Connor Newcombe, owner of Kailzie Fishery near Peebles, finished equal second in the First Division of the Scottish National Fly Fishing League (SNFFL) at Burnhouse Lochan near Bonnybridge.
The man from the Borders lead after the first session on the three-acre loch stocked with Grade A rainbow, blue, brown and Tiger trout with Michael Low tucked in behind.
Low edged the afternoon session to take the win with ten fish and three place points.
Newcombe (pictured in the spring sunshine at his fishery by Nigel Duncan) had 11 fish and five place points with Marcin Szuba equal second and Fred McDonald was third with five fish and ten place points.
Conditions were settled but cold and the water was slightly coloured with various apps patterns proving to be the most successful on the water making its debut in the competition.
Attention to depth, speed of retrieve and location of fish all contributed to catch rates and all anglers caught with 74 fish returned, giving a rod average of 4.6 fish per rod, which, given the conditions, was impressive.
For the record, the SNFFL is the official mechanism allowing Scottish-based anglers to quality for places in the world, European and Masters fly fishing championships and the Premier League is at the same venue on Saturday.
Meanwhile, a qualifying heat in the Scottish Stillwater Bank Championship is on at Millheall, near Polmont, on Saturday so the fishery will be closed to the public.
Spare a thought to one angler who fished last weekend, the opening of the season. He hooked into a tagged fish which would have entitled him to a £100 cash prize but he had opted not to pay the £1 entry fee for the competition.
Linlithgow Loch, administered by the Forth Area Federation of Anglers, is hosting an open competition on Sunday, May 11.
The first prize is £100, second £75 and third £50 with the angler catching the heaviest fish receives £25.
The seven-hour event is from 9am to 4pm and all boats must be docked or be ready to dock by 4pm. Any boats not docked by 4.15pm will be disqualified.
Competitors are requested to arrive by 8am for a briefing at 8.30am and two rods can be set up but only one used. All boats to leave the dock at 9am.
The entry fee is £30.
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