Troutmasters qualifier produces fish of the week

April has been hanging onto the winter but there is now some hope that spring is on the way and fishing should improve rapidly at FORBES OF KINGENNIE.

Despite generally cold, damp and windy conditions for much of the week, there were still some excellent results.

The Troutmasters qualifier for the finals was held on the Boathouse Pool on Saturday and produced the best fish of the week.

In the senior section Ashley Thomas took three rainbows for 8lb 4ozs and topped that off by catching a magnificent rainbow weighed and witnessed at 13lbs (taken on a size).

In the junior section Jake Gilchrist reigned supreme with a catch of six rainbows taken on a variety of patterns and methods, including a couple on dries.

Congratulations to both winners and best wishes for the finals.

Meanwhile water clarity is improving all the time at NEWTON FARM FISHERY and fish are on the buzzers.

Top rods this week were Darren Barcik with 22 fish – including a 12-pounder , on catchand-return in five hours.

Davie Simpson had 12 in three hours and Jock Leslie had 17 on small 14s buzzers and dries. LEDYATT TROUT FISHERY. This week has seen some tremendous fishing with water temperatures rising.

Donald Patience and his daughter Ella netted an 8lb brownie and another 8lb rainbow.

David Waterston netted a superb 12lb rainbow, while William Petrie netted a hard fighting 9lb brown.

Kevin Knight landed a personal best 14lb 6oz rainbow, Sandy Pringle a superb 8lb brownie and Dennis Watterson bagged up three for 19lb.

Most of the fish were on buzzers and dries

With each day beginning to warm up slightly, daytime fishing at LEDCRIEFF TROUT FISHERY has seen some excellent catches.

Black and olive buzzers fished around a foot down using the washing-line method accounted for 17 on

Saturday for Colin Shepherd. On Sunday, Colin and his son Darren landed a further 20 from the boat using a midge tip.

Some fine browns are just starting show in the catches with traditional methods and dry fly methods taking some decent fish. MONIKIE AC WATERS. Fish seemed to be higher in water last week with floating lines, slow glass and midge tip lines being successful.

Island Pond saw 27 anglers keeping 37 fish for 82lbs and returning a further 23 and the North Pond saw three anglers keeping two for 5lbs. RAITH LAKE FLY

FISHERY hosted the Scottish Ladies Fly fishing team fundraiser on Sunday.

Weather was bright but cold and several good baskets were taken. First place was taken by Scott Mudie with 11 fish. Neil Caird was second with six fish, while third went to Steven Marnock with six fish,

The anglers raised £703 on the day.

The ANGUS ESKS

(North and South) are slowly starting to pick up.

Neil Strawson picked up a lovely 18lb spring salmon last week – one of seven springers for the week. Gallery landed two, one at 9lbs and one at 6lbs, taken by John Grieve on a Monkey tube fly.

Fisheries, clubs and individuals should email your news and reports to sales@angusangling. co.uk or contact Neil Anderson on 01307 466366 or 07759 022503. Tight Lines!