Good fishing at Kingennie despite weather patterns

Changing weather patterns were again the order of the week at FORBES OF KINGENNIE, writes our angling correspondent.

The more productive conditions combined a gentle westerly breeze with fairly overcast skies while any easterly wind had a somewhat detrimental effect on the fishing.

There is a substantial amount of natural food in the water at present, resulting in good numbers of fish cruising happily on the surface but not necessarily in any mood to chase a fly.

Others are sulking somewhat as the water temperature is still on the high side for trout.

On the Boathouse Pool Jock Leslie made the most of surface activity landing nine rainbows on dries while catch and release numbers were steady on the Burnside.

Angling numbers were generally lower on the Bankside Pool but some decent fish up to around 5lbs were returned. Lar Findlay took top spot returning five fish in a short session, with the Zonker being particularly useful.

On Monday seven anglers took 27 fish for a combined weight of 52lbs. This was followed on Saturday by 11 anglers taking 29 for a total of 64lbs. The coarse pool (Blawearie Basin) is producing good numbers of small roach and perch and is ideal as a starter pool for youngsters or beginners.

At MONIKIE AND CROMBIE the weather hasn’t helped the fishing this week with one day being lost to high winds and the bright sunshine also not helping matters.

Intermediate lines were the most successful, with flies ranging from Vivas to orange and pink blobs taking fish.

Fish of the month for August had joint winners, with A Murray and K. Dickson both weighing in fish of 2lbs 14oz.

The final stocking of the season took place this weekend with several hundred fish, including lots of big fish, being put into both the North and Island ponds.

At the LAKE OF MENTEITH the algae is now becoming well dispersed and with further windy days forecast things are looking better than they have for some time.

The Ladies National did well, catching and releasing 90 fish with their six boats.

The new Ladies National champion is Helen Philps (12 fish), with Morag Wallace second with 11 fish and Sheila Manion in third with 10.

The overall champion, which includes the Carron heat, was Gail Annal, with Jean Ferguson second and Helen Philp third.

LOCH LEVEN. Last week has not seen a great amount of change at Loch Leven with the open water drifts still performing best.

Small fish are about in good numbers but there are also some nice ones appearing in catches, albeit no real ‘biggies’ as yet.

Rab Walls landed the biggest at 3 lbs 2 ozs and also bagged another two weighing in at about the one pound mark and a number under the 10” minimum size limit.

Fish are now being seen in the areas around the burn mouths, particularly off the North Queich.

These fish are now preparing for their annual spawning activities in the various streams over the coming weeks and months.