Fraser on Fishing: Bell is victorious but Disabled Team wins

I returned to Markle at the weekend for the fundraiser in aid of the Scottish Disabled Team

George Bell of Carronshore, winner of the Markle fundraiser with 12 fish on a Millenium Bug

A near full house turned out in cold and wet conditions that did not mar the day’s proceedings. After drawing starting positions the anglers would fish to the whistle before progressing five platforms. The first fish was caught in minutes by Fife angler Stevie Castles just ahead of two other rods.

Things slowed down a bit after that as the temperature plummeted and rain started falling, quite heavily at times.

George Bell of Falkirk, one of the disabled team members, plodded away all day fishing the bung method. George was fishing a floating line with a Millennium Bug suspended three feet below and inched across the surface. The method proved very successful as he picked up 12 fish to win top rod on the day and pick up a rod for his efforts. Runner-up was Martin Smith with nine fish. He landed his first fish on his very first cast. Tying for second was Carl Nixon from south of the border but Martin caught his first fish before Carl and was awarded second place.

The management has to be complimented on the smooth running of the competition.

Most of the fish, all of which were on catch and release, were caught in the top three feet of water despite the cooler conditions. Best areas on the top pond were the shallows at the top end and around the dam wall. Fish were caught from the smaller or bottom pond along the top end around the island and the bottom corner late on in the session.

More than £1500 was raised on the day to benefit the team travelling to Llyn Brenig in Wales in 2017.

• Fraser on Fishing is sponsored by Morton Fishings, Morton Road, Mid Calder, Livingston, EH53 0JT. Tel: [phone]; Mobile: [phone].