Angling Reports/News

Sunday 22nd Jan. No fishing today due to ice. Should be OK soon as it is only about 1cm.

The PORT KIRK AND SCHOOL DAY fundraiser was held on 30th October. The Lake Fishery donated the use of the boats and the School Council put on a BBQ.  A record breaking £2500 was raised (including the boat hires)- after costs. The proceeds are split between the afore mentioned. Thanks to all the anglers and school for making it such a pleasant day but a specially big thanks to KEITH DOIG for supplying the musical backdrop on the accordian. Sorry for the lack of pictures – we are still awaiting permissions from the school. In the meantime here is a picture of our record fly caught rainbow trout caught the day after Kirk and School Day in 2006 by Davie Downie – with the representatives of the then Kirk and School.

On Saturday 12th November ROTHES OAK HELD THEIR CHARITY FUNDRAISER IN AID OF CHILDRENS MENTAL HEALTH.

They took alll the boats and the 72 anglers netted 350 fish. Heaviest fish was caught by Donald McKenzie from Cupar AC who netted a bow of 8lbs. It was a 6 man team event and top team was the “Good Guys” – pictured below with Rothes Oak Organiser  Good Guy Bill Simpson on RHS. Total raised for the Charity £2200. Think all who turned up were good guys :). In 2nd place were Team Costa and 3rd place were the Harelaw.

PIKE RESULTS FROM THE PIKE ANGLERS ALLIANCE 5th and 6th November298 jacks caught, 57 double figure fish netted and 23 twenties record with the biggest weighing 27lbs.

SEPSIS RESEARCH BUCKET WAS EMPTIED AND DONATED TO THE CHARITY – TOTAL RAISED £90.

At the end of October it was time for the Cormorant shield – a one day fish off for all those young folk fishing with the Lake’s youth group ‘ the Cormorants’. This year it was a close run event with  Ewan Beaton from Kinross ending up as top rod, and Ruaridh Fowler from Thornhill  in second place. Ewan (pictured below) caught 10 fish in  drifts around International Bay – on the bung.

Ruiridh Fowler did win the Seasonal Tam Denham chase this time beating Ewan into 2nd place. This event records the catches of individuals throughout the season on their  regular Tuesday evening outings and final Sunday event.  Ruiridh is pictured below. In 3rd place was Jason Fulton.

The David Bell Memorial Trophy is awarded to those showing outstanding drive and commitment. This was shared between Jamie Walker and Jack MacIntyre.

There are 12 youths registered in the club which is run voluntarily by former National Champion and Head Coach Alisdair Mair. Alisdair is ably assisted by additional suitably qualified angling coaches. For more information on youth angling at the Lake email manager@menteith-fisheries.co.uk.

WINTER BOOKING AND BOOKINGS FOR 2023

Now that we are into November and it is getting darker earlier we are introducing our off season prices for fishing boat rental. All fly fishing boats will be reduced by 12.5% until the start of our peak season on Sat 18th March. Some great fishing still to be had at the Lake and it can be very atmospheric at this time of year and the weather is scarily mild (is anyone else getting bothered with midges).

WE WILL SHORTLY BE TAKING THE ONLINE BOOKING SYSTEM DOWN TO ENABLE US TO GET ALL THE BIG BOOKINGS IN PLACE FOR 2023. IF YOU WISH TO BOOK WINTER FISHING  YOU WILL NEED TO TELEPHONE THE FISHERY  ON 01877385664. We are very relaxed about cancelling during the winter months so dont be worried about that or changing your day last minute – according to the weather. THE BOOKING PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST BOOKING ADVICE AS TO WHEN ONLINE BOOKING WILL RECOMMENCE.

IT IS IN YOUR INTERESTS TO GET YOUR CLUBS CONFIRMED DATES FOR 2023 WITH US AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AS WE GIVE THEM PRIORITY IN THE DIARY BEFORE OPENING UP THE ONLINE SYSTEM FOR ALL.  CLUBS ARE DEFINED AS 3 OR MORE BOATS.

Last year we allowed online booking for next season to recommence from the 1st of January for everyone to book. This year we hope to have all the pre booked club bookings (3 boats or more)  in place a little earlier  AND TO REOPEN ONLINE BOOKING IN DECEMBER – EXACT DATE TO BE CONFIRMED.

If you are a club with big bookings this year we will hold provisional spaces for you in next years diary BASED ON WHAT YOU HAD THIS YEAR until we hear from you.   email bookingonline@menteith-fisheries.co.uk

If anyone has any  enquires relating to this plan, please get in touch with the manager@menteith-fisheries.co.uk.

Kirk and School Day at the Lake 2022.

October is turning into one of the best months for fishing at the Lake and the colours are gold at the moment.

Thanks to the Army for this Match Report.

“The Army Angling Federation (Game) held their annual Army Championships at the Lake last weekend, and the competition enjoyed some outstanding sport. Fish over 59cms were caught and the two day event landed 247 fish for a rod average of 4.75. Fish were caught in both open water and close to the shoreline on sink tip lines with candy boobies and cormorants.  As fish moved across the water this years Army Champion winner (Captain Dean Rudd) took fish on dries (Shuttlecock CDC emergers) over the sandbank/sunken island opposite Sams Point.”

The Lake is open all winter for fishing. Bookings can be made at www.menteith-fisheries.co.uk or by telephoning the fishery on 01877 385664.

This years’ Champion of Champions is Graeme Lynch of Lochend Fly Fishers. Graeme was fishing in Hotel Bay and in to the boats in front of the lodge and appeared to be fishing a floating line and cormorant patterns. Graeme would have been using his Talon Hooks which he supplies. You can see how close he was fishing to the shore in the picture below. He landed 19 trout. In 2nd place also from Lochend Fly Fishers was Mark McNaughton with 17 trout. Gregor Fleming of Albacats was in 3rd place with 15 trout. The rod average for the 53 anglers was 8.2. Thanks to Tom Mactaggart for the picture – more information on the SANACC website.

The Lake continues to fish well in Hotel Bay along the shore to Lochend, but all drifts are producing a lot of takes including Gateside and the Malling Shore.  Plenty more of our home grown fish to go in – 500 in so far this week with more planned.

Would say the Lake is finally starting to fish more like normal these days….  there was another 1000 fish put in on Monday.

Davie Bonnington from East Lothian wet a line for the first time this year and had 11 from “all over really” (7 of them were on a size 12 olive shuttle cock). Not bad considering he was out late and away early and the weather was hoofing it down. PJ MacIntoch from Badenoch had 7 to his rod.

Our end of (main) season finale this year is on Sunday 30th October when we are hosting the Kirk and School Fundraising committee who are organising the Kirk and School Day. Please book on the line as normal and we will forward your details to them. Prices are as usual for the weekend but the ticket price includes all you can eat (soup, burgers, kebabs etc) and a free refreshment table. Not sure what the kids are planning but there is usually a song! Please come along and suppport the Port Schook and Kirk. All proceeds go to the afore mentioned.

Neil Cockburn from Glasgow caught this fin perfect beauty on a humungous, in the east basin, when he was out at the weekend with Phoenix AC.

The Lake is big wildlife draw. Paul Barr captured this image of one of the pair of sea eagles that have been regularly visiting. The large herring gull is nearer than the sea eagle to give you an idea of scale.

On a less exciting note please be aware of the road  closure on the A81 next week 9-5pm.

Water Temp 15C and Clarity 2.1m

The Scottish Club Championship 2022 was won by RAF fish Hawks “B” (Pic courtesy of the SANACC website where the full results are available.  Fish Hawks netted 23 fish for a capped weight of 51lbs 15.5 to win the silver salver. Fish over 4lbs in weigh were capped and all returned fish assumed to be 2lbs in weight (actual average weight for the comp was 2.7lbs – there are some lumps out there:)) . The first two fish caught by each competitor were weighed. Please note that the weight of these weighed fish was 2.7lbs on average; i.e. 2lbs 10oz. A close 2nd were Tartan Tyers A  (Scott Aitken, Allan MacLachlan, Andrew McAdam)- also with 23 fish but there first 6 fish weighed a total 17lbs 1.8oz whereas fishhawks first 6 weighed 17lbs15.5oz. In 3rd place were Lochend B (Owen Cook, Kenny Dickens, Andy Boylan) with 22 fish for a calculated weight 48lbs 10.2 oz. Top rod on the day was Own Cook with 10 fish and 2nd top was Allan MAcLachlan with 9.

Lots more trouts going in this week and for the end of the season. Rope off first thing this Thurs 29th September.

Keep your eyes peeled for the seaeagle. It has been spotted regularly in the last few weeks. Today it was sitting on a tree at the edge of the water in the west basin. 750 fish stocked so far this week with more to go in. The fish are well spread but the gap and drifting across the middle of the east basin with a fast glass and black flies (buzzer, cormorant etc) was the top rod.