SANACC National Heat Harray Loch 2025

Top Rods Frank Watt, James Bews and Kevin Porteous

SANAAC QUALIFIER, HARRAY HEAT, 18th MAY, 2025

The first round qualifier for anglers hoping to represent Scotland in the home internationals in
2026 was held on Harray on Sunday the 18th May. There was a good entry of 21, with anglers
from Shetland, Caithness and Buckie joining the local lads, with 11 progressing to a semi final of
their choice. Always a tight match, this one was no different.
There was a big change in the weather on Sunday, from the warm, sunny, and breezy conditions
we had enjoyed for the last couple of weeks, to a much colder, windier, day with full cloud cover
for much of the duration. North/Northeasterly winds had boats heading for the shelter of
Merkister Bay, Bankhead and Decca for the 10 am start, but it was to be an uncomfortable day
afloat, even more so for those on the engine with plenty oar work required to navigate the
shallows and skerries.
Bucking the trend and fishing the deeper water was Jim Bews and boat partner Joshua Brush
who both weighed in impressive baskets, with Jim taking top spot with 13 fish for 11lb 13 ozs.
Runner up with 9 fish for 7lb 12ozs was Kevin Porteous, who fished the skerries about the Ess
Holms. The other anglers who made the cut, in no particular order, were as follows, Stephen
Breivik, Phillipe Avril, Stewart Leslie, Josh Brush, Bill Taylor, Alan McConnachie, Sandy
McConnachie, Jim Adams and Frank Watt. Congratulations to all the qualifiers and good luck for
the semi finals.
James Bews and Josh Brush fished DI7 lines up off Nistaben and Biggings, with the Hulk their top
fly pattern, most other anglers fished sink tip or intermediate lines in the shallow water with
small flies in peach, Madeira orange and Olive bringing success for many.
Finally, thanks to all who helped with the day, Official on the water was Alan Craigie, Port Angler
Malcolm Russell, and weighers Norman Irvine, Leslie Miller, Alan Craigie, and SANAAC
representative Andrew Morgan.
KK