ANGLING PRESS SERVICES

JIM BOYD - angling journalist/photographer

20 KELVIN DRIVE, KIRKINTILLOCH, GLASGOW G66 1BS
MOBILE 07767 890145
Email. jimboyd37@live.co.uk
TO
Email Group

Issued by Jim Boyd on behalf of the following fisheries on Monday, 10 October
2011.The following report is for the week ending Sunday, 09 October 2011.

1. FRANDY (Gleneagles) NO REPORT THIS WEEK

2. FORBES OF KINGENNIE (Broughty Ferry) NO REPORT THIS WEEK

3. HOLL (near Kinross) NO REPORT THIS WEEK

4. MARKLE (East Lothian) NO REPORT THIS WEEK

5. MORTON FISHERY (Livingston) NO REPORT THIS WEEK

6. ORCHILL LOCH (Braco) The temperature went up again at the weekend after

a few days of a sudden drop and thankfully it stopped raining! The fish have still

being taken near the top of the water with a floating line teamed up with the Damsel

Nymph, Hare's Ear, Bloodworm, Yellow Dancer, Black and Green Fritz and a

selection of dry flies.

On Sunday the Falcon FFC caught 41 fish for 85lbs with the morning competition

being won by Allan Borthwick with 4 fish for 11lbs on a Damsel.

Andy Templeman from Blair Atholl took 4 fish for 15lbs 4oz – best 6lbs on an Olive,

David Sinclair, Crossgates, 2 for 6lbs on a Kate McLaren, Fraser Sinton, Aberdeen,

3 for 12lbs 8oz – best 5lbs 8oz on a Bloodworm, Hector Wilson, Bannockburn, 3 for

10lbs – best 4lbs 8oz on a Hot Head Damsel and Hamish Carmichael, Alloa, 3 for

8lns on a Yellow Dancer. Tony Rodgers from Stirling bagged 3 fish weighing 8lbs

12oz – best 5lbs 8oz on a Hare’s Ear, John Lees, Airdrie, 3 for 11lbs – best 5lbs

12oz on a White Dancer, Jimmy Young, Alloa, 3 for 9lbs 8oz on a Black & Green

Fritz, Kong from Crieff took 3 fish for 11lbs – best 5lbs 8oz on a White & Green Fritz.

Robert Kettles from Perth caught 3 fish for 8lbs 8oz on a Damsel and Jim Dickson,

Arbroath, 4 fish for 9lbs on a Damsel.

7. ORCHIL LOCH COARSE PONDS (Braco) Sunday was the final match of the year

for the Coarse Fishing with the Federation League Champion of Champions fighting

it out to win the Silver Cup and a fantastic pole donated very generously by Daiwa

as the prize for the champion. This incredibly close fought match was won by David

Cocoran with a great catch of 63lbs 4oz, John Parella came second with 61lbs 12oz

and James Woodrow was third with 61lbs 8oz – how close can you get. John Baird

Jnr. Took fourth place with 55lbs 15oz.

8. SWANSWATER (Stirling) The return to autumn conditions saw a good week for

week fishing at Swanswater.

kept anglers on their toes, with the fish being caught up-wind during the windiest

spells when they were looking for shelter from the reeds and banks. For most of the

week they were in the top three feet of the water and taking mainly lures fished with

a medium retrieve.

on the small ponds. This week’s favourite patterns included Damsel, Dancer, Cat’s

Whisker, Diawl Bach, Hare’s Ear, Cormorant, Buzzer, Bibio and Invicta.

Blustery showers alternating with periods of calm

A few are still being taken on nymphs and wet flies, especially

George King, Kelty, 3 for 13lb 2oz including 7lb 4oz Blue, Jim Sneddon, Falkirk,

3 for 12lb 8oz including 7lb 4oz Blue, Peter Bryce, Alloa, 5 for 17lb including 4

Blues biggest one at 6lb, Tom McColgan, Clydebank, 4 for 13lb 4oz including 2

Blues, bigger one at 5lb 10oz and Martin Lindores, Bannockburn, 5lb 8oz Blue.

Willie Martin, Stirling, 5 for 16lb 8oz including 3 Blues, Alan Hunter, Alva, 5 for 14lb

including 2 Blues, Billy Weir, Stirling, 5 Blues for 13lb and George Miller, Methil, 4

for 11lb 12oz. Keir Hardie, Stirling, 3 for 11lb 4oz, Mark Mercer, Menstrie, 3 for 9lb

8oz including a Blue, Stuart Nicholson, Yoker, 3 for 9lb 4oz including 2 Blues and A

Knox, Glasgow, 3 for 9lb including 2 Blues. Jim Elder, Methil, 2 Blues for 7lb 8oz and

David McRae, Falkirk, 2 for 7lb 4oz including a Blue.

9. LOCH VENACHAR (Trossachs) The brown trout season at Loch Venachar has

now finished with a final flurry of beautiful fish being caught as they gravitate towards

the Blackwater River in preparation for the colder months ahead. Although the

weather has been hugely unpredictable and, for the most part, terrible the overall

health and numbers of fish in the loch are very encouraging.

However, as one door closes, another opens in the shape of winter pike fishing.

As any of the regular anglers know and anyone who has seen the photographic

archives will testify that Venachar’s pike in the winter get BIG…VERY BIG! Every

pike angler knows that the fish are far more active as air and water temperatures

drop, feeding with an incredible appetite and putting on a lot of weight. That equals

more runs, more action and more large catches for those tough and dedicated

enough to brave the elements (although last year’s -16c was a bit much).

As far as the conditions at Venachar at the moment go there has been a huge

amount of rain leading to a big rise in the water level and constantly fluctuating water

temperatures. Again this has led to certain areas being submerged, but also allows

the pike to feed in these newly created habitats, the best of which is probably the

Blackwater Marshes up at Little Drum Farm which is completely flooded and deeper

than usual. This new territory yielded a massive 25lb 2oz fish for Bryan O’Donnell

from Bonnybridge and a cracking 20lb 3ozer for Rab McDonald from Broxburn.

Milton Bay, where Stuart Greig’s magnificent 35lb 7oz pike was caught recently, is

also still fishing well with two hefty 20lb+ fish courtesy of Euan Taylor from Airdrie

and Dale Porteous from Dunfermline. The Invertrossachs area by the dam has also

produced some fine mid-doubles lately. As always the fish were returned unharmed

and were in perfect condition.

Finally, the fleet of boats have just had their engines serviced to the highest

standard so they’re running perfectly and shortly every boat will be refurbished so

that they are all in pristine condition. So instead of letting the pike come to you on

the banks, why don’t you swing the odds in your favour and go after them in the

boat…good luck!

Please remember to treat Loch Venachar, the habitat, wildlife and other people using

the area with respect at all times. This means no litter (leave the place as you find it),

cutting down of trees, out of control fires or people, etc. All incidents will be reported.

Anybody attempting to kill, damage or remove pike from the loch will be reported

to the police and banned permanently. Also, please ensure that you have all the

essential equipment necessary to protect the health and well-being of the fish. A full

list of minimum requirements can be found at P.A.A.S’s site www.esoxecosse.com

and also at P.A.C. GB’s site www.pacgb.co.uk.

ENDS