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MERKISTER CUP WIN FOR ERLEND HUTCHISON
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Merkister Cup winner Erlend Hutchison |
Monday evening saw 32 anglers afloat on Harray, fishing for the Merkister Cup. The weather forecast for days before had been for light winds and overcast conditions, but as it turned out, wrong again. It was quite a blashy night to start with, a blustery southerly and bright sunshine forcing most anglers to start off with fast sinking lines, and in the usual areas at the north end of the loch, with Bankhead favourite. Other populated areas were the Biggings to Kirkness drift and further out towards Pontooth. There were exceptions, with other anglers bravely deciding to fish the shallows and skerries, which have been devoid of fish in any numbers for weeks, and their decision proved fruitful, with many anglers amongst the points taking their fish with a floating line.
The open water drifts at Bankhead still produced the winning basket, and it was by a country mile. Erlend Hutchison weighed in 14 fish for 10lb 6ozs, head and shoulders above the rest of the field with Jim Adams the only other angler to come close, with 11 fish for 9lb 4ozs. Jim’s basket included the heaviest fish of the night, an absolute peach of a seatrout weighing 2lb 6ozs. In comparison with what is usually expected of Harray, it was a difficult night, with many anglers struggling to catch a fish an hour, something that would have been unheard of a couple of weeks ago. The general consensus in the car park was that the trout have been gorging on Caenis when conditions permit, and not bothering to feed in between times, the trout are certainly in prime condition.
Both Erlend and Jim fished using DI7 lines and the flies were the popular Erlend’s Cat and Merkister Maid, and I’m sure nearly every other angler out that night had this combo on at some time, but there are occasions when technique or retrieve is everything, and sometimes, I believe, what end of the boat you are in matters, as I’m sure Kevin Muir and Alan Craigie might agree, as they watched their boat partners coil them in, while getting little or no response themselves. It’s to do with angle of retrieve in relation to the position of the sun and the direction the boat is drifting, possibly, or is that nonsense.
Other anglers among the points were John Munson with 8 fish for 6lb. 15.5oz. , Ian Hutcheon with 8 fish for 5lb 14ozs, an angler certainly on form, and now top of the table. I suspect he may be difficult to shift from that position. Kenny Adam’s 8 for 5lb 10ozs and Norman Irvine’s 7 for 5lb 7ozs also warrant a mention in despatches. As intimated earlier, it was mini lures on the sinking line for most, but Orange Hedgehog, Claret Dabbler, Peach Muddler put fish in the boat for those fishing floating or intermediate lines.
As is always the case, the OTFA keep a close eye on the boat registration and their right to be on our sites. As space is always at a premium at the likes of Harray, it’s only fair that every boat on the site has a current boat number tag. A recent survey of the boats on Harray highlighted the fact that 13 boats on the site failed to have a current boat tag, some had no tag at all! The owners of said boats will now be informed of the fact, and failing to register their boat will ultimately result in the boats removal from the site.
There is a break from competitions now to allow anglers to return to their families for holidays and such like, with the next instalment not for a fortnight, when it is the Willie Windwick Cup on Boardhouse, can’t wait.
KK
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