With the run up to the National Prelims a number of competitors have been practicing during the past week and most have had great success with small traditional fly’s. Understandably they are not generally very forthcoming as to where they were having good results! Water clarity is superb and the temperature is rising. The Venachar brown trout are now feeding heavily mostly just under the surface. Another 2000 fish were stocked last Tuesday.

Last week five 14 yrs old pupils from Kelvinside Academy visited Venachar to gain experience of fly fishing for brown trout. This is an annual event kindly arranged by Tom Neil. Katie Mullen, Courtney Smith, felicity Ramsay and Douglas Maxwell all had 1 fish each with Guy Rogerson bagging 2.

There have been numerous fish approaching the 2lb mark this week but only one over 2lbs weighing in at 2lbs 8oz caught by Ian Jackson fishing with the Edinburgh Breadalbane club on Thursday. Colin and Barry Hutton had their boat limit by noon on Thursday returning a further 15 fish in the afternoon. Scottish Youth Team member Scott Miller from Perth was the best rod on Saturday, fishing during unfavourable conditions. He boated 12 brownies, beating his dad by 4 fish! 

Featuring amongst the best of the angling club were Edinburgh Breadalbane, 4 boats, 31 fish, 10 returned - winner Robert Sneddon, Broxburn 5 for 6lbs.Bridge of Allan Fishing Assoc, 5 boats, 55 fish, 17 returned; Stanley AC, 5 boats, 37 fish, 7 returned best basket Scott Miller (16yrs) 12 fish and the Bank of Scotland (Glasgow), 4 boats, 8 fish - winner Dave Look, 2 for 2lbs 10oz. 

 The best areas have been Beetle Bay, Grahavie Bay, Road Shore and the top taking flies size 12’s and 14’s black traditional patterns.