Saturday, 25th September

Portmore Loch, Day Session

Dreich, breezy conditions at the start of the day quickly gave way to what were really ideal conditions for late September.  The breeze dropped back, while the 100% ceiling let some hazy sun through to get temperatures up to modest levels by mid-afternoon.  There was no sign of the accursed sticklebacks so, all in all, it was disappointing that were were so few fish caught.

Early doors, there were a few stockies on the fin, and a few fish were taken to boobies, predominantly white, on intermediate and washing line tactics.  That activity very quickly died away, and in the mid session, the only person to make much of things was Jimmy M, who picked up a few fish to dry fly, notably a claret Klinkhammer.  Jimmy commented that there was very little showing on top, but that anything that did show was a chance.  Meanwhile, there was always the occasional one coming OTB.

Steve G gets one in the net

A quick round up of the score cards shows that fish were also caught on the following: a dry hopper, one to dry and one to buzzer, damsel, Diawl Bach (2 anglers), Montana, 2 on buzzer pupae.  Dougie S tried ringing the changes and had quite a bit of interest pulling popping bugs on the floater.  He even landed one on this version!  Meanwhile, Dougie's boat partner, Alan H reverted to good old wet flies, and took a brace to muddler and Kate McLaren.

Alan H fights for control

Later in the afternoon, a wee flurry of lake olives got themselves airborne.  This got a few residents on the fin, though there were again very few breaking surface.  Attempts with olive nymph tactics drew no response, but a return to dry fly did get a bit of success, with comparadun and...  er, halfhog (well, who said it had to be an exact imitation?) taking fish.  Spoonings revealed a few olive nymphs, a few adult duns, plus a few black terrestrials and a few buzzer pupes.

The club's total was 30 fish to 19 rods.  Although not a big total, the fish were of the very highest quality, and, if anything, the stockies outclassed the residents on looks, though the residents had the upper hand on fitness (one went 60 yards!).  The best of them were in the 4 lb to 5 lb class.