Angus lands DFFA President’s Quaich

Dounreay Fly Fishing Association (DFFA) started its 2019 series of Boat League competitions with an all-day event on Loch Watten last Saturday when 17 members took the boats on quite a chilly day.

As they signed on before the 9.30am start, a fresh north-west wind was raising white caps all over the loch and the temperature was definitely in single figures - but it wasn’t raining, so something to be thankful for!

The wind had fallen to a gentle breeze as boats set out for various areas of the loch but initially the most popular part seemed to be the north end, or Kiddies’ Corner as it is commonly known. The wind increased later but the temperature didn’t and a couple of light showers saw the anglers keeping well wrapped up all day.

However, some good baskets of trout were produced at the Brown Trout Hotel weigh-in following lines up at 4pm and the best one came from a member on only his sixth boat competition with the club.

Angus MacDonald had fished Kiddies’ Corner as far south as Sandy Point with a floating line and a Kate McLaren fly, catching the seven trout weighing 11 lb 1.5 oz including one at 3 lb 6 oz. This gave Angus 20 championship points and the President’s Quaich, his first DFFA trophy.

Toby Bracey had fished deep with a DI 6 line and Black Cat and Cormorant flies in the Lone Tree (now a dead stump) to stone Boat House area of the Lynegar side for his six fish (weighing 9 lb 11 oz) and 17 points for second place.

In third place (15 points), James Simpson took fish from Laid Bay and Kiddies’ Corner using an intermediate line and a Bibio Snatcher fly for his basket of five for 8 lb 14.5 oz.

Pushing his average weight over 2 lb was one at 3 lb 11.25 oz that earned him the two bonus points for best trout of the day.

In fourth place (14 points) Tony Chalmers had four nice fish for exactly 8 lb and Anson MacAuslan who shared the third place boat had a trout at 3 lb 4 oz in his bag of three for 7 lb 4 oz and fifth place (13 pts). Alex Donald, who shared the winning boat, completed the top six with four for 4 lb 3.5 oz.

Also bringing fish to the scales were Scott MacColl, Neil Clyne, Ian Cannop, Bill Robertson, George Robertson, Evan Park, John Campbell, Les Robertson and Robbie Hawken.

DFFA’s next competition is a Bank event on Loch Toftingall on Saturday, May 25.

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