Lifeboats net £1000 from Loch Watten meet
THURSO RBL angling section hosted its new Highland area charity event on Loch Watten on Saturday which replaces the Highland Federation competition which folded last year.
Twenty-four teams of two anglers experienced fairly good fishing conditions but the majority of teams found it hard to attract the elusive fish. Sixteen teams caught a total of 73 fish weighing 57lb 11oz, with eight teams drawing a blank.
The trophy went to J. Stewart and K. Stewart from Inverness with 15 fish weighing 14lb. In second place were J. Gardiner and J. Robertson from Ruthven Angling Club with 15 fish weighing 13lb and third were H. Chisholm and J. Wilson from Lairg Angling Club with 10 fish at 7lb 6oz.
The cup for the heaviest fish was shared between Ross McEwan, Thurso and K. Stewart, Inverness with fish weighing 1lb 10oz. Heaviest solo basket was caught by Jimmy Stewart, Inverness, with nine fish weighing a total of 8lb 9oz.
Before heading home, many of the anglers voted the day a great success and even the ones who failed to catch fish vowing to return next year.
The day, which included a grand raffle, raised £1000, which will be donated to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.