FISHING LINES
Lake of Menteith The SANACC Champion of Champions final saw 52 anglers compete. Anglers killed their first two fish before going on to catch and release, with each additional fish being awarded 2lb. Larger fish were capped at a maximum weight of 4lb.
At the end of the session 355 fish were caught for a total weight of 764lb 14.9oz (many returned fish were over 2lb and there were lots of fish capped at 4lb). This gave a rod average of 6.83. There were no blanks and three fish was the lowest catch.
The winner was Alan Smith of Kinross AC, who landed 13 fish for a total weight of 26lb 4.10oz. Alan caught his fish on a Genghis Fab on a seven-foot Cortland midge tip. He was fishing between Sam’s Point and the Rookery. Alan won a Snowbee Prestige 10-foot rod, a selection of fly-tying materials and a bottle of Loch Lomond malt whisky.
Second place went to Brian MacKenzie of Neilston Fly Fishers, who landed 12 fish for 24lb 4.4oz to win a Snowbee reel, Loch Lomond whisky and fly-tying materials. Third place went to Alan Steven of FAFA with 10 fish for 22lb and he was presented with a Snowbee line, Loch Lomond whisky and fly-tying materials.
Heaviest fish on the day was caught by Gregor Fleming and weighed 7lb 14oz. The fishery thanked all of the anglers who took part and sponsors Snowbee, Flytying Scotland, Glencairn Crystal and Loch Lomond Distillery. Frandy Last week all areas of the loch fished well, with those using Snatchers, Cat’s Whisker, Fabs, Kate McLaren and the Coral Dancer taking the best catches.
Top local catches came from Alex Kerr and Charlie Duncan (Stirling) with four for 8lb 8oz. In the clubs, Gartmore AC kept 27 fish weighing 57lb 13oz and released a further 25. Orchill Loch The water has now cooled down. Fish are mainly being caught just under the surface to about 3-4 feet, especially when the sun is shining brightly.
Top catches: Robert Wright (Linden FFC) four for 14lb on a Damsel; John Wright (Linden FFC) four for 12lb 8oz on a Goldie; Robbie Scotland (Stirling) three for 8lb on a Green Blob; Charlie McKinlay (Dunipace) two for 6lb on a HH Damsel and Jack Gibb (Clackmannan) two for 7lb 8oz on a HH Damsel. Swanswater The start of colder nights has made fishing hard in the early mornings but the nice weather during the day has meant the crystal-clear water has remained at 10 degrees, with the sun warming things significantly to see fish remaining in the top two feet of the water, with some even being tempted to the surface with Muddlers and Shipman’s Buzzer.
Fish remain widespread, with the dam and bay past the boats doing well at the start of the week, with signs the fish were moving towards the island and up the channel at the weekend. Best patterns this week were Buzzer, Bibio, Snatcher, Hare’s Ear and a selection of mini lures in various colours, including Yellow Dancer, Hot Head Damsel. Anything black and green did well at the end of the week.
Top local catches: Jim Milne (Alloa) five for 14lb including a blue and a gold; Darren Hill (Alva) five for 13lb 4oz including two blues and a gold plus five caught and released; Willie Martin (Stirling) five for 13lb; Willie Nyguist (Stirling) four for 12lb including three golds; Robert Reid (Alloa) four for 11lb including two blues and a gold; Les Cooper (Dunblane) four for 11lb including a blue and a gold plus four caught and released; Raymond Conroy (Stirling) three for 8lb 10oz including a gold; Graeme Arthur (Stirling) two for 10lb including a 7lb 8oz rainbow and a gold; Brian Eadie (Stirling) 10 caught and released and Frank Turner (Alloa) nine caught and released. Glenbervie Fishing with buzzers is still the best productive method. On Sunday the fly pond will be closed for the Alloa Winter Flyfishing Club.
The next Glenbervie competition on fly will be on October 30 and anyone who wants to join can contact 07968 251832 or email glenberviefishery@gmail. com.
Top catches: John Hunter and Kevin Eard caught 12; William Brownlie caught 11; Geordie Penn, Greg Picken and David Ford landed eight; Ian Addison and Peter Fish caught seven; Duncan Taylor, Tom Wright, Stephen Gunn, Stuart Peach and Bob Young caught six; Keith Anderson, Alan Mulgrew jnr, Ian McLean and M Barker had four.
The most successful patterns this week were various buzzers, Yellow Owl, Black and Green Fritz, Yellow Dancer, Diawl Bach and Okey Dokey.
On bait: George Russell, David Smith, Steven Ward, Brian Welsh and Fergus Lang caught three and John Mcartney landed four.