Nil returns for all but two in final round of DFFA Boat League
Dounreay Fly Fishing Association held the final round of its 2024 Boat League competitions last Wednesday evening when 14 members fished for the KML Trophy on Loch Watten.
On arrival at the loch to prepare for the 6pm start, the water looked very inviting with a gentle south-east wind. However, on closer inspection it turned out to be quite cloudy and hopes of a good evening’s fishing went out the window.
As a mainly disappointed group of anglers returned to the berths after lines up at 10pm, all but two reported nil returns and some left for an unwelcome early night as soon as their fishing gear was loaded in their cars.
Those who went along to the Brown Trout Hotel for the weigh-in saw Michael Skerrit place a 2 lb 11.5 oz trout on the scales and this gave him a comfortable first place, the KML Trophy and 14 Boat League points, plus the bonus point for best fish.
He had caught the fish near Sandy Point on a Suspended Midge fly attached to a Midge Tip line.
The other successful member was Willie Plank, who caught a one-pound fish in Laid Bay using a floating line and a Loch Ordie fly – sometimes the old traditional flies are the best ones. Willie collected 12 points for second place.
Alex Donald had already won the 2024 Boat League by the largest margin anyone can remember. He amassed 58 points after counting his best six scores from the seven events.
Robbie Hawken and James Simpson are tied for second on 33 points, with Aivis Kreslins fourth on 32. Billy Thomson 31 and Toby Bracey 28 complete the top six.
The club’s next event is a Bank League competition on lochs Seilge and Caorach on Saturday, August 24.
