ANGLING PRESS SERVICES

JIM BOYD - angling journalist/photographer

Issued by Jim Boyd on behalf of the following fisheries on Monday 07 August  2017. The report is for the week ending Sunday, 06 August 2017.

1. FRANDY (Gleneagles). Brian Hepburn & Alex Hamilton from Kelty kept 8 fish weighing 19lb, Ian Gibson & Jock McKenzie, Edinburgh, 10 fish weighing 23lb and released a further 3, Brian Cameron & Xin Xin Cameron 4 for 9lb 8oz, Robin Eadie & Ernie Baglow, Kinross, 10 fish weighing 21lb and released 3 and Billy Thomson & Derek Carson from Auchterarder kept 8 fish weighing 18lb 4oz and released a further 8. George Keith & Tom Lansdown from Dunfermline 5 fish weighing 10lb and released 2, Brian Thorne, Glen Devon and Alastair MacMillan, Comrie 10 for 21lb 12oz, Craig Sutherland & Paul Amer, Dalgety Bay, 6 fish weighing 13lb and  Derek Anderson & Ford Dickson from Falkirk caught and  released 13. Dennis Waterston & Alan Stewart from Dundee kept 10 fish weighing 22lb.

On the club front Midlothian A/A kept 28 fish weighing 60lb 8oz and released a further 3, Perthshire F/C 19 fish for 38lb 8oz and released 9, Falkirk Municipal A/C kept 55 fish weighing 114lb 8oz and Gartcosh A/C took 74 fish for 153lb 2oz. Kelty Artisan kept 13 fish weighing 30lb, Rainbow Warriors A/C 38 fish for 83lb and released 44 and Denny & District A/C took 2 fish weighing 4lb 8oz.

The best flies recently have included the Bibio Hopper, Snatcher, Mini Muddlers, Daddy Longlegs, Kate McLaren, and Sedgehogs. Foam Backed Daddy Longlegs and the Naked Spur and the top fishing spots have been from the start of the Dog-Leg to the Dam Wall and from the middle of the water to the North Shore.

2. ORCHILL LOCH (Braco) The fish have been taking Dries, Buzzers and a variety of lures lately with plenty of surface sport to be had. The Happy Fishers AC had a good outing catching 11 fish for 31lbs mostly on dries and the Bonnybridge AC took 23 fish for 59lbs 4oz. Ramsey Wilson from Aberdeen, fishing for the first time, was delighted to catch one fish for 2lbs 8oz on a Cats Whisker, Paul Martin, Perth, 1 fish for 3lbs on a Muddler, Allan Laing, Carluke, 4 fish weighing 12lbs on a Diawl Bach, John Score, Alloa, 3 fish for 9lbs on a Yellow Dancer and Hamish Carmichael from Alloa used a Diawl Bach to take a brace for 8lbs. Bobby Wilson from Falkirk had 3 for 7lbs on a Black Fritz, Chris Kirk, East Kilbride, 4 fish for 9lbs 8oz on a Wotsit, Jim Linton, Moodiesburn, 4 fish weighing 14lbs 4oz on a Wotsit.

3. FORBES OF KINGENNIE (Broughty Ferry) A typical Scottish summer saw the weekly weather go from one end of the spectrum to the other. However, for those who mastered the conditions, or hit the right weather window, results were very positive. The Ovens party fished the Boathouse Pool and were main contributors to a six angler total of 53lbs 8oz. Individual anglers also did well included Mr. Riddicks returning 20 fish; Mr. Burnett returned 15; Mr. Kirk 13 and Mr. McKinney had four fish for 11lbs and returned a further 5. Small dries, CDC variations, Yellow Owl, Sugar Cube Shipman and Buzzers took the majority of fish. The Burnside Pool again fished well to dries and buzzers, although the fish were quite difficult to catch on several days, with numbers of fish rising to the dry fly but refusing to take it. Mr. Watson returned 16 fish and Joe Westland returned 14 fish. The Bankside Pool has seen fewer numbers of anglers than the other fly ponds but some decent returns have been recorded, topped by George Birse who returned a dozen fish. Float fished Powerbait has again been the top method on the Woodside Pool (any legal method) although spinning has produced several larger than average fish. On Monday 17 anglers took 21 fish for a total of 42lbs. This was followed on Sunday by 23 anglers taking 37 fish for 62lbs 8oz.

This past week of hot weather here at Forbes of Kingennie is seeing a change in the fishes behaviour, as the water temperatures rise they have been a bit fussy at times but when the cloud comes over and cools down the sport at times has been outstanding. Different ponds have been fishing better at different times so moving around has been essential for constant results.

The Bankside pool has been the stand out pond these last few days with lots of anglers having great returns in sometimes trick conditions. The water has become very clear recently and really helped with the returns. Buzzers have been the top method fished either under the bung with an egg or squirmy on the point fished at 5 feet. The washing line has also been effective when the fish are a bit higher in the water. Dry flies have also been worth a cast at points when they have been very active. Mr Kirk had 12 fish and 13 fish in 2 consecutive trips on fabs, buzzers and diawls bachs. His best fish was estimated at around 12lb as well as others of 5 and 7lb. Mr Jones had 12 on black buzzers under and indicator. Mr Birse had 13 on a sugar cube shipman’s.

The Burnside has also been getting very clear with lots of fish visible on the surface cruising around. The fishing has been a little bit slower at times but fishing very well most evenings. Again the more natural approach has taken more fish, The washing line with wee buzzers is the go to method. Dries are doing well in the right conditions when they come up. Mr Westland had 21 on size 14 black buzzers and fabs. Mr Wilson had 2 for 6lb and put back 9 fishing diawl bachs.

The Boathouse has been a bit coloured but on the very sunny days it has been the best pond with huge amounts of fish taking off the surface in the shade. Mr Leslie had a great day returning around 20 fish on small dries and emerges. Mr Fulthorpe had a good morning landing 8 up to 7lb on a pink fab and diawl bachs. Mr Whiteford kept his 3 fish for 8lb and put back 6 on a damsel.

The Woodside pool has been really busy in the nice weather with many full bags being recorded. Green powerbait and spinners have been the top bait of late. Over the weekend there was a total of 37 anglers landed 68 fish for weight of 115lb.

4. MARKLE (East Lothian) Ron Thom from Haddington had 4 on a Diawl Bach, Tom Russell Snr. & Jnr. shared 9 on Buzzers, Bruce Hunter, Edinburgh, 5 on lures and Jimmy Anderson from Musselburgh caught 4 on a Diawl Bach. Joe Beattie from Edinburgh had 4 on a CDC, B Ormiston, Edinburgh, 4 on Buzzers, Derek Demarco, Haddington, 5 on Dries and Dave Smith from Dunbar used a Hare’s Ear to take 4.

5. SWANSWATER (Stirling) The fishing remained good for the time of year with water temperature sitting at 14oC and water clarity very good apart from a brief spell on Thursday when the heavy rain in the morning coloured the water.   It was clear again by the evening and conditions remained good for the rest of the week.   The Golds are still proving very popular, particularly in the small ponds where they are easily targeted.    In general the fish are in the top 2 feet of the ponds and are usually looking for something to chase, although some anglers were having success with static buzzers.   Other patterns doing well this week included Hare’s Ear, Cormorant, Montana, Diawl Bach, Kate McLaren, Muddler, Damsel and Dancer.

For the avoidance of doubt, there is no limit on Catch and Release on any of the ponds at Swanswater.   However we do expect people to be courteous and allow other anglers into hot spots by moving after they have caught a number of fish.

The Fishery opening hours are now 8.00am to 9.00pm

Nan Morrison, Stirling, in two visits, 5 for 13lb 12oz including 2 Browns, Willie Nyguist, Stirling, 5 for 12lb 12oz including 2 Golds, plus 6 C&R, Jim Milne, Alloa, 4 for 12lb including 2 Browns and a Gold, David Aitken, East Kilbride, 4 for 12lb and Tam Rodgerson, Alloa, 4 for 11lb 8oz. Eddie A’Hara, Glasgow, 3 for 10lb including a Brown, plus 3 C&R, Frank Barr, Falkirk, 3 for 9 plus 7 C&R, Alex Knox, Glasgow, 2 for 6lb 4oz, Jim Craig, Balloch, 2 for 6lb including a Brown, Robert Smith, Falkirk, 2 for 6lb and Jim McInnes, Falkirk, 2 for 6lb. Cameron McFarlane, 2 for 5lb 12oz including a Gold plus 4 C&R, Graeme Watt, Airdrie, kept one fish and returned 5, John Gillies, Stuart Wallace and Peter Kerr caught and released 18 between them in two visits, fishing from a float tube and a boat, Brian Lockie, Alva, caught and released 7 and Darren Meier, Livingston, caught and released 7.

6. This week saw the first frost of the winter, but conditions remain really good and the fishing is excellent. The water is very clear and fish, particularly Goldies, can be seen following and taking. Most of the fish were in the top 2 feet of the water at the start of the week, but went a little deeper as the weather cooled towards the weekend and were to be found 2 to 4 feet down. They are still well spread out and being caught all round the main pond with the most productive areas being the dam and the island. The catch returns feature a good number of fish in around 4lb to 5lb including several Golds. Small lures or nymphs fished with a fast retrieve is the best tactic at present with favourite patterns being Dancer, Cat’s Whisker, Damsel, Montana, Hare’s Ear, Viva, PTN, Cormorant, Bloodworm and Buzzer. On the small ponds, which are also fishing really well, some anglers were managing to tempt fish up to dry flies which is very unusual at this time of year.

The Fishery is now open 8.00am to 5.00pm every day.

Alan Burke, Falkirk, took the biggest fish of the week in his 3 for 15lb including 10lb 2oz Rainbow and a Gold

Alec Knox, Glasgow, was also amongst the big fish with 3 for 15lb including 9lb Rainbow and a Gold

Alan Stirling, Bonnybridge, 5 for 19lb 8oz including 4 Golds, biggest one at 4lb 10oz, plus 7 C&R 

Joe Malcolmson, Cumbernauld, 5 for 17lb including 2 Golds, bigger at 4lb 4oz and a Blue

Danny Doherty, Denny, 5 for 15lb 12oz including 2 Golds plus 3 C&R

Robert Nimmo, Stirling, in two visits, 7 for 23lb 4oz including 2 Blues and 5 Golds, biggest one at 4lb 12oz

Frank Barr, Falkirk, 4 for 13lb 8oz including 3 Golds

Nigel Muckle, Mid Calder, 4 for 12lb 12oz including a Gold, plus 1 C&R

Robert Ross, Coatbridge, 4 for 12lb 4oz including 2 Golds and a Blue

Frank Turner, Alloa, 4 for 12lb 4oz including 3 Blues and a Gold

Malcolm Miller, Clackmannan, 3 for 11lb including 2 Golds and a Blue, plus 2 C&R

Stewart Marshall, Cambusbarron, 3 for 10lb 12oz including 2 Golds and a Blue, plus 5 C&R

Brian MacIntosh jnr, Banknock, 3 for 10lb 10oz including 2 Golds

Jim Wilson, Coatbridge, 3 Golds for 10lb

Robert Smith, Airth, 3 for 9lb 12oz including a Blue and a Gold, plus 7 C&R

Peter Baird, Falkirk, 3 for 9lb 12oz including a Gold

Ian Steele, Clydebank, 3 for 9lb 8oz including a Gold and a Blue, plus a Brown C&R

Stewart Ross, Bo’ness, 3 for 9lb 4oz including 2 Golds

Mark Reid, Livingston, 3 for 9lb 4oz including a Gold

John Knox, Cowdenbeath, 2 for 7lb 12oz including 5lb 4oz Rainbow

Gordon Ferguson, Coatbridge, 2 for 6lb 12oz including a Gold

Robert McLeod, Glasgow, 2 for 6lb 8oz including 4lb Gold and a Blue

Ron Short, 5lb 12oz Rainbow

Charles Campbell, Falkirk caught and released 8

John Hood, caught and released 7

7. WOODBURN (Milton of Campsie) The last week has been a wee bit harder with the fish being that bit more selective but top of the water fishing first and last thing is doing really well with lots of fish coming up for the dries. John Shaw from Kilsyth had 3 for 13lbs 8oz on C/R, Mr Robertson, Glasgow, 3 for 12lb, Mr Robertson, Glasgow, 1 for 7lbs 2oz, Mr Dow, Milton of Campsie, 2 for 16lb – one at 9lb and the other at 7lbs – both returned and Mr McBride from Glasgow had 3 C/R - best 10lbs.Ian Crilley from Glasgow caught 4 for 13lbs – biggest 5lbs, Rab McIntyre, Cumbernauld, 2 for 7lbs, Eddie Allison 16 C/R – including 2 at 10lbs each, Derek Hanson, Glasgow, 3 for 12lbs, B.McCallum 5 rainbow and  2 blue – largest  8lb on C/R and Bill Backen from Lenzie had 10 rainbow and 2 blues on C/R. Mr Clark from Glasgow had 5 for 16lbs – largest 8lbs, Mr Layden, Stirling, 6 for 16lb, Mr. Dow, Milton of Campsie  had rainbows of 10lb and 7lb on C/R and Mr. McGregor from Helensburgh caught a cracking 7lb blue trout.

ENDS