ELIBURN HAS NEW PRICES FOR FUTURE FISHING EXCURSIONS
by Nigel Duncan
Eliburn Reservoir, fed by the Nell Burn, is surrounded by woodland and is a popular dog walking area, tucked between private housing estates in Livingston.
The coronavirus pandemic has forces the closure of the three acre fishery meantime but club members are looking ahead.
The water, around 2.5km from the town centre, is also extremely popular with coarse anglers.
However, it is not the easiest place to find, even with a sat nav, but Eliburn Reservoir, formally known as Deans, is a three-acre water where water is up to 13 ft deep.
Eliburn Reservoir is open throughout the year for members and day ticket anglers and it is located just off Houston Road between Howden, Ladywell and Deans.
The water is home to a range of coarse fish including big carp – fish of over 20lbs have been hooked - tench, bream, roach, perch, ide, pike, barbel and rudd.
Members of West Lothian Coarse Anglers run the water and they had been working hard behind the scenes to prepare for the normally busy spring and summer season.
But that groundwork has not been wasted and a new price structure will operate when the fishery near Livingston Community Football Club – not to be confused with Livingston FC who play in Scotland’s top football league re-opens.
From March 30, it will cost anglers over 16 £7 to fish the water for a day. Last year it was
£5.
Junior anglers will pay £2 but they can fish free with a paying adult.
Jason Biggin, one of the club’s officials, explained that they need the additional income to keep up with the requirements it takes to run and maintain the fishery.
The extra cash will also be used towards controlling weed and it will aid the redevelopment of an inlet. West Lothian Council are assisting here.
Fishing times, once the water re-opens, will vary but anglers can make their first cast at 8am.
Closing times from the beginning of April vary as well but they are between 7pm in early summer and 9pm at the height of summer.
It will be a case of tight lines when anglers get the chance to return to the water.