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• Fly Fishing Around the World
• Fishing Reports
• Photo Gallery
• Golf Guide for Anglers
• Angling Rambles
• Book Reviews
• Zen and the Art of Angling
• Archived Content

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 Lake of Menteith

 

Tel / Fax 01877 385664

 

Weekly Report 31st August 2010

 

Clarity 2.1m Water Temperature at 6ft 16.0C.

 

Food Van Now Present Every Morning. Shore Road scheduled to be closed next week.

 

118^th Scottish National Fly Fishing Championship Final

 

Peter Auchterlonie (pictured below) of St.Fillans & Loch Earn AC cemented his position as one of Scotland’s elite trout anglers by becoming the 118^th Scottish National Fly Fishing Champion. Peter netted 11 fish (his boat partner blanked), and was fishing in Gateside Bay, figure of eighting a slow glass line with a cat and booby. On the way in Peter picked up a further two in front of the Hotel. In second place was Ian Storrar of Balbeggie AC with 10 fish and third was Ronald Gilbert (also of St.Fillans & Loch Earn).  Ian fished a midge tip with nymphs and a booby in Gateside Bay.  The top eighteen who qualified to fish for the Scottish team are: P.Auchterlonie, I.Storrar, R.Gilbert, D.McAllister, K.Porteous, N.Burns, G.Martin, J.Craig, K.McCabe, W.Simpson, F.Robertson, N.Barrett, A. Thomas, E. Clark, G.Connolly, G.Hayward, A.Smith and  S.Graham. Full results www.sanacc.org.uk.

 

Tactics:  Following the first heavy rain in months the Lake’s clarity has dropped to 2.1m. In the recent bright weather a variety of tactics have produced good results as already detailed, however dry flies have also been successful and there are good catches being reported also from Lochend and the road shore  – as well as Gateside. I have been asked why Gateside has been the top drift for such a long period this year – not just as usual for a month during the peak heat of summer. The answer is, I’m not sure, but the peak hot spell came early this year and the cooler deeper waters are always an attraction and drew the fish in earlier. A congregation of fish appears to attract more fish and thus the numbers were sustained even after the Lake cooled. Perhaps the exceptional clarity this year allowed the fish to pick up signals from further afield? We only very minimally stock Gateside Bay and will be increasing the no stock zone around the fish pens.

 

Results:

Kenny Hunter of Gargunnock landed this fine 7lb Gateside resident on a dry fly on Monday 30^th. Snipef 25 boats 66 fish 118lbs, Scottish Fly Fishing Championships 30 boats 245 fish of which 90 were returned. Due to high winds (which subsided in the afternoon) only a few boats ventured out on Sunday.

 

Weekly Report 24th August 2010

 

Simon Littlejohn, pictured centre, a 38 year old podiatrist from  Cumnock is the new Menteith Boat League. Simon won £150 and nominated the registration kitty money (£500) to go to CHAS. Over the 15 evenings the 41 participants landed 1096 fish. Simon’s tactics were similar on most evenings - which commenced with a sink tip line with three cormorants. If this wasn’t working or there was a rise then Simon changed to dries (CDC) with a buzzer on the dropper to keep the line down. Simon received a late challenge from Alan Brock of Creiff (left) who finished in 2^nd place, 3 points behind Simon on 29 points from his 9 best outings. Alan usually arrived late for the comp. Do they not have flexitime in Creiff? In third place was Ken Oliver. In addition to the total of £300 prize money for first, second and third places, £900 of heat prizes were dispensed by the Stirling Angling Centre. The winner of the Alan Ronald memorial trophy for the largest fish was Paul Clarke of Glasgow. The total value of all the prizes and charitable donations exceeded £1700.  The lake donated the food, drink and consolation prizes for the final evening.  Full results www.menteith-fisheries.co.uk

Tactics: When the conditions calmed down fishing has been good with catches being reported from the Road Shore, Malling and Gateside Bay on Tuesday 24th. Successful tactics have been mainly small stuff – dries, diawl bachs and cormorants etc on a sink tip.

 

Results: L&B Police no return, Scotsman AC 3 boats 16 fish 34lbs, Interclub 13 boats 105 fish for 200lbs (winners Caley Liners Ralph Irvine and Billy Moir), Boat League 10 boats 38 fish, ESAC 3 boats 17 fish 35lbs, Bothwell and Blantyre 10 boats 24 fish 40lbs, SANACC 7 boats 140 fish (130rtd), Thack AC 6 boats 32 fish 73lbs, Rainbow AC 6 boats 14 fish 31lbs, Gartmore 7 boats 15 fish 30lbs, Cove and Kilcreggan - no return, Western v West of Scotland – 11 boats 22 fish 43lbs, Leslie LLanilar 5 boats 39 fish 84lbs, Lame Ducks 5 boats 13 fish 38lbs plus 15rtd.

Well done Max McKinstrie – winner of both youth heats and outright champion for 2010.

 

Food Van times at the Fishery next week; Every Morning (except Sunday). Evening fishing has now stopped for the year so the van will no longer be present for 5-6.30pm. In an effort

to make the provision of food viable at the fishery we have taken the decision to withdraw free coffee when the van is manned – otherwise tea and coffee will be freely available as normal.

 

Are you an absent minded angler?

We are getting short of lifejackets at the lake – if anyone has taken home a red lifejacket by mistake we will be very grateful for its return. Also a number of clubs and competitions secretaries seem to be forgetting to fill in their catch returns.

 

Next Week – Results of SANACC National Fly Fishing Championship

 

Weekly Report 17th August 2010

 

Clarity 3.1m Water Temperature at 6ft 18C.

 

Food Van times at the Fishery next week; Every Morning (except Saturday and Sunday), for the evenings – only Wednesday. Another settled week and catches were good on Monday 16^th with limit bags coming from the Malling shore area, Gateside, Rookery, International Bay and Kate’s Brae.  Most of the good bags I spoke to yesterday were on dries but buzzers, hoppers, bibios, snatchers, Cormorants, Diawl bachs and blobs and boobies will no doubt have their moments. Hopefully the heather fly will appear shortly – I was up the hill on Sunday and I have never seen so many flying ants in my life but no heather fly.

 

14th heat of the Menteith Boat League (sponsored by the Angling Centre Stirling): Alan Brock won it for the second week in a row and now lies in a close second position overall, behind leader Simon Littlejohn.  The 25 anglers landed 56 fish for 118lbs. The final heat will be fished tomorrow night and it is anyone’s guess as to who will pick up the league trophy, prize money and nominate a charity of their choice to receive £500. Bill Ramage and Dougie Carr won this weeks fly lines. We will be serving a beef stew and drinks while the results are being calculated tomorrow night.

 

Clubs: Pentland FF 4 boats 18 fish 34lbs 8oz, St. Mungo 9 boats 30 fish 59lbs 5rtd, Rowbank AC 7 boats 31 fish 2rtd, St.Fillans AC 2 boats 10 fish 23lbs 21rtd, Falkirk FD 5 boats 28 fish 47lbs, Heron FF 3 boats 13 fish 28lbs 5rtd, Basfords 3 boats 21 fish 50lbs, Balbeggie 8 boats 24 fish 56lbs, Heriot AC 8 boats 15 fish 34lbs 7rtd. There was only one boat out for the last of the fly pike evenings and M.Black and Partner caught 14 fish (biggest 8lbs).

 

Weekly Reports 3rd August 2010

 

Clarity 2.5m Water Temperature at 6ft 17C.

 

Food Van times at the Fishery next week; Every Morning (except Sunday), and in the evenings - Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

 

A dull/overcast week apparently (I was in France),  with most of the fishing concentrated again in Gateside and the North Western drifts with snatchers, crunchers and boobies quoted in despatches. The heather fly (bibio) may shortly be upon us (time flies), especially if we get a bit of a northerly wind to carry them from the hill. For those who prefer a bit of space while fishing, anglers have also reported good catches from Hotel Bay and the Road Shore. There have been a couple of big on grown fish taken in the last week – including this 9lb plus fish caught by Andy Rough of Central Scotland Police.

 

In the Final of the SANA Open (Individual and Pairs) – Jock Kettles (below right) became the new SANA Open Champion and Ross Callaghan (below left) and John Ross (2^nd from left) won the Open Pairs trophy – all also picked  up a check for £100. The 42 competitors were fishing an interesting new rule where all fish caught counted, but anglers had the option to decide if they wanted to keep fish for the table or return them. In all the 42 anglers captured 96 fish. In the event of a tie, the time of the capture of the first fish would have been deciding. Open organiser Fraser Renwick is pictured second from right. 

 

In the 13^th heat of the 2010 Scottish Club Championships Sponsored by the Daily Record, Angling Centre Stirling and Famous Grouse Whisky   28.5 boats landed 91 trout for 187lbs 5oz. Winning teams were: 1. Leslie and Glenrothes, 2^nd Newtonmearns 3^rd Saturday AC 4^th Crieff A. In the Daily  Record Champion of Championst) : 1st R.Anderson, 2^nd J.Buchanan, 3^rd M.Low and 4^th S.Millar. Full story in the Daily Record this Friday.

 

In the 12th heat of the Menteith Boat League (sponsored by the Angling Centre Stirling): Brian Mckenzie got his first victory this year and Simon Littlejohn came second. Brian got his fish in Gateside bay on a white cat and crunchers on a floating line. Ronnie Robb and Peter Edge get this weeks free lines. See Website for more details. 22 anglers landed 68 fish for 142lbs.

 

Scottish Command Fly Fishing Open: Petty Officer Warren "Mal" Malcolm (pictured on right) is presented with the Scottish Command trophy by HMS Caledonia's Commander David Pickthall CEng Royal Navy.

 

JUNE STATS

The average catch for a 2 man boat for 8hrs in June was 4.8 fish for an estimated 9lbs. The average weight of the fish was 1.88lbs and the percent of fish returned was 22.5%. This was down slightly on last June when the average catch was 5 fish per 2 man boat, and I assume this was due to the fine weather as stocking rates per angler hour have been higher this year (up 17% in June). QG

 

Report Week Ending 27th July 2010

 

Clarity 2.5m Water Temperature at 6ft 16C.

 

Food Van times at the Fishery next week; Every Morning (except Sunday), and in the evenings - Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

The Wet and windy weather has subsided but the majority of the fish are still getting caught in the deeper water i.e. Rookery Gateside bay and Malling shore, there are some residential fish cruising in Sandy bay. Dry fly’s (CDCs shuttlecocks) are doing well also Cormorants, Daiwl Bachs, Hares Lugs, Buzzers are doing well on floaters down to a slow sinking line. Douglas Surfing on Manly beach whilst on holiday in Australia.

 

In the12^th and penultimate heat of the 2010 Scottish Club Championships Sponsored by the Daily Record, Angling Centre Stirling and Famous Grouse Whisky   18 boats caught 42 trout for 83lbs 14oz. Winning teams were: 1. Alba Orvis Fly Fishers  ( Paul Garner, Jim Hunter and Jock Royan) 11 fish for 23lb 1oz  2^nd was Ayr Travellers and 3^rd was SANA. Top rod of the night was Part time boatman Paul Garner (Alba) with 5 fish for 11lb 12oz, 2^nd was Jim Hunter also with his 5 fish weighing 9lb 4oz, 3^rd Ian Wilson Clatto & Stratheden   3 trout   5lb 15oz and 4^th was the SCC hard working organizer Kenny Miller   SANACC 3 trout   5lb   05 oz. Heaviest fish of the night was a lovely rainbow of 3 lb  6oz caught by John Anderson (Senior) of Ayr Travellers. Full story in the Daily Record this Friday.

 

In the 11th heat of the Menteith Boat League (sponsored by the Angling Centre Stirling): 25 anglers landed 59 fish for 125lbs. there were 5 limits and three blanks. Last years Champ Ian Skilling got his first victory in the heats and Callum Fraser makes a dramatic late entry to get second. Ian was in the cages and Callum who had to leave early was bagged up on dries behind dog isle by the back of eight. Allan Smith got a line with the second heaviest fish. Remember there is an extra heat this year and we are finishing on the 18th Aug! With points now getting dropped Ian is now leading with Simon Littlejohn only 3 points behind and Gordon Hayward dropping to third. Full listings are on the boat league page of the Lake of Menteith website.

 

Other Catches:

 

Tom Ward and Jim Davie 10 fish for 26lb Tom had one weighing 6lb his fifth of the year over 5lb. Loanhead and District caught 53 fish for 108lb, Largs a.c. caught 22 fish for 45lb, Jim Law (Wishaw) 7 fish 15½ lb,  Mr McCrory (Bathgate) had 2 boats 19 fish for 44¼ lb, Gourlay/Kier (Bridge of Weir) 10 fish plus 6 returned 24lb, CSSA Rosyth 34 fish for 70lb, Mr R Kennedy (Alva) 9 fish for 17lb, Kenny Woods (North Berwick) 10 fish for 21lb plus another 10 returned.

 

As from next Monday 2^nd August the evening fishing session will terminate at 10pm.

 

Weekly Report 19^th July 2010

 

Clarity 2.5m Water Temperature at 6ft 16C.

 

Food Van times at the Fishery next week; Every Morning (except Sunday), and in the evenings - Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Wet and windy weather has continued and the anglers have yet again been forced to fish the sheltered areas on the western shore and in Gateside Bay. This area of deeper water seems to be where the fish are congregating this year although the cooler water should see fish remaining in the shallower bays after stocking. Tam and Jim pointed out that they had there best ever day last week on hoppers/crunchers, not dries – as stated in last weeks report. In the 11^th heat of the 2010.

 

Scottish Club Championships Sponsored by the Daily Record, Angling Centre Stirling and Famous Grouse Whisky   22.5 boats landed 101 trout for 199lbs 5oz (including 2 fish over 5lbs). Winning teams were: 1. Change B, 2^nd Rainbow Warriors and 3^rd RAF Fish Hawks. Daily Record Champion of Champions(all captured a 5 fish limit) : 1st D.Sibson, 2^nd Allan Gamble, 3^rd Abigail Montgomery and 4^th Jim Crawford. Full story in the Daily Record this Friday.

 

In the 10th heat of the Menteith Boat League (sponsored by the Angling Centre Stirling): 24 anglers landed 85 fish for 159lbs. there were 11 limits and two blanks. James Fairlie won on the night - fishing the rookery with ken Oliver. It was definitely a night for dries or boobies. Since James had already won a prize we had to go to 4th place to find someone (Brian McK) looking for a line. Alec Barnes got the biggest fish. Gordon Hayward is still out in front.

 

Other Catches: In the United Edinburgh & Leith Angling Clubs Association match on the 5th July 17 anglers boated 49 fish weighing 96lbs 4oz and returned a further 48 fish. Successful methods on the day included dries, blobs, crunchers and diawl bachs. Top rod was Eric Fox (pictured left) representing the Edinburgh Civil Service Club and President of the UELACA this year, with a weight of 11lbs 2oz for his 5 fish. He also scooped the heaviest fish trophy with a rainbow of 4lbs. On Sat 17^th , Thack Ac (6 boats) 42 fish 71lbs and returned 15 and Falkirk FD (6 boats) 35 fish 70lbs.

 

Message in a bottle recovered from Gateside Bay after 60 years.  During the recent hot spell I did a little snorkelling to appraise myself of the Lake’s aquatic state. The water clarity was the best I’ve seen in my 12 years at Menteith. This James Duncan lemonade bottle was found in about 6ft of water in the north-west corner of Gateside Bay. Although the metal clip had long since corroded, the rubber collar had maintained the air tight seal. The old heavy bottle had obviously sunk straight to the bottom. A note inside declared that the finder should contact Gabriel Gilvear (picture inset) of Tullibody for a reward. I contacted the Stirling Observer whose readers put Gabriel in touch with me last week. In a letter from him which included a £50 cheque, Gabriel states that it must have been whilst accompanying his brother on a fishing trip around 60 years ago that the bottle was put in the Lake. STV have been in touch recently and would like to do a news feature on the find, so hopefully Gabriel and I can meet face to face and I can return to him his bottle and note. Thank you for the generous reward Gabriel, I am donating the money to the Kavule Parents School for the Deaf in Uganda.

 

12th July 2010

 

Clarity 2.5m Water Temperature at 6ft 16C.

 

The road is open.

 

Food Van times at the Fishery next week; Every Morning (except Sunday), and in the evenings - Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

 

Wet and windy weather has reduced temperature and clarity – but the latter is still good. Great sport on the dry fly when conditions permit – if it windy the fish are still near the top. Best areas (in strong westerly and south westerly winds) have been Gateside, Malling, Dog Isle and Rookery but the other drifts are largely unfished. Today the fishery was nice and quiet and regulars Tam Ward and Jim Davie said they had their best ever day on the Lake with over 50 fish on dries.

 

Lexus European Open Championships

 

Pictured left are the qualifiers of the Individuals heat (1^st Ken Oliver, 2^nd Jim Watson, 3^rd Brian Duffy). In the windy conditions Ken Oliver was fishing blobs on a di3 at the Rookery. The 39 anglers caught 182 fish and the av. Fish. Wt was 2lbs. In the team event; qualifying were Hungry Trout, Frozen North and Aberdeen and Dist. (see picture below left). Peter Edge got top bag and the 47 anglers caught 187 trout.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the 10^th heat of the 2010 Scottish Club Championships Sponsored by the Daily Record, Angling Centre Stirling and Famous Grouse Whisky   25 boats landed 85 fish. Winning teams  were: 1. Thack,  2^nd Canmore Forfar and 3rd. Clan Chiefs. Daily Record Champion of Champions: 1st J.Miller, 2^nd S.McGilp, B.Robertson, F.Robertson. Full story in the Daily Record this Friday.

 

In the 9th heat of the Menteith Boat League (sponsored by the Angling Centre Stirling): 28 anglers weighed in 96 fish for 181lbs. Davie Paterson was top rod and Jim Twaddle got the line for the heaviest fish. Gordon Hayward leads the league.

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 5th July 2010

   

Clarity 3.5m Water Temperature at 6ft 17.5C.

 

Diversion on A873 at Thornhill (via Callander/Cockhill) in operation for the next few days due to resurfacing work.

 

Food Van times at the Fishery next week; Every Morning (except Sunday) and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday Evenings. Wild weather resulted in the fishery being closed on Sunday and it looks like another windy week ahead with sheltered spots like the cages and Dog Isle being favoured by the anglers.  Below; Stevie O’Neill with a nice fish on the early morning session (photo J.Litster).

 

SANACC National Semi Finals

In the last of the semis on 1^st July 28 anglers landed 67 trout for 115lbs and a further 69 fish were returned. Top rod was Fraser Robertson (above) with 12 fish for 23lbs 9.2 oz. (5 fish limit).  2^nd James Litster and 3^rd Ian Anderson. The cut off was 12lbs 10oz. Full results  www.sanacc.org.uk.

 

SANA Open

17 evening boats landed 95 fish for 169lbs. Top pair was Ken Oliver and Ian Campbell, best individual Steve Manion. There ware 11 limit bags from the 34 anglers. The top 9 or 10 (tbc) pairs go through to the final on 2^nd August.

 

In the 9^th heat of the 2010 Scottish Club Championships Sponsored by the Daily Record, Angling Centre Stirling and Famous Grouse Whisky  48 anglers ? landed 121 trout weighing 217lbs. Winning teams  were: 1. Grizzlecats,  2^nd Leslie Llanlar  3. Largs and Dist. Daily Record Champion of Champions: 1st Frank Gillespie, 2^nd Andy Gourlay, 3^rd Calum Crosbie, 4^th Morris Dickson and David Dunn. Full story in the Daily Record this Friday.

 

In the 8th heat of the Menteith Boat League (sponsored by the Angling Centre Stirling): 24 anglers weighed in 50 fish for 88lbs. Alan Smith was the top rod with 5 for 9lbs 14. Winning fly lines were Jim Watson (2^nd top rod) and Ian Skilling for 2^nd heaviest fish. Free line went to Ian Stuart. Gordon Hayward is still at the top of the pack.  

 

Vegetarian Trout?

Huggy sent this explicit shot of a lake trout stomach contents (a few weeks ago) which had been feeding on (according to expert opinion): “Shoreweed, Litorella uniflora, assuming it was fairly solid. Grows on the edge and inundated around the loch margin. If it had four channels up the middle it could have been Isoetes, Quillwort, off the bottom.” Rainbows are known to be able to deal with more dietary cellulose than other salmonids but this one certainly takes the biscuit.

 

Weekly Report 29^th June 2010

 

Clarity 4.5m Water Temperature at 6ft 18.5C.

 

Diversion on A873 at Thornhill (via Callander/Cockhill) in operation for the next few days due to resurfacing work.

 

Food Van times at the Fishery till 9^th July next week; Every Morning and Evening except Saturday 2^nd and Sunday 3^rd when will not be present.  The warm spell has been gradually moderating but it has been mainly bright and quite windy – not the angler’s favourite. The water clarity just keeps getting better…..at 4.5m this week.  It is possible to see the fish in the water – and the fry are thriving! The at times significant wind made fishing hard on the roadshore (pushed the warm water to that side?) and for most of the last week the best bags were from the western shore, accept when the wind died and dries did well in International Bay and Shear Point.  

 

Fly Pike Fishing gets regular slot

 

The Lake is opening for regular pike fly fishing to the public (currently access is via pike angling club membership) on a Monday evening. As everyone knows there are a fair amount of pike at the Lake and with historic attempts to remove the pike doomed to failure or discredited, it makes good sense to treat this fantastic fish as a resource. Pike fly fishing is to be offered to the public at £40 for two people for an evening boat (same as current price to Pike Fly Fishing Association) on Monday evenings 6-11pm. Only 10 boats per Monday will be made available this season, on a first come first served basis – till we see how things go. To fish for pike you will need to have a 9/10wt fly rod, long nose pliers (for unhooking in the water )and have read the lake pike fly rules (will be posted shortly on weekly reports page).

 

Wateraid raises £10000

 

The largely corporate Wateraid Lake fundraiser run by Robin Lambert of Scottish Water and co is reckoned to have raised £10000 for the charity. The 46 anglers had a good day, catching 134 fish for 245lbs.  The winning team Wavin Plastics are pictured right. Gordon Inglis of Scottish water was top rod. Thanks to all the corporate spnsors and Glasgow Angling Centre for their generosity.

 

SANACC National Semi Finals

 

The lake held its first semi-final today with 58 anglers contesting for 20 places in the Final. Top rod on the day was Peter Auchterlonie (pictured left after the results)with 18 fish, second was jock Royan with 11 and 3^rd Ronnie Glass – also with 11. Peter was fishing at Malling and Gateside with a slime lime and figure of eighting a blob, cormorant and buzzers. The cut off weight was over 10lbs or 6 fish. Full results at www.sanacc.org.uk.

 

In the 8^th heat of the 2010 Scottish Club Championships Sponsored by the Daily Record, Angling Centre Stirling and Famous Grouse Whisky  42 anglers landed 72 trout weighing 134lbs. Winning teams  were: 1. Coldstream,  2^nd Stirling Castle  3. Balbeggie. Daily Record Champion of Champions: 1st Craig Masson, 2^nd Derek Chapman, 3^rd Peter Forrest, 4^th Dick Logan. Full story in the Daily Record this Friday.

 

In the 7th heat of the Menteith Boat League (sponsored by the Angling Centre Stirling): 20 anglers weighed in 79 fish for 142lbs. Winning fly lines wereArthur Wilkie for top rod – using Wilkie Hoppers and floating line between Dog Isle and Stable Point. Heaviest fish and free line went to Ian Stuart. Gordon Hayward tops the pack with Simon Littlejohn in second.  

 

Weekly Report 22nd June 2010                

 

Clarity 3.7m Water Temperature at 6ft 20C.

 

Food Van times at the Fishery this week; Every Morning (except Sunday) and also Wednesday, Friday and Saturday Nights.

The hot weather and the three days of Anglian Water Heats combined to make things difficult more difficult than usual. However, since the end of the Anglian Water Comp we have stocked with over 2000 fish so any difficulties (for some not many) are now down to the weather alone. The water is now quite warm and the clarity is exceptional with the bottom visible in many areas not seen before. On Monday the hot spot was the Malling shore with anglers having success on midge tip, buzzers and blobs, close in or at the edge of the shelf. Other areas have been difficult to indentify but beyond the shallows of Shear Point/International Bay fished well on Saturday night. Considering the warmth there will be fish which are lying deeper and a faster sinking line will be worth a try, although given the clarity, with a bit of dullness the fish are willingly coming to the dry fly. Evening fishing is the best advice – until things cool down.  The Canada geese are moulting (flightless) just now and this is evident by the increased population (moulting migrants) floating in rafts in the relative safety of the Lake. Angler Mike Connet reported a fox taking a young goose in broad daylight at the weekend.

 

Catches/Comp Results

In the Anglian Water Air Flow Scottish Team Day Finals Change A were 1^st with 14 fish for 32lbs 10oz (incl. time bonus), 2^nd were Thalasa and 3^rd were Aberdour and Associates (these teams qualify for the UK final). On a hot day the 54 anglers landed 98 fish for 184lbs incl. time bonus. Top rod was Jock Kettles who had his limit before noon. In the evening heat – the rod average went up marginally (although there was 2 hours less fishing time) and the 36 anglers landed 67 fish for 121lbs (incl. bonus). Menteith Ospreys were 1^st with 20 fish for 39lbs and Alba Orvis were 2^nd with 11 fish for 21lbs (these teams qualify for the UK final).  Top evening rod was Michael Low of Menteith Ospreys. Evening qualifiers and comp organisers Jon Marshall (left) and John Mees (right) pictured above.

 

In the 7^th heat of the 2010 Scottish Club Championships Sponsored by the Daily Record, Angling Centre Stirling and Famous Grouse Whisky  48 anglers

 

landed 80 trout weighing 131lbs. Winning teams  were: 1. Bridge of Allan FF 12 fish for 21lb 3oz,  2^nd Crown FF  8 fish 14lbs 6oz  3. Barrhead  9 fish 14lbs. Daily Record Champion of Champions: 1st Mike Willis, 2^nd R.Thompson, 3^rd F.Johnson, 4^th R.Chesney.  Heaviest fish Stuart Raybould 2lb 6oz.. Full story in the Daily Record this Friday.

 

In the 6^th heat of the Menteith Boat League (sponsored by the Angling Centre Stirling): 21 anglers weighed in 30 fish for 54lbs. Winning fly lines were: Neil Anderson who was in first place on dries and Graeme Steel who landed the heaviest fish. Alan Brock is sitting on top of the league with Gordon Hayward lying second and Ian Skilling 3^rd.  

 

Reports for the Week to 15th June 2010

 

Clarity 2.5m Water Temperature at 6ft 16.0C.

 

Food Van times at the Fishery this week; Every Morning (except Sunday) and also Wednesday, Friday and Saturday Nights. This week due to the Anglian Water AirFlow Team Challenge the Food Van will be present additionally on Thurs 17^th  evening.

 

We have been hosting the Anglian/Airflow Team Challenge this week and with the final on Thursday anglers have been keeping successful tactics close to their chests. The deeper areas of the western shore and Gateside bay have seen the highest boat congregations but as usual fish are also to be found all over and around the Lake. Jim Hunter and Paul Garner caught these predominantly over wintered (or over summered fish), pictured left, on Monday evening.  The clarity is remaining good and the pin fry abound (about 1.2cm long). Also in plentiful supply are the damsel flies which need sunny weather to “inflate” their wings when emerging from the nymph stage. The larval stage of the damsel is pictured below right.  These 25 long nymphs crawl up stems to hatch out, and are sometimes seen swimming in free water by means of an eye catching side to side tail wagging. 

 

Catches/Comp Results In the Anglian Water Air Flow Team Heats on Monday during the day (rod average 3.2) Change Fly Fishers, Leven fly Casters, Grizzle Cats, Alder FF and Butcher Boys qualified for the Thursday finals with Team Wellbank, Craufurdland, Heron FF and Heather FF failing to make the cut. On Monday night (rod average 2.0) Menteith Ospreys, Hungry Trout, Saltire and Change B qualified with West Lothian, Leslie and Glenrothes and Perth AC missing out.

 

In the 6^th heat of the 2010 Scottish Club Championships Sponsored by the Daily Record, Angling Centre Stirling and Famous Grouse Whisky  45 anglers landed 122 trout weighing 214lbs. Winning teams  were: 1. Ferry FF , 15 fish for 29lb 2oz,  St.Fillans  15 fish 25lbs 10oz  3. Rothes Oak 14 fish 25lbs 9oz. Daily Record Champion of Champions: 1st Peter Auchterlonie, 2^nd Andrew Glasgow, 3^rd Finlay Meechan, 4^th Gordon Fisher.  Heaviest fish 6lb 10oz caught by A.Glasgow. Full story in the Daily Record this Friday.

 

In the 5^th heat of the Menteith Boat League (sponsored by the Angling Centre Stirling): 31 anglers weighed in 92 fish for 176lbs. George Whyte finished top (again). Brian Mackenzie and Andy Boylan are in equal first position with Alan skilling in 3^rd position.

 

Club Returns SPRA 18 boats 82 fish for 164lbs, Thack 6 boats 46 fish for 105lbs and 26 returned, ABC&D 7 boats 34 fish 15 returned. CSSA 7 boats 49 fish 98lbs, Penicuik 37 fish 69lbs, Rothes Oak 5 boats 17 fish 36lbs 15 ret, CSP 7 boats 60 fish 113lbs, Hedgehogs 20 fish 33lbs 60 ret.

 

 Weekly Report 7^th June 2010                

 

Clarity 2.7m Water Temperature at 6ft 16.0C.

 

Food Van times at the Fishery this week; Every Morning (except Sunday) and also Wednesday, Friday and Saturday Nights. Next week due to the Anglian Water AirFlow Team Challenge the Food Van will be present additionally on evenings of Mon 14^th, Tues 15^th and Thurs 17^th .

 

The fishing has been centred on the western basin in the last week although there was also some success in the Butts, Kates Brae and the points. Water temperatures soared at the weekend but have since retreated to a more fishy 16C. Olives, mayflies and damsels have been hatching. The pin head course fry are now also in abundance and the phantom midge is also evident. This larva was present in a water sample taken from 20m in the deeps off the rookery.  

 

The phantom midge is about 12mm long and feeds on daphnia and other small zooplankton. They migrate up and down the water column by means of air sacs (the four large kidney shapes). This migration is influenced by atmospheric pressure according to one web author. The emergent midge adults appear variously shaped I’ll try and get some pics of likely candidates…..

 

May Catch Data Lake of Menteith  2 man day boat 8 hrs: average catch 5.6 fish for 10.1lbs;  2man  Eve boat average (5hrs) catch 3.5 fish for 6.3lbs.  27% of fish were returned. In terms of catch number this was the best result in the last 6 years but on total weight 4^th best.

 

Catches/Comp Results In the 5^th heat of the 2010 Scottish Club Championships Sponsored by the Daily Record, Angling Centre Stirling and Famous Grouse Whisky

 

 42 anglers landed 72 trout weighing 132lbs. Winning teams  were: 1. Grizzlecats “A” , 12 fish for 21lb 2. Strathgryfe 10 fish 16lbs 7oz  3. Kinglassie 7 fish 14lbs 8oz. These three clubs go forward to the semi final on September 17.  Daily Record Champion of Champions: 1st Steven Welsh 5 fish for 11lbs 5oz. 2^nd Alan Hill 5 fish 10lbs 10oz 3^rd Tom Wilson 5 fish, 4^th Robert Murray 5 fish.  Steven Welsh caught all his in Sandy Bay on a midge tip line and then on dries. Heaviest fish 6lb 4oz caught by Sandy Ramsay. Full story in the Daily Record this Friday.

 

In the 4^th heat of the Menteith Boat League (sponsored by the Angling Centre Stirling):

 

29 anglers weighed in 116 fish for 222lbs. Top rod Simon Littlejohn was fishing at Reedy and shear Point. With Gordon Hayward having a less successful night - Andy Boylan is the new league leader.

 

Club Returns:

 

Rotary Club 16 boats 31 fish for 48lbs, Rowbank 8 boats 49 fish for 94lbs, Grangemouth AC 6 boats 18 fish 40lbs, Loanhead Miners 8 boats 15 fish 28lbs, Good Companions 7 boats 35 fish 55lbs. Denny AC 5 evening boats 8 fish 14lbs.

 

Reports for the Week to 1st June 2010      

                             

Clarity 2.5m Water Temperature at 6ft 16.0C.

 

Food Van times at the Fishery this week; Every Morning (except Sunday) and also Wednesday, Friday and Saturday Nights.

 

1^st June means I’ve been working at the fishery for 12 years. Mayfly (right – thanks Sandy F.) have been evident in the last week as well as a fair number of large olives and a significant amount of daphnia.  The best areas of recent days have been Gateside, Rookery, Shear Point and International Bay. Ian Stuart (below left) got this 7lb 6oz resident in Gateside Bay on a dry during the SANA Open, but the predominant tactic of anglers has been midge tip or variant with buzzers / diawl bachs / cormorants and a blob or variant on the tail. On overcast days the lake has been fishing extremely well.

 

Whilst pondering how to best keep the cormorants off the fish pens during the winter I read a recent scientific report describing how cormorants are benthic feeders (cruise on the bottom) and able to successfully hunt in extremely low light intensities. The authors of the paper made the thought provoking suggestion that the cormorant may have other sensory organs which help it to locate fish.

 

Catches/Comp Results

 

In the 4^th heat of the 2010 Scottish Club Championships Sponsored by the Daily Record, Angling Centre Stirling and Famous Grouse Whisky (29^th May) 48 anglers landed 97 trout weighing 172lbs. Winning teams  were: 1. Kinross AC, 11 fish for 22lb 8oz. 2. Penicuik AC 10  fish for 17lb 2oz. 3. Kahts Whisker 7 fish for 15lbs 10oz. These three clubs go forward to the semi final on September 17. Daily Record Champion of Champions: 1st Allan Smith 5 fish for 13lbs 2oz. 2^nd Paul Wilson 5 fish 3^rd Ian Forrest 5 fish 4^th Frank Robertson 5 fish. There were two non qualifying limit bags – including last year’s champ Gregor Fleming. Allan and Paul were both fishing the Rookery with buzzers and cormorants and stingers on the tail. Ian Forrest had all his five in International Bay on a Mirror flash booby.

 

In the 3^rd heat of the Menteith Boat League (sponsored by the Angling Centre Stirling): 26 anglers weighed in 79 fish for 141lbs. Top rod George Whyte got his fish on buzzers in international bay on a midge tip line doing a fast figure of eight. Gordon Hayward tops the bunch with a 5, 7 and a 3 so far.

 

In the SANACC Fly Fishing National Championship Prelim on the 25^th May 35 anglers netted 226 fish for 402lbs (includes returned fish estimated at 2lbs). Top rod was Ken Kennedy of Merkister with 13 fish and 2^nd was Sandy Boag of Moncrieffe also with 13 fish. The cut off for qualification was 11lbs 3oz. (see www.sanacc.org.uk).

 

In the first heat of the SANA Open 13 boats landed 69 fish for 132lbs. Top Pair on the night were Ian Stuart and Jim Fairlie with a 10 fish limit for 29lbs 11oz.

 

Club Returns: Longannet 3 boats 15 fish 24lbs, Crown Fly Fishers 9 boats 84 fish for 175lbs plus 69 returned, Ladies Catch Totals?, NBAC 4 boats 20 fish 51lbs, Bridge of Allan 76 6 boats 50 fish 104lbs plus 5 rtd, Pitlochry 6? Boats 14 fish 28lbs.

 

Weekly Reports 25th May 2010

 

Clarity 3.1m Water Temperature at 6ft 16.5C.

 

Food Van times at the Fishery this week; Every Morning (except Sunday) and also Wednesday, Friday and Saturday Nights.

 

The exceptional clarity remains a feature of the fishing at the Lake and anglers have been using a variety of tactics in the sometimes bright or overcast or calm or breezy conditions. Areas that have produced best catches in the last week are Gateside, Malling Shore, Heronry/Sandy Bay and the Road shore.

 

Catches/Comp Results

 

UK Fire Services Championships:

 

The overall individual champion was Jeff Lawson of Fife (pictured right).  In all the 37 boats landed 165 fish for 279lbs plus 53 returned. 18 anglers recorded as nil returns. Jeff also had the heaviest fish of 4lbs 14oz. More results from this next week.

 

In the 3^rd heat of the 2010 Scottish Club Championships Sponsored by the Daily Record, Angling Centre Stirling and Famous Grouse Whisky on Saturday 22 was no fishing after the capture of the first five fish. Winning teams  were: 1.^nd  May the 48 anglers landed 122 trout weighing 204lbs. There Dunfermline Artisans, 11 fish for 20lb 4oz. 2. Roscobie Loch Development 12 fish for 19lb 14oz. 3. Beith St.Innans, 12 fish for 19lb 3oz. These three clubs got forward to the semi final on September 17. Daily Record Champion of Champions. 1. Steve Hayhurst Dunfermline Artisans 5 fish for 10lbs  2. Darren Heenan, Arbroath, five trout for 8lb 13oz. 3. George Gall,  five trout for 8lb 8oz. 4. Mike Beurskens, Dunfermline Artisans, five trout for 8lb 4oz. Top bag on the night Stephen was fishing a blob on the top dropper and two cormorants. Of his 5 fish only the big one took the blob. His method was a slow figure of eight retrieve on a fast glass line and he was fishing a band of water 20-50 yards from the Plantation Shore at Malling.

 

In the 2^nd heat of the Menteith Boat League (sponsored by the Angling Centre Stirling): 28 anglers weighed in 104 fish for 172lbs. Top rod Ken Oliver caught the tricky larger specimens in the Butts using small flies.

 

In the SANACC Fly Fishing National Championship Prelim on the 20^th May 58 anglers netted 218 fish for 387lbs (includes returned fish estimated at 2lbs). Top rod was Steven Corser of Inverurie with 15 fish for 28lbs 3oz, 2^nd Stevie Bett (Fife Constab) with 9 fish and 3^rd A. Anderson of Troon Ac with 8 fish. The cut off for qualification was 6lbs 9oz. Steven caught his trout at International Bay, Road Shore and Malling Shore using nymphs and Diawl Bachs on a midge tip. (see www.sanacc.org.uk).

 

Club Returns: Strathclyde Police 9 boats 70 fish 122lbs plus 46 rtd, Pitlochry AC 4 boats 20 fish 31lbs, Rowbank 11 boats 61 fish 105lbs plus 20rtd, Cockburn Ac 4 boats 6 fish, Falkirk Fly Dressers 6 boats 33 fish, Pentland FF 5 boats 23 fish, Stewarton 8 boats 39 fish 15 rtd.

 

Weekly Report 18^th May 2010

 

Congratulations to the Scotland Team in Ireland

 

Clarity 3.0m Water Temperature at 6ft 14C.

 

Food Van times at the Fishery this week; Wednesday night boat league, Thursday morning SANACC, Saturday morning, Saturday night. Davie’s contact details for cold rolls are  07922214946.

 

The good clarity is continuing, water temperature has risen to a healthy 14C at 6ft, the water lilies are emerging, tree pollen is on the water, and the big spade tailed overwintered fish (some look into  double figures) are back in numbers under the cages. Catches have been good this week – helped again by much catch and release from the anglers. In the CHARITY Fundraiser on Saturday 15^th, for example, all the fish were returned. Areas reporting good catches have been, Malling Shore, Sandy Bay, Gateside, Road Shore and Kate's Brae. Tactics have varied from pulling lures to buzzers and the methods have not been deep.

 

Catches/Comp Results

CHARITY MATCH: £7000 RAISED – 75% FOR CHAS, 25% FOR YORKHILL CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL SPECIAL EQUIPMENT FUND. 45 rods caught 173 fish all returned. Winners of the drawn pairs were Keith Anderson and Mick Moran and the Heaviest Sponsored Competitor (£1200) was Spey Gillie Jock Royan. Thanks to Kevin McCabe and Change AC for all their hard work and congratulations to who ever won the raffle for a trip for two to Rutland with full board for three days!

 

In the 2^nd heat of the 2010 Scottish Club Championships Sponsored by the Daily Record, Angling Centre Stirling and Famous Grouse Whisky on Saturday 15^th May the 42 anglers landed 100 trout weighing 178lbs. In first place were Rowbank with 13 fish for 24lbs 7oz, 2^nd were CSSA Rosyth and 3^rd were Dunfermline Rusty Nail. The four champion of champions were (in order); Paul O’Neill, Gary Mitchel, B. Munro and Donnie MacBeth.

 

Scottish Police National  214 fish (including 72 returned) for 371lb 1oz were caught by the 66 anglers Individual Champ was Alan Hill with 18 fish for 34lb 6oz. Runner up was Graham Harvey (LnB) with11 fish for 20lb 8oz. (Pictured on left with cup with Chief Constable Baker of Dorset Police).

 

In the first heat of the Menteith Boat League (sponsored by the Angling Centre Stirling): 25 anglers weighed in 78 fish for 132lbs. Top rod Andy Boylan caught his fish on blobs with a midge tip line at Gateside.

 

Chairman John Bryce), is the new Champion with an amazing 24 fish to his rod – the most I can remember any individual bagging in a major Lake comp. In all the 14 boats landed 80 fish for 130lbs. Qualifying to fish in Ireland in 2011 are Jim Crawford, George Bell, Rab Chislolm, Bill Barnes, Tony Lithgow, D. Bradshaw, George Learmonth and Stevie Gill.

 

Weekly Report 11^th May 2010

 

Clarity 3.5m Water Temperature at 6ft 10.5C.

 

Food Fan times at the Fishery this week: Wednesday 12^th 4pm till 6.15pm, Thursday 13^th 8.30 till 10am, Saturday 15^th 8.30am till 10am and 4pm till 6.30pm.

 

Exceptional clarity for the time of year is prevailing (3.5m) but water temperatures have been pegged back due to the northerly air flow. So far there have been absolutely no signs of a repeat of last year’s problems with water turnover and associated poor clarity.

 

Areas that have been fishing well include Kate’s Brae, International Bay, Hotel Bay, Reedy Point, Rookery, Gateside and Stable Point. In the predominantly bright conditions of the last week most successful anglers have been going deeper with lures and cormorants although buzzer and dry fly fishing has also been successful – especially in the overcast conditions. Boat League starts on Wed 12^th May

 

April 2010 Catch Data has now been calculated and represents a new record in terms of the month average for numbers caught per 2 man boat over 8hrs - 7.5 fish for 14.8lbs. Last April’s data was 5.6 fish 11.3lbs.  The improved catch data is due to; anglers returning more fish, the Lake’s stocking policy and a good head of overwintered fish. Davie Stewart (the food van man) from the Port landed this 4lb beauty last week.

 

Catches

 

The 1^st heat of the 2010 Scottish Club Championships Sponsored by the Daily Record, Angling Centre Stirling and Famous Grouse Whisky took place on Saturday 8^th May and the 48 anglers landed 100 trout weighing 156lbs. In first place were last years winners Change A (K.McCabe, Jock Kettles and Andy Dunn) with 15 fish for 22lbs 15oz, 2^nd were Loanhead and District with 10 fish for 17lbs 10oz and 3^rd were Craufurdland with 11 fish for 17lbs 7oz. The four champion of champions were (in order); Derek Marklow, Willie Wilson., K.McCabe and G.Polinie.

 

Scottish Fly Fishing National Menteith Heat 2. 57 anglers caught 153 fish and in addition 141 were returned. 29 anglers qualified for the semi-finals and the cut off weight was 7lbs 12.8oz. Iain Campbell (pictured left) of Inverclyde was the top rod with 14 fish for 26lbs 8oz and he was fishing dries and buzzers in Kates Brae. Ronald Gilbert was second and J.McBride third. Detailed results at www.sanacc.org.uk

 

On the Club Scene: Lothian and Borders Police landed 55 for 75lbs and returned 20, Fife Police (5 boats) netted 22 for 35lbs, Edin Walton (10 boats) caught 64 fish for 99lbs and rtd 2, Civil Service didn’t mark in, Kelvinside Ac 4 boats 24 fish 37lbs and 15rtd, Youth International Team 8 boats 17 fish for 28lbs and 57 rd, Pencaitland 9 boats 28 fish 51lbs.

 

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