Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Club of the week
Roughrigg Angling Club
The club of the week is the Roughrigg Angling Club, who have recently kicked off a big year of fishing in Monklands.
Fishing for trout, pike and perch is allowed from the middle of March until later this year, as hundreds of keen anglers flock to Airdrie from across the country.
Joseph McLaughlan, club secretary and founding members, told the Advertiser about a busy few months ahead on the loch...
How did the club get started?
Roughrigg Angling Club was founded in 1996 when four anglers made enquiries about the availability of the Roughrigg Loch as a fishery for local anglers within North Lanarkshire.
Joseph McLaughlin (secretary), Robert Makemson (chairman), Allan Duncan (treasurer) and Eddie Devlin (stocking convener) were the founders.
After several meetings with Scottish Water we managed to obtain the lease for the fishing rights to the loch, then we advertised for new members.
We started with 20 members who helped greatly with all the work on the loch. They made a car park, and a jetty and cleared overgrown trees and debris.
What kind of success has your club had?
Today, Roughrigg Angling Club has over 100 members and season ticket holders.
Anglers visit the loch from all over Scotland, fishing the loch on a day permit.
When and what time do the club train and compete?
The loch is stocked from March to the end of September with quality rainbow trout.
These range from 2lb to 15lb, and there is also brown trout in the loch. These weigh between 1lb and 2lb. There are also pike and perch in the loch.
The club is open from Monday to Friday, from 8am to dusk.
Fishing starts at 7am until dusk on a Saturday and Sunday.
An adult day ticket costs £10, and a son/daughter ticket costs £15.
We will now be running fishing until October 6.
How does the club benefit the community?
There is an open day competition held every year. It will be held on May 24 this year.
This is a very popular competition with anglers coming from all over Scotland to fish.
Roughrigg Angling Club also gives a discount for an adult and son or daughter pairing.
Fishing is by any legal methods, spinning bait.
How would someone join your club?
Call Joe McLaughlin on 01236 593394 for more details.
You can also find out more on the Roughrigg Angling Club on their website.
The Open Day is on May 24. There will be prize money on offer as well, plus there will be a raffle held on the day.