Lake of Menteith 2nd July 2019
Water Temp at 6ft 18C Secchi Disk Clarity Gateside Bay 3.0m
The Lake changed from dry fly optimal, to long sink tip or immediate line optimal, between Tuesday and Friday of last week. In these bright glittery conditions the fish are best found on a fast tip with blobs and boobies. Most recent good bags have been from the Malling Shore. A lot of damsel flies are on the move and in some areas the place is teeming with newly hatched coarse fry. Too late to be pike fry – more likely roach fry? If so, spawning time for roach must be around mid-June? The sequence according to some studies is perch first then pike then roach. The change in depth/tactics may not all be about an aversion to warmer water in the surface layers – although the heat last week was blistering. It may have a link with the availability of a new menu. The pike have been very active this week and seem unphased by the mini heat wave – unlike the trout.
SANACC SEMI FINALS
On the 25th Peter Auchterlonie won the SANACC semi final with 19 trout on dries in Gateside and at Malling. In second place was Gregor Fleming with 18 and 3rd Gary Ormiston with 17. Both on dries at Sams Point and International Bay. By Friday the top method was boobies fished by Ronnie Gilbert (23 fish) with a fast tip at Kates Brae/Lochend. 2nd and 3rd were Alan MacLachlan (21 fish) and James Gardiner 16 fish – all fishing similar methods in the same area.
SCOTTISH CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Championships were interrupted by a large amount of thunder and lightening but only a little rain – and the boats all came in until deemed safe to head back out. The fish were in a fickle mood though and top rod was Gil Farid with 6 fish – helping East Kilbride into 2nd Place. 2nd top rod was Andy MacKay also with 6 fish – securing a semi final place for Port Glasgow B. Top Club was Brechin B with 7 fish.
MENTEITH FARIO BOAT LEAGUE
A poor night for dry fly. Bill Ramage was top rod with 10 and Stuart Inglis was second with 9 fish. Bill Ramage was on his usual set up and Stuart on buzzers. The pressure is now on Bill Ramage and his team of diawl bach blob and cat. The League is his to loose? Stuart won the box of FARIO flys and Neil Barrett picked up the voucher.
Photo of blue, damsel, and rising trout to Dougie. Courtesy of Colin Riach
We have TWO SPARE BOATS FOR ANY LAST MINUTE ENTRANTS IN TOMORROWS (3/7/19) ANGLER’S WORLD HOLIDAYS CHAMPIONSHIPS. We also have two boats left in the SIERRA PAIRS ON SUNDAY 21ST JULY. Call 07710 433464 if interested.
15lb pike captured on a damsel by Jim Twaddle
Jelly Fry
Dougie and the Gentle Art