There were massive hatches of Mayfly during the whole of last week with anglers finding that close imitations to the emerging fly produced tremendous sport; those who did not found it very frustrating. Otter Island on the Invertrossachs drift came to life last week with many boats bagging up early in their session.

On Thursday evening huge numbers of trout were seen in wind lanes around the island which meant that the few Scottish National semi-finalists who had heard about this did exceptionally well during the competition the following day.

Last week Michael Low from East Kilbride had the biggest brownie at 1lb 10oz. On the Club front the CSSA, 8 Boats, 19 fish for 19lb 15oz – best rod Geoff Barker 6 for 6lb.

Orr & Lochty, 3 boats, 11 fish returned, East Kilbride 5 boats, 16 fish for 17lb 2oz – best rod Michael Low            2 fish for 3lb.

SANA Scottish National Semi Final: Ist was Bob Robertson, Bridge of Weir Loch 10 fish and 2^nd Robert Fullerton, SANA,     6 fish. Other final qualifiers: Mike Willis- Bridge of Allan 76, D. Purves- Bank of Scotland East, M Russell- Merkister, Chris Sutherland- Largs & District, David Ogg - RAF, Ian Guthrie- L& Glenrothes, R Stevenson- Glenburn, T Steven- Heriot FP.

Ian Wallace was boatman for the top boat in the semi’s and said that they stuck around Otter island all day as they caught 5 fish on the first drift, their best fly’s were green and yellow tagged Kate McLaren’s.

  The top taking flies have been the Professor, Invicta (standard), Wickham’s, and the Kate McLarens with the best areas being Otter Island, Grass Bank, Beetle Bay, sailing club and Grahavie Bay.

This week has been the busiest of the season and there has been some excellent catches despite very mixed conditions. After some warm days the previous week and a rapid rise in water temperature this week the temperature has dropped back to 14.5C. Large numbers of trout have been seen gorging on emerging buzzers mainly in the Road Shore and Carsaig areas.

The first heat of the Anglian Water Fulling Mill International was held on Sunday. The Shetland Fly Fishers team and Leven Fly Casters were out most days practising for the heat and found good numbers of fish in many areas with the best being Grahavie Bay and Beetle Bay. A Scottish Nationals semi-final will be held on this coming Friday and the results will be given next week.

John Stokoe from the Gartmore Angling Club had a brownie at just on 2lbs that was the biggest fish taken last week. Some of the clubs who did well last week included the Rowbank Angling Club, 6 boats, 27 fish for 23lbs 8oz – best rod Richard Anderson 8 for 9lb 6oz;

Loanhead Miners AC, 5 boats, 21 fish for 23lb 6oz – best rod Ian McNicoll jnr. 7 for 7lbs

Gartmore AC, 5 boats, 17 fish for 18lb 2oz – best rod Archie Whitehead 5 for 5lb 3oz. Locher AC, 4 boats, 14 fish for 13lb 6oz;

Cally Liners, 7 boats, 33 fish for 30lb 6oz – best rod Bobby Watson 6 for 6lbs 8oz

Good Companions, 7 boats,11 fish for 11lb 3oz.

The Anglian Water Fulling Mill International. The first Scottish heat of this competition, now in its 5th year, was held at Loch Venachar on Sunday evening. Top teams such as the Leven Fly Casters and Shetland Fly Fishers were out in force in the run up to the competition. David Chalmers of Leven Fly Casters said that on their 2 practice nights the team boated well in excess of 100 brownies, mainly from the Grahavie Bay, Grass Banks and Beetle Bay areas. The winning team was Leven Fly Casters consisting of Francie Jarrett, Craig Cowan, David Chalmers, Ian Wilson, Colin Smith and Craig Dalglish. The other 2 teams qualifying for the Scottish final are West Lothian FDG and Shetland Fly Fishers

This season’s catches to the end of May have now been compared with the same period in 2006. The average catch for an 8hr boat session is 9.3 fish compared with 6.25 last season, 36% of brownies were returned and a mean average weight of 1.25lbs per fish has been attained.  During May fishing effort was most concentrated at Grass Banks, Grahavie Bay, Submarine Island, Otter Island, Boat House Bay and the Portnellan drift. The loch was last stocked on Wednesday with brownies up to 2.5lbs introduced to most drifts and bays. The pre-yearling programme, which started in 2004, is now proving to be very successful. Fifteen thousand 4” adipose fin clipped fish were stocked during that year. Large numbers of these fish, which are now 10” to 12”, are being reported as caught and returned. The fast growth rate shows that Venachar has superb feeding and water quality. The biggest fish taken last week was taken by Gerry Henderson on a Clan Chief at Grahavie Bay. Also doing well were the B.P. Angling Club,   5 boats, 17 fish         for 17lb 14oz - best rod, B. Adam 4 for 4lb 14oz. Edinburgh Walton AC,  4 boats, 7 fish for 8lb 15oz, Dunoon & District A.C. 5 boats, 5 fish for 9.5lbs – best rod Graham Macher 2 for 2lb 8oz. The best fly patterns have been the JC Hot Head Diawl Bach, CDC Shuttlecock Diawl Bach, Claret Hopper, Claret Bumble and the Silver Invicta.The top fishing areas have proved to be Boathouse Bay, Milton Point, Submarine Island, Beetle Bay and Lendrick Bay.  

At last, due to warmer weather, the water temperature has topped 13c which will mean that floating lines and midge tips will soon be the most successful tactics coupled with small wets, dries and buzzers. Another couple of thousand brownies will be stocked this week mainly to the south shore drifts.

Fraser and Greg Young from Johnstone had great sport using midge tip lines and size 16’s buzzers with their best drifts being Portnellan, Milton Bay, Boathouse bay and Submarine Island.

Featuring amongst the best club returns last week were

Darvel Fly Fishers, 7 boats, 16 fish for 18lb12oz - best rod Kenny McLean 6 for 5lb 14oz and the Ferry Fly Fishers, 7 boats,11 fish for 16lb.

Crown Fly Fishers, 8 boats, 15 anglers returned 37 fish with 3 anglers taking their 7 fish limit - Rab Irvine had the winning weight with 6lb 10oz fishing in Boat House Bay with 5 on wets and 2 on dries. 

Willie Osborne had the heaviest fish at 1lb 10oz taken from Submarine Island on a Bibio. Leven Fly Casters, 3 boats, all boats did well returning all fish.

 The best taking flies last week proved to be the Hares Lug, small Black Buzzers, Clan Chief and the Golden Olive Bumble and the best areas were Beetle Bay, Submarine Island, Boathouse Bay and Milton Bay

There have been good catches over the last week with most areas of the loch fishing well for those prepared to go down that bit deeper so due to cooler weather again sinking lines are being used. Water temperature is approaching 13c now so good sport is expected soon on floaters and dries.

Venachar has been a safe place to fish over the past week with 3 of Scotland’s police fishing clubs having outings here!

Again there have been a number of larger brownies caught with Neil Anderson of Canmore AC catching a superbly conditioned wild fish that weighed in at 2lbs 10oz. Strathclyde Police: 7 boats for 34 fish at 38lbs – best boat Alan Jackson & D. Campbell – 8 for 9lbs, Central Scotland Police: 5 boats for 16 fish at 17lbs and Lothian and Borders Police: 7 boats for 23 fish at 23lbs. Quigley: 4 boats for 25 fish at 27lbs - best boat Banks and Galbraith 10 fish for 11lbs 8oz, Last Cast AC 2 boats for 4 fish, best boat Ian Muckle, Canmore AC, Forfar, 4 boats for 18 fish at 22lb 10oz – best basket Fraser Robertson, 5 for 6lbs 8 oz. 

Best flies have been the Soldier Palmer, Kate McLaren with a green tag, Marbled Sedge, Gartmore Palmer, Claret Bumble, Silver Invicta, Rough Olive and the Yellow Dancer fished with DI 3, Wetcel 2 lines.

 The best fishing areas have been Portnellan, Grass Banks, Boathouse Bay, Milton Bay, Milton Point and Carsaig  

The unsettled weather during the past week has meant fluctuating catches and very varied tactics. Air temperature has not been above 12c all week and the water temperature is also now just about 12c. With a strong south west wind on Monday and Tuesday most boats were pulling wets on intermediates. With better weather on Wednesday Messrs. Riach and Millar had great sport on Wednesday fishing wee dries but on Thursday, Friday and Saturday conditions were quite breezy again. At last Sunday was much milder and great conditions were enjoyed for most of the day. We have seen early small hatches of Mayfly’s mainly in Lendrick, Grahavie and Milton bays. Numerous large brownies have been hooked and lost this week at the very western end of the loch. These larger fish seem to visit this area at this time of year where they feed on pike eggs and fry. Bill King from the Butcher Boys, landed a cracking 2lb 4oz fish and Colin Riach, Edinburgh, returned a superbly conditioned fish in excess of 2lbs 12oz.The clubs were out in force with Callander AC, 3 boats, taking 5 fish for 5lbs 8oz with 1 returned – best rod was Sammy Mathieson with 4 fish weighing 3lbs 9oz. Scottish & Southern Electric Board AC, 9 boats, 14 fish for 17lb – top rods Ian MacLean and Brian Ferguson – 4 fish each and the The ABCD AC, 4 boats, 11 fish for 17lb 3oz - best rod G Dickson 3 fish for 3lb 10oz. The Butcher Boys AC, 10 boats, 21 fish for 21lbs 6oz, St Serf’s Ladies AC, 5 boats, 7 fish for 7lbs - best rod Maggie Norrie 3 fish returned and Ferry Fly Fishers, 5 boats, 14 fish returned – top rod R. MacGregor 5 fish returned. Winchburgh AC, 4 boats, 40 fish for 39lb 1oz – best rod Jock Cowan 7 for 7lb 4oz.The best taking flies have been wee dries and traditional patterns like the Kate McLaren, Claret Dabbler, Clan Chief, Loch Ordy, Golden Olive Bumble and the Invicta. The best drifts have been Grahavie Bay, Boathouse Bay, Submarine and Otter Islands.

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.

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.

Although the weather was mixed during the past week with rain on Tuesday and Wednesday then bright skies and a coolish north easterly wind for the later part of the week there have still been some superb catches, though some boats have found the conditions quite testing. The north shore came into its own towards the end of the week.

On Monday, Ronnie Rob, who drove up overnight from Rutland Water had his limit by mid day. Stevie Docherty, Fort William, had 13 fish on Wednesday mostly on Dabblers from the Portnellan drift. Mark Stephen and Tam Burnett, fishing catch and release, had the largest catch for the week loosing count at over 30 fish to the boat. Scott Griffin, Weir Pumps AC, had his limit and returned a further 15 fish, as did John Orr.

The angling clubs were out in force and included amongst the best catches were Gartmore FC, 7 boats, 21 fish – best result Robert Murray winner 5 fish for 7lbs; Dunrod AC, 3 boats, 13 fish – best catch R. Gonet winner 4 fish and Weir Pumps AC, 5 boats, 55 fish (31 returned) winner Scott Griffin with 22 fish. Last but not least Kelvinside Academicals, 4 boats, 18 fish best bag Roddie Spiers, Strathaven 4 fish for 5lbs 8oz.

The best fly patterns have been Dabblers with an orange throat, Professor, Soldier Palmer, Kate McLaren- green tag, Clan Chief, size 14’s and wee double traditional. Midge tip lines produced good catches during the early part of the week, then slow intermediates towards the end.The best areas have been the Grass bank and Scouts bay that fished extremely well and the Portnellan drift fished well over the weekend. The Road Shore, fished further out than Submarine Island, saw many boats ‘bagging up’ from mid afternoon to the end of the session.

Some excellent catches are now being reported with many boats reaching their limits by mid day. In general the weather has been much better during the past week with warmer water and air temperatures. Large hatches of buzzers and some lake olives are now being seen, mainly to the west end of the Loch.

The ospreys are back and stealing a few brownies but no one really minds. Over the weekend many fishers have reported that they have returned salmon smolts so hopefully this is a good sign for future years.A number of 2lb+ brownies have been caught during the past week, some natural and some over wintered. Jock Cowan, Dechmont, out with the Hedgehogs had a beautiful 2lb 14oz fish from Grahavie Bay.Featuring amongst the top individual catches were Sam Waddle, Falkirk, and Dick Ness, Markinch, who had a great day in windy conditions on Wednesday with a boat limit of fish to 2lb. Davie Neilson, Crainlarich, had 5 crackers including a natural brownie of 2.5lbs and Angus Armour and Bill Smith from Penicuik had their limit on Thursday with most of their fish coming from Boathouse Bay and Otter Island.

The clubs have been out in force and included amongst the best returns were the Callander Angling Club that had 14 fish from their 4 boats with the best result coming from Gordon Buchanan with 7 fish weighing 10lbs 4oz. The Hedgehogs took 39 fish and returned 7 from their 5 boats with Jock Cowan having the top basket of 7 fish. The Aberfoyle Fishing Club’s three boats returned with 27 fish with the top rod being Kenny Findlayson with 7 fish and the Trossachs Angling Club had a good outing taking 18 fish with the best catch going to Archie Whitehead with 7 fish for 9.5lb.The Loanhead & District Angling Club had 14 boats out returning with 76 fish – top rod Tam Denholm with 7 fish for 10.5lb.All areas, except the mid and east deeps, are now producing fish. Grahavie Bay has been exceptional and with the warmish south west wind many boats have continued the drift onto the Lendrick point that has fished well all week. The Grass Bank and sailing Club produced great sport over the past weekend.