Junior Competition 2009

This year the junior competition was brought forward to the 1st of August to try and capture some sunshine. For a change the plan worked and the juniors got a nice sunny, breezy day for their annual thrash around the north shore of Loch Fannich. All the hopefuls gathered at the square in Strathpeffer at 08:00 and with enthusiasm high, Ali Hunter led the convoy up to Fannich.
Reports were that the loch was at a good height but for some unknown reason, the fishing had been hard going throughout this season. Both Peter and Stewart Shearer, decided to stop at the dam whilst the rest of the group headed up the loch. Steven and David Kerr went straight up to the famed nest of Fannich at the head of the loch. This tactic proved to be the most successful as David had the heaviest bag, all on the fly. The majority of the competitors chose to stop at the burn mouths just past the keeper’s house. This worked well for Harry and Robert Grant where they caught the biggest trout and also the largest aggregate bag. The weigh in showed that, as expected the catch was down on the previous year and that previous knowledge of the loch was vital in covering trout. It was noticeable that the juniors caught a good deal more trout than the adults, well done to them.

• Top Rod: David Kerr

2nd: Stewart Shearer

3rd: Robert Grant

• Heaviest Trout: Robert Grant

• Top Pair: Harry & Robert Grant

• Top Fly Rod: David Kerr

As always our warmest thanks go to the Fannich estate for hosting our junior competition especially Ruaridh and Rachel who annually do their utmost to ensure our juniors are well accommodated and the loch is available to fish. The catering was again 1st class and our thanks go out to Isobel Hunter who each year looks after the appetites of both seniors and juniors alike, the burgers were brilliant. Thanks also to Nigel Shaw for sending the sweets up from Contin shop. Finally thanks to all the seniors who turned up to make the day both possible and more importantly enjoyable. We all look forward to next year when hopefully we can all turn up again and if the club continues to prosper we may have the pleasure of seeing some new junior faces.

Dave MacGregor - Competition Secretary