| COMPETITION PROGRAMME | LEADERBOARD |
Highland Park Trophy
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Top rod Sandy McConnachie |
THE 2025 SEASON KICKS OFF ON SWANNAY LOCH
After three weeks of brilliant spring weather, typically, it was a raw northerly wind and 5 degrees which greeted the 27 anglers at Swannay for the first competition of the season. It looked at first sight that many of the anglers had put on a few pounds over the winter, but it was just the numerous layers of thermals worn that gave a false impression, for most.
Most boats headed well up the loch to Louden hill, Ernie’s, and beyond, for the 11am start, but there was plenty shore for everyone to fish in the north wind. To be fair, the blinks of sunshine helped to keep everyone reasonably comfortable and a good day’s sport ensued.
Best basket of the day, winning the Highland Park Trophy was Sandy McConnachie with a tremendous 15 fish, for 10lb 7 3/4 oz., beating runner up Allan McConnachie who had one less fish, 14 for 9lb 12 ½ oz. another excellent showing. Others who came close included, Thorfinn Muir with 16 fish for 9lb 7oz Andrew Morgan with 12 for 8lb 5 3/4ozs, Ian Hutcheon with 10 for 7lb 9ozs, and Norman Irvine with 10 for 6lb 14ozs. A special mention goes out to the winner of the heaviest fish, Stephen Pattinson, in his first OTFA competition, winning the Gordon Grant Memorial Trophy with a nice fish, going 1lb 7ozs.
It was classic Swannay tactics which took the bulk of the fish for most of the anglers, with Airflo Sweep lines, especially the DI5, being the line of choice. Fishing a long “hang”, was key to success and Swannay Ace, as per usual, was the successful fly for many. Around the island and Chrismo were most successful areas.
It’s the first evening competition next week, with Harray the venue, let’s hope for a continuation of the settled weather for that one.
KK
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