angling reports

North Third Fishery - Scottish angling and fly fishing centre...

Angling report week ending June 6th

After fantastic fishing on the Saturday the weather conditions changed to very bright, sunny days and a near flat calm loch for most of the week. This resulted in catches being down on the previous week with a very respectable total of 397 trout, including 18 specimens, finally landed. Catches should have been a lot higher but Sunday in particular was extremely hard and even very experienced anglers struggled to get fish.

The biggest fish of the week was a superb rainbow of 10lb 10oz. This beauty was taken by Mr Jim Quigley of Fintry on a floating line and buzzer whilst bank fishing at Davie's Point. This is Jim's biggest ever rainbow and he was really only down at the water for half an hour to try out a broken rod he had repaired, after rescuing it from one of the fishery bins! He did not even have a net with him and had to phone for a member of staff to come to his aid. The repaired rod survived the ordeal intact.

The best rod of the week was regular and expert angler Mr Mike Mullen of Kilmarnock. Mike was bank fishing on Saturday and had a total bag of 10 trout for 18lb, with a further 11 returned to the water. All his trout were taken on a floating line and size #16 Kate McLaren.

Mr Toy Janssen of the Netherlands was float tubing in extremely difficult conditions and still ended the day with 9 for 16lb 8oz. This just shows how the float tube is the ideal tool when the water is calm and the fish are shyer than normal.

Even although conditions were very hot and bright, anglers seemed to be doing best on floating lines, long leaders and small traditionals or nymphs. A lot of anglers were trying dry flies to cover the large rises of fish that were taking place on some of the day but results were mixed. There were numerous reports of anglers raising large numbers of fish whilst using this method but they just did not want to grab hold.

Bank anglers were definitely doing best over all from the Boat Bay along to Dam Corner, with the trout often lying extremely close to the shore. There were no particular boat hotspots with fish being taken in most areas. As is usual at this time of year, when there are hot and calm days, the Bannock Bay did not fish well much after lunchtime. It would only pick up again in the evenings once the sun started to go down.

Some of the other anglers who did well were:
Mr Watson, Motherwell - 10 for 28lb 10oz, best 8lb 12oz and 4lb 5oz
Mr Love, Glasgow - 7 for 13lb 9oz (plus 7 returned)
Mr Menzies, Glasgow - 10 for 19lb 14oz (plus 2 returned)
Mr Morrison, Darvel - 10 for 16lb 1oz (plus 4 returned)
Mr Cunningham, Clelland - 9 for 18lb, best 4lb 7oz
Mr Strachan, Kilmarnock - 6 for 13lb 4oz, best 5lb 3oz
Mr Black, Stirling - 10 for 18lb 8oz
Mr Archibald, Stirling - 7 for 12lb 12oz
Mr Johnston, Glasgow - 6 for 11lb (plus 4 returned)

As we are now in June the evening sessions, which start at 4.30pm, will run until 11pm. This closing time will continue the start of August when it will revert to 10.30pm. Prices are especially reasonable for the evening sessions and cost Ł14 (bank), Ł17 (1 rod boat) and Ł29 (2 rod boat). All catch limits are 10 fish per rod and catch and release is allowed at all times.

This season the fishery is still continuing with its discount days for over 60's or unemployed anglers on Monday to Thursday each week. On these days the cost of a permit is only Ł13 per person for boat or bank, if they are eligible. The permit covers day, evening or combined sessions. However, please remember that proof of status is needed on the day.

For further information and bookings telephone 01786 471967