March 23rd 2021: 6ft Temperature 6C and clarity 2.5.m
Well we are open and were into double figures re boat numbers for our “Opening Day” but it has felt more like winter time with only one or two boats out since Sunday and a lot of absent friends. However, it is apparently good for your health to list all the good things that happen each day, so; the fishery was Officially declared Opened by our celeb…Douglas Fraser, some tunes were provided by stand in piper your truly, friendships were revitalised, there were some laughs, some sloe gin was enjoyed before 9am, there was no stress, the sun was shining and fish were caught – quite a few by some folks. On the other hand it was fairly baltic with a steady breeze and low temperatures but out of the wind it was very pleasant and that is where the best catches were – Tod Hole and the Butts. The fish werent deep – as you would expect in 10 ft of water and good lines were sink tips or slow glass. the usual wets and lures did the trick. Best boat of the day was Alan MacLachlan and Murray Hunter with 38 returned (not sure what they were fishing). A couple of other boats recorded catches in the mid 20s including Cameron Davies and Boat Partner from Gartmore who weighed inb 4 fish for over 18lbs. Callum Fraser from Thornhill recorded 16 to the boat with 4 fish weighed in for 16lbs.
Competition News: On the competition scene. I have been in touch with SANACC and they finalised things last night. They are cancelling the heats of the National and moving all the competitor to their semi-final slots. The Scottish Club Championships are presumably going ahead as planned with the first evening heat taking place on 22nd May. The Scottish Open Fly Fishing Championships is “good to go”with heats on 16th May, 30th May and 13th June and the Final on Sunday 12th September. The Scierra Pairs Menteith Heat is currently scheduled for Sunday 25th April. Travel restrictions may still be in place for this date but Phil Dixon is keen to wait and see if there is a chance that the restrictions might be lifted a little earlier than planned rather than moving the heat to midweek on the 6th July – so it is wait and see. The Menteith Evening Boat League is kicking off on the 12th May with 15 heats. The final heat will be on the 18th Aug. Fario flies and the Lake will again be sponsoring this competion. The Disabled National on sunday May 9th is currently under review. We hope to hear from the organisors in the not too distant future.
We look forward to our proper Opening Day on Monday 26th April!
