We are continuing to hold our monthly meetings in the Iron Horse bar West Nile St Glasgow and at the July meeting we had as usual a good turn out from the Guys who continue to support the branch.

August meeting

John Forret made the journey through to do a talk on Lure fishing for us going through the whole range of Lures, jerk baits, crank baits and their uses, there was around 16 of us in attendance for what was a very laid-back and informative talk.

John encouraged the Guys to ask questions as they did, and he handled all that was asked from the Guys with consummate ease.

He is a very knowledgeable Angler for his years and his infectious manor in which he puts that knowledge over was very refreshing.

Thanks again John you are more than welcome to come back any time mate.

September Meeting

This meeting was in the shape of getting our planned trip to Ireland firmed up a little and the interest that this trip has generated is beyond belief.

We are going to Co Cavan staying at the aptly named Pikers Lodge, just the name of the place gets you going!

We are going over in October 2008 and you might think that we are a little premature in organising such a trip but to be honest once you start to set the wheels in motion you just can’t appreciate how much organising the need to be done.

PAAS events 

By the time that this issue of the magazine comes out we will have had a few events (Gartmorn Dam, and Portmore Loch, Mentieth) out of the way and I hope that all who entered and got their places had an enjoyable and successful day out.

The Portmore Event was great success for PAAS in the fact that some fish were caught on the 1^st outing on this water all be it the fish were on the small side but we heard on the day that Micky Jones had lost a good double on the bank so for those that were on the water the following week this would be encouraging.

It was out in the boat for me on the 2^ND event on Portmore and the conditions were very similar to the previous week cold but dry and not too windy so hopes as always were high. We were hearing reports of some fish coming off for the bank anglers so this kept the spirits up and as myself and Franny Ruiz drifted down the water I spotted Graeme Arnott running to his rod alarm going full pelt and the fish he had on threw itself out the water and we could it was a good fish, we gave him a shout to make sure all was well as he was on his own and he asked us to come in which we did and we were pleasantly surprised to see this fish which was over 20lb, it went 20lb 8oz what a beauty it was too.

At the end of the session on speaking to Alastair Mc Phee and Derek Smith they informed us that they had great sport with fish on and lost and various doubles following their Lures. All the fish that we saw and caught (only 2) 1 the previous week were in really great condition which augers well for this water in the future. One to watch I feel!

Menteith event 3^rd November

As always this is the 1 that we who have been lucky enough to get drawn eagerly await and this was for most who fished it a memorable day for different reasons. For myself it was my 1^st time in the boat with new boat partner Davy Simmons who made the long journey from the Isle of Bute, and what a great boat partner he was, keeping the banter going all day. oh aye he did also help me land a few fish the best going 22lb which is my new Lure caught PB for this water. Thanks Mate what a great day.

The other reason it was memorable day was because of the number of fish caught on the day bearing in mind this was Lure only and to hear at the end of the day that there was over 330 fish caught was astounding! And when you think of how many fish Guys were saying they had on and lost plus follows it would not be an exaggeration to say that if all those fish were landed the final totals would have been nearer the 400 mark, Amazing Menteith! I dare say that others who fished the water will have their own accounts to tell about the day but for myself as I said it was memorable!

October and November Meetings

As mentioned previously the trip to Ireland was taking up a lot of the Branches time but when you consider the planning involved it’s only right that we get this right and hopefully time will tell.

Also on discussion at the November meeting was our 7^th Angling Night, not 6t^h as you might have seen elsewhere just a small point I know!

Decisions on who would be doing the various duties on the night had to be made but as usual we get great support from the Guys for the varied tasks on the night so bring it on!

December meeting

Considering that we had just had the angling Night I was well pleased with the turnout we had at this meeting and with around 14 of us in attendance we had a very informal meeting apart from a small presentation we had to make to Ricky as he was unable to make the Angling Night due to being away on holiday.

Another bonus on the night was a nice donation from Greg and Gordon Walker in the form of a pair of Knippex cutters, which we raffled off so thanks to the guys for that.

I would also like to give a mention to 2 of the Branch who have caught a couple of 20s each Rehman Malik 22lb 8oz and Wullie Weir 23lb 6oz.

New PBs for both the guys I believe so well done to both these guys who have put a lot of hard work into their fishing lately.