Dounreay Fly Fishing Association: Alex retains trophy with six trout from Toftingall
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As they were signing on at the main road for a bank fishing competition on Loch Toftingall (by permission of Peter Hovig) last Saturday morning, members of Dounreay Fly Fishing Association were looking forward to a good day's fishing. A southerly breeze could possibly see some early mayflies hatching and fish rising to feed on them.
However, at the end of the 2km track to the lochside, the 11 anglers were disappointed to find the water quite dirty as the south wind was funnelled along the length of the loch now that an area of forestry to the south has been clearfelled.
The wind also increased, some rain fell in the afternoon, and by lines up at 4pm, after six hours' fishing, only six of the leg-weary competitors had fish to weigh in.
Alex Donald eventually netted his first keeper at noon in his favourite south-west corner and by weigh-in time had six trout for 3 lb 1 oz in his bag. This was more than enough to retain the Bloody Foreigner Trophy (donated by Mr Hovig) and earn 11 Bank League points.
Alex had used a Midge Tip line with various patterns and colours of Sedge Hog flies.
James Simpson managed to extract three fish for 1 lb 9.5 oz while fishing along the east bank to secure second place and nine points. He had used a six-foot Slow Sink tipped line and Hopper flies.
Aivis Kreslins took a trout from the north and south ends of the west bank – the two fish for 1 lb 5.75 oz giving him seven points for third place. Both fish had fallen for a wet mayfly imitation on an Intermediate line.
Completing the weigh-in were Robbie Hawken with two for 1 lb 4.25 oz and six points; Tony Chalmers also with two (for 1 lb 3.5 oz) and five points; and, with the best fish of the day at 1 lb 1.5 oz, Toby Bracey received four points plus the bonus point.
The club's next event is an evening All Lochs boat competition on Friday, May 26.
On the national fly-fishing scene, two DFFA anglers, Alex Donald and Toby Bracey, have qualified for the semi-final heats on the Lake of Menteith in June.
