FISHING LINES
Frandy The best taking flies and lures last week included the Daddy Longlegs, Hoppers, Sedge Muddlers and Sedgehogs. On the individual bank returns top local bags included Wilson Orr (Tullibody) two for 5lb 10oz and 12 released; Albert McKinnes (Tullibody) six released; Mark Paterson (Stirling) eight released; Jim Donnelly (Tullibody) two for 5lb 8oz and three released; Andy Hunter (Alloa) released seven; Davie Hunter (Alloa) six released; Raymond Pirrie (Tullibody) nine released; Kenny Hutchison (Alloa) four released; Ben McGovern (Sauchie) released five. On the individual boat fishing front Stan Guzik and Louis Hansen (Sauchie) four for 8lb 4oz and 20 released; Bill Ramage (Alva) four for 10lb and 12 released; Graham Oliver and party from Doune kept four fish weighing 8lb. On the angling club scene SPRA North kept 14 fish weighing 29lb and released a further 33; Bonnybridge AC had 29 fish for 58lb 8oz and Bothwell and Blantyre AC took 23 fish weighing 46lb 6oz and released 34.
Orchill The Falcon FFC had a good outing on Saturday, taking 23 fish weighing 65lb with Willie Barr winning the Alan Davenport Memorial Cup with four fish for 9lb 8oz taken on a Sunburst. Other local catches: Colin Clement (Tyndrum) two for 8lb on a Spider; Andrew Johnston (Dollar) two for 5lb on Purple and White Buzzers; Iain Bayne (Dunblane) two for 4lb 4oz on an Orange Buzzer and Hector Wilson (Bannockburn) three for 7lb on a Klinkhammer.
Swanswater With the fish feeding sporadically the catch rates were variable. Subtle changes to flies and techniques were making the difference, although there were no particular patterns having more success than others. The water temperature continues to drop slowly and there are now more fish coming to the surface and more are now being tempted to dry flies, with Yellow Owl being effective. The fish were generally in the top four feet, with golds and others being seen close to the surface. The most productive area of Swanswater is still the far bay and around the bridge, with fish also being taken between the dam and the boat jetty. Dancer, Cats, Humungus, Damsel and Tadpoles were working, as were Hares Ears, Montana, Diawl Bach and Pheasant Tails. Wet flies were also effective with Kate McLaren and Black Pennel having the most success. Fish were being taken on both floating and intermediate lines throughout the week. Best local bags: Andy Duffin (Fallin) in two visits, five for 15lb 12oz including a 5lb Rainbow, three golds and a tiger; Danny Doherty (Denny) three for 9lb including a tiger and a gold; Stewart McKay (Bonnybridge) three for 8lb 4oz including two golds and a tiger; Aaron Kirkwood (Plean) five released. Glenbervie Fishing slowly improving every day, most trout caught on wee flies, mostly white on top of the water. This week on fly : Graham North and Billy Buchan 14; C Bennett 12; Peter Fish 10; W Watt eight; Michael McDonald and Jordan Anderson seven; Tommy Turnbull and Geordie Penn six; James Mackie, Duncan Taylor and Graham Miller five; Stuart Peach, David Avery, Stephen Gunn and David Ford all four. The most successful patterns this week were Diawl Bach, Pheasant Till Nymph, Yellow Owl, Fabs, Okey Dokey and Black Dancer. On bait most fish werel caught on powerbait on the bottom: FDMH caught three, Filipino Sukiedko caught his first fish and W Henderson and Samantha Erran had three.
Lake of Menteith Gateside Bay still has the biggest congregation of fish and if it is not too busy and overcast a dry or two in here is a good option, otherwise subsurface tactics (eg washing line with Diawls, Buzzers or Cormorants) using a sink tip or floater are the best bet. Good bags have often been had by those exploring further afield. Youth coach Alisdair Mair returned a nice bow and Colin Clark from Inverary took a fine brown from the cages on the dependable Damsel. Holidaymaker Chris Tatner released a fine brown, also in Gateside. Chris had nine fish on Daddies and Cormorants.