| COMPETITION PROGRAMME | LEADERBOARD |
Highland Park Trophy
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Top rod James Bews |
SWANNAY ON FIRE FOR TROUT SEASON OPENER
You would be forgiven in thinking the weather conditions last Sunday were unfavourable, cold northerly, bright sunshine etc, but the trout were on the feed and sport from the start was brisk.
A good turnout of 27 anglers came to Swannay to open their account for the 2026 season, and it was good to see some new faces. All the usual drifts were taken up for the 11am start, but it was unusual to see so many south of the island, with the Dale Shore to the Hatchery popular, as was the Heathery Shore.
Over the course of the day there were some fantastic, localised, rises of fish, but if you weren’t there at the right time, you missed out big style. Long Points, Jimmy Smith, Loudenhill were louping with fish at times, I wish I was there to see it!
Making the most of it was James Bews and Erlend Hutchison, putting together two tremendous baskets, with James just getting the upper hand to win the Highland Park Trophy, and Erlend runner up, great angling boys! Others who were in amongst them included, Leslie Miller, Norman Irvine, Ian Hutcheon, James Harcus and Malcolm Russell. Norman had the heaviest fish, going 1lb 5ozs.
Swannay just didn’t switch on for the competition, those who ventured out in the previous week or so had amazing sport with fish feeding hard on wee black beetles. Black was the still the predominant colour on match day, with the indispensable McConns Ace figuring in many of the top baskets, along with Naked Spur, Kate McLaren and the likes. James and Erlend fished intermediate lines to great effect, with other fishing DI5 Sweep, tip lines and floaters.
We move on to Harray for an evening competition in a week or so, we need it to warm up and calm down drastically before then or it’ll be a long cold sit. Tight lines.
KK
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