Grilse caught on fly action replay

SPORT » Local Sport
Grilse caught on fly action replay
Published: 15 July, 2010
AS catches on Inverness Angling Club's water rose considerably last week, there was further proof that salmon will take a fly after being lost, and with ironmongery already in their mouths.

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Ross Anderson was among the successful anglers on the Weir Pool early on Saturday morning, taking a magnificent salmon of around 12lbs.

Hanging from its mouth was a length of nylon attached to a Cascade-style fly lodged in the throat of the fish. Having heard that a sizeable fish had broken Kevin Macdonald in the Mill Stream the previous day, Ross showed the fly to Kevin who was fishing nearby.

He confirmed it was his, cleaned it up and tied it to his line. A short time later Kevin went down to the Macintyre Pool where he had been successful earlier in the week. Within a few casts, his version of the Cascade again proved its worth as he hooked and landed a fresh grilse.

Now that's an event unlikely to be repeated, but a story that will be re-told often in local angling circles!

The flurry of activity on club waters saw 15 fish caught for the week.

Monday saw Chris Bruce get of the mark with a 5lb grilse from the Little Ilse, and Paul Warring produced a 6lb fish from the Black Stream.

Ross Anderson and his fishing companion each had a grilse of 5lb from the Weir and Kevin Macdonald had two grilse at 3lb and 6lb from the MacIntyre having also been broken by the now famous bigger salmon on Thursday.

On Friday, Andy Massari caught a 5lb grilse in the Braes and another was taken from the Weir. On Saturday Jimmy Craib had two 5lb grilse at the Weir, Feathers Macdonald one of 8lb from the Silver Wells, Kevin Macdonald and Peter Dawson had 5lb grilse from the Mac and Ross Anderson with the largest for the week.

Just one fish was recorded at Ness Castle, and that fell to dentist Neil Drummond, and scaled 7.5lb.

And at Ness Side, Bill Main had an 8.5lb salmon from the Holm Pool on an old standard fly, a Green Highlander. This was followed up on Saturday by ghillie Ryan Rutherford, who landed a cracking 17lb specimen from the Birch Tree.

Loch Ness is still producing fish, but there are some sorry little specimens being caught.

Last Monday, Angus MacKenzie and Walter MacLennan fishing out of Invermoriston had two salmon of 9lb and 11lb on a Rapala.

Kevin Stewart and the Culloden Cowboy had a tiny grilse of 1lb and another of 4lb and Angus MacGruer had another small one of 2lb and also one of 4lb.

Best of the week off the loch was Alec Nicol's 15lb salmon.

The River Conon was starting to fish well but the recent splurge of rain has seen the water level rise considerably with the result that the fish were scooting through. Successful anglers included Duncan MacKenzie with two grilse of 4lb each, and Alan Derbyshire with another "miniature" of 1.5lb.

Inverness and Beauly fishers using exchange tickets also enjoyed success on the Dingwall and District Angling Club beat.

Despite a lack of water, the River Nairn gave up four fish for local angling association members.

James Dunbar had a salmon of 9.5lb, junior member Calum Fraser and Donald Wilson each had one of 6lb, and Gordon Rennie landed a grilse of 3lb.

* If you have a fishing story to tell, club news or photos for publication contact the sports desk on 01463 732222, or e.mail sports@highland-news.co.uk. We would be delighted to hear from you. LAF