Blairgowrie, Rattray & District Angling Association

IMPORTANT NOTICE
FOR URGENT ATTENTION OF ALL BRDAA MEMBERS AND GUESTS

On 15 December 2025, a very experienced BRDAA member was alone in a boat, fishing for pike in Fingask Loch. He lost his balance and fell overboard. He was not wearing a lifejacket and fell downwards through the water before blacking out as he reached the loch bottom, a depth of approximately 35 feet at that point. He was rescued by three BRDAA members and has made a full recovery.

The circumstances have been thoroughly reviewed by the BRDAA Committee who contacted the 4 members involved, offering support and thanks. The Committee has nominated the three rescuers for an award by the Royal Humane Society.

In Health and Safety terms, this incident represents the nearest of near misses. Advice has been sought from the Angling Trust / Fish Legal and their Insurance broker. We have also compared BRDAA arrangements to those of other fisheries.

From the evidence provided by those involved in the incident and the very clear advice received, particularly from an insurance perspective, it is clear that the current BRDAA loch and river rule “Use of buoyancy aids …. strongly recommended for all anglers” is no longer tenable for the following reasons:-

· Buoyancy aids would not succeed in ensuring an unconscious casualty was righted / held face-up on the surface.

· Manual life jackets require activation by the casualty - not always possible.

· The possibility of a disclaimer being signed by members / guests to allow them to take individual responsibility for not wearing a life jacket was summarily dismissed by the insurer. In short, disclaimers do not save lives.

BRDAA Committee Decision

CE / ISO approved Automatic self-inflating life jackets must now be used at all times by anglers fishing Fingask, Whiteloch and the River Ericht.

This policy was unanimously approved by the Committee at its meeting on 6 January 2026 and will take immediate effect. The Association loch and river rules and guest tickets have been amended accordingly.

Given the compelling circumstances, the Committee trusts that members and guests will accept and strictly adhere to this essential change. Any member or visiting angler found to be in contravention of this vital rule will be requested to leave the water and have his / her membership / ticket revoked.

It is not feasible for the Association to supply and service the lifejackets and so members and guest anglers must provide their own and be individually responsible for ensuring they are serviced and remain operational.

Gavin Robertson, Secretary, on behalf of the Committee.

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