Smithfield Shield
SMITHFIELD SHIELD WIN FOR COLIN SUTHERLAND
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A superb effort wins Colin the Smithfield Shield |
Last Sunday saw the penultimate competition of the fly fishing section on Boardhouse for the Smithfield Shield. There was a lot to play for, as for many anglers, a good result would see them still at the races for team places, Fisherman of the Year etc, where a bad day would put paid to their hopes for the season.
35 anglers in all assembled at a very blustery site for the 12 o’clock start. The forecast at times was for severe gale force winds, but as has been the case of late, the forecast was overstated as opposed to under estimated. Hopes were high for a good day out as the fishing had been good on previous days, with Daddies, Olives, Sedge and Cow Dungs providing the trout with a varied and plentiful diet. Most anglers headed for the top of the wind and some shelter at the Barony end. Some anglers reported action right away, Kevin Muir had 4 in the first 10 minutes, and Ken Kennedy had 3 in the basin in similar time, but the catch rate slowed dramatically after that and it was anglers who picked away steadily who won the day.
It took 10 fish to lift the Smithfield Shield and at 3 0’clock, half way, Colin Sutherland was sitting with 2 fish. A change of wind direction decided Colin to abandon the Tufta End of the loch and motor right to the top of the wind, basically right up to Hunto Dam. Colin took 5 fish on his first drift out into the open water from the shore, and added another 3 fish before the finish at 6pm to secure the spoils. His 10 fish went 5lb 3ozs, closely followed by Ian Hutcheon with 6 much better quality fish for 5lb dead. Other sterling efforts were put in by Sandy McConnachie with 7 for 4lb 8ozs, Brian Watt with 6 for 4lb 8ozs and Brian Thompson with 5 for 3lb 13ozs. Best fish was a cracking Boardhouse fish weighing 1lb 10ozs, and once again it was Billy (Wattie) Thomson who caught it, he must have found the secret to catching these better fish.
Successful tactics for most of the top rods were hedgehogs on a floating line, with Orkney Peach the favourite colour, probably due to the wee bit colour in the water after the overnight winds. There was not a daddy to be seen on the loch for most of the day, or any other naturals for that matter, and I think that may have had a detrimental effect on the chances of the boys who had obviously put a lot of faith in the Daddy patterns. Claret and Orange Hogs also caught a few as did Muddlers and Hoppers in similar colours.
The points allocation was very critical at this competition, with some questions being answered, some anglers sliding down the table, and even a glimmer of hope for others looking for a top 12 placing. This is how I see it, Sandy McConnachie continued his relentless march to the Fisherman of the Year title, and only has to turn up and catch 1 fish at the Any Loch competition to beat his boat partner Ian Hutcheon into second spot. There are many hypothetical mathematical outcomes for the next 4 places in the Intercounty team, but realistically, I think that 6th place is the only one up for grabs, with Malcolm Russell in 3rd on 92, Norman Irvine in 4th on 89 and Kevin Muir in 5th on 87, relatively safe. Brian Watt is in 6th with 80 and his position could be under threat from Kenny Adam on 78 and John Munson on 73. There are numerous anglers still in with a shout for the top 12, with Willie Smith holding that position on 58 points, Stewart Wood 18th. Raymond Miller 19th and Jim Adams in 20th on 50, 49 and 48 points are not out of it by any manner of means. These calculations are on aggregate points
It’s a fortnight until the Any Loch, plenty of time to formulate plans of attack, is Swannay fishing, will the fish in Boardhouse really switch on to the Daddies, what about Stenness even, a basket of sea trout would certainly put the cat amongst the pigeons, or will it be a straight shoot out and everybody on Harray, whatever you decide, have a good one, because the end of the season is nigh, unbelievable.
The OTFA would like to thank Norma at the Smithfield Hotel for allowing us to hold the weigh in at the hotel and for providing the competitors with the very welcome soup and sandwiches
KK
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