Fort William Angling Association

31/03/2026

Loch Lochy boat is currently out of action until it can be repaired, dry weather dependent, will update when repaired.

09/03/2026

Final call for all those wishing to stay in the club the deadline for payment is the 15th of March!
All FWAA members who wish to rejoin for the 2026 season should pay their annual fees by the 15th of March we shall be reviewing the number of paid-up members with a view to offering membership for any unpaid spaces that are available to those on our current waiting list. Details on how to pay make payment of the annual membership fee are either by bank transfer to:
Fort William Angling Association
Royal Bank of Scotland
Acc no: 00690948
Sort Code: 83:20:16
(To ensure that we know who is paying bank transfer should include a reference as to who the payment is from).
Or by other means to:
Rab Lees (Treasurer)
26 Angus Crescent
Fort William
PH33 6TY
T: 07748155125
E: [email protected]
Fees will remain unchanged at 2025 prices.

24/02/2026

A good opportunity for any young person who is thinking about a career in Salmon fishing/ghillie/guiding etc, if you know of anyone please pass on the below opportunity.


The Lionel Main Memorial Course in Angling and Conservation

The late Lionel Main was the head ghillie at Castle Grant on the river Spey from 1987 to 2021. Lionel was an inspirational mentor, a true countryman, great teacher and a loyal friend to many.

A residential course has been established in Lionel’s memory to assist young people to fish the river Spey and to develop potential as future ghillies, with the generous support of the Reidhaven Estate, Saxavord UK Spaceport Ltd, The House of Bruar Ltd and Countryside Learning Scotland (CLS).

The Reidhaven Estate has donated one week of exclusive access to one of the Castle Grant Beats for the week commencing 20 July 2026, for the above purpose.

CLS is an organisation that works with groups and schools to introduce young people to careers in the countryside, with the aim of expanding positive career choices and mental well-being. CLS has partnered with Windward Education Ltd to deliver The Lionel Main Memorial Course. Students will fish for salmon and seatrout under close supervision. The course will focus upon angling technique and knowledge. Students will also gain an understanding of the aquatic environment and conservation of the Atlantic salmon. They will experience the role of a ghillie and have the opportunity to lead and run an angling event, gaining accreditation for their learning from Qualifications Scotland at SCQF level 3. In addition, the most promising student will be awarded “The Lionel Main Award” and trophy.

Accommodation and full board will be provided at Inverallen House in Grantown on Spey, but local students may travel to and from the river if preferred. All fishing equipment will be provided if required. Students will be closely supervised at all times and will fish in pairs with an instructor according to a robust safeguarding policy.

The only cost will be a £250 booking confirmation fee.

Applications for the course are invited from up to eight young people aged approximately 14-18. Priority will be given to local applicants, but all are welcome to apply.

Applications should be sent to [email protected]


Link to TV coverage of the 2023 course; https://news.stv.tv/v/highland-estate-runs-course-to-get-youngsters-ghillie-experience



Windward Education

The course is the brainchild of a fisher who befriended the estate's popular head ghillie

12/02/2026

Brief update for those that could not attend this weeks AGM.

AGM FWAA.
Feb10th .
Meeting opened 19.00hrs.
15 members and three apologies.
Chairman thanked attendees and talked about how 2025 season was better than 2024.(67 to 140).
Minutes.
Secretary went through last year’s minutes.
Talked about parentage of the young fish from the Nevis which was said to be from multiple adults.
There has been young fish introduced into the Nevis as well.
Adult fish were put into the Lochy catchment to spawn along with young fish being introduced.
Jon Gibb thanked everybody for their effort in fishing for the farmed fish and then asked for scale samples to be taken from any fish caught this season.
Packets for collecting samples are can be obtained from Billy Neill at Camesky.
This a 3 year survey to be done in collaboration with Mowi.
Scales can be removed from just behind the dorsal fin with your fingernails or collected from your landing net.
Rab distributed the treasurer report which is very healthy.
Billy gave boat conveynor report and boats were deemed ok.
A proposal to go back to one conveynor was put forward by Robert Ralston and seconded by James Duncan.
It was agreed that Alastair MacGillivray be offered free membership for storing the boats over the winter.
Office bearers stood down but were proposed to carry on in the same positions as last year as were the committee.
Discussions took place to having casting/fishing tuition day and barbecue prior to upriver week.
Member were asked to give consideration to fish the Nevis given the info and introduction of young fish.
Talked about the upturn in fish returning last year but also thought the river temps made them difficult to catch.
Upriver weeks are 1st June beat three and 10th Aug beat three.
Season runs from 11th Feb until 15 Oct ( inclusive).
Booklets once things are finalised will be sent to printers and then can be collected. (We will notify through Facebook.
Meeting ended 19.45.

* For those you are keen to get an early start before the rota comes out in the club booklets, We are first on calendar so sluggan/ castle rotation started on Wednesday 11th Feb.
You can work out the days from there until you get your booklet.* This is only available to fully paid up members!

20/01/2026

Some more information for club members prior to AGM, please let the club know if you are leaving and for all returning members the quicker fees are paid the quicker we can issue the club books.

19/01/2026

To all club members, its that time of year again, the AGM will be the 10th of February at the Caol community centre, once we have had the AGM and all current members have confirmed they are staying on, we will then let all those on the waiting list know if we have spaces. If you want to go on the waiting list its not to late just drop the page a message. Tight lines for 2026.

08/10/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Cm12fjmeH/?mibextid=wwXIfr

An investigation is underway after an estimated 75,000 salmon escaped from Mowi’s Loch Linnhe farm site during Storm Amy. 🐟

Read more below. 👇

02/04/2025

Sunday 6th of April, induction day, a good opportunity to meet club members new and old and to talk tactics for the club waters

31/03/2025

Notice to club members, the loch Arkaig boat is currently having some minor repair work done, we will notify when the work is completed.

Repair work all completed, boat is ready for action tight lines.

22/03/2025

Just to let people know that the FWAA membership is now full up. Thanks to all returning members and a warm welcome to our new members. For those that missed out on membership, we shall keep your names for next season. Tight lines to all for season 2025.

03/03/2025

Final call for all those wishing to stay in the club the deadline for payment is the 15th of March!
All FWAA members who wish to rejoin for the 2025 season should pay their annual fees ASAP. N.B From the 15th of March we shall be reviewing the number of paid-up members with a view to offering membership for any unpaid spaces that are available to those on our current waiting list. Details on how to pay make payment of the annual membership fee are either by bank transfer to:
Fort William Angling Association
Royal Bank of Scotland
Acc no: 00690948
Sort Code: 83:20:16
(To ensure that we know who is paying bank transfer should include a reference as to who the payment is from).
Or by other means to:
Rab Lees (Treasurer)
26 Angus Crescent
Fort William
PH33 6TY
T: 07748155125
E: [email protected]
Fees will remain unchanged at 2024 prices.