The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Brian lands national crown
Brian Mackenzie of Neilston FF is the 2017 Scottish National trout fly fishing champion after the final was held at the Lake of Menteith on Saturday.
The 125th championship, sponsored for the fifth time by Ridgeline UK, was fished as a total catch and release competition with the first three trout being measured and with an allowance of 35cm being given for each additional fish.
Fish were capped at 50cm. Brian had 14 for 521cm and was just ahead of Ronnie Gilbert of Menteith Ospreys, who was champion in 2008 and 2014, with 14 for 517.6cm.
In third place was John Simpson of Caley Liners FF with 12 fish for 452.5cm.
The longest fish was 63cm caught by Sean McCaffrey of North Shetland FF. A total of 307 trout were caught. The championship started in April and 361 competitors took part in the initial 10 knockout heats which reduced the number to 180. The six semi-finals then cut that to the 60 anglers who contested the final.
The other qualifiers for next year’s teams are: Jock Kettles, SANACC, 11 fish, 409.6 points; Andy Dunn, Change FF, nine, 344; Chris McAllister, Raemoir Trout Fishers, nine, 339; Ian Simpson, Aberdour AA, eight, 300.6; Martin McCafferty, Future FF, eight, 294.6; Alan Brock, Crieff AC, seven, 281.5; Kenny Sichi, Priory AC, seven, 279.5; Mike Willis, BofA 76 AC, seven, 274.5; Derek Pozzi, Thalassa AC, seven, 271; Derek Hessett, Gateside FC, seven, 262.5; Ken Kennedy, WS Sinclair FF, six, 247; Gus Shepherd, Saltire FF, six, 244.6; Shane Kelly, Hawick AC, six, 241.7; Kevin Andrews, Ayr Travellers FF, six, 241.3; Chris Harkess, Phoenix AC, six, 235.6; Grant Osler, Future FF, six, 234.7.
As Gus Shepherd is the manager of the international team he declined his place in the team which then went to the 19th placed angler.
FRANDY FISHERY
is still doing
well.
Individual returns include Jamie and Douglas Ralfs (Dunning), kept three fish weighing 7lb 8oz; Billy Thomson (Auchterarder), five, 11lb 8oz and released a further two; Kenny Baird (Tillicoultry), two, 5lb and released two; Jim Keatings (Wishaw), two, 5lb 4oz and released six; Eddie Carlaw (Edinburgh) and Jim Carlaw (Kinghorn), four, 10lb; Paul Mondor (Auchterarder), one, 4lb; Fraser Renwick and Mike Cordiner (Stirling) caught and released 14; Kenny Rodger (Auchterarder), four, 9lb 8oz; Paul McLean (Dunoon), two, 5lb 14oz.
Club returns included West of Scotland AC, kept three weighing 8lb; Western AC, fishing over two days, kept 15 fish weighing 38lb and released a further 32; SPRA (North), kept 18, 42lb 1oz and released 10; Wiremill AC, 29 fish, 68lb 6oz; Kelvinside Academicals, 17 fish, 40lb 6oz and released six; Grangemouth Railway AC, caught & released three; Perth Exservicemens AC, five, 13lb 8oz; Edinburgh Masonic AC, 10 fish for 27lb.
Reported flies were Kate Maclaren, daddy longlegs, bibio hoppers, cormorants, coral dancer, olive damsel and sedge muddlers.
If any fisheries, clubs or individuals would like their news included in the weekly reports please send it by email to sales@angusangling.co.uk and or contact Neil Anderson on 01307 466 366 (mobile 07759 022503).