SANACC

120th Scottish National Trout Fly Fishing Championship
2012


Semi Finals

Semi Final No 6 - Lake of Menteith

Conditions were overcast and warm for the last of the semi finals and with 22 competitors the top 7 go forward to the final.

The top rod was James Litster of Neilston FF who had 18 fish for 37lb 4oz. James took all of his fish on dries from Sandy Bay in the morning and early afternoon and from Lochend later in the day.

In second place was Ken Oliver of Inverclyde FF who had 12 fish for 27lb 4oz. Ken took all of his fish on cormorants fished on a slow glass line with 9 of them in the Rookery and 3 in Cages Bay.

In third place was Neill Anderson of Canmore AC (Forfar) with 9 fish for 21lb 10z. Neill took his fish on a candy booby and a two tone blob fished on a midge tip line in Cages Bay.

photo: James Litster, Ken Oliver and Neill Anderson

Semi Final No 5 - Lake of Menteith 3rd July


It was warm and wet for the 5th semi final with a light breeze to give near perfect conditions. With 49 competitors the top 15 go through to the final.

Top rod was Brian McKenzie of Rowbank AC who had 15 fish for 31lb 2oz. Brian started his day drifting from Dog Island to the Malling Shore and later moved to Lochend and Arnmach Point. He took fish at all three locations and all 15 fish were taken on dries.

Mick Tait of Kelso AA was second with 9 fish for 20lb 7oz. Mick took his first three fish in Cages Bay and the other 6 drifting through the buoys to the island. His first fish were taken with a cat booby and blobs on a midge tip line with the later fish being taken on dries.

Third spot went to Chris McAllister of Raemoir Trout Fishers. Chris had 9 fish for 19lb 15 oz and they were all taken at Arnmach Point. Two fish were taken on cat booby fished on a midge tip line with the the other 7 being taken on dries.

photo: Chris McAllister, Brian McKenzie and Mick Tait

Semi Final No 4 - Carron 25th June

The semi finals returned to Carron on 25th June and for a change there was a bit of warmth in the air. The day started off bright with a very light breeze and with cloud cover thickening steadily throughout the day it was a near perfect day. Twent four competitors were in this semi and the top 8 go through to the final.

Iain Campbell of Inverclyde FF was the top rod with 12 fish and took his fish in Burnhouse Bay and Carron Bay. He took his first three fish pulling mini lures on a midge tip and the last nine on dries.

George McMahon of Heatherfly Fishers was second with 7 fish. George took his first two fish on dries at the South shore opposite the pier. He later moved over the North side at the buoys where he took five rainbows on buzzers and a candy floss booby fished on a midge tip line.

Scott Pozzi of Rainbow AC was third with 7 fish which he took in Burnhouse Bay on invictas and hoppers fished on a slow intermediate.

photo: Scott Pozzi, Iain Campbell and George McMahon

The next semi final is at Menteith on 3rd July.

Semi Final No 3 - Loch Leven 22nd June

Loch Leven hosted the third of the semi finals on Friday 22nd June. The day started off bright but cloud cover gradually took over. There was a stiff breeze to begin with and this steadily increased to a fairly strong wind.

Twenty two anglers took part and with 31% qualifying the top 7 go through to the final.

Top was Stuart Malcolmson of Thalassa AC who had 5 trout for 8lb 10oz. Stuart took all his fish in the Old Manse Bay and North buoy area fishing a mini humungous and a doobry on a DI3. Stuart's boat partner, Ian Wilson of Clatto & Stratheden was second with 4 fish for 6lb 6oz. Ian took his fish on a mini humungous and a clan chief on a DI3. Craig Osborne of Ayrshire AA was third with 4 fish for 4lb 4oz.

photo: Ian Wilson, Stuart Malcolmson and Craig Osborne

The semi finals return to Carron on Monday.

Semi Final No 2 - Carron 20th June

The second semi final was held at Carron on 20th June and once again the day started of bright with a light breeze. The wind picked up slightly as the day progressed and cloud cover gradually arrived.

Forty competitors took to the water at 9am and the top 13 made it through to the final. Most competitors found the fishing hard but some had worked it out and put together good bags.

Local angler Scott Aitken of Bonnybridge AC was the runaway winner with 16 fish which was 9 more than any other angler. Scott took his fish along the South shore from the dam to Bin Bay fishing snatchers and wets on a floating line.

In second place was Sean McCaffrey of Whalsay AA. This is Sean's first year in the National and he will now have to make the long journey from Shetland for the final. Sean took his fish in Stockie Bay on invictas and boobies on a DI3 and midge tip line.

In third place was Alan Porteous of Frozen North AC. Alan took his fish along the South shore from the dam to Burnhouse Bay on cormorants and hoppers on midge tip and fast glass lines.

photo: Alan Porteous, Scott Aitken and Sean McCaffrey

There is a break on Thursday with the next semi final at Leven on the 22nd.

Semi Final No 1 - Lintrathen 19th June

Thirty Four Competitors were in the first semi final at Lintrathen on 19th June and with 31% being the qualifying mark the top 11 go through to the final. Many of the competitors had lived with electrical storms during practice the previous day but expectations were high with some good bags being taken during practice. Conditions were good and started off fairly bright with light winds. The wind picked up slightly as the day went on and although conditions were good many competitors found it hard going and 5 fish were needed to qualify.

Top rod was Peter Auchterlonie of St Fillans & Lochearn who had 9 trout for 14lbs 1oz. Peter was fishing at the Sawmill end and at the dam wall and took his fish on boobies on a midge tip line.

Rab Maxwell of Clatto Stratheden was second with 8 fish for 12lbs 6oz. Rab was fishing in the area bounded by the pier and the Rhododendron Shore and took his fish on a pearly cormorant and blob boobies on a midge tip line.

In third place was Stephen Stuart of Lochgelly SRC. Stephen had 8 fish for 11lbs 10oz which he took on blobs and a greenwell glory in Smarts Bay.

photo: Rab Maxwell, Peter Auchterlonie and Stephen Stuart

The next semi final is at Carron on 20th June followed by Leven on 22nd June.