspector, said that the club stocks the loch with thousands of pounds of trout each season.

He says there are misconceptions that it's legal to fish hill lochs for brown trout, and that coarse anglers can legally fish for pike and perch as long as they avoid trout and salmon; in fact, neither are true.

He said: "You either have permission to fish or you don't."

Mr Durk added that if people are using spinning rods, they are fishing illegally and you cannot buy a permit to fish in this local because the club, dating back to 1911, has owned the rights to the Upper Gryfe Reservoir since 1956. 

He said: "It is difficult to estimate the number of fish lost, but we see some people go off with a bin bag full. 

"It costs £1,000 for 200 rainbow trout so that give an indication of what each individual fish is costing."

"We stock the loch regularly, and we've lost thousands of pounds."

He did want to stress that most people who are approached about poaching are apologetic and say they're not aware they were committing an offence.

Mr Durk said: "We have often heard the excuse that they are only fishing for pike, but as the police have told us, it's irrelevant what species you are fishing for.

"It is still an offence if you don't have permission."

Councillor David Wilson who has written to the local police commander on the issue, said: "I hope they catch the poachers.

"It's unacceptable, not only to take the fish but to behave aggressively towards members who are going about enjoying their hobby."