James Ogilvie defies the pain to win Bass Rock Shore Angling League event

James Ogilvie kick-started his competitive sea angling campaign with a bang by winning the first pre-season match organised by Bass Rock Shore Angling League.

The pensioner landed three flounder fish for 66cms to take first place in the measure and return match at Seacliff Beach near North Berwick.

His achievement was all the more remarkable as the retired painter dislocated his left shoulder in a fall only five days previously and he is in a wheelchair having lost his left leg.

The 66-year-old admitted that his body suffered a few hours later after his pain killers wore off. And the pain was still acute for the Haddington-based angler the next morning but he was buoyed by the success.

James used mackerel bait on a three-hook flapper on an outside peg on the picture-postcard beach and he admitted it was a boost ahead of the new Winter League season which starts soon.

He said: “Fishing was grim and I landed three fish. Others landed only one. The weather was OK with light winds until a drizzle in the last hour of the match. The sea was flat calm and my mackerel bait came up trumps on the night.”

Second was Allan Brown and Ryan Smith with James’ son Craig, a regular competition angler, fourth.

The next match is on Wednesday with registration at 6.20pm. The venue will be decided tomorrow and details posted on the club Facebook page. You could be a part of it. Craig said: “We are always keen to welcome new members and all the contacts are on our Facebook site.

“We fish throughout the winter at various venues in East Lothian and we are happy to give advice to any anglers who want to join in the fun.”

The club have confirmed that their big match scheduled for Ravensheugh Beach in East Lothian on November 22 is cancelled. Club chiefs aim to host the match next year and regret the cancellation but say that there is a major match now set for Tyneside on the same day which is a big attraction. It is set to feature a number of Britain’s top sea anglers.

Meanwhile, Rosebery Reservoir, three miles south of Carrington in Midlothian, was due to re-open today (Saturday, August 1) and was fully booked for the first day. The 53-acre lake has rainbow and brown trout and offers family and day tickets for fly and two areas of bait fishing.

Scottish Water have, however, been carrying out essential work on the reservoir and the water level has dropped again. Manager Dave Picken said they have been forced to delay the opening until possibly August 15.

He added that it had been a long wait to get this year’s fishing started and bosses appreciate the patience shown by anglers but he added: “We have had to cancel the start of fishing as the water level dropped again. This made it too dangerous with soft mud and slippery rocks.”

Finally, Bill Hamilton won the second match in the summer series run by Edinburgh and Lothians Coarse Angling Club at Orchill.

His haul totalled 11lb 10oz and second was John Perella with 8lb 7oz. Tommy Lauriston was third only two ounces adrift with Darrin Ferguson fourth three ounces further back.