Fishery news

BEECRAIGS LOCH, Linlithgow (01506 844516): Fishing extremely well, even though the weather has been very mixed.

HAMMERLANDS/MOFFAT FISHERY (01683 221220): There was some good sport last week with fish getting taken all around the Loch and one angler got more than he bargained for. He had just started his retrieve on one final cast when he was into another fish. Ten minutes later he was still bringing it in bit by bit when his rod cracked. Wrapping the fly line around his hand he managed to land the fish with just his hands! The fish was a whopper of a rainbow at 17lb 4oz. Other catches came from S Dargun from Silloth who took two rainbows for 6lb and released a further two averaging at 3lb each. Fly patterns used were Buzzers. David Forest from Blantyre took one fish for 4lb 4oz. Paul Docherty took one fish for around 2lb, the fly used was a black Daddy. M Wilson had two fish for 7lb 2oz and released four fish averaging at 3lb each. Patterns used were Buzzers and Rabbits.

Once the weather warmed up so did the fishing with some excellent catches. John Russell from Prestonpans had the fish of the week, a cracker of 14lb 8oz, which fell to the charms of a Buzzer but not far behind was Derek Williams of Dunbar who used a Black Buzzer to bag one at 14lb 2oz. Mark Anderson from Edinburgh had a brace weighing 23lb 10oz with the heavies tipping the scales at 12lb 8oz and both fish were taken on Bloodworm Buzzers. Roy Ellis from Innerwick had one at10lb 8oz on an Orange Fritz while J Anderson from Edinburgh had three for 12lb 4oz on a Yellow Dancer.

ORCHILL LOCH (Tel [phone]): Weather was very changeable so the fish were to be found at varying depths where they could be tempted by the likes of the Damsel, various Dancers and Buzzers fished on an intermediate line. A Brooker from Stirling had the 'fish of the week' at 6lbs 4oz and this fine specimen was taken on a Buzzer while Harry Graham (Glenrothes) took seven fish for 25lbs 8oz on a Damsel. Also doing well were Bill Dawson from Dollar with three for 10lbs on a Damsel, Alec Wotherspoon (Tillicoultry) with three for 11lbs 8oz on a Black Dancer and David Robertson (Larbert) who caught four for 11lbs 12oz on a Black Dancer.

SWANSWATER, Stirling (01786 814805): A new record was set this week for the biggest Golden Trout landed at Swanswater when Colin Binnie, Bonnybridge, took a beautiful specimen at 7lb 7oz. The fish are still in the top four feet of the water except during the bright spells. Favourite patterns were Dancer and Damsel, and a medium fast retrieve was the best tactic. George Garfoot, Roseneath, two for 11lb 8oz including a 9lb Rainbow, Harry Seton, Duntocher, five for 21lb 2oz including two Blues, bigger at 8lb 10oz, Alec Paterson, Sauchie, six for 17lb 4oz including two Blues and Ian Whitelaw, five for 15lb 8oz including two Blues. Sandy Ireland, Lochgoilhead, five for 14lb 12oz including a Blue, Grant McCauley, Duntocher, five for 14lb 2oz including a Gold and a Blue and Peter Ferrier, Clydebank, five for 14lb 2oz. Colin Binnie, Bonnybridge, four for 16lb 8oz including a 7lb 7oz Gold, Ian Linton, Kirkcaldy, four for 14lb 8oz including a 5lb 10oz Gold and Fraser McIntosh, Gairloch, four for 13lb 8oz.

ROSSLYNLEE TROUT FISHERY, near Penicuik (01968 679606): Due to the milder weather over the past few days we are starting to see more fish moving near the surface. Although some anglers are catching well with Buzzers about six to eight feet down, others are having success just two feet below the surface with slow-moving mini lures. George Millar took three for 13lb with the heaviest weighing 6lb 8oz. All were caught with a Green and White Fritz lure. D Finlayson had two for 11lb 8oz with the heaviest at 8lb which took a Budgie lure. Phil Polson used a Bloodworm to take a beautiful rainbow of 8lb 11oz and another angler released one estimated around 8lb which was caught with a Yellow Dancer. Dancers, Damsels, Fritz patterns, Green and White or Green and Black lures, Bloodworm, Buzzers and Okay Dokeys are most popular flies.