Final Fling Harray 2023

Top Rod Leslie Miller

FINAL FLING FOR ORKNEY FLY FISHERMEN

Last Saturday had 13 pairs entered for the Final Fling on Harray, an open competition with a draw for partners which is always popular. The weather was spot on for the 9am start, as eager anglers set off to their chosen start point. Almost all the boats stayed in the South end, with Lochside and Stoneyhill busiest.
The bush telegraph had implied that there were plenty of fish out in the open water, but it seen became apparent that they were not playing, a 5 degree drop in air temperature overnight might have had an impact. Whatever, those who stayed out deep didn’t fare too well, whereas those who binned the fast sinking lines and went into the shallower water on intermediates scored well.
This competition was run on a full catch and release basis, with fish measured and returned, with fish over 11 inches counting as a point, with the time of your second fish noted, to separate those on equal points. Leslie Miller took the top spot, netting 11 fish, an out right winner, lifting the WS Sinclair Trophy, great angling. Runner up was Colin Sutherland with 10 points, narrowly beating John Munson in third on an earlier second fish recorded. Top boat was Malcolm Russell and Colin Sutherland with a combined 18 fish, well ahead of the field, and best fish was weighed in by Kenny Adam, a belter going 2lb 3ozs. Top junior angler was Josh Tullock, well done!
Best flies mentioned in the debriefing included, Madeira Hog, (as usual), Sparkler, Merky Maid, Fiery Brown Midas Hog, Boris, and the likes.
The day was sponsored by WS Sinclair Tackle, Stromness, Highland Park, and the Merkister Hotel, for which all the participants are grateful. That wraps up the competition season for most of us, but Andrew Morgan, and Sandy and Alan Mc Connachie, still have the Scottish National Final to come at the Lake of Menteith later this month, best wishes and tight lines boys!

KK