Water temperatures fall to boost catches

Anglers at LAKE OF MENTEITH are reporting best bags on lures with sink tips, intermediates or fast glass as water temperature finally dropped to 18C at six feet.

An amazingly long spell with the water temperature over 18C at depth, has come to an end and there are only just over two weeks left of evening fishing.

Catches are more spread out and nearer the surface and visiting anglers equipped with surface gear are able to catch again.

Top spot is still Gateside Bay and other good spots reported are out in the middle of the Eastern Basin, the Gap, Malling Shore and the Rookery.

The last heat of the Scottish Club Championship was cancelled due to warnings of torrential rain and gusts over 40mph which never materialised.

The heat has now been rearranged for Saturday August 11.

In the Fario Fly Boat League 20 anglers landed 90 trout.

Top rod was Donnie MacBeth with 11 fish on a Di7 and mini lures in Gateside Bay.

With only three nights left, Craig Inglis moved into a fourpoint lead, with Brian MacKenzie in second and Donnie MacBeth third.

RAITH LAKE has been fishing well despite recent hot conditions.

Donald Mackenzie landed a 12lb 11oz rainbow on a black snatcher and Graham Ramsey managed a rainbow at 12lb 5oz on a cormorant. Jim Adamson landed a 10lb 14oz rainbow on a red buzzer.

Smaller flies static or fished slowly are working best and, when conditions allow, dry flies are working well.

Both waters at MONIKIE have been stocked recently but the majority of the fish are still lying deep so Di7 and Di5 lines with blobs and boobies are best.

The Island Pond saw 11 day boats (19 rods) keeping 38 fish for 66lb 11oz and five returned. The evening saw 18 boats (34 rods) keeping 31 fish for 58lb 2oz with five returned.

On the North Pond only two day boats were out (three rods) keeping one fish for 2lb.

Dundee Angling Club, with eight boats on the Island (14 rods) kept four for 9lb with a best fish of 4lb for Jim Donnelly.

It has been a quieter week at RESCOBIE LOCH, with only one visiting club and fewer boats out but there were still some good returns. Discovery AC visited on Saturday evening and were in early due to the heavy rain.

The six rods still returned five fish for 21lb 10oz, the heaviest a rainbow at 6lb 7oz.

Four fish bags included: Bob Buick 17lb 8oz, Graeme Dunbar 17lb 8oz, Mr Bob 16lb 8oz, Davie Milne 14lb, Tam Greig 13lb and Stan Morrison 12lb 8oz.

Bill Crowe and Graeme Dunbar shared the heaviest fish of the week, rainbows of 5lb 8oz.

Flies catching this week include Dennis the Menace, black dancer, cormorants, Kate McLaren (both traditional and snatcher) and pearly dabbler.

At NEWTON FARM, fish are up on top but very fussy, reports John Callison.

Top rod this week was Craig Dickson with 11 fish all on size 16 hare’s ear emergers. Mr Watson had a nice night on catch and return, landing seven on klinkhammers with two around 7lb.

If any fisheries, clubs or individuals would like their fishery 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).