Fraser on Fishing: It has to be pink at Markle

Jimmy McLachlan with a 3lb rainbow taken on a bloodworm at Markle fishery.

A flat calm had descended and the water temperature was just over 4°C and not ideal. But it improved as the day wore on.

Tackling up with a floating line and big scruffy rabbit I made my way to the bottom at the shallows and worked my way up. After an hour I worked my way through most of my lures in my box and changed to the okay dokay. Again I was getting very limited interest. However, a local angler who caught and lost a nice fish on his second cast joined me. I asked what he was getting them on, and a pink rabbit was his reply.

I found one and after a few casts connected into a nice bow of 3lb. It was a real feisty fish and refused to be bullied. Eventually it tired sufficiently to be brought in and released. I moved all round the fishery and no matter what I had on as long as it was pink I connected. It was the difference between night and day as I landed a further four on different patterns as long as they were pink.

The fishery manager reckons that it is daphnia. So to all you anglers who are fishing the fundraiser and have not had any practice it’s as good a starting point as any. Good luck.

• Fraser on Fishing is sponsored by Morton Fishings, Morton Road, Mid Calder, Livingston, EH53 0JT. Tel: 01506 883295; Mobile: 07592 577652.