Boat bookings: Tel.01877 385 664

FISHERY REPORT

16th March 2004

Compiled by Quint Glen 16th March

With only a week and a half to go before our opening day on the 27th March – the lake is eventually starting to warm up (now 4C at 6ft) after the late cold spell. Lets hope this heating continues quickly (as it can) for the start of the trout season. Our new exit grid, which includes a migratory fish pass and trap is nearing completion. The boats and engines have been repaired and serviced and details of competitions, session times etc are available at the website (www.menteith-fisheries.co.uk), which is being updated. The beach has been dug out which should make for easier launching – but it deepens quickly so be careful with the wellies.

Prospects: April has been easily the most productive fishing month at Menteith in the last two seasons, and it is also one of our less busy times of the year. We plan to stock around 1800 rainbows and 400 browns in the weeks prior to opening on Saturday the 27th March. The rainbows should be slightly over 2lbs average weight and this year we are releasing some of our own Menteith grown big fish at 5-6lbs. We hope there will again be a fair proportion of overwintered fish in the Lake, especially some of the big fish which were released last Autumn.

The shallow water of the eastern basin generally heats up first, and this is where the majority of the fish should be found – Hotel Bay, the Road Shore, Lochend and along to the Butts. If previous years are anything to go by, anglers should gear up with reasonably slow sinking or intermediate lines and fish close to the bottom – in the shallow water near the shore. Black and green fritz, damsels, blob, dancer and the white cat are usually popular at this time of year, but it is worth also fishing something smaller for the shyer fish.

Boat bookings and enquires can be made by telephone 01877 385664 or email (bookingenquires@menteith-fisheries.co.uk).