New Tynet fishery angles for post-Covid success
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THE Covid pandemic may have stood in the way of many a firm over the last two years, but it has certainly has not put the brakes on one Moray couple's business dreams.
March 12 saw Alan and Mags Smith proudly unveil the Mill Brae Fishery at Tynet, a project which has been years in the making.
Alan, who is a clinical director with Seafield Veterinary Group in Keith, said: "We moved to Keith about 10-12 years ago and then to Mill Brae House about five years ago looking to get into fisheries.
"It's our first venture into the business although I've been a keen angler all my life and having an on-site fishery is an idea I've had for a while.
"There was a lot more work needing to be done here than we thought at first. We had to put in flood gates and rock armour, for example, and a lot of the old buildings weren't fit for purpose and had to come down.
"Covid has had a massive impact on the project. In the first lockdown it was a case of workmen having to down tools on the site.
"However, the price of materials hasn't been affected that much and the contractors have stuck to their original quotes, which is excellent.
"We had planned to be all up and running by now but there has been a delay as we try and get a hold of the likes of plumbers, electricians, joiners and so on, who are all very busy. The fishery is ready as is the outside toilet.
"Hopefully we should have the fishing hut, bothy and tearoom open next month depending on how we get on in terms if getting tradesmen."
The fishery itself – a one acre loch – is now home to a mixture of brown and rainbow trout.
Alan continued: "Our main fishing season runs from March to around October, so we've opened just at the right time.
"As long as the water isn't frozen it's possible to fish, although when it's cold the fish usually become quite dormant.
"We've had a good response so far, it's been very encouraging.
"We're looking for a steady constant flow of mainly local people. This is a nice, petite place here in a lovely, very secluded area and don't want somewhere that's overstocked and overfished."
In addition to a top fishing experience, Mill Brae Fishery will be selling organic jams, pickles, chutneys and more, as well as their own Mill Brae honey and mushrooms.
For more information about Mill Brae Fishery, visit their website at http://www.millbraefishery.co.uk/ or follow their Facebook page.
