Angling: Kettles was on the boil at Leadburn

A good turn out was expected and the anglers that attended thought they were in for a bonanza when eventual winner Jock Kettles got off to a flyer.

His tactics of fishing the nymph under the bung worked to great effect as others toiled for some time. Despite the freezing temperatures , and much to the amazement of the anglers, some fish were being active on the surface.

I started off with a single Damsel on a floating line and had limited success, getting several offers before being broken with what felt like a good fish. Fighting the cold was the biggest problem and a few anglers retired early. However, those that persevered were rewarded with fish and it was to be a close-run finish.

As the match progressed well into the afternoon the Yellow Dancer, inched along the bottom, came into its own and took a lot of fish. The majority of the trout caught were around 2lb. However, a big brown trout in double figures was caught as well as a couple of five and six pounders that were also returned.

At the finish three anglers were tied and it was decided that the winner would be the angler who caught the first fish. Second to Jock Kettles was Eck Moffat and then came the fast finishing Kenny Miller.

The next match is for Friday, December 30 and entries are now being taken. Entry is £30 and includes breakfast and a two-course lunch.