At another highly successful annual Open Night held in Scotlands Hotel last evening, Neil Sinclair, a regular visitor to the River Tummel and well-known trout internationalist, gave a very smooth and effective demonstration of how to tie some of his flies for trout and grayling fishing. He also described how to fish them at different times of year and responded very generously to questions from the rapt audience. Most of the patterns were of his own design, including the well-known Double- and Single-Decker deer hair dries, also a highly effective bead-headed nymph and a CDC Yellow Mayfly with foam body. Ally Gowans provided and expertly operated the filming and projection kit, so that the full attendance had a great view of Neil in action.
The Club Prizes for the 2010 fishing season were presented by Dr Emily McCartney, including to young son Struan, as Junior Champion. Other winners were myself, Davie Stewart, Ross Gardiner, Steve Watt and John Pointer. Kenneth Cowan should be mentioned in despatches, having been pipped at the net once or twice. Hard-working President, Jimmy Ross and past Treasurer, Davie Stewart, were made Honorary Members of the Club. Both have been on the Committee for 33 years.
Jimmy Ross then metamorphosed into Auctioneer mode and 'controlled' a highly entertaining exhibition of - largely boyish - good humour with the 40-strong audience as money flowed from their pockets (a few pockets had stronger Velcro than others) towards our chosen charities for this year, Motor Neurone Disease and the Community Guide Hut maintenance fund. Once again, an amazing total was collected, this time over £700, which says a lot for angling clubs in general and this Club in particular. Our grateful thanks are due to the Hotel staff and to any guests who may have been seeking a quiet time.
Pity that nobody seems to have taken photographs.
(AFW)