Fly fishers see complete change in conditions at Loch Watten
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A light north-west wind and heavy cloud cover was more to the liking of Dounreay Fly Fishing Association members as they prepared to launch their boats for a 9.30am start to their second boat competition of the season last Saturday.
The complete change in conditions on Loch Watten raised hopes of better fishing than they had experienced the previous weekend.
By lines up at 4pm about half of the anglers were quite satisfied with the trout they would place on the scales back at the Brown Trout Hotel weigh-in, and first to come forward was Alex Donald who was in a hurry to get away.
His first fish on the scales weighed 2 lb 8 oz and he continued to add another five quality trout for a total of 11 lb 8.5 oz. This was more than enough to give him the Parry (2009) Cup and 13 Boat League points.
His catch came from drifts in Kiddies’ Corner using his trusted DI 5 Sweep line with Ian Sinclair Sparkler, Hulk, Gold Half Hog and Black Muddler flies all taking fish.
Donald’s boat partner Billy Thomson used a DI 3 Sweep line and Ian Sinclair Sparkler, an unnamed orange fly and a Hulk to bag three fish for 5 lb 9 oz and 11 points for second place.
Late afternoon drifts along the bank and into the north end of Laid Bay paid off for Neil Clyne when he hooked the best fish of the day at 3 lb 8 oz and a second trout brought his total to 4 lb 4 oz, giving him nine points plus the bonus and third place. His choice of tackle was a long sink tip line with a Green-Tailed Kate McLaren fly.
The rest of the top six were Robbie Hawken, with two for 3 lb 13.5 oz and eight points; James Simpson, with three for 3 lb 13 oz and seven points; and Peter Creasey, with 2 lb 8.5 oz giving him six points for sixth place.
Alex Donald now has a clear lead in the Boat League on 30 points, with Robbie Hawken next on 22 and Neil Clyne 21. Aivis Kreslins is fourth on 12 points, while James Simpson is next on seven and Peter Creasey is sixth with six points.
DFFA’s next event is the All-Lochs competition for the Ian Hanna Trophy on the evening of Friday, May 24.
