Anglers are hooked again as fisheries record big numbers

Bangour Fishery bosses re-stocked generously earlier this year in expectation of re-opening for the new season then Covid-19 struck, but the popular trout fishery is now open again and anglers are reaping the benefits.

The seven-acre water is home to some fine, hard-fighting trout and owner Jason Smith reports good catches during opening week.

Bangour, he said, was only open for two days before lockdown but he has been encouraged by attendances and the best fish recorded so far has been in excess of 5lbs.

Over 20 pegs are spaced around the picturesque, tree-lined water above Dechmont. The reservoir was originally built in 1902 as a water supply for Bangour Village Hospital.

It was stocked with brown trout to keep the water pure but it now has a 28-angler capacity and there are two piers for the disabled.

The seven-acre loch is 720 feet above sea level and holds 16 million gallons of fresh water. Rain enters the loch from a catchment area running from the 5,500-year-old Neolithic ritual site at nearby Cairnpapple Hill.

The fishery is closed on a Monday and they don’t open until 4pm on a Friday and Smith said: “We’ve been busy upgrading our pegs during lockdown and the water is currently crystal clear. Bbuzzer patterns are working well.”

Also in West Lothian, Pottishaw near Whitburn, confirmed it was tough going for anglers during the opening weekend with most fish being caught on intermediate lines using nymphs patterns.

Fraser Thompson, the owner, said that the weather appears to be cooling down and he added: “I expect to see good surface action with dries and buzzer fishing for the next few weeks.” A 7lb Tiger trout is the best fish he has recorded there since the end of initial lockdown.

Nearby Bowden Springs has been enjoying good sport in the fly and particularly bait loch and owner Jim Gargaro has been delighted with the number of anglers who have visited, and also with the catch returns.

Day one saw a total of 129 trout caught for a weight of 341lbs. Floating lines and small gold head lures fished on a ten to 12 foot leader caught well and so did dark pattern buzzers fished on a bung.

On the bait loch, ledgered Powerbait proved the best method with several 5lbs rainbow trout amongst the catches.

Monday proved another great day with 30 trout caught for 72.5lbs, the best weighing 5lb 3oz.

Brothers from Bo’ness shared eight lovely rainbows for 19lb. The best was 5lb 3oz while Mr Souter and his son from Falkirk caught six rainbows for 13lbs 4 oz.

The best flies currently are damsel patterns on an intermediate line with buzzer nymphs on floating lines and Gargaro said: “Evening fishing worth a go with some good trout showing.”

On the other side of the Pentland Hills, Loganlea, above Flotterstone, boss Karen Jack has been “overwhelmed” by the number of anglers who have ventured up the tight road to the fishery.

There have been up to 40 a day and buzzer patterns are producing, just ask Edinburgh-based IT consultant John Ferguson who was smiles better after landing a frisky 5lb 12oz fish. Diawl bach patterns with olive and red flashes have also scored.

It is, she said, trial and error but fish have been temped on the surface but they have also gone deep with fishermen switching to intermediate lines.

Nearby Glencorse opens today (SAT) and owner Bill Taylor says he has boats available for a day session on Tuesday 16, Wednesday 17, Thursday 18 and Friday 19 of June.

Rosslynlee has been busy with up to 40 anglers on the water on some days with fish of 7lb-plus being landed.

John Dewar, fishery manager, said that yellow owl patterns have done well with various patterns working on intermediate lines.

Clubbiedean opened on Monday and owner Steven Johnson said catches have been “amazing” with a 7lbs-plus Tiger trout among the best.

Anglers have been hooking fish on top of the water and deep down on intermediate lines. Tequila blobs, buzzers, CDC, hot head damsels and orange crunchers have been among the most successful flies.

The water, above Bonaly, is open seven days a week and has five boats on offer currently. The water also features bank fishing as well as bait angling.

Bosses at nearby Harlaw have also been heartened by the number of anglers who have made their way up the steep hill from Currie and Balerno to cast a line.

A number of good fish have been landed and the car park has been busy most days with anglers keen to make use of the current 7am start time.