In the Scottish open championship final 58 anglers caught a total of 347 fish. Top rod on the day was Brian Mackenzie with 16 fish, 2^nd place was Scott McGregor with 13 fish and in 3^rd place was Ken Oliver with 12 fish. Productive areas on the day were Gateside bay, Malling shore and the Roadshore. Below Brian Mackenzie winner of the 1^st Scottish open and all of the boats ready to go before the horn was sounded.

 

The fishing so far this week has been a mixed bag. Colin Clerk had a successful day yesterday using an intermediate line and a cat bug in Gateside bay and the Roadshore. There has also been some reports of good catches coming from the Malling shore. Carol and David Sanderson recently won a day’s fishing on the Lake with Paul Young. They won it through an online auction with the proceeds going to the Angling trust. Pictured below Paul Young with Carol and David.

 

We stocked 400 fish yesterday with another 400 planned to go in tomorrow ahead of the Scottish national on Saturday.

The water level at the moment is rather low with the temperature 18C so it is cooling down slightly. The water clarity at the moment is fantastic with it sitting at 2.9 metres. We’ve had a wet morning this morning and there is more rain predicted on Friday so I believe the water will continue to cool down gradually. It has been an unusually warm September but I believe that we have had the majority of the warm weather already.

Pictured below, Stuart Hardie playing a fish in the drizzle in front of the hut as i was writing the report.

We still have a few boats available this week, we have 6 left on Thursday, 3 on  Friday and 5 remaining on Sunday. If you would like to book please do so via the website or give the fishery a call on 01877 385664  .

 

 

 

Pike Angler’s Alliance Scotland were had their special access day on Saturday 10th November and they had much nicer fishing conditions than the previous Saturday when the Pike Angling Club were out. Picture below left  Stuart Sutherland of FishX with two both caught at the same time (don’t try this at home folks). Scott Hardie (pictured right) had the biggest (on dead bait) at 31lbs 4oz. We stocked another 250 2 ½ pound fish today.

Some great catches of trout this week with 10 plus for the boat being the norm and quite a few anglers taking advantage of the reasonable weather. Best areas have been Tod Hole or Gateside with booby or lure.

The photographs of the ephemeral fish made by the Port School children are being very much appreciated and enjoyed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lake of Menteith 6th Nov 2018

Water Temperature : 7C, Clarity (Secchi disc)2.2m

 

This week’s first November stocking at the Lake (250 at 2.5lbs) gets scrutinised by Connor Shearer. We still have another pen of 450 more fish waiting to go in. Been a nice mild week so far with the bet of the catches in the eastern basin – fishing into the reeds.

We have had a great October for fishing which has made up for our over hot summer.

Another fantastic end to the main season with the Kirk and School Fundraiser BBQ which raised over £3000 (for the first time – before costs). Thanks to the generosity of the anglers and parents. All permit money is donated to the Kirk and School by the fishery. The School Council and children layed on a fantastic BBQ with music and song. There is no better way to mark the start of winter.

We do have boats available all winter for when the weather is mild (except weekends and over the festive period), and just turn up if the boat availability page says there are boats available and your decision is made late in the day without confirmation (we will get you out). All advice re booking will also appear on the boat availability page.

Should we make de-barbed hooks compulsory next year? check out our poll on facebook.

 

 

Water Temperature : 9C, Clarity (Secchi disc)2.5m

It is the turn of the big oaks to go red at Menteith. So if you are lucky and get a hint of sunshine…The sunsets can also be phenomenal from mid Oct onwards – as the sun goes down over the Malling shore. We are still pouring in the fish. 1500 good looking blues, bows and browns were stocked last week and around 1000 are set to go in this week (over 500 are already in). The pens will be pushed ashore next week and access to all of Gateside Bay will be possible from Tuesday 23^rd Oct. There should be quite a few wide tailed specimen residents featuring in the catches after this date.  Photos by Colin Riach.

 

Speaking of big tails, Lake Regular Tom Buchanan is featuring on Landward BBC2 in a feature called

SAVING OUR SALMON – 9PM TONIGHT (Tues 16/10/18).

I believe Tam will also be heard singing us one of his songs.

THE LAST 3 SUNDAY FISHING DAYS START AT 11AM (i.e. 21/10, 28/10 and 4/11). Prices are reduced pro-rata after the clocks go back.

Kirk and School Day on the 4^th of November which brings to and end our main season. There are 13 boats left for this full on fishing, food, fireworks (over the water) and musical BBQ. All-inclusive tickets for two angler’s catch and release is great value at £45.

BANK v BARCLAYS

Simon Menzies from the Bank of Scotland AC reports: The Lake hosted the 41st competition for the T W Walker Trophy between Bank of Scotland and Barclays Bank on Friday. Bank of Scotland retained the trophy by catching 70 fish with a nominal weight of 148lb to Barclays 54 fish with a nominal weight of 114lb. The much forecast winds were luckily not as strong as expected, but the rain more than made up for it. Stevie Nicoll was best rod for Bank of Scotland and Ralph Painter for Barclays. Both anglers caught ten fish. Rod average for the event was just over 5. Following the match, a dinner was held in The Birds and Bees, Stirling’. Best methods were washing line set ups with booby and nymphs although lures and dries did pick up fish as well.

Winter opening at the Lake is restricted to week days only from November onwards – apart from the Kirk and School Day and the Pike Club days. See boat availability. Photo QG