Fishing returns

LAKE OF MENTEITH

The fishery is open for the 2021 season it was into double figures re-boat numbers for the Opening Day last weekend but it has felt more like winter time with only one or two boats out since Sunday and a lot of absent friends.

However, it is apparently good for your health to list all the good things that happen each day, so the fishery was officially declared open by Douglas Fraser, some tunes were provided by stand-in piper Quint Glen, friendships were revitalised, there were some laughs, some sloe gin was enjoyed before 9am, there was no stress, the sun was shining and fish were caught – quite a few by some folks.

On the other hand it was fairly chilly with a steady breeze and low temperatures but out of the wind it was pleasant and that is where the best catches were – Tod Hole and the Butts. The fish werent deep – as you would expect in 10 ft of water and good lines were sink tips or slow glass. the usual wets and lures did the trick.

Best boat of the day was Alan MacLachlan and Murray Hunter with 38 returned and a couple of other boats recorded catches in the mid 20s including Cameron Davies and boat partner from Gartmore who weighed in four fish for over 18lbs. Callum Fraser from Thornhill also recorded 16 to the boat with four fish weighed in for 16lbs.

On the competition scene, SANACC are cancelling the heats of the National and moving all the competitors to their semi-final slots. The Scottish Club Championships are presumably going ahead as planned with the first evening heat taking place on May 22. The Scottish Open Fly Fishing Championships is “good to go”with heats on May 16, May 30 and June 13 with the final on Sunday, September 12.

The Scierra Pairs Menteith Heat is currently scheduled for Sunday, April 25. Travel restrictions may still be in place for this date but Phil Dixon is keen to wait and see if there is a chance that the restrictions might be lifted a little earlier than planned rather than moving the heat to midweek on July 6 – so it is wait and see.

The Menteith Evening Boat League is kicking off on May 12 with 15 heats. The final heat will be on August 18. Fario Flies and the Lake of Menteith will again be sponsoring this competion.

The Disabled National on Sunday, May 9 is currently under review.

Everyone is looking forward to the proper Opening Day on Monday, April 26.

FRANDY (GLENEAGLES)

Fishing from the bank, Donald McPherson kept two fish weighing 5lb and released a further six; Kenny Rodger released nine; William McCallum released seven; Ross Carnegie and Nichola Campbell kept eight weighing 16lb and released two; Davie Joyce released 15; Ally Pratt kept three weighing 6lb; Mike Willis, Paul Holbourne and Ross Carnegie all released eight; Jim Donnelly kept two fish weighing 3lb 8oz and released a further four; Raymond Pirrie released 12; Ronnie Turnbull released 11; Jimmy Miller released three; Ian Wilkie released 10 and Ryan Haskill kept three weighing 4lb 12oz.

The best flies and lures included the Ally McCoist, Hot Head Damsel and the Cats Whisker whilst the South Shore has been the best fishing spot.

ORCHILL (BRACO)

The sun shining has lifted everyone’s spirits this week which is much needed in these restricted times.

The fish have been getting caught from just under the surface to deep down in the one session. There has been a lot of catch and release (C&R) which is great as long as the fish are released in the water and not touched by dry hands.

Best bags: Jeff Thomson three for 9lbs on a Cat; G Mercer and D Forsyth six for 19lbs 8oz on Bloodworms; J Gillespie two for 4lbs 4oz - best a 3lb brownie on Dries; J Graham seven C&R on a Silver Lure; A Ferguson two for 6lbs on Buzzers; M Ritchie two for 7lbs on Buzzers; E Davidson three for 9lbs on an Okie Dokie; William Smillie four for 10lbs on a Black Damsel and Olive Fritz; I Wilkie three for 7lbs 8oz on a Cut Throat Cat ; Mark Habo one for 7lbs on a Damsel; J Linton eight for 23lbs on a Black Dancer. B Logan 11 C&R using Buzzers, J Frampton 10 C&R on Buzzers and M Beurskens three for 9lbs on an Orange Egg.

SWANSWATER

A settled week of weather with some warm sunshine and only light winds, saw some excellent fishing.

The water temperature rose from 5oC to 7oC and water clarity is very good. The fish were to be found anything from two to five feet down and were well spread out although the Dam and the Overflow were popular areas at certain times through the week.

The Brown Trout season got off to a good start with some lovely Brownies featuring in the catch returns, along with some big Golds and Blues. Most fish were taken on lures with Ally McCoist, Dancer, Cat’s Whisker, and Fritz the most popular patterns. Damsel, Cormorant, Buzzer, Bloodworm and Snatcher were also taking fish.

On the bait pond, worms were the most successful bait.

Some of the best returns from fly anglers included Stewart Mackay five for 18lb including 7lb 10oz Gold and two Browns; Andrew Telfer 6lb 4oz Blue plus eight released in two visits; Ricky Goodwin three for 12lb including 6lb Blue; Greig Donaldson five for 15lb 4oz including a Gold plus two released; Alan Evans and Owen five for 14lb 8oz including a Gold plus two released; Alan Stirling five for 13lb 4oz plus one released; George Evans four for 13lb including two Golds and a Brown plus one released; Henry Thomson four for 12lb 8oz including a Gold and 3lb 8oz Brown; Rhys Cove four for 12lb 8oz plus five released; Alex Allan four for 12lb 4oz including a Gold plus six released; James Elliott four for 11lb 12oz including two Golds, bigger one at 4lb plus nine released; Stuart Black four for 10lb 8oz including 3lb Brown;

Kieran Lydon three for 11lb 8oz including 4lb 8oz Rainbow and a Gold plus five released; Sandy Donald three for 10lb 12oz including two Golds; Jim McInnes three for 10lb including a Gold and a Brown plus eight released; Jamie McGowan three for 10lb including a Gold; David Lewis three for 9lb 12oz; Willie Nyguist three for 9lb 4oz;

Robert Smith three for 8lb plus five released; Callum McMillan three for 8lb including a Brown plus one released.

Chris and Tracey Allan visited the fishery three times this week and left with a total of 14 fish for 33lb12oz from the small ponds, including a 4lb 4oz Gold for Chris and a 4lb 12oz Rainbow for Tracey

Other catches: Lawrence McGuire three for 7lb 8oz including 3lb Brown plus three released; Mark O’Lenskie two for 7lb 4oz including 5lb Rainbow; Carlo Pezzani two for 6lb 4oz plus one released; James McMillan 5lb 14oz Gold; Joe Woods 5lb 4oz Rainbow; Paul Ryder, on two visits, released 38 including an 8lb Rainbow.

Robert Cochrane released six; Ross Ramsay released five including an 8lb Rainbow and an 8lb 8oz Gold; William Hastings released four (plus a Tench); Jamie Johnstone on one visit released four from the Meadow Pond including a Gold and, on another visit, released four Browns on Swanswater.

On the bait pond, the biggest fish of the week was taken by Jim Vann in his two for 10lb 8oz including an 8lb 8oz Gold.

Other bags: Edward MacMenemy three for 6lb; James McLaughlan four for 7lb 8oz; Tam Hislop three for 5lb 12oz; Scott Hislop three for 7lb including a Gold; Archie McKinnon four for 7lb 10oz; James Wotherspoon four for 11lb 8oz including 4lb Gold; John More three for 7lb including a Gold; Iain Fern four for 12lb 4oz; John Fern five for 15lb 8oz; Johnathan Morton three for 6lb.

The fishery is open from 8am to 5pm every day except Thursday when it closes at 2.30pm.

Please continue to observe all coronavirus restrictions with regard to travel, social distancing and hand hygiene.

Face coverings must be worn in reception. Bookings are not necessary but are really appreciated.

Contactless card payment is the preferred option although cash will be accepted if necessary.