Lake of Menteith 12th March 2019
One of the windiest weeks of the winter so far and yet the met office has Saturday as quite fishable. Let’s hope the systems aren’t delayed coming in off the Atlantic.
Water Temperature 5.5C Clarity 2.6m
We have put in 1022 rainbows (1.5 to 3.5lbs) and browns (mainly 3/4lb but a few bigger – like the one below (held by fisheries stalwart Douglas Fraser). As most of you will know the lake has fished well all winter thanks to the big end of season stocking (see fly tyer Peter Batchelor’s Feb fish). With a bit of clement weather, the fishing forecast is for quite a few overwintered fish. The Pike angling has been a bit mixed this pre-season but the strong winds have limited the possibilities. This 23lb pike was caught by Terry Eldridge of the PAC during the most recent outing. Terry also had the 2nd biggest at 18lbs.
New for 2019 are another couple of brand new Coulam Boats, the Online Booking system and a new square sausage supplier. The new battery-operated siphon tube will cut down breakdowns (and petrol consumption) due to water in the fuel.
To kick off the New Season we will have Davie Stewart’s World Championship Pies (beans if you want them) and some refreshments.
In honour of our long serving Director Jimmy Nairn, we have a new trophy for Opening day. Jimmy personally dragged this piece of bog oak out of the Lochend swamps. It is reckoned to be at least 5000 years old. Son in law Chris Carroll has made the trophy below right which will adorn the Angling Howff. Wood worker Chris also plans to donate a bowl every year (like the one below left) to the winner of this Opening day competition.
We are still mulling it over, but we reckon the winner will have caught the best fish that day. Size is not everything and the fish can be weighed in and or photographed or photographed and returned. The judge’s decision on the day is final .