Sixteen trout for Simpson in first fly-fishing competition of season

Twelve members of Dounreay Fly Fishing Association were relieved to find more pleasant conditions for their season opening Calder Bank competition than those they endured for the same event in 2023.

As they gathered at the dam on the east side of Loch Calder last Saturday for a 9.30am start, they found a flat calm and numerous fish rising in the visible parts of the large loch.

The calm continued until early afternoon and by lines up at 4pm a light west wind was blowing in towards the dam.

James Simpson had fished quite short distances along the banks at both sides of the wide channel leading into the dam so was first back for the weigh-in. By fishing near the dam, he gave himself more fishing time and this paid off when he put a bag of 16 trout weighing 8 lb 5.4 oz on the scales.

This proved to be the best of the day and earned him the Rusty Cup and 12 Bank League points. His choice of tackle was a Midge Tip line with dark-coloured Cormorant or Hopper flies.

Competition organiser Toby Bracey took the 10 points for second place with 12 fish for 5 lb 6 oz after a day on the west bank using Fast Tip and floating lines with Kate McLaren muddler flies.

Alex Donald started fishing along the south shore before moving to the New Bay area for a basket of nine for 4 lb 11.5 oz and eight points for third place. Black or Brown Half Hogs on Midge Tip or 12-foot Sink tip lines were working for him.

Kevin Imlach had nine for 4 lb 6.5 oz and seven points, while Mike Skerrit had three for 4 lb 5 oz and seven points. Mike’s extra point was for the best trout of the day, a beautiful 2lb 7 oz fish. Aivis Kreslins completed the top six with eight for 3 lb 12.5 oz and five points.

Others with trout to weigh in were Robbie Hawken, Tony Chalmers, Neil Clyne, Callum MacKenzie, William Plank and Peter Creasey.

The club’s next event is a boat competition for the President’s Quaich on Loch Watten on Saturday, May 11.

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