Ferryloupers Trophy
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| Cracking bag of fish wins Sandy the Ferryloupers Cup |
SANDY MCCONNACHIE LEADS THE
FERRYLOUPERS HOME
Reasonable fishing conditions greeted the 34 anglers participating in this year’s Ferryloupers Trophy on Sunday the 2nd. Thankfully the screaking southerly wind from the previous two days had abated somewhat, and had been replaced by a moderate to fresh westerly. Saturday was especially rough with only a couple of boats out on the loch for a scout about, but this was to pay dividends for those who ventured out.
The wind direction and strength basically determined the popular early drifts for the boats , with Bochan, Ned’s , Tenston and Lochside being favoured by most. Some anglers were into fish right away, while others had to abandon Plan A and move on Plan B. Other anglers were well through the alphabet as far as plans went and still never found fish. Jim Harcus was one angler who made the right decision, to start at Bochan, where he boated 7 fish on his first drift! The pairing of Sandy McConnachie and Ian Hutcheon were one of the aforementioned boat pairings out on the day before and they had found fish at Lochside, this drift certainly did not live up to expectations at the start for them or the other half dozen boats who joined them there, but while others took off in search of fish, these two didn’t venture to far away and started to catch steadily for most of the duration of the competition.
Sandy eventually came out on top at the weigh in with an impressive basket of 19 fish for 13lb 4ozs, with other cracking baskets brought to the scales by Jim Harcus with 16 for 10lb 15ozs a, Ian Hutcheon also with 16 for 10lb 5ozs, and Alan Shearer with 11 for 9lb 4zs which included the best fish of the day, a fine specimen coming in at 1lb 12ozs. As this is no ordinary cup where the heaviest basket receives the spoils, there is a sum to do for the average weight per angler for each of the Ferryloupers and Orcadian teams. It was fitting therefore that the Ferryloupers 12 anglers averaged 6lb 1 3/4ozs, where the 22 Orcadians could only manage 5lb 3 1/2ozs per angler, giving Sandy McConnachie the Trophy as well as the points.
Tactics on the day were unusual from what it’s been. It came as quite a shock for many anglers to find that the fast sinking lines were not really working in the deep water. I t wasn’t the case where the fish had turned off, they had just come higher in the water, and were much more susceptible to Hedgehogs on floating and intermediate lines, or mini lures retrieved at a rate of knots achieved the desired effect. Orange and Claret Hogs were reportedly favoured in the Hedgehog department, while Merkister Maid again accounted for many fish, as did White Cats, and Norski’s.
With two competitions left, unbelievable I know, it is proving to be one of the closest run ins to the end of the season yet. As I see it, there are four in with a shout for Fisherman of the Year, with Sandy McConn hot favourite. These 4 are safely in the top six as far as team places go. Positions 5 and 6, you can perm any 2 from 4 or 5 anglers, where a top result will change things again for someone. As it stands, 12 position at the moment is 57 points, there are 5 or 6 anglers who could leapfrog into a team place no bother, there’s plenty to play for, and it keeps the excitement going right to the end of the league programme.
The OTFA have a stand at the County Show again this year, where they will be giving fly dressing demonstrations from various local anglers, selling trout flies, all again tied by local anglers and members, and Secretary Stuart Topp, well known local artist, will have some of his amazing prints on offer. Information on the Association and its aims and accomplishments will also be available from members present.
KK
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