Eye-opening haul of 600 fish graces national contest

The water temperature at LAKE OF

MENTEITH has dropped considerably in the last couple of weeks and fish are spreading back out from the Inchmahome/Gateside Deeps.

Best areas recently noted have still been Gateside Bay, Malling shore and Lochend.

The optimal tactic has been a sink tip washing-line type set-up and dries.

On the competition scene, congratulations to Fly Box A, Tartan Tyers A, Lintrathen B, Neilston FF A, Lintrathen A, RAF Fish Hawks, Balfron Piscatorials, Grimm Anglers, Alba Orvis A and Soldier Plamers in qualifying for the Scottish Club Championship final on September 27.

The catch last Friday in the semi-final of 600 fish by the 60 anglers was a bit of an eye-opener, especially with the mean weight being 2lb 12.3oz and an individual catch of 25 trout from Scott Aitken.

A downpour on Friday and Saturday at RESCOBIE LOCH raised the water level by an amazing 17 inches (42.5cm).

All this fresh water has certainly stirred up the fish with many returns in double figures.

There have also been a couple of fish caught in the 5lb-plus range.

Best bags of the past week included: Frankie Keith, four for 15lb 6oz, Stan Morrison, four for 12lb 5oz, Allan Wood, four for 12lb 4oz, Gary Cargill, four for 11lb 12oz and Gordon Armstrong, four for 11lb 8oz.

Rescobie is hosting anglers from Raemoir on Saturday for the first heat of the Challenge Shield. Rescobie are hoping to retain the shield for the third year running. If members would like to compete then please get in touch with the boathouse.

MONIKIE is still fishing well with some excellent catches despite the weather.

Aaron Phillip returned 10 fish, Jim Gibb kept five for 13lb 5oz and returned a further five, and Dave Roy returned eight fish. Laurencekirk A/C only managed to fill one boat but the two anglers had a great evening, keeping eight for 16lb 15oz and returning five. CSSC Perth with six boats (12 rods) kept 32 fish for 60lb 4oz and returned five. Top rod was Mick Tarbet with nine fish.

At FRANDY FISHERY, fishing from the bank, Donald McPherson from Crieff kept two fish weighing 4lb and released a further three, Andy Hunter (Alloa) eight c/r, Alan Sparks (Airth) three fish weighing 6lb and released five, John Wilson (Dunfermline) eight c/r and Ronnie Turnbull from Tillicoultry caught and released four.

Individual boat returns included Nick Fillingam and Greig Dent, from Perth, kept four fish weighing 8lbs, Louis Hansen and Stan Guzik (Alloa) 11 c/r, George Keith and Tom Lansdown (Dunfermline) kept five fish weighing 10lb and released seven, Doug and Simon Ralfs, from Dunning, kept five fish weighing 10lb 8oz.

The best flies proved to be the Kate McLaren, hot head damsel, bibio hopper and the daddy longlegs and the best fishing spots were in the Middle, North Shore and the Dam Wall.

At last the water at ORCHILL

TROUT FISHERY is cooling down so dries and lures have been catching plenty of fish with varying retrieves.

The Railway Club had an outing with five anglers catching 10 fish, weighing in at 31lbs 4oz mainly to CDCs and hoppers, with David Harrington winning with four for 13lbs on a CDC.