Anglers fed up of anti-social behaviour and reckless individuals

Steven Johnston today described this summer as a “nightmare” and the Clubbiedean boss is among a number of Scottish fishery owners who have suffered anti-social behaviour.

Scottish Water lease Clubbiedean in The Pentland Hills to Johnston and they have also noted concerns at other leased Lothians locations including Glencorse and Gladhouse.

Issues have also been reported at other leased sites at Lintrathen, Backwater, Loch Turret near Crieff, Milngavie, Greenside, Stanley and Carron Valley – and that’s despite pleas for visitors to act responsibly.

Johnston, now in his third year in control of the water above Bonaly, revealed that his hut has been broken into, boats damaged, he’s had swimmers in the water and people diving off the water tower. His clients have also had their angling affected.

He’s had human waste and used women’s sanitary products being left lying and fires lit next to trees.

Johnston does not get involved with anti-social visitors after the recent assault on the 70-year-old bailiff at nearby Harlaw Reservoir. It is not owned by Scottish Water. Police are investigating.

He added: “Scottish Water have upped the fencing on the tower at Clubbiedean, but people are still climbing on to it to dive.

“It’s an absolute nightmare. I left one night and there were no tents. I arrived the next morning and there were nine and there have been groups of over 18 at the water.

“They are lighting fires next to trees. That’s stupid, but I am not getting involved.”

He conceded that there have been more police patrols recently but underlined the fact that reservoirs can be dangerous places.

Bill Taylor at Glencorse has written to Pentland Hills councillors expressing his concerns which include hygiene.

He disinfects his boats regularly but said that cars drive up with canoes and kayaks and occupants then launch the craft into the water.

Bill, who has been in the fishing business for more than two decades, has also resorted to social media to voice his concerns and said: “The big problem is people just don’t act responsibly.

“Anglers wear suitable life jackets etc when out on boats, swimmers don’t. Anglers use boats that have been cleaned properly so not to spread disease, bacteria etc, kyackers don’t.

“Anglers act responsibly, swimmers etc don’t. They have NO respect for anyone else but themselves.”

Scottish Water reservoir manager Brian McCarthy said that reservoirs, rivers and lochs might appear to be inviting for a quick cool down on a warm, sunny day, but there are many hidden dangers that can’t be seen and the consequences can be fatal.

The National Water Safety Forum figures indicate that in 2019, 214 people lost their lives to unintentional drowning in the UK and 37 of them were in Scotland. ater bosses have urged people not to go swimming or diving in any of their reservoirs, whatever the weather. The water might seem to be calm but looks can be deceiving.

Deep cold water can send your body into shock in seconds, underwater pipework can trap you, steep, slippery banks make it tricky to get back out of the water, stone or concrete structures below and above the water can cause injury and strong currents can challenge even the strongest of swimmers.

Also, underwater plants such as reeds can trap swimmers and remote locations with poor or no mobile phone coverage, and lack of immediate assistance, puts swimmers at risk

They confirmed that liaison is taking place with the police in hotspots.

Meanwhile, Rosebery Reservoir manager Dave Picken said that his opening day had gone well last Saturday and a young girl really enjoyed her visit, landing a 4lb trout, the best fish of the day, in what was her first fishing trip.

Anglers who fish traditional flies have continued to be successful at Harlaw with small black dry flies, black gnat, bushy wet flies, small muddlers and G&H Sedges doing well.

Harlaw has a high number of sticklebacks and minnows and small black lures such as a viva, cormorant with a bit of flash or yellow dancer, all tied on a standard size ten hook should tempt fish. The egg fly/lure mostly yellow or chartreuse colour has been the first choice for many fished under an indicator at two to three feet.

Bowden Springs boss Jim Gargaro says his anglers have enjoyed good sport on his fly and bait ponds. Ally McCoist and Alex Ferguson lures have worked well in the fly and Powerbait and maggot on the bait pond.

On to coarse fishing, and the breach of the Union Canal near the A801 between Polmont and Muiravonside, has been secured by Scottish Canals who admitted that this was a challenging task.

Forth Rivers Trust rescued over 1,000 fish from the pools of water downstream of the breach including pike, perch, roach, eel, three-spined stickleback and brown trout.

Finally, Fishers of Penicuik have responded to recent interest in fishing post-lockdown to offer a starter fly fishing kit, normal price £200, for £150 to include a Greys GR20 rod and reel with spare spools plus fly line, line backing, tippet and fitted free.