Masterful performance
(Auchtermuchty) seven for 15lb; Kevin McCarley and Graham Hinds (Ayr) caught and released 12; Bill Ramage (Alva) and Allan Bernard (Tillicoultry) four for 8lb and 10 released.
Fishing from the bank Ronnie Stewart (Alva) four for 9lb 8oz; Gerry Grattan (Kincardine) two for 5lb and three returned; Andy Hunter (Alloa) 11 c/r; Bobby Paterson (Stirling) eight c/r and Albert McKinnes (Tullibody) six c/r.
On the club front Stanley Fly Dressers Guild (The Kenny MacMillan Trophy) kept 28 fish weighing 58lb 7oz; Police Scotland (West) 50 for 96lb 13oz and 10 released; BP AC kept 17 fish weighing 44lb and released five and Birkhill AC hasd seven for 13lb 4oz and three released.
The top taking flies and lures included the Klinkhammer, Sedge Muddler, Pearly Invicta, Hot Head Damsel and the Yellow/ Coral Dancer whilst all areas continue to fish well.
LAKE OF MENTEITH FISHERIES
On Sunday Colin Riach was out with the Heriots AA and fished Mayfly patterns all day and had greatest success in the Butts.
Loop Tackle had an Open Day at the fishery on Sunday and had four boats with four instructors on standby to take newbie pike fly fishers out and give them some tips. There was also pike fly demos, talks, videos and land based casting lessons.
The day was a great success and thanks to all involved including PAAS and FishX’s Stuart Sutherland. It was an excellent way to introduce new people into the sport and a formula which could be easily Stirling Rowing Club made a first-ever appearance at the British Masters Rowing Championships over the weekend at Strathclyde Park.
And it was a successful time with six winning crews and numerous other fantastic performances which all contributed to Stirling finishing an incredible third place overall in the Victor Ludorum amongst the 81 competing clubs from around the UK and Ireland.
Racing took place over a distance of 1000m in a number of age categories with Masters A (27yrs +) being the youngest age group through to Masters H (70yrs +).
On Saturday, a number of Stirling crews raced well including a hard fought second place for Gregor Hall in the Masters A single scull and Kevin Plank landed the club’s first win of the regatta with an impressive victory in the Masters C single scull as the former junior and senior British champion added a Masters title to his collection.
The next Stirling win came a few hours later from Graeme Duff and Hall in the Masters A double scull.
In one of the bigger fields of the weekend, Stirling’s Masters stalwart Billy Brown joined up with his long time rowing partners from Castle Semple Rowing Club in the Masters E quad scull to win comfortably and these successes and other great performances from the other competing members Sandra Engstrom, Christine Gravelling, Sam Francis, Ross Marchbank, Neil McGuire, Simon Butler, Dave Sannachan, Ian Robb, Davie Plank, Andrew Hilley and Gordon Henderson saw Stirling in eighth place in the Victor Ludorum overnight.
Sunday’s first win came from Duff and Hall again who moved from two oars each to one with a relatively easy win in the Masters A pairs. A hat-trick of titles followed when they were joined by Ross Marchbank and Kevin Plank in the Masters A four.
Stirling’s final victory came in the Masters E pair from Brown and Kevin Plank who also collected a hat-trick of titles.
As the club were loading their boats on to the trailer and tow truck supplied by Stirling Trailer Centre, they received the fantastic news that they had finished third in the Victor Ludorum. Club Captain Graeme Duff said: “What an amazing achievement. We are a much smaller club than many of the others who took part and it is a credit to everyone at Stirling Rowing Club that we continue to achieve such results at a national level.”
Stirling’s next event is in Dumfries at Nithsdale Regatta tomorrow (Saturday). copied by other organisations who wish to use the Lake’s Howff, boats and beach.
Road closures are still affecting access between Thornhill and Ruskie. There is no problem with access before 9am and after 5.30pm and also an open phase between noon and 1pm.
Check the Stirling Council website road closures or phone the fishery for advice www.stirling.gov.uk/roads-transportstreets/planned-road-closures.
ORCHILL (BRACO)
The water has been fishing well on the top or just under the surface with mainly small flies.
On Saturday the Falcon Club had 39 fish for 115lbs 12oz with Ian Sloan winning with four for 10lbs 8oz.
Other notable catches: Hector Wilson (Bannockburn) three for 10lbs 8oz on Dries; Alec Fitzsimmons (Fintry) four for 12lbs on a Black Dry; Gavin Wilson (East Calder) two for 6lbs on an Okey Dokey; Douglas Murray (Bridge of Allan) two for 6lbs 4oz on a Bloodworm; John Wortherspoon (Stirling) used Buzzers to catch a brace for 5lbs; William Brandon (Dunblane) two fish for 6lbs 4oz on Dries; G Russell (Dunblane) three for 3lbs 8oz on a Loch Ordie; A Black (Bannockburn) three for 9lbs 8oz on a Red &Yellow Buzzer; M Lindores (Bannockburn) three fish for 9lbs 8oz on a Black Buzzer; W Milne (Perth) two for 5lbs on Dries.
SWANSWATER FISHERY
Water temperature is still around 12130C and the clarity remains excellent. The fishing was sometimes quite hard