Fishing Lines

Nov 25 2011 by Jean Pedder, Stirling Observer Friday

LOCH VENACHAR

DAVE Morris caught a 20lb 12oz pike on a small trout bait from a boat. Dave Towle caught two from a boat, weighing in at 17lb and 12lb.

The usual jacks were caught from the banks but the boys from Bellshill caught a beauty with an estimated weight between 16-18lb. All were returned unharmed.

ORCHILL

FISHING has been very changeable, with some days no two anglers catching on the same fly. The fishery has been putting it down to the weather.

Some of the best catches: Craig McEwan, Clackmannan, 3 for 8lb; Darwin Douglas, Dollar, 2 for 5lb; Scott Smith, Kinross, 4 for 10lb 2oz; John Gavin, Perth, 3 for 8lb; Willie Martin, Stirling, 5 for 14lb; Jim Prentice, Tullibody, 4 for 10lb.

SWANSWATER

MOST were being taken around 3-4 feet down on small lures such as damsel, dancer, fritz, viva, and cat’s whisker or on buzzers and bloodworm. Some wet flies, including butcher, Soldier Palmer and bibio, still figured when the conditions were right. With the mild spell of weather, many fish are being caught in shallower water, including the area behind the islands and the channel in front of the main island.

Some of the best catches: Frank Turner, Alloa, 4 for 14lb, best 7lb 12oz; Nick Coles, Callander, 3 for 11lb 12oz; Alan Hunter, Alva, 3 for 13lb 4oz; Ian Hunter, Alva, 5 for 16lb; Gary Conway, Alva, 5 for 15lb 12oz; Billy Weir, Stirling, 4 for 14lb 4oz; Willie Martin, Stirling, 4 for 9lb 12oz; Jim Donnelly, Tullibody, 3 for 9lb 8oz; Alex McCall, Denny, 3 for 6lb 4oz.

Fishery opening hours are now 8am to 4.30pm.

WELLSFIELD

FISH are still very active in a range of water column depths and average weight was just over 3lb 2oz.

A red £50 tag was caught by A Smith, Falkirk, while bait fishing.

Best flies: black/green nomad, craft eye cat, yellow dancer, olive tadpole, HH damsel, diawl bachs, bloodworm, buzzers on an intermediate tip. Best baits: ledgered worms, maggots, small mepps.

Some of the best catches: D Morton, Falkirk, 5 for 17lb 12oz; B Wallace, Alloa, 5 for 16lb; D Batchelor, Airth, 5 for 12lb 4oz; S Deans, Falkirk, 4 for 16lb 12oz; D Bruce, Bannockburn, 4 for 12lb 12oz; B Davidson, Stirling, 3 for 9lb; B Robertson, Cowie, 3 for 9lb; G Ross, Stirling, 3 for 9lb; D Lamb, Airth, 3 for 8lb; J Marshall, Stirling, 2 for 6lb 8oz; F Robertson, Tullibody, 2 for 6lb 4oz; M Boylan, Denny, 2 for 6lb; C Bennie, Denny, 2 for 5lb 12oz; MW Caddiss, Stirling, 2 for 5lb 4oz; D Manson, Stirling, 4lb rainbow.