Clyne moves to top of Bank League after Robertson Cup success

A loch-side weigh-in under a full moon brought little sense of occasion to the proceedings following Dounreay Fly Fishing Association's Watten bank competition last Friday evening.

Only four of the 15 anglers had something to show after four hours' fishing on an evening of light or no wind and bright sunshine. The cloudless sky led to a drop in temperatures so that by 10pm there was a chill in the air as the competitors made their way back to the Oldhall berth area.

With only one fish for each of the successful anglers, the weigh-in was completed in near record time and Neil Clyne was declared the winner of the Robertson Cup. This gave him 15 Bank League points plus the bonus point for the best fish of the evening at 2 lbs 2.75 oz, caught in Laid Bay using an Intermediate line and a Loch Ordie Hog fly.

Second and third places were awarded for fish from near Sandy Point. Mike Skerritt followed up his good result the previous Friday evening with a 1 lb 10 oz trout caught on a floating line, with the same Red Tag fly that won the earlier event, giving him 13 points.

Seasoned competitor Tony Chalmers had advised Mike to always fish to the last minute, and it had paid off with a near last-minute success.

Peter Creasey moved five places up the league with a 1 lb 3 oz trout earning him 11 points thanks to buzzer-type flies on a floating line.

Robbie Hawken also took a fish near time up, close to the berth area, for fourth place 10 points.

These results have made a big difference to the bank table at the midpoint with Neil Clyne moving from sixth place to now lead with 24 points. Alex Donald drops to second on 21, with Toby Bracey next on 17.

Robbie Hawken is fourth on 16, Peter Creasey is on 14, and there is a tie for sixth between Tony Chalmers and his “pupil”, Mike Skerritt, on 13.

The club now has a break before the “big one” – the all-night competition on Loch Watten on Friday, June 23.

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