FISHING LINES
Orchill Last week was changeable again, with the fish just under the surface. When there was no wind and the temperature was 12˚C there were plenty of fish being caught but when the wind was up it made the fish go down a bit. Top catches: Geoff Thomson (Blackford) had a lovely 9lb blue in his three fish taken on an Olive Fritz; Ivor Campbell (Aberfoyle) three for 12lb 12oz on an Ally; Bill Dawson (Dollar) three for 11lb on a Mini Cat; John Gilchrist (Stirling) used a Fab to catch three for 8lb; Hamish Aitken (Stirling) three for 8lb 8oz on an Ally. Elizabeth thanked everyone for their support during the season. Woodburn The top catching flies last week included the Bloodworm, Silver Sparkle, Goldie and the White Rabbit. Top catches: David Morrison (Falkirk) had four for 14 and returned four; J Hunter (Alloa) four for 18lb; Calum McKay (Stirling) three for 13lb – best 6lb; Brian Eadie (Stirling) four at 13lb; Kieron Donald (Stirling) had two for 7lb 8oz – biggest 5lb; B Haughton (Stirling) two for 9lb 8oz – best 5lb. Wellsfield Most fly fishers caught fish using floating lines or sink tip lines with a medium-long leader. Slow intermediate lines are also working well. Best flies this week: GH Damsel, Olive Tadpole, Cats Whisker, Ace of Spades, Bloodworm, PT Nymph, Yellow Dancer, Cormorants, GH Damsel, Pink Blob, Epoxy Buzzer. Best bait: Ledgered Maggots, Ledgered Brambling Worm, Green Power Bait. Fish of the week was a 15lb rainbow landed by A Duff (Dumfries), followed by a 14lb rainbow caught by S Preece (Bainsford). Top local catches: G Adams (Bridge of Allan) and son, 33 returned on catch and release; B Haughton (Fallin) 11 returned; C Symon (Dunblane) six for 17lb; C Gater (Alva) four returned; K Houghton (Stirling) three for 18lb, best 12lb rainbow; I Taylor (Tullibody) three for 10lb 12oz; A Inglis (Dunipace) three for 10lb 4oz; I Brown (Denny) three for 9lb and seven returned; W Turner (Sauchie) three for 9lb; D Wilkie (Stirling) three for 8lb 4oz; J Marshall (Stirling) three for 9lb, one returned; B Eadie (Cowie) three for 9lb, plus three returned; D Russell (Bannockburn) three for 8lb 8oz; P Robertson (Tullibody) two for 6lb 4oz and two returned; C McLintock (Stirling) two for 5lb plus two returned; J Vann (Stirling) two released. The fishery will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Swanswater Water temperature is sitting at 6˚C and clarity is very good. The fish are active and are in the top three feet of the water with the golds, in particular, very visible as they follow flies. In general the fish were often to be found moving from the channel in front of the island to the dam and back again, although the far bay was also fishing well. Small lures and nymphs were the most popular flies, although fish are still being taken on wets and even the odd dry fly. Favourite patterns included Dancer, Humungus, Cat’s Whisker, Damsel, Cormorant, Diawl Bach, Cruncher, Buzzer and Hopper. Top local catches: Danny Doherty (Denny) five for 17lb including three golds, biggest at 4lb 8oz and two blues; Ian Whitelaw (Dunipace) five for 15lb including two golds plus three returned; Frank Barr (Falkirk) in two visits, six for 20lb 12oz including two blues and a gold plus one released; Robert Smith (Airth) four for 13lb 12oz including two golds plus four released; Willie Nyguist (Stirling) four for 12lb including a blue and a gold plus one released; Peter Henderson three for 10lb 14oz including 4lb 6oz rainbow and two golds; Gregor McGregor (Falkirk) three for 10lb including two golds; John Score (Alloa) three for 9lb including a gold; Lee Currie (Bannockburn) two for 7lb including a blue and a gold; Willie Martin (Stirling) two for 6lb 4oz including a gold; Greg McPhillips (Denny) released 10 and Tom Clark (Stirling) released eight. The fishery will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, reopening on December 27 when the annual charity competition in aid of Strathcarron Hospice. Burnhouse Rainbows and blues are being caught at all depths in the water on a long leader or with a midge tip. Fish were this week taking Sunburst Blobs, Hot head Damsel, Cormorant, Yellow Dancer, Green/Black Fritz, Cats Whisker. Top local catches: Andy Scobie (Causwayhead) one for 3lb 8oz; Cameron Cowan (Bannockburn) and Paddy Clark (Plean) one each released.