Fine haul for top rod at Lake of Menteith

The 2018 Scottish National Championship got off to a flying start at LAKE OF MENTEITH.

The top 18 of the 35 competitors qualified for the semi-finals and, with a total catch of 403 trout for 845lb 8.9oz, a good bag was needed to get through.

Top rod was Kevin McCabe of Change FF AC with a record 39 fish for 78lb 2.9oz. He spent the session fishing from Chicken Leg Bay down to the Butts and took all his fish on buzzers and a small booby on a floating line.

Colin Fairgrieve of Earlston AA was second with 21 trout for 45lb 1.5oz, and Lee Anderson of Lintrathen AC was third with 22 trout for 45lb 1.1oz.

Colin and Lee fished the Butts area drifting out over open water. Colin was using a booby and cormorants on a midge tip line.

Lee was fishing cormorants and a candy booby on a Rio 6. CARRON VALLEY FISHERY

saw heat two of the National.

Thirty competitors took part and between them they caught 248 trout for 287lb 5.2oz.

Top rod was Allan McLachlan of Costa Ecosse with 22 trout for 23lb 6.4oz. Allan caught his fish at Endrick Bay on cat boobies and cormorants fished on a di7.

In second and third were boat partners Nigel Burns of Crieff FF and Ian Wilson of Clatto and Stratheden AC. They took their fish at the top dam and at Bin Bay.

Nigel took most of his trout on a cat and a viva fished on a 5 sweep and had some others around midday on buzzers on a floating line. Ian took his fish on a cat and carron rabbit fished on a 7 sweep.

At RESCOBIE LOCH the first club competition of the year was won by Mr S Cassels, with Mr G Irvine second and Mr D Watson third. Mr Irvine had the biggest fish of the month so far, a rainbow of 10lb 5oz. The total for the day was 38 for 110lb.

The RLDA club now only

take the first two fish in their competitions.

Brax AC from Carnoustie visited and took 22 for 65lb, eight rods with only one blank. St Serf’s Ladies and their six rods took eight fish for 25lb with one blank.

Conditions are improving, although the water is still a bit cloudy. Stocking continues weekly. NEWTON FARM FISHERY

is fishing well. Buzzers are being hammered but lures are taking them, too. Davie Simpson (Forfar) has had 80 fish on c/r in four outings.

At LEDYATT LOCH a fishery record was set by Steven White with 36 netted including an 8lb brown and a 9lb 8oz rainbow. Gary Melloy landed a 14lb 3oz trout. David Anderson netted 35 fish on Sunday from his float tube, including a fantastic fish of 17lb. Superb conditions are expected to continue.

At RAITH LAKE FLY FISHERY the start of the week saw great buzzer hatches and some spectacular rises, with the middle of the lake fishing great. Fish were falling to traditional wets and lures.

By the weekend the top end was the most productive with buzzers, diawl bach and boobies accounting for the most fish.

On Saturday Raith hosted visiting clubs from Rosyth Civil Service with regular visitor Donald McKenzie taking maximum points.

On Sunday Raith hosted the Scierra pairs heat with three places up for grabs in the final at Grafham Water in August. Neil Caird and Craig Scott finished first landing eight fish in 1 hour 16 minutes.

Allan Brown and Paul Gilbertson were second, with third spot going to Daniel Stephen and Steven Ramsey.

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).