Visit 2010 Leaderboard / Visit 2010 Competition Programme
SWANNAY ON FORM FOR SEASON’S OPENER
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Superb basket of trout wins Ken first trophy of the year |
Thankfully, the weather forecast was as unreliable as usual, and the wintry showers failed to materialise, as the OTFA fly fishermen kicked off their season under a bright sun with pleasant angling conditions on Swannay loch last Sunday, the 2nd of May.
An excellent turnout of 33 anglers spread well out for the start at 2pm with the usual favourites of Long Points, Dale, Jimmy Smith and the Heathery Shore most popular. Flat calm conditions hampered sport for most anglers early on, although Colin Sutherland had 5 fish in the first hour! Unfortunately, it was his best hour, finding fish hard to come by for the rest of the day. A light breeze and broken cloud brought the improvement in conditions the fish needed to bring them on the feed. There was first class sport to be had by many anglers right up until the 8pm finish.
On occasions when the fishing is so good it takes a “purple patch” to produce the winning basket, and it was Ken Kennedy who produced this on the day, taking 6 quality fish on one short drift from the pin at Jimmy Smith in to the face of the island. Even so, his winning weight of 12 fish for 12lb 7ozs was matched by John Munson’s great effort of 11 fish, with Ken lifting the Highland Park Trophy by virtue of catching that extra fish. There were numerous other creditable baskets which included Erlend Hutchison’s 13 for 12lb 2ozs, Stewy Leslie’s 13 for 10lb 14ozs, and Keith Young’s 12 for 10lb 13ozs. Ken Kennedy also won the Gordon grant Memorial Trophy for the heaviest fish, a fine Swannay specimen at 2lb 4ozs.
Tactics on the day were pretty much standard for Swannay, with location probably the deciding factor. Ace of Spades especially, Christmas Tree, Viva, and flies of that ilk were all the talk at the weigh in. DI3 was the line of choice for many, although Brian Watt had 10 on a floating line, while in complete contrast, Malcolm Russell had 14 on a fast sinking DI 7, but I bet you anything you like, Brian didn’t lose 23 flies!
The low water level was the hot topic of conversation following the weigh in, with many anglers wishing there was such a thing as rubber outboard propellers as there were many that clattered an unseen rock on Sunday , the difficulty exacerbated by the dark sherry coloured water.
No such problems next week as it’s the Bullen Cup on a crystal clear Harray, fishing 11am to 5pm, weigh in at the site hut, Anglers should remember that this seasons Harray competitions will be a 11 inch limit on all trout, remember your new measuring stick.
KK
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