NEWS

2011

 

MARCH

 

Excellent sport is being had  as improved and warming weather conditions encourages the trout to feed.

 

Catch returns into double figures has been a common sight in the Fishery Log Book with Jake Fraser landing 18; Alec Elliot, 17; C Walker, 15; George Smith, 13; J Logie and Martin Patience, 11 each and Douglas Fraser and Ron Phillips, 10 each. T Black and W Hives had fish over 3lbs.

 

Various fly patterns have been tempting fish with the following noted by visiting anglers, Bloodworm, Montana, Blob, WSW, Buzzers, Viva, Dancer, Cats Whisker, Damsel, Budgie, Ace of Spades, Woolly Worm, Egg Fly and Dawsons Olive.

 

Visiting anglers have had some exceptional results with Pete Green landing 88 over two visits and Karren Gillies, 50, also for two visits. Robin Berry had 20; Tommy Paterson, 15; George Smith, 14; Simon Munro, 13; Willie Hunt and R Anderson, 12 each; R Smith, D MacBeth and Jake G Fraser, 11 each and I Mutch, 10. Pete Green had a fish of 6lb; Karren Gillies a fish of 4lb; G Smith, R Smith and W Miller, fish to 3lb. The Bait Loch has also been productive with fish to 4lb being landed.

 

Main patterns noted by successful anglers have been Buzzers, Fritz, Budgie, Cormorant, Viva, Dunkeld, Damsel, Bloodworm, Cats Whisker, WSW, Montana and Snatcher. Dry flies and suspender buzzers have also attracted fish when the weather conditions allow.

 

Weather conditions changed for the worse mid March. "Cold but good", "Heavy Snow but fishing well" and "Blizzards and Freezing, but fun" were comments left by visiting Anglers in the Fishery Record Book. Buzzers, Bloodworm, Fritz, WSW, Nomads and Dancers all accounted for fish. Ron Maslin had 54 fish at two visits; Pete Green had 25 for one morning session; George McKenzie 18; James Whyte 12; W McNeil 11; Willie Hunt 10; Bill Greig 9 and S Graham 7. Although cold, fish were still being caught just a few feet below the water surface and were even showing on top when conditions improved. The Winter League finishes this month and competion has been excellent.

 

The last week of March saw water temperatures rise, resulting in excellent fishing. Trout were feeding in the top two feet of water primarily and Anglers using Buzzers, Suspender Buzzers, Spiders and Dries recorded good numbers of fish. Lures accounted for fish on days when the weather was windy or earlier in the day.

 

J Land had 19 fish for his session; Davie Skinner 16; D McKenzie 15; George Skinner 14; Alistair Davidson and W Owen, 12 each; Alan Scott 9; Tom Brack, G Scobie and R Anderson 8 fish each. The Bait Loch continues to attract visitors and returns of fish to 4lb have been recorded.

 

APRIL

 

The first week of April produced warmer, although windy weather and conditions were excellent . Some great sport was on offer to visiting Anglers and impressive catches were recorded.

 

Pete Green had 38 fish; Julian Land, 24 and 27 for two visits; Ron Maslin and D Magee, 18 each; A M Davidson 17; Alick Elliot and Stewart Montgomery, 16 each; George Smith 15; Karen Gillies and Jake G Fraser, 14 each; W Owen, B Moore, D McKenzie and Mick Fenion, 12 each and Bill Greig, 10.

 

All have remarked on the quality and fighting qualities of the trout and as the year progresses this can only get better. A Scott had the best fish of the week, a Rainbow of 3lb 4ozs. Fish were taking Buzzers, Spiders, CDC and Foam Suspender Buzzers, Diawl Bach, Muddlers, Bibio, Dunkeld, Crunchers, WSW, Fritz, Damsels and Blobs.

 

The Troutmasters Fish Off was held on a very warm and sunny Sunday, 10 April and all finalists were soon into fish, some in good numbers.

 

The morning session proved the most productive and at the afternoon weigh in, the winner was Pete Green with 4lb 6oz; Runner Up with 3lb 9oz was Mike Cameron and in Third Place, Ron Phillips with 3lb 6oz. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day and the hospitality.

 

 

OPEN FLY FISHING COMPETITION IN AID OF THE SCOTTISH LADIES INTERNATIONAL TEAM

 

 

This was held on Sunday 17 April and was very well supported by Anglers from across Scotland. Weather conditions proved challenging with bright sun and wind which changed direction during the day, testing all anglers but making the day most enjoyable. Following the three fish "weigh in" at the end of the day, the winner was Ron Phillips with 6lb 11oz; Runner Up with 6lb 9oz was David McGregor, who also won the heaviest fish prize (3lb 4oz); Third Place went to Ron Maslin, 5lb 8oz. A well supported Raffle helped add to a healthy £470 being added to International Team funds.

 

 

MAY

 

IAC TROUT LEAGUE

 

Inverness Angling Club’s Winter Trout League for 2010-11 concluded last Saturday (May 14) with the final at Achagour Fishery, near Nairn.

 

Fishing proved fairly hard with cold, blustery winds and rain keeping the fish well down but the 15 competitors fished well to take some useful bags.

 

The heaviest fish, at 2lbs 10oz, was taken by Stewart Dickie who won the IAC Trophy and a Prestige rod and line sponsored by international tackle manufacturers Snowbee. Runner-up was Peter Easton, also with a fish of 2lbs 10oz, winning a £60 voucher donated by Neil Fraser of Bellfield Enterprises and a Snowbee fly line.

 

The heaviest bag over the league’s eight monthly sessions was a total of 33lbs 15oz taken by Phllip Enfield, winning the IAC Trophy and a Daiwa Wilderness XT trout rod, reel and line sponsored by Inverness tackle dealers Graham and Company. Runner-up was Ross Anderson with a total bag of 29lbs 15oz, winning a £50 tackle voucher sponsored by Achagour Fishery and a Snowbee fly line.

 

Congratulating all the competitors, IAC vice-president Billy Orrock said the league had been a great innovation for the club, bring members together in friendly competition over the close season. On behalf of the club, he thanked Achagour Fishery operators Stewart Mackintosh and his daughter Cindy for their help and hospitality.

  Achagour Fishery