Dunlichity House

Another good turnout for the third heat of the Dunlichity Cup. Almost everyone caught fish, with a few competitors returning a reasonable number of fish without finally getting one "on the board".

Leader after two heats, Robin Scott left it until the final hooter was about to sound before landing a 2lb fish. However, honours for the day went to John Vickers, with a bag of 6lb 9oz. George Swanson was second with 5lb 15oz and John McFeeley was third with 5lb 13oz. George Skinner won the bottle for the biggest fish outside of the top three, a fish weighing 3lb 8oz.

George Skinner, John McFeeley, John Vickers and George Swanson

The league table after three heats is:

1. Robin Scott - 14lb 2oz

2. David Skinner - 11lb 8oz

3. John McFeeley - 10lb 7oz

4. Ian Young - 8lb 12oz

5. John Vickers - 8lb 6oz

6. Will Jack - 6lb 5oz

7. George Swanson - 5lb 15oz

8. James Gary - 4lb 6oz

9. George Skinner - 3lb 8oz

10. Denis Strange - 3lb 2oz

11. Tim Watson - 2lb 12oz

12. James Watson - 2lb 2oz

Since we took over the Fishery in 2007, a number of double figure fish have been caught and released, but the record for a legitimately "caught and kept" fish was James Gray's 9lb 8oz fish on 1 May this year.

And then came Thursday 8 July ........

It was a really windy day when Ruaridh Macaskill and David Beaumont arrived to fish all day. They were both on a 2 fish ticket, and David, from Brora, opened the scoring with a 2lb+ fish. Then, fishing a black nymph he hooked and landed a superb 10lb 9oz fish.

David Beaumont with his 10lb 9oz fish

The later in the day, Drew Jarvis and Owen Condon arrived to fish. Not to be outdone by Drew catching a 5lb+ fish, Owen, from Dingwall proceeded to smash our current record by landing an 11lb 8oz fish. Owen Condon with his 11lb 8oz fish

Two records in the space of a few hours!

It feels like a broken record - "Changeable weather conditions"!

After drought conditions earlier in the week, we have had strong winds and showers today that have made casting a lottery!

The dry conditions have caused oxygen depletion and on Thursday, we lost 4 fish including a 12lb+. As a result, we have decided to buy an aerator for the top lochan. The increased oxygen levels should improve the fishing generally and the water circulation may give us a few extra days fishing in the winter!

Significant catches this week include:

• Sean Cowan - 16
• Robin Scott - 15
• Ron Maslin - 11

Success has mainly been on buzzers, albeit that Muddlers have had results in the drier weather.

Next heat of the Dunlichity Cup on Saturday 17 July.