The loch has fished well all week despite an easterly wind which has been fairly cool at times. This may account for the large numbers of stocked brownies that have been caught on the north shore drifts where the air and water temperatures have been slightly warmer than the south shore drifts. Many anglers have had success fishing the Mid Deeps which is most unusual at this still early part of the season. The first run of sea-trout has arrived and the occasional salmon has been sighted. 

Jock Royan, fishing his Scottish National Preliminary heat on Friday had the largest brownie of the week at 2lb. 9oz included in a great basket of 18 fish weighing 16lbs 8oz.

Featuring amongst the best club catches were

Cove and Kilcreggan: 6 boats, 7 fish for 25lbs 4oz best bag Campbell Morgan, 6 for 6lbs 1oz.

Dunfermline Railway AC,      7 boats, 49 fish for 39lbs 4oz – best bag, John Singleton, Rosyth, 7 for 7lb. 1oz and the Ayr Travellers, 4 boats, 14 fish for 16lbs. 2oz.

The Grizzlecats: 5 boats, 38 fish for 43lbs plus 13 returned – best basket Peter Edge, 4 for 5lbs plus 9 returned

Stewarton AC    , 9 boats, 44 fish for 35lbs, 24 returned – best basket Mark Stephen, 7 for 8.5lbs plus 12 returned.

Bank of Scotland (East)     5 boats, 15 fish for 16lbs.

The best lines have been DI3 and intermediate lines teamed up with the Kate McLaren, Wickham’s Fancy, small mini lures, Claret Dabblers and the Clan Chief. The top taking drifts have been the Road Shore, Grahavie Bay, Milton Point, Mid Deeps and Portnellan.   

The first qualifier of the SANA Nationals Preliminary Qualifier was held at Venachar on Friday 11 May. Some of Scotland’s best brown trout anglers and Scottish Team members competed in this competition. The boat average for the session was an impressive 11.8 fish, total fish 177 for 15 boats!

Results of those who qualified:Jock Royan, Army Federation - 18 fish - 16.5lbs. James Gardiner, Army Federation - 12 fish - 12.5lbs

Tom Burnett, Stewarton AC - 10 fish - 9lb 15oz. G Shepherd, IBM AC - 14 fish - 9lb. 9oz

Mark Stephen, Stewarton AC - 11 fish - 9lb 9oz. Dave Downie, D & B - 10 fish - 8lb 12.5oz

D Wales, Munnoch AC - 8 fish - 7lb 12oz. Craig Osborne, Crown Fly Fishers - 8 fish - 7lb 3oz

Ronnie Orr, Milngavie AC - 9 fish - 7lb 2oz. Ronnie Robb, Househillmuir AC - 10 fish - 7lb 1oz

Davie Bowie, Luggiebank AC - 8 fish - 6lb 8.5oz. R Greenhill, Stranraer - 6 fish - 6lb 8.5oz

J Scott, Munnoch AC - 6 fish - Police - 5 fish  - 4lb 7oz 

The Army Federation lads’ tactics were as to use a D1 3 and never change flies all day. Their cast was a Clan Chief top dropper, followed by green tailed Kate McLaren, Straggle snatcher and black/pearl mini lure on the point of a 20’ leader.