Dounreay Fly Fishing Association: Chalmers lands memorial trophy while Bracey emerges as club champion
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Dounreay Fly Fishing Association members completed their 2023 competitions on Saturday with the annual foray to Loch Caluim, by permission of the RSPB.
As the loch is about five miles south-west of Dorrery at the end of a rough track, the 4x4 transport provided by three of the anglers was greatly appreciated by the other 10.
At the waterside for a 9.30am start they found the water level was quite low after the recent dry spell, and a light north-west wind that gradually swung to north-east gave good fishing conditions. Light showers gave way to bright sunshine for over an hour prior to lines up at 4pm.
At the car park weigh-in some excellent baskets were brought forward with the best coming from Tony Chalmers who put 16 lb 11.5 oz of trout on the scales. This gave him the Ken MacLeod Memorial Trophy and 13 Bank League points and secured his place in the team travelling to Shetland next year.
He used his favourite Wake Saver line with a Clan Chief his best fly along with a Green-tailed Kate McLaren and Bibio Hogs to catch all his fish between the island and east bank.
James Simpson can only compete in a few events but usually does well, as shown by his second place and 11 points for 13 lb 11.75 oz of trout. He took most of them from the south bank but his first time at the north-east corner added a few more from his Slow Intermediate line with Sedge Hog, Gorgeous George and Sparkler flies.
Robbie Hawken also qualified for the Shetland trip thanks to an 11 lb 1.25 oz bag caught in the north-west corner. His Midge Tip line with Orange and Red Muddler flies gave him nine vital points.
Completing the top six were Toby Bracey (10 lb 6.5 oz and eight points), Alex Donald (10 lb 2 oz and seven points) and Neil Clyne (six points for 7 lb 3.25 oz).
The Bank League could then be finalised and Neil Clyne was declared champion with 42 points, with Alex Donald runner-up on 35. Toby Bracey was close behind with 34 and following him were Tony Chalmers (32) and Robbie Hawken (27), with Michael Skerritt and Aivis Kreslins tied on 21.
Also qualifying for the Shetland team were Bracey, Clyne, Donald and Skerritt, with Kreslins first reserve.
When the Bank and Boat League points were combined, Toby Bracey emerged as the 2023 club champion with 84 points and Alex Donald runner-up on 76.
The trophies for all the 2023 competitions will be presented at the club's AGM later in the year.
