FISHING fanatics from across the west of Scotland lined the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond recently for the first fly fishing contest on the loch in over a decade.

Members of the Loch Lomond Angling Improvement Association (LLAIA) met at Balmaha before the contest at Inchmurrin.

Salmon, trout and sea trout were among the winning catches, however rules stipulated all fish caught were to be returned alive to the water.

A tape measure was supplied to each boat at registration and anglers used this to measure the length of the fish caught.

All the catches were photographed with a tape measure to determine the winner.

John Bell, from fishing trip firm The Lomond Angler, said: “The day was a great success. We were expecting maybe 30 people to come along and we got about 60 with 45 taking part in the competition.

“We are trying to build on the popularity of this to get more people involved. I am also a fishing guide and I have taken people out on the loch from all over the world so we need more events like this in the future to help the business.”

The evening prize-giving included a raffle, weigh-in prizes and a spit roast provided by butcher Morrison and Ritchie.

Prizes included two bottles of Mortlach 16-year-old malt whisky, £50 tackle voucher from Angling Active, a hand-made fly box and £100 tackle voucher from Glasgow Angling centre.

Angling Active fishing store was one of the main sponsors for the event, which managed to raise more than £500. The money will be donated to the Loch Lomond Rescue Boat.

Prizes were presented for the best salmon, best trout or sea trout and the best overall bag (by total length).

Jim Bonelli took the top prize with his boat arriving back 30 seconds before the deadline. His sea trout measured a total of 31.75 inches.

LLAIA is a founding member of the Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust and aims to provide the best salmon and sea trout fishing in Britain for members and non-members alike.

It also has control for issuing permits for coarse fishing on Loch Lomond.

The waters include the whole of Loch Lomond, all of the River Leven, parts of the Rivers Endrick and Fruin, the River Leven estuary, the bank of the Clyde estuary and the majority of the Gareloch and Kilcreggan peninsula.