SGL Challenge 2008

The SGL is an annual, bank, fly fishing competition. As in 2007 the competition was held on the Badanlochs and contested by teams from Loch Achonachie, Dingwall and Beauly angling clubs plus a team from SGL. The date was set for the 20th of September and you would expect some wind and rain at that time of year. However, this competition nearly always attracts some late summer sunshine and this year was no exception. The big day dawned with clear blue skies with a warm, light, southerly wind. 33 anglers turned up and with eager anticipation, started the long coach journey up into the heart of Sutherland. On arrival it was obvious that the lochs were incredibly low for the time of year, so low that the island between loch Badanloch and loch na Clar was now a peninsula. Undeterred, our band of heroes dispersed along the North and South shores. One desperately keen participant, or to others, a hopeless fanatic, walked the 5 to 6 miles out to loch Rimsdale at the very head of the system. This tactic was to pay dividends, as this proved to be the winning tactic for Neil MacRichie of Loch Achonachie, if only by a very short margin. At the weigh in there were no specimen trout and no huge bags. The average trout, weighed in, at just under the ½lb. The team result was as follows :

• 1st Loch Achonachie A.C. with 32 trout for 12lb 6¾oz. (SGL Cup Winners)

• 2nd SGL with 14 trout for 6lb 8⅜oz

• 3rd Beauly A.C. with 14 trout for 5lb 9⅞oz

• 4th Dingwall A.C. with 14 trout for 4lb 9⅝oz.

The weigh in for the top rod was an absorbing, nail biting affair with 3 bags being so close that they had to be reweighed without any bags or basses. The results saw Neil MacRitchie triumph by a single ounce from Archie Prentice, with Grant MacKenzie a very close 3rd. The individual results were as follows :

• 1st Neil MacRitchie of L.A.A.C. with 8 trout for 3lb 9⅝oz. (SGL Shield Winner)

• 2nd Archie Prentice of Beauly A.C. with 9 trout for 3lb 8⅝oz.

• 3rd Grant MacKenzie of Dingwall A.C. with 11 trout for 3lb 6¾oz.

Last but not least, the biggest trout was a monster of 11¾oz, wrestled ashore by none other than SGL’s Kenny Ross.

On the way home a good dram was had by all and of course let us not forget the fish suppers in Golspie. Thanks go out to SGL for their sponsorship of this very popular competition and to Spa coaches for getting us there and back safely.