Calder proves productive for Imlach in All Lochs competition
Dounreay Fly Fishing Association held an evening All Lochs competition on Friday as part of the 2025 Boat League championship.
For this event, the names of the already paired 14 entrants were drawn by organiser Toby Bracey to determine which of Calder, St John’s and Watten they would fish.
So far this year, Loch Calder has been less productive than usual, but Kevin Imlach managed to winkle out seven trout weighing 5 lb 5.5 oz to win the Ian Hanna Trophy and 14 Boat League points.
He had fished parts of the east, west and south banks with a Slow Midge tip that had Green and Black Zulu and Dunkeld flies attached.
Billy Thomson was allocated a Loch Watten boat and netted three fish for 4 lb 4 oz during the first 30 minutes of fishing the north end of Laid Bay. He had used a DI3 Sweep line with Dennis the Menace and May Fly Muddler flies to secure the 12 points for second place.
Another member fishing Watten (but from a different boat), James Simpson, also had three trout (for 3 lbs 13.25 oz) and took the 10 points for third place.
He caught all the fish during the final 30 minutes from an area still known as the Lone Tree, although the tree died some years ago. His set-up was Bibio Snatcher and Kate McLaren flies on a Slow Glass line.
Completing the top six were Ian Cannop (nine points for six Calder trout for 3 lbs 10 oz), Alex Donald (eight points for two from Watten at 3 lb 4.5 oz) and Aivis Kreslins (seven points for two at 2 lb 3oz from Watten).
The best-fish bonus point fell to Willie Plank for a 1lb 14.5 oz trout from Watten.
Also weighing in at the Brown Trout Hotel were John Campbell, Leslie Robertson and Callum Mackenzie.
Kevin Imlach now leads the Boat League with 28 points after two events. Alex Donald is second on 27 with Billy Thomson third on 25.
The club’s next competition is the evening Watten Bank outing this Friday.