JIM BOYD - angling journalist/photographer

Issued by Jim Boyd on behalf of the following fisheries on Monday 28 December 2015. The report is for the week ending Sunday, 27 December 2015.

1. FRANDY (Gleneagles) The fishery closed for the 2015 season on Saturday 31st October and will re-open for the 2016 season (weather permitting) on Tuesday 1st March.

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

3. ORCHILL LOCH (Braco) The fish are still taking in the top 2-3 feet of water with small black patterns doing well but during the extremely mild spells they are happy to accept a dry. David Rutherford from Grangemouth had 4 for 13lbs on a Black Fritz, over two visits J Graham, Airdrie, used Buzzers to catch 6 for 25lbs, Andrew Brownlie, Grangemouth, 4 for 16lbs on a Black Lure and A McAuley from Blairhall took 3 for 9lbs 8oz on a CDC. D Coupar from Stirling had 3 for 10lbs on a lure, Greg Lockhart, Dunblane, 2 for 7lbs 8oz on a Super Ally, Gerry Kane, Cumbernauld, 3 for 8lbs on a Cat and Harry Irvine from Blairgowrie caught 3 for 9lbs on an Ace of Spades.
Elizabeth would like to thank everyone for their support throughout the year and for the past twenty years and wishes all anglers a Happy and Healthy New Year and best wishes and Tight Lines for 2016.

4. MARKLE (East Lothian) Bruce Hunter from Edinburgh had 7 on a Black Pennell, Neil Keillor, Dunbar, 8 on a Black & Green Lure, Craig Dalgleish, Edinburgh, 8 on Blobs and Ben Robertson from Penicuik took 15 on the Egg Fly. Neil Raeburn from Edinburgh used a Black Rabbit to bag 15 and David Savage, Bonnyrigg, 7 on Buzzers. The Boxing Day competition saw 25 anglers taking part in atrocious conditions but despite this they caught 25 fish weighing 165lbs and the winner was Stewart Barclay from Edinburgh with 4 for 25lbs 12oz including specimens of 10 and 11lbs both taken on a Black Rabbit.

5. SWANSWATER (Stirling) After a week of rain and wind, the weather gods smiled on Swanswater for the Annual Charity Competition on Sunday.   The day was dry and mild and once the wind dropped away, conditions were ideal for some excellent fishing.   The sun even made an appearance and at times it looked more like a spring day than the end of December.  33 anglers took to the water for a catch and release competition which involved using the bank all the way round the pond plus a turn each in the boats.   A total of 97 fish were recorded with probably half as many again being hooked and lost.   There were no real hotspots although the boat nearer the overflow, and the island seemed to do well before the breeze dropped and the far bay was doing well in the afternoon.   Remarkably fish were caught on almost every one of the 36 pegs.   Fish were to be seen moving on the surface, especially around the mouth of the channel, but most were taken deeper down, with some anglers going really deep and finding fish while others were catching them in the top 3 feet.   As would be expected, a large variety of flies were successful with most anglers fishing an intermediate line.
The competition was won by Gregor Hannen who caught 10 fish on 7 out of the 9 pegs he fished, to finish with a total of 17 points.   Runner up was Willie Nyguist with 7 fish for 13 points and in third place, John Mathieson with 7 fish for 12 points.   4th equal on 11 points were Gary Waugh, 6 fish, and Radoslaw, 8 fish.
After the competition was finished, all the anglers gathered in the lodge for the prize giving and raffle.  Top raffle prizes were donated by Scott Mason from Stirling Council Fisheries and included a day for four at the opening of the Teith on 1st February, and another day’s guided salmon fishing for two on the Teith.  Many thanks to all who contributed to a good day which raised over £1000 for Strathcarron Hospice.
The Fishery will be open every day, except January 1st, from 8.00am to 4.00pm

6. WOODBURN (Milton of Campsie) NO REPORT THIS WEEK

ENDS