Spinfish Online Magazine

WEEK ENDING 26/01/2019

1. FRANDY (Gleneagles)

2. ORCHILL TROUT FISHERY (Braco)

3. FORBES OF KINGENNIE (Broughty Ferry)

MARKLE (East Lothian)

NO REPORT THIS WEEK

5. SWANSWATER (Stirling)

The week started with a slight frost, some very thin ice and a water temperature of 3oC. By midweek it was milder, and the water temperature rose to 5.5oC. Water clarity remains very good. For most of the week the fish were to be found around 3 feet down and were in different locations on different days, with the area from the boats round to the far bay, the bridge area, and the island all fishing well at certain times. The most successful fly patterns included Cat’s Whisker, Black Fritz, Damsel, Diawl Bach, Buzzer, Bibio and dry G&H Sedge.

On the bait pond power bait, worms and spinning were doing best. Many fly anglers had one or two fish, either kept or returned.

Amongst the best bags was John Hamilton, 5 for 14lb including 3 Golds, Rab Cooper, Dunfermline, 4 for 10lb from the Meadow Pond, including a Gold, Danny Doherty, Denny, 3 for 10lb 4oz including a Gold, Steven McLuckie, Tillicoultry, 3 for 9lb 8oz, Robert Watt, Glasgow, 3 for 8lb 4oz including 2 Golds and Andrew Easton, Larbert, 2 for 7lb 6oz. Kris Elliot, Dunblane, 2 for 7lb 4oz including a Gold, Gregor McGregor, Hallglen, 2 for 7lb 2oz, plus 2 C&R, Alasdair Hunter, Strathpeffer, 2 for 6lb 8oz, plus 1 C&R, John Pearson, Bannockburn, 2 for 5lb 8oz, from the Millpond, including a Gold, Jimmy Higgins, 4lb 4oz Gold and Nigel Muckle, West Calder, caught and released 8 including 8lb Rainbow, 6lb Gold and a Brown. Robert Cochrane caught and released 5, Harry Haggerty caught and released 5, and Raymond Lane caught and released 4.

Several Golds and Tigers were landed from the bait pond including David Hennessey with 4 for 11lb 12oz including 2 Golds, Geraldis 3 for 6lb 12oz including a Tiger, Donatis 2lb 8oz Tiger, Modris 2 for 5lb including a Gold and Kenneth Donald 2 for 5lb 4oz including a Gold and a Tiger. William Reid 2lb 8oz Tiger, William McGowan 2 for 5lb 12oz including a Gold and Archie McKinnon 2lb 4oz Tiger.

6. WOODBURN (Milton of Campsie)

WEEK ENDING 19/01/2019

1. FRANDY (Gleneagles)

2. ORCHILL TROUT FISHERY (Braco)

The fish have been getting caught from about 2 to 6 feet down with a wide variety of flies including Buzzers, Bloodworm, Damsel and Zonkers. D Gribble from Edinburgh had 4 fish for 10lbs on a Cat and a Pink Lure, J Dickson (Arbroath) 3 fish for 9lbs on a White Lure, Paul Shepherd (Bedford) 3 fish weighing 9lbs 12oz on a Pink Bloodworm and Stewart Caunter from Livingston took 9 on C&R – best 5lbs on a Pink App. Donald Blyth from Doune had a brace weighing 7lbs 12oz on a Cat, A Hunter (Alloa) 9 fish on C&R on Bloodworm, A Harrison (Neptune AC) 2 fish for 6lb on a Black & Red lure and J France from the Neptune AC used a GH Damsel to catch a couple weighing 6lbs. B Gribble from Edinburgh had 2 for 7lbs 120z – best 5lbs 4oz on a Pink Lure and Ian Golledge from Tullibody caught 6 fish on C&R using Bloodworm.

3. FORBES OF KINGENNIE (Broughty Ferry)

MARKLE (East Lothian)

NO REPORT THIS WEEK

5. SWANSWATER (Stirling)

The week started windy and wet as Storm Brendan moved across the country and few anglers ventured out in the dreadful conditions. There was a cold wind all week and the water temperature dropped from 6oC to 4oC. Despite the heavy rain the water remained clear and fish could be seen moving around 2 feet down. The majority were caught slightly deeper, about 3-4 feet down, with the area from the boat jetty along to the far bay the favourite spot. The usual lures, Cat’s Whisker, Dancer, Damsel, were the most popular patterns although some anglers were having a good deal of success with wet flies such as Black and Peacock Spider and Bibio. Buzzers were also taking fish especially with a slow retrieve. The

Fishery is open every day from 8.00am to 4.00pm.

Andy Young, Inveraray, 4 for 14lb including 5lb Rainbow, Danny Doherty, Denny, 5 for 15lb 8oz including 4 Golds, plus a Brown C&R, Rab Cooper, Dunfermline, 4 Golds for 10lb from the Meadow Pond, Henry Thompson, High Valleyfield, 3 for 12lb including a Gold and Robert McColl, 3 for 8lb 8oz. Alan Armstrong, Dollar, 3 for 7lb including a Blue, plus 5 C&R, Davy Quinn, Dunfermline, 2 for 8lb, Jim Allan, Kilsyth, 2 for 7lb including a Gold, Callum McDonald, Inveraray, 2 for 6lb 8oz and Stuart McKay, Bonnybridge, 2 for 5lb 14oz including a Gold. Robert Watt, Glasgow, 4lb Rainbow, Willie MacFadyen, Cowie, 3lb 8oz Tiger and Will Gregory 3lb Rainbow plus 2 C&R including a Brown. On the bait pond, Ilia Ukarhitov from Russia, did well taking 5 for 12lb 12oz including 4 Golds. Other bait anglers taking Golds included Ian Galloway 3lb Gold, Malky McLaughlan 2lb 8oz Gold and Virgil 2lb 8oz Gold

6. WOODBURN (Milton of Campsie)

NO REPORT THIS WEEK

WEEK ENDING 12/01/2019

1. FRANDY (Gleneagles)

2. ORCHILL TROUT FISHERY (Braco)

Tom Brown from Killearn used a Damsel to take a tasty basket of 3 fish weighing in at 11lbs 8oz, Brian Zarebski (Fallin) 3 fish for 11lbs 8oz on a Snake, Donald Blyth (Doune) had a brace for 7lbs on a Cat, John Score (Alloa) 3 fish for 8lbs 8oz on an Orange Lure and William Crawford from Fauldhouse had a great catch of 13 fish on a C/R ticket using a Black Lure. Stewart Caunter from Livingston took 13 fish on C/R on an Eggstasy, Ivor Campbell (Aberfoyle) had 2 fish for 5lbs on a Cut Throat Cat and Colin Clark from Inveraray had 18 fish C&R on an Eggstasy.  

3. FORBES OF KINGENNIE (Broughty Ferry)

The Kingennie End of Year Competition, fished on the Boathouse and Burnside Pools, was won again by Robert Gibson who read the conditions perfectly to release 19 fish. In second place was Greg McLaren with 15 fish. Overall there were 166 fish returned between 24 anglers giving an average of 6.92 fish per rod. The biggest rainbow of the day went to Paul Sharp (16lbs); biggest brown was returned by Scott Mudie (14lbs 09ozs); and there were twelve rainbows between 6lbs and 12lbs returned. Congratulations to our winners and thanks to all who took part in the competition and all who helped run it.

Water-levels and clarity are now close to being perfect. On the Boathouse Pool, Grant Burnett returned 11 fish and Jock Leslie released 9. Buzzers and Diawl Bachs were the better options. The Burnside Pool has responded to a variety of approaches from Buzzers/Diawl Bachs fished on a midge-tip line to Squirmies and Wotsits fished beneath a bung. George Gall certainly found the method and the fish, returning 16 in a session. Davie Simpson enjoyed an excellent day releasing 11 fish with two nice rainbows estimated at 10lbs and 9lbs. Ron Gray returned 11 fish and George Birse released 10 including a fine rainbow of 8lbs. Jake Gilchrist again showed what an excellent angler he is by returning 6 fish in a short session with the two biggest rainbows estimated at 16lbs+ ( a magnificent fish) and 10lbs. Richard Buckley also braved the steady rain to take two rainbows with the better fish being a superb specimen weighing 13lbs 8ozs.

Lures have been the order of the day on the Bankside Pool with Steve Alton returning 5 Rainbows, the best fish estimated at 9lbs.

Young Ryan and Stephen Cargill hit the jackpot on the Woodside Pool (any legal method) taking a magnificent rainbow which weighed 11lbs 4ozs. Most fish in this pool are taken on Powerbait fished beneath a float but a black/green lure on a fly rod took this one. Spinning with a Mepps type spinner has also produced some good fish recently.

Please note that there will be a Pairs Competition being fished on the Boathouse and Burnside Pools on Saturday 25 January.

4. MARKLE (East Lothian)

NO REPORT THIS WEEK

5. SWANSWATER (Stirling)

It was a wet and windy week with the odd calm day and one frosty night. Around 4 inches of rain fell over the course of the week and although the water was coloured by the heaviest falls, it quickly cleared due to the volume of water running through the ponds.   The water temperature was sitting at 6oC for most of the week with only a slight dip on Friday due to the frost. The fish were to be found in various parts of the ponds depending on the weather with the small ponds fishing well when conditions on Swanswater got more difficult. Favourite fly patterns included Nomad, Cat’s Whisker, Dancer, Damsel, Bibio and Bloodworm.   On the bait pond, various colours of power bait were attracting fish.

Amongst those taking fish, Jimmy Higgins had the biggest fish of the week - a 5lb Rainbow.  Colin Henderson, Tillicoultry, took 4 for 11lb including a Gold; Alan and George Evans shared 5 for 12lb 8oz including 2 Golds, from the boat; Gavin Johnston took 2 for 5lb 4oz including a Gold; and Danny Doherty, Denny, netted 3 for 9lb including a Gold and a Tiger.   Several others took one or two fish.   Quite a few anglers opted for catch and release this week with Alan Kirkham returning 4 from the boat; Robert Cummings, Brandon Coulter and Harry Haggarty all releasing 3; and others just managing to hook one or two.   On the bait pond, Jamie McKenzie had a Gold in his 2 for 5lb; and Kieran Welsh landed a nice Blue.

The Fishery is open every day from 8.00am to 4.00pm.

6. WOODBURN (Milton of Campsie)

The loch is gin clear considering the amount of rain that has fallen lately with the fish being caught on a wide variety of patterns but those fishing the bung seem to be doing better than most. Last week saw a restocking of fish in the 2-4lb range but this week will see some much bigger ones introduced.

As usual some hefty specimens appeared in the record books last week but pride of place goes to regular John Shaw from Kilsyth with a tremendous rainbow that tipped the scales at 15lbs 8oz.Also doing well was Pater Tanner from Kirkintilloch who had 9 c/r including one at 9lbs, Robbie Dunlop returned a cracking 12 pounder, Mr Pride (Glasgow) 6 c/r – best a cracking 9lb blue and Mr Strachan took a brace weighing 4lbs 7oz and a further 3 on c/r – best 5lbs. Mr Russell caught 2 for 4lbs 8oz, Ian Davidson 5 c/r, Willie McCallum from Cumbernauld had 5 c/r including a lovely brownie, Duncan Stewart (Lenzie) 15 c/r, Ian Anderson (Cumbernauld) 7c/r, B Hunter (Glasgow) kept 2 for 8lbs 4oz and 6 c/r whilst Mr. Simpson from Kilsyth managed 4 c/r. J King from Edinburgh had a red letter day including a fish of 13lbs in his catch of 6 c/r, Grant Blair (Glasgow) 4 c/r, Mr. Taylor (Glasgow) 12 c/r, Mr Dougan had 8 c/r including 3 doubles, Jim O'Riley (Glasgow) 1 blue for 3lbs 8oz and Mr Pride from Glasgow took 8 c/r including 2 doubles.

WEEK ENDING 05/01/2019

1. FRANDY (Gleneagles)

2. ORCHILL TROUT FISHERY (Braco)

It has been a very mixed week with the temperature varying from -3 to 4 degrees to 11 so the fish have been taking anything from size 22 Dries to Bunny Leeches.  Gerry Kane from Cumbernauld had 3 fish for 8lbs on Dries, John Stevenson (St Ninians) 2 fish for 15lbs on a Black Lure, Colin Clement (Tyndrum) 3 fish for 9lbs on a Kate McLaren and Stuart Wilson from Stirling caught 3 fish for 9lbs on Buzzers. Stuart Bennie from Falkirk used a Damsel to take a brace weighing 4lbs 8oz, James McMeechan (Fallin) 2 fish for 7lbs on Buzzers, Allan Brock (Crieff) 4 C&R  on a Black Lure and Greg McLaren rom Blairgowrie had 12 C&R on Buzzers.

3. FORBES OF KINGENNIE (Broughty Ferry)

NO REPORT THIS WEEK

4. MARKLE (East Lothian)

NO REPORT THIS WEEK

5. SWANSWATER (Stirling)

The weather remains mild for the time of year. There was one frosty night this week but otherwise air temperatures were well above freezing although there was a cold wind most days. Water temperature dropped from 6.5oC to 5oC and with no rain the water clarity remains excellent.

The fish were well spread out around the main pond with the roadside doing well at the start of the week and the area from the jetty round to the island the best place at the weekend. In general, they were to be found between 3 and 5 feet down and were taking a variety of flies including Cat’s Whisker, Dancer, Damsel, Bloodworm, Cormorant, Woolly Bugger and Buzzer. Mice tails were the most successful bait.

Amongst those taking fish Stewart Nicholson, Knightswood, had 5 for 12lb 8oz in two visits; Paul Dancer, Glasgow, moved between ponds and had 3 for 6lb 4oz including a Tiger from the Millpond; Stuart Oliver, Stirling, took 2 for 6lb 12oz; and Gregor McGregor, Falkirk, 2 for 4lb 12oz, plus a Brown returned. Other anglers took one or two fish, some in the 3lb to 4lb range. A good number of anglers opted for catch and release this week with Stuart Hay returning 6 including a Brown, Harry Haggerty returning 2 Golds and 2 Tigers, and Robert Cochrane and Chris Ward both returning 4. Others returned one or two including a few Browns and Tigers. On the bait pond, David Hennessey netted 3 for 8lb 2oz including a Gold and a Tiger, Andy McRoberts had 3 for 7lb 8oz including 2 Golds and Connor Meiklejohn took 2 for 5lb including a Tiger.

6. WOODBURN (Milton of Campsie)

NO REPORT THIS WEEK