Monday, 23rd May

Lake of Menteith, Day Session

Apologies for the delay in posting this one: a result of being away for a week's fishing on Uist last week.  Club Secretary JSB reports...

When we left Edinburgh for the Lake, the forecast was not too promising, with rain expected throughout the day.  As it happened, apart from a brief shower, we remained dry.  From a fishing point of view, a fair bit of blue sky and strong sun was to prove more of a problem, particularly in the morning.  However, while the wind had a bit of an edge to it at times, we had reasonable weather for the time of year over a large part of the day.

Unfortunately, the fish seemed to have other ideas about the conditions.  The lake has been a very productive venue for the club in recent years, but on this occasion the rod average was disappointing, considering the weather, with 12 anglers netting only 22 fish.  Judging by the number of boats moving about, other anglers were having similar difficulties, and the large percentage of boats back at the boathouse before 5.30 was another negative indicator.  Our top rod was Tom Steven, who persevered with mini lures on a DI 3 to catch 6, although strangely his fish were all caught in the morning, a time when most others struggled.  Viva and damsel tadpole were his successful patterns, and the fish were found at the head of the wind at the Malling Shore.

In second place was Eric Singer with 4 on his trusty white lure, losing 2 others into the bargain.  Eric always fishes this pattern on a floating line.  While a few other fish were caught on lures, Boyd Scott and Steve Greig managed 5 between them, figure-of-eighting buzzers and dries in Hotel Bay.

Whereas some of the stockies seem to be of a smaller variety this season, being in the 1.5 to 1.75 pounds range, there are some over-wintered beauties in the 3–4 pound class.  Eric Singer had two of these that gave him a merry old time.  There is a school of thought that believes that the smaller fish may afford more “top of the water” sport, but that wasn’t really obvious on today’s showing.  As the club doesn’t return to the Lake for another 3 months, the jury will have to remain out until then on this issue.