STIRLING has a lot of good fishing venues but it was a return to Swanswater that I finally hit on, writes STUART FRASER.
With news from the fishery that some good blues and browns were coming to the net I could not resist the chance of a big brown trout.
It was bright sunshine in a coolish breeze when I arrived and the fishery was very busy as usual. I managed to ge
t a place on the big water and went round the back off the island to fish the Buzzer on a sight indicator. Several fish were showing and I felt optimistic that I could tempt one to the black buzzer.
Casting out and letting it swing round in the breeze the sight indicator was bobbing up and down tantalising the trout to take.
After an hour or so I got my first offer. It was a rainbow of about three pounds but really fit and feisty.
I changed to a team off buzzers after that and managed another two rainbows but still no blue or brown trout. However, the chap fishing next to me got two in quick succession, a brown and a blue both over six pounds. He gave me his fly which was a Damsel variant and told me to fish it on a fast figure of eight retrieve. And guess what, I was in again. Looking longingly down to see what it was the red flank soon told me it was another rainbow.
Beggars can't be choosers and I gratefully accepted the 4lb rainbow which gave a good account of itself. Oh well, it just was not meant to be but I will return again sometime to try again. Quality fishing, at a quality venue, a must try for the specimen hunter.
FISHERY NEWSSWANSWATER FISHERY, Stirling: When there was a drop in water temperature in midweek the fishing improved dramatically. Since then the depth at which the fish werer to be found depended on whether or not the sun was out. Evenings are improving and there is a good deal of activity once the sun starts to set. During the bright spells, lures did well when fished on an intermediate line, with Damsels, Dancers, and Cat's Whiskers being the best patterns.
ROSSLYNLEE TROUT FISHERY, near Penicuik (01968 679606): A large assortment of flies have been used recently from tiny black Spiders on top of the water to yellow Dancers and Damsels below. Top of the water anglers have had good catches with Sedges, Sedgehogs, Spiders, Klinkhammers, CDCs, Daddies, Hoppers and Shipman Buzzers. Abe Linton used Shipman Buzzers to take three fish for 15lb 12oz with the heaviest at 8lb 8oz, R. Sime took four for 15lb 8oz with the heaviest at 7lb 8oz taking a green Fritz fly, Des Gray took two for 10lb 8oz, the heaviest at 7lb 8oz on a Cat's Whisker and D. Hynd took two for 10lb and released many more on a goldhead black Buzzer. Mr Curran took two for 11lb 12oz with the heaviest being a beauty of 9lb 4oz, taken on a black Hopper, John Gryzbowski took two for 11lb with the heaviest at 7lb taken on an olive Minki, L. Morris took one at 6lb 2oz on a CDC and John McIlhone took two for 9lb 8oz including one at 5lb 8oz which took a Damsel.
ALLANDALE TARN, Polbeth (01506 873073): The fly fishing pool is stocked daily with quality Rainbows, Blue,and Brown Trout ranging from 1.8lb to 18lb. Good bag limits of amazing silver rainbows and blues averaging 21/4 lb. Overwintered fish on the move. Bait Fishing (Iona Pool) stocked daily with quality Rainbows, Blue, and Brown Trout ranging from 1.8lb to 8lb. In the mornings, before the air warms up, lures twitched slowly on an intermediate line have had the best success. Later in the day, when things have warmed up, the Bloodworm Buzzer, black & silver Buzzer and Okey Dokey for best sport, fished almost static has accounted for some very good quality feeding fish. Resist the temptation to pull these flies and see the difference!
LOCH FAD, Isle of Bute: Mr Laurie Taylor from Bothwell, seven fish for 17lb 3oz including one at 6lb 1oz on Boobies, Mr James Lynch from Shotts, five fish for 19lb including one at 6lb and one at 6lb 8oz on Bait, Mr Lawther (two anglers) from Clydebank, seven fish for 11lb 6oz on bait and Mr McPherson (two anglers) from Clydebank, nine fish for 19lb 12oz including one at 5lb 4oz on Bait. Mr Davidson and Mr McLaren from Muirkirk had six fish for 14lb 15oz on bait.
