Boat bookings: Tel.01877 385 664

WEEKLY FISHERY REPORT

7th February 2005
Dear Fisher,

The Lake Fisheries would like to thank all their customers for their help in 2004, and wish all anglers the very best of luck in 2005.

We had a packed diary of events at the Lake last year….. the Scottish Ladies won their International, the English won the Disabled International and the Welsh won the Police International. On the home scene, the 2004 Daily Record Scottish Club Championship was won by the Grizzle Cats (B) team (pictured left; Alan Hill, Jim Litster and Jim Crawford) from Ayrshire. Jim Litster also became the Daily Record Champion of Champions. David Downie was the Glenkinchie sponsored Menteith Boat League Champion. Alan Hill took the SANA Open Championship with Jim Litster and Jim Crawford in the medals again – collecting the Open Pairs Medal. Ladies’ President Helen Philps collected the Ladies’ National Trophy and the Disabled National Championship for 2004 was Tony Lithgow.

Booking demand for next year is as usual very healthy. We again have a variety of events confirmed, including; SANA National Heats, Scottish Club Championships, Anglian Water Heats, a Scottish Water Corporate Fundraising Event, the Home International Autumn Match, the Police National Final and Heats for the popular Todays Flyfisherman European Open which is coming to the Lake for the first time. The Glenkinchie League has expanded to a maximum capacity of 60 members.

New for 2005 will be the return of the Lake Hotel to the Fishery and Port of Menteith Scene. The Hotel is now under the management of a local business consortium and they have stated that one of their main aims is the re-opening of the Port hub (pub) with a Lake view, to the village of Menteith and visiting anglers. Fishing parties of up to 40 can be taken for meals and there will be a lounge bar menu as well as a restaurant menu. Interesting plans for the new angler friendly café/bar are currently being drawn up and it is intended to create an externalised heated area with stove for use by the anglers in fishing attire as well as an inside snug.

In 2004 the average catch per boat hire was 3.9 fish for 8.7lbs. Gary Wilkinson (below) of Edinburgh caught this one on the second last day of the season.

We are purchasing another two boats. This will bring our Port Beach fleet up to 30 with two additional boats in reserve. It is unlikely that we would wish to increase our standard boat numbers beyond this number in the future - for special occasions private boats can be drafted in.

The Fishery will also be more actively encouraging young people to come to the Lake. We will have coaching days and evenings and will hopefully manage to help to establish regular visits by an increasing number of young people. More details will be available shortly.
Some rules that require publicising are that catch and release is permitted at the Lake and a new rule for 2005 season is that only landing nets provided by the fishery (two per boat) are permitted on the water.

The main stock for this year are looking good and quite a number of bigger fish will be released prior to opening day. Trout fishing at the Lake opens on Saturday 26th March and runs through to the end of October. Boat booking or further information can be obtained by telephoning 01877 385664 or at www.menteith-fisheries.co.uk