Thanks to Phil Dixon for organising the Menteith heat of the Scierra Pairs, all those involved in running it – and the competitors for taking part. These two below from up in Sutherland were the worthy winners with their 8 fish in the boat after one and a half hours. If they had kept that catch rate up they’d have had over 37.3 fish for the boat in the 7 alloted hours. The same with Robert Gibson and James Gilchrist who also had their comp limit by 10.30. I like Phil’s adherence to the time bonus to decide competitions as it is maybe easier on the fish than catch and release. The competitors can go out again for a cast but in a more relaxed way. After last year’s sustained water temperature of 22 to 24C in July, the fishery is thinking of imposing limits on catch and release in very hot water conditions – from next year. Something for competition organisers to ponder over and give me their thoughts. Personally I would increase the time bonus to more closely match the catch rate and reduce the influence of fish size in the outcome of the competition. The two top rods on the day from up South were James Bews and Kevin Porteous. Their tactic was a fab on the point with a floater or a sinktip and diawls further up the cast. Thanks to Colin Riach for more eye catching photographs below.
