Simpson’s basket of seven secures Robertson Cup at Loch Watten
Dounreay Fly Fishing Association reached the mid-point of its Bank League last Friday evening when 15 members spent four hours fishing the unusually cold waters of Loch Watten.
With a light wind from a mostly westerly direction at 6pm, the majority of them chose the west bank but at times the wind fell away completely or came from the east, making casting rather difficult.
By lines up at 10pm everyone was happy to get back to dry land and warmed up during the walk back to the Oldhall berth area for the weigh-in.
James Simpson was the last to put fish on the scales as his name was last on the result sheet, but it was a case of “best to the last” as his basket of seven trout for 8 lb 9.5 oz gave him the Robertson Cup and 15 Bank League points plus the bonus point for the best fish at 2 lb 13oz.
James had fished from near the berths and down to the north end of Laid Bay with Bibio Snatcher, Hoppers and Dai Bach flies on a Midge Tip line.
Ross Mackay was fishing in his first DFFA competition and showed that he knew a bit about Loch Watten when he put four nice fish weighing 6 lb 2.5 oz on the scales.
He had fished the Laid Bay bank and a 2 lb 8 oz in his bag helped him to secure second place and 13 points. An intermediate line with Loch Ordie and orange Sedge Hog flies were Ross’s choice of tackle.
Toby Bracey made the long walk to the Willows and back to the berth area, so deserved the 11 points for third place. His five trout weighing 5 lb 9.5 oz were caught on a Slow Tip line with Black Cat and Kate McLaren Muddler flies attached.
The top six was completed by Kevin Imlach, with two for 3 lb 7 oz and 10 points; Neil Clyne, with a last-minute fish giving him nine points for two at 2 lb 15.5 oz; and Aivis Kreslins, with his first Watten Bank fish at 1 lb 11.5 oz giving him eight points for sixth place. Willie Plank completed the list of those with fish.
James Simpson now has a comfortable lead in the Bank League with 39 points, Kevin Imlach is next on 25 and Toby Bracey holds third place on 22.
The club’s next event is the “big one”, the All-Night competition on Loch Watten on Saturday, June 21.