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FISHERY REPORT

Report for week ending 20th April 2004

Temperature at 6ft 8C; Clarity 1.9m.

A changeable and blustery week with more lure fishing than of late. Catches have been coming from Hotel Bay, Road Shore round to Butts Bay, Malling Shore and Stable Point. Faster sinking lines have been used to good effect and the orange blob, gold head damsel , booby, buzzer, viva have been worthy of mention. The first major competition of the year, the Lake of Menteith Troutmaster Qualifyer, was won by David Paterson of Stenhousemuir (pictured left).

Results: Mon 12th : Stanley AC (8 boats) 38 fish for 73lbs, Breadalbane (3 boats) 8 fish 19lbs, Jim Crawford (Grizzle Cats) 11 fish 24lbs. Tues 13th: Morgan/Forbes 15 fish 33lbs, Paul O’Neill 15 for 32lbs. Friday 16th D.Paterson 7 fish for 17lbs (4 returned), J.Watson 7 fish for 12lbs. Sat 17th Milngavie (3 boats) 10 fish for 27lbs, Phoenix AC (8 boats) 19 fish 47lbs, Commore AC 18 fish 37lbs. Sunday 18th : Buchanan/McCracken 3 fish for 6lbs (12 returned), MacKay/Auchterlonie (Creiff) 15 fish for 31lbs, Balbeggie AC (7 boats) 21 fish for 52lbs, Clatto and Stratheden (2 boats) 26 fish for 56lbs, Rainbow Warriors (9 boats) 60 fish for 122lbs. Mon 19th : Jim Law 15 fish for 29lbs, J.Twaddle (Cumbernauld) 7 fish for 16lbs (2 returned). Tuesday 20th : 18 competitors took part in the Troutmaster fish off and landed 72 fish for 148lbs. There were five 7 fish limits and 1lb was awarded for every complete hour remaining - the new total is shown in brackets. First placed was D.Paterson with a limit of 7 fish for 17lbs 12oz (18lbs 12oz). Second placed was Kenny Wood with 7 fish for 16lbs 8oz (17lbs 8oz) and third equal were J.Mackie with 7 fish for 12lbs 13oz (15lbs 13oz) and John Litster with 7 fish for 14lbs 13oz (15lbs 13oz). David Paterson was going a bit deeper with a variety of lures including the white cat. The fish were picked up mainly at Reedy Point, Hotel Bay and the Road Shore. Jim Mackie was first to achieve his limit bag at 2.25pm.

Plenty more over-wintered fish have come off this week – especially in the calmer conditions, when the buzzer and dry can be used to effect. A magnificent seven pound on grown rainbow was landed by Neil Mitchell of Glasgow. A smaller example, taken on a dry, is displayed by Jim Twaddle of Cumbernauld (left). The biggest brownie landed at Menteith for many a year (5 ½lbs) was caught by Tam Ward of Cumnock (pictured right).