angling

An American called James E Leisenring devised a simple hackled wet fly many moons ago, the Leisenring Gray Hackle.

The hook is a size 8–10 wet fly and the thread primrose yellow silk. The body is natural peacock herl, ribbed with flat gold tinsel and the head hackle is cream badger cock.

Care should be taken to make sure the hackle is long enough to mask the point of the hook and is swept back to improve entry.

Last week saw some nice fish taken off at East Lothian’s Markle Fishery, with Keir Baikie from Drem having the fish of the week – a 12lb rainbow taken on a Black & Green lure. Ken Morrison (Edinburgh) had one at 9lb and, on another session, one at 7lb 2oz taken on a Bloodworm and Black App respectively. Jim Mathers (Edinburgh) took a nice 7lb 4oz specimen on an Orange Blob.

Both the fly and bait ponds have fished well of late at Milngavie’s Carbeth Trout Fishery.

In the fly pond the Black Rabbit has accounted for a lot of fish, while mouse tails and grubs are the top catchers for the bait boys.

On the catch front, Robert McEwan took four and Freddie Boyd managed eight.