We had our regular monthly competition the other day (always the last Sunday of the month – all are most welcome!)

It was a close run thing as the fishing started slowly on the bait pond, despite a heavy stocking (twice in the four hours!) and putting on the airator. 

Cammy was first with a fish and for a couple of hours it looked as though that might win it on it’s own!

On the fly pond, the fluff chuckers were faring a wee bit better.

I guess it’s because fishing the fly is a more mobile approach and you are covering more fish that way.

Joe Douglas started well with a couple of early fish, with Arthur Wood and Stevie Divers close behind.

Here’s how it ended up:

Bait pond- Winner was cammy, with 2 fish for 2lb 8oz, with Willie thomson recieving the runners up prize for 1 fish at 2lb.

Fly pond: Winner (most fish) was Joe Douglas with 3 fish for 6lb 9oz, winner heaviest bag from rest of competitors was Arthur Woods with 2 fish for 4lb 7oz.

Well done to all in really tough conditions.

These guys did well out of the burn corner

In saying that though, these guys from the Burgh bar angling club had a field day!

They took 12 fish between them.

Sadly they didn’t enter the competition but will definitely join in next month!

So it just goes to show that you can still catch if you can find the fish. Even with the hotter temperatures and a high pressure weather system over our nappers.

On that note. For the fly fishermen, a wee plea.

If you’re fishing catch and release, please don’t hang about in getting the fish back.

Step up the leader material if need be, so you can get the fish in quickly and returned as soon as possible before being too tired out.

I warn you, that it’s a possibility that we MAY need to stop the release policy temporarily if it means fish are going back with no chance to survive. Hopefully that’ll not be the case, but better forewarned and it’s preventable if we all follow the above advice.

British weather – we’re never happy are we? It’s never ‘just right’ it’s either too cold or too hot, too wet or too dry.

But honestly – it’s too hot and boy do we need rain. Even more than what we’ve had over the past day or so.

If anyone has any old wives tales, apache rain dances, give them a go.

It’ll be worth it.