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Monthly Reports

June 2008
Bob Mitchel with his 9lb. 4oz. specimen from Bea Loch

The earlier part of the month was hampered by strong winds but generally June was good with all the main lochs producing well.

Harray saw a lot of attention. The big loch was never as clear as on the previous season and at times the algae was starting to look quite serious. The effect on sunk line tactics was pretty evident, with anglers abandoning deep water drifts for the skerries, drop offs and the “stones”. Towards the end of the month, water clarity improved and boats were well spread out again. Caenis hatches gave a good indication of the numbers and location of fish on Harray. Basically, the loch is absolutely stuffed with trout and they are everywhere!! Baskets included 16 for 8 lb 8 oz for Brian Thomas; 12 for 7 lb 9 oz and 17 for 11 lb 4 oz for Ken Kennedy; 13 for 6 lb 14 oz for Kevin Muir; 17 for 11 lb for Stewart Wood and 18 for 10 lb 5 oz for Kenny Adam. Unlike the last two seasons when fast sinkers and mini lures were the first line of attack, a wide variety of lines, fly patterns and methods brought fish to the boat. Hedgehogs, Cats, Norski Lads, Coch Zulu, Peach Muddler, Dabblers and a plethora of new patterns were mentioned in despatches. Bockan, Biggings, Nistaben and Bankhead were popular drifts.

Swannay was well patronised by visiting anglers. Regular and long term visitors, John Latham and George Baldwin, although blown off for two days, still managed a respectable 25 Swannay brownies up to 2 lb 4 oz with most succumbing to a traditional brown Ke-He.

Over on Hundland, the fish were averaging well, with lots in the 1 lb range. Hedgehogs rule supreme on this shallow water and patterns in olive, green, orange and yellow did the business. Baskets included 11 for 8 lb for Stuart Leslie; 10 for 6 lb 8 oz for Ian Hutcheon; 11 for 6 lb 4 oz for Ken Kennedy; 10 for 6 lb 5 oz for Neil Chalmers and 10 for 6 lb 4 oz for Colin Sutherland.

Boardhouse also produced a better class of fish this June, with a good number of 1 lb plus brownies and all in superb condition. The fish were also pretty well spread out over the loch although there still seems to be a bit of a dearth right out in the middle. All ranges of lines had their day and fly patterns ranged from Hedgehogs to Norskis’
Better baskets included 12 for 9 lb 10 oz for Ken Kennedy; 12 for 9 lb 6 oz for Norman Irvine and 12 for 8 lb 9 oz for James Bews.

Over on Sanday, visiting angler Bob Mitchell had a red letter day float tubing and wading on Bea Loch, with an outstanding catch of 5 brownies for 26 lb. Bob’s biggest fish was a truly superb specimen of 9 lb 4 oz taken on a size 6 Hummungus and a fitting tribute to the unfed fry stocking policy of the Orkney Trout Fishing Association without which the loch would be devoid of trout. All Bob’s fish were sportingly released so the big one, and some of his pals, are still there for someone else to catch.


MAR