Boat bookings: Tel.01877 385 664

Menteith Report Opening Day24/03/07

6ft Water Temp: 6.5C Secchi Disk Gateside: 2.5m
The season started sublimely without a cloud in the sky and with reasonably warm water temperatures. The fishing was officially opened by Mrs Mona Callander (pictured right with flowers), the last of the original riparian owners to have been involved in the conception and initiation of the fishery 40 years ago. Tribute was made to Mona’s recently deceased husband Sandy, for his great input to the fishery and community, and for his many years of enthusiasm and support as a director on the fisheries board.

Fishing on the day was concentrated in the Lochend, Butts and Heronry drifts (perhaps as a consequence of the east wind). The 31 boats bagged 140 fish for 343lbs, with 9 fish recorded as returned. Roughly 25% of the catch was over-wintered. The boat average catch of 4.5 fish was not the biggest on record, perhaps due to the bright conditions and east wind, but the mean weight was a very respectable 2 ½ lbs.
Best boat of the day was David Paterson and Willie Leach with the new 12 fish limit for 37lbs 7oz. The Bradshaw Trio also had a good day with 12 fish for 34lbs 13oz. Dave Bradshaw (left) landed this fine 9lb 4oz over-wintered fish. On Sunday Paul O’Neill and Mark Stephen boated 20 fish in the heronry. They were fishing the shallows with fast glass, blob and cat and stripping fast. The best looking fish of the weekend fell to Alison Wilson who boated this 7lb 12oz bar of silver(right).

The Menteith overall weight (i.e. pike) record was broken just before the trout season opened by Lyn Baker from County Durham on 10th March. This fish is also (according to the archivists) the biggest pike ever caught by a Lady in the UK.

For boat bookings Tel 01877 385664 or email bookingenquires@menteith-fisheries.co.uk. Further information at www.menteith-fisheries.co.uk