Bracey lands first place in All Lochs competition
The first two baskets of trout put on the scales proved to be the best of the evening when Dounreay Fly Fishing Association members weighed in after their All Lochs competition last Friday.
As the 16 anglers launched their pre-allocated boats for a 6pm start on lochs Calder, St John's, Stemster and Watten they found a south-east breeze and bright sunshine – not usually a good combination. The wind did fall away by lines up at 10pm but the sun shone brightly until setting time.
Toby Bracey was first to weigh in with a basket of six Watten fish (for 7 lb 11.5 oz), giving him first place, the Ian Hanna Trophy and 16 Boat League points plus the bonus point for the best trout of the evening at 1 lb 14 oz. He had used a fast-sinking DI 6 line on drifts from Sandy Point to Red Hut with a Kate McLaren fly the most effective.
James Simpson shared the winner's boat and also caught six fish that averaged exactly one pound per fish. He had used a DI 3 line, with a Bibio Snatcher fly proving to be the best on a set-up that gave him second place and 14 points.
Neil Clyne had a tour around Loch Calder’s New Bay, West Bank, East Bank and back to the Bay area to thank for his third place (12 point) bag of nine trout weighing 5 lbs 9 oz. He had used his favourite long sink tip line with self-tied Olive Muddler, Clan Chief and Green-Tailed Kate McLaren flies.
George Robertson secured fourth place (11 pts) with four Stemster fish weighing 3 lb 4.75 oz. Billy Thomson was next with six from Calder for exactly 3 lb and 10 points, while four more from Calder weighing 1 lb 15.25 oz gave Kevin Imlach the nine points for sixth overall.
Others testing the scales were Bill Robertson, Alex Donald, John Campbell and Peter Creasey.
Toby Bracey now leads the Bank League with 31 points from George Robertson (29), Alex Donald (23), Kevin Imlach (19) and Billy Thomson (18), with Ian Cannop and James Simpson tied for sixth place on 14 points.
DFFA’s next event is the Watten Bank competition this Friday evening.