Match no-show turned to triumph at Allandale Tarn

DUE to a no-show from the opposition, a league match at Allandale Tarn ended up as an open singles competition for the home team, including myself, writes STUART FRASER.

The Tarn was heavily stocked for the match and plenty of fish were showing on the surface so I decided to go with a midge tip and a two-fly cast.

The Hothead Damsel on the point was my banker with a holographic Cormorant on the dropper. I landed lucky with my first peg and took a trout on the Damsel within a few casts. Although it was not big, at 2lb-plus it was not to be sniffed at.

Once a fish was caught the angler had to move a minimum of five pegs in a clockwise direction and the next five minutes were to be crucial. As I cast out, a big rainbow of over 7lb slammed into my Damsel and what a scrap it delivered.

The competition was to be decided on the best five fish to be weighed in and this was an ideal start. The forecast was for it to stay warm so it was best to get fish early as it can get tougher later in such conditions.

Despite my best efforts, I could not get another offer, despite other anglers bagging up.

Late into the match I went for broke and tried the dry fly and it came up trumps.

I took three in quick succession on a Yellow Owl CDC to complete my bag and the big rainbow made all the difference as I won the match by the skin of my teeth.