fishy tale

MARKLE, East Lothian: A Denholm from Tranent used a Balloon Caddis to take a great 15lb rainbow that proved to be the ‘fish of the week’. Jim Skilling from Shotts had one at 12lb on a WSW and on a subsequent visit took three for 16lb 8oz on a WSW. John Gordon from Leven took a 10lb rainbow and a 4lb brown trout using a selection of dries, Stewart Fairbairn, Haddington, 8lb 8oz on a Blob, Darren Young, Portobello, 10lb on a Black & Green Dancer, Bruce Hunter, Edinburgh, 11lb on a Black Lure and Jack Hay, Haddington, two for 22lb, best 12lb on a Buzzer. Kyle Smith from Dunbar took one for 10lb on a Sedge and Tommy Dickson, Dunbar, had one for 12lb 9oz on an Okey Dokey.

ORCHILL LOCH, Braco: It has been another very good fishing week with the fish taking a wide variety of dries, nymphs, Damsels with the depth varying with the sun. There have been some very good rises in the late evenings, Ron Thomson from Dalguise had four for 11lb on a Green & White Fritz, James Fraser, Coatbridge, three for 10lb 8oz on a Black Nymph, Jack Gibb, Clackmannan, three for 9lb on a Diawl Bach, Jim Marshall, Stirling, three for 9lb on Dries and Ian Bayne, Dunblane, three for 8lb 8oz on a Green Bottle Spider. Peter Paterson Jnr, Menstrie, three for 10lb 8oz on Buzzers, Peter Paterson Snr, Menstrie, three for 8lb 4oz on a Hot Head Dancer, William Smith, Menstrie, three for 10lb on a Black & Green Fritz, Kong from Crieff four for 10lb on a Black Nymph and Alec Fleming, Dunkeld, three for 10lb 12oz, best 5lb on a Bloodworm. William Martin from Stirling caught five for 14lb on a Yellow Dancer, Harry Graham, Glenrothes, five for 14lb on Buzzers, Faye MacLeod, Perch, two for 6lb on a Kate McLaren, John Barrie, Perth, three for 8lb 4oz on a Yellow Dancer and John Beatson, Sauchie, used a Black Pennell to take three for 9lb.

SWANSWATER, Stirling: Abby Hutton, nine, from Edinburgh, took a lovely 8lb 2oz Blue from from the Millpond during the Swanswater Cygnets Sunday morning session. The fish took a small grey fly fished on a floating line and although she needed a little help to land the biggie, Abby cast, hooked and played the fish on her own. A Blue, weighing in at 7lb 1oz was also landed from the Meadow Pond. Favourite patterns last week included Damsel, Diawl Bach, Buzzer, Hare’s Ear, Kate McLaren, Soldier Palmer, Spider and Hopper. Other good bags were taken by Frank Turner, Alloa, three for 15lb 4oz including a 9lb 4oz Rainbow, Abby Hutton, Edinburgh, 8lb 2oz Blue from the Millpond, Gary Borthwick, Carronshore, two for 13lb 2oz including a 7lb 14oz Blue, Ross Close, Thornhill, 7lb 1oz Blue from the Meadow Pond and John Hester, Glasgow, three for 12lb 8oz including a 7lb Blue. Robert Sneddon, three for 11lb including a 6lb Blue, John Patrick, Kilsyth, in two visits, two for 21lb including three Blues, Stephen Cowan, Linwood, five for 13lb 4oz plus five caught and released on the small ponds and Graeme Witherspoon, Stirling, three for 8lb 12oz including a Blue.

LAKE OF MENTEITH, Port of Menteith: The 27th Youth International Fly Fishing Competition was held at the Lake last week. The youths had to suffer blistering hot days but they managed to catch 189 fish with Scotland winning by an impressive 20 fish. Top rod was England’s Oliver Avis with eight fish. Top Scottish rod was Calum Stephen also with eight fish. Scotland – 68 fish for 152lb 12oz; Wales – 48 fish for 115lb 11oz; England – 41 fish for 96lb and Ireland – 29 fish for 71lb 7oz. Lewis Rumble from Llanelli in Wales caught a beautiful 8lb 7oz Gold trout which has been in the lake for at least two years on a sparkler and Di5. Scottish Club Championships: 45 anglers landed 70 fish for 191lb. Top team were Loanhead & Dist: Derek Marklow, Willie Smith and Gus Armour who had 11 fish for 29lb 10oz. 2nd Middleton FF with ten fish for 27lb 11 oz, 3rd were Largs & Dist with nine fish for 24lb 6oz. They will fish in the second semi on the 23rd September. Top rod of the night was Willie Smith (five for 14lb). Joining him in the champion of champions are Tam White (Middleton FF), Alex Frew, Morris Dixon (both Largs & Dist) and Alastair McGillivray (SPPM). The competition is sponsored by Famous Grouse Whisky and the Stirling Angling Centre. In the Menteith ACS Boat League, anglers opted to fish to total catch and release rules with tied places being decided on the time of the first fish caught. Anglers were free to fish to the bag limit for their own needs. On a hard night Mark Stevens was top rod. With the top nine nights making up the scores Brian McKenzie now leads the league by one point from James Fairly. SANA Open Final: Scottish youth manager Arthur Wilkie and youth coach Andy Boylan got their hands on their own silverware last week with winning the SANA open doubles with 11 fish, 2nd was Tommy Graham & Steve Corsar and 3rd were Douglas Fairbairn & Alistair McGillivray. Alistair also won the singles with eight fish, second was Andy Boylan with seven fish and 3rd was Jim Watson. Big thanks to Fraser Renwick for running a successful competition.