Semi-final contenders battle it out in heat

Extreme temperatures and gruelling conditions faced the competitors at the last two semi-finals of the Scottish National Fly Fishing Championships.

The fourth semi-final was held at Carron on what was probably the hottest day of the year.

The 44 competitors had a clear blue sky all day and were helped slightly by a very light breeze.

Top rod and winner of the Ridgeline Turbulence Smock was Neill Barrett of Gilmerton FFC, who had eight trout for 9lb 2.2oz. Neill spent his day in the dam area and took his fish on a tequila blob and buzzers fished on a floating line.

Mick Tait of Tweed Valley Tanglers was second with seven trout for 8lb 7.3oz and his boat partner, Alan Gilbert of SPRA West, was third with five for 6lb 10.7oz.

The last semi-final was held on Lake of Menteith, and, again, was fished under a clear sky with a south-westerly breeze.

The 27 competitors caught 76 trout for 159lb 9.5oz with the top 10 qualifying for the final.

James Gardiner of Alba Orvis FF took top spot with six for 14lb 6.5oz .

In second place with seven for 14lb 2.3oz was Tom Burnett of St Mirin AC. Kenny Dickens of Grizzle Cats was third with seven for 13lb 13.6oz.

At LOCH LEVEN Ian Jones and his father Bill, accompanied by Calum Crosbie, had 16 fish on buzzers with the largest an estimated 3lb .

The day before Ian and Bill had managed only one trout. Same place, same method – that’s Loch Leven for you!

Jeff Lawson and Eck Dewar had 10 fish on Friday and also managed seven on Monday, again on buzzers.

Out with the Burleigh Angling Club, Dave Clark had four lovely fish weighing a total of 12lb 12oz.

Warm weather and bright sunshine at

MONIKIE have limited the number of fish being caught during the day with the mist in the evenings also having an effect on catches.

Notable returns on Island Pond included: John Geddes and partner, kept five fish for 10lb 6oz, two returned; L Wilson, rainbow of 3lb 2oz; Neil Anderson, kept three for 5lb 8oz, four returned; John Geddes and Darren Smith, six for 12lb 12oz.

Club catches included: Lloyds Banking, three boats (six rods), kept 11 fish for 23lb 12oz, five returned; Perth exServicemen’s Club, four boats (eight rods), nine for 20lb; Perth RASC AC, four boats (eight rods), 16, 31lb; Ferry Fly Dressers AC, five boats (10 rods) , 14 for 26lb 10oz; Birkhill AC, six boats (12 rods), two fish for 4lb. RLDA club were out at

RESCOBIE LOCH for the Lindsay Scott Cup with 19 rods competing.

First place went to Ron Gray with seven for 14lb. Alan Beattie was second with three for 7lb and Colin Nicoll was third with two for 6lb 8oz.

Balbeggie AC’s 12 rods kept a total of 35 fish for 96lb 9oz, including a brownie at 3lb and a blue at 3lb 8oz.

Keith Doig had the heaviest bag with four for 13lb 9oz. Heaviest fish, at 5lb 1oz, went to Gordon Finlay, whose total bag was four for 13lb 5oz and Russel McLaren had a bag of four for 11lb 10oz.

Dundee East End kept 10 fish for 31lb for their eight rods. Harry Anderson had the best bag with a 5lb brownie and three rainbows, the heaviest at 4lb 9oz.

If any fisheries, clubs or individuals would like their news included in the weekly reports send it by email to sales@angusangling.co.uk and/or contact Neil Anderson on 01307 466 366 (mobile 07759 022503).