Fishery news

MARKLE, East Lothian: Keith Watson from Amble had a couple of 12lb rainbows on a Yellow Dancer and Keir Backie of Haddington landed a lovely 5lb brown trout on a Damsel.

Musselburgh's Mark Anderson took a belter of 14lb on a Blob and Brad Muir from Tranent used a Buzzer to bag a fine 12lb rainbow. Paul Rae from Hawick had a 10lb rainbow on a Dancer, while Andy Adshead from Edinburgh had a 14lb rainbow on a Damsel and Neil Carey, also from Edinburgh, used a Yellow Dancer to take a ten pounder.

SWANSWATER, Stirling: An excellent week saw 413 fish landed and several anglers taking multiple tickets on the same day. At certain times the area behind the islands was the hotspot, but at others it was the far bay or the dam area. Often the fish were quite deep and taking lures but there were times that nymphs and wet flies were successful. Favourite patterns included the usual small lures, Cat's Whisker, Dancer, Damsel, Tadpole and Viva, Bloodworm Buzzer, Cormorant, Diawl Bach, Kate McLaren and Bibio. Browns are now being stocked and several over-wintered Browns have been hooked and put back, which is a positive pointer for the start of the season. Paul Mitchell from Westquarter took the best bag, five for 23lb 8oz including a 7lb 8oz Rainbow and a 6lb 8oz Blue and the biggest fish of the week went to Hugh McGhie, Stonehouse, with an 8lb 10oz Rainbow.

FRANDY, Gleneagles: After a number of postponements, the season was finally due to open today. At the start of the season it's the usual Coral & Yellow Dancers, Nomads, Crazy Cats etc which are the most successful patterns but a number of the Frandy regulars fish Buzzers from the start of the season right through to the end and catch just as many fish. The South shore from the fishery lodge to the dam wall is usually the most productive drift at the start of the season.

FORBES OF KINGENNIE, Broughty Ferry: Now that the weather has improved at Kingennie lots of fish are being caught. The Specimen Pool gave up some nice trout with one party taking six for 36lb on a Bunny Leech. Other successful patterns included Green Pea and Blobs.

ORCHILL LOCH, Braco: At long last the ice has finally disappeared but the water is extremely cold so the fish are taking very slowly on a variety of colours. Recent good catches included Allan McComisky from Moodiesburn's four for 10lb 8oz on a Sunburst and three for 7lb 4oz for John Stevenson of Cowie on a Black Lure. Allan Buchan from Bannockburn took three for 6lb 8oz on Buzzers, Bob White, Alloa, had three for 8lb 8oz and John Hutchison, Alloa, two for 5lb both using a Green & Black Fritz.