Lake of Menteith 25^th March

6ft Water Temperature 5C , Clarity (Secchi disc) 1.8m.

Many thanks to the Reverend Terry Taylor (pictured left), recently appointed new minister to the Port of Menteith and Aberfoyle, who made a great job of opening the fishing season at the Lake on the 22^nd March 2014.The opening day was accompanied by some delightful melodies and later a piobaireachd from Stewart Marshall.

Renowned angler and tackle shop owner Jimmy McBride from Edinburgh thumbed his nose at fishing superstition (according to Terry Taylor) and went fishing with a banana. Jimmy caught 6 fish and was relatively pleased with the catch as he avoided the crowds in the hot spots of Lochend and the Butts. Other successful drifts were Hotel Bay, Reedy Bay and Gateside.

Stewart the Piper had a good day (that’s him with out the dress on the right holding the fish), and there were a number of fine looking overwintered fish in the catches. Boobies, cats and damsels were popular

little cold (Ben Lomond above) – which stupefied this rare wee Goldcrest (Europe’s smallest bird) but plenty of fun was had (Chris and Paul Barr of the Glasgow Angling Centre netting a good fish below). It was especially good to get in behind the glass panes at the end of the day and enjoy the Spit Roast Pork buffet and a glass of wine to celebrate the start of another season at the Lake, and meeting everyone again after a long winter.