Archive 1 - For Reference only for older report see Archive 2 - 2023

Date of Report	Swanswater Fishery Weekly Reports
29th Dec 23	The annual Day After Boxing Day charity competition was held on Wednesday, despite the awful stormy weather. 16 hardy souls braved very strong winds and lashing rain to fish in the event, the timings of which were altered to allow for a more suitable finishing time due to the weather conditions. Fishing finished in time for a welcome lunch of hot soup and rolls. The winner of the competition was Craig Mathieson, Stevie Harper was runner-up and Willie Smillie was third. Many thanks to all those who entered and particularly to those who were brave (or foolish!) enough to actually fish. Thanks also go to Tom Kirk of TK Tackle who sponsored the event, kindly donating the first prize of a Sharps of Aberdeen rod. We would also like to thank all those who contributed to the raffle, whether it be prizes or buying tickets, with special mention to Mrs Nan Morrison for her wonderful surprise packages, which were much appreciated by those lucky enough to win one. The total raised for Strathcarron Hospice from the competition, raffles, donations, and the sale of tea and coffee over the course of the year is around £1250. Thank you to all our anglers for this.
11.12.23 to 17.12.23	There was some excellent fishing this week despite the weather being cool and overcast with rain or showers most days. Water temperature remained around 6C-7C all week and the water is now crystal clear again after the heavy rain on Tuesday. Plenty of Blues and Golds are being caught along with the more usual Rainbows and all the fish are in excellent condition and give anglers some great sport. The fish were generally in the top 3 feet of the water and all three ponds were fishing well. On the fly ponds, a variety of lures or buzzers were taking most of the fish with them looking to chase at the weekend. On the bait pond, power bait was the best. The Fishery is open 8.00am to 4.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm. We are closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day and are holding our annual charity competition on Swanswater on Wednesday 27th December – spaces still available – small ponds open as normal. We are also closed on 1st and 2nd January 2024. Wishing all our anglers a very Merry Christmas. Amongst the best bags from the fly ponds were; Barry Lee 3 for 12lb 8oz including 6lb 12oz Rainbow Danny Doherty 4 for 11lb 8oz including a Blue and a Gold, plus 10 C&R including a big Brown Nan Morrison 4 for 8lb from the Meadow Pond including 2 Golds Robert MacDonald 3 for 7lb 4oz including a Blue and a Gold Brett Glencross 3 for 7lb including 2 Golds Iain Brown 2 for 6lb Tam Pate 2 for 5lb, plus 2 C&R Tim Gellaitry caught and released 18 (a new personal best for a 6 hour session) Rosinski caught and released 13 Nigel Muckle caught and released 10 including 3 Blues and 4 Golds Rab Bonar caught and released 9 in one visit and another 9 on his second visit of the week James Grant caught and released 9 Iain Sinclair caught and released 8 including 6 Golds and a Blue Steven Bunting caught and released 8 including 2 Golds Liam Murray caught and released 5 from the Meadow Pond Greig McKinley caught and released 4 Jack Zarebski caught and released 4 Aaron Harper caught and released 4 including a Blue Those doing well on the Millpond included; Luxley Arthur 7 for 16lb 4oz including 3lb 8oz Rainbow, 4 Golds and a Tiger Doug Shepherd 3 for 8lb Jonton Lyon and Craig Johnston 3 for 7lb Connel Cummings 3 for 6lb including 2 Golds Jamie Ddooey 6 for 13lb 12oz including 2 Blues Peter Shaw 3 for 6lb
04.12.23 to 10.12.23	It was a cold, sometimes very wet, week. The rain, and a slight rise in air temperature, removed the risk of ice on the ponds with water temperature going up from 2.5C at the start of the week to 5.5C at the weekend. Although the water was slightly coloured on Friday and Saturday, it cleared quickly. Although some of the fish were to be found deep in the water, Golds could be seen close to the surface and anglers targeting these very visible fish often found Rainbows or Blues in the same areas. Various colours of lures, along with Buzzers and Bloodworm were taking fish on the fly ponds, with spinning the most successful method on the bait pond. There are still spaces available for the Charity Competition on 27th December. Although there were not many anglers out this week, many of those who braved the cold and damp were well rewarded. Some of those taking fish included: Jamie Dooey 6 for 14lb 8oz including 2lb 8oz Gold and 4 for 9lb 12oz, both bags from the Millpond Luxley Arthur 5 for 11lb 8oz from the Millpond including 4 Golds and a Tiger Calen McLachlan 4 for 9lb including 3 Golds, plus 9 C&R Theo Shaw 3 for 7lb 8oz from the Millpond including a Gold and a Blue Carter Laird 3 for 7lb, plus 2 C&R including 4lb Blue and a Gold Gerry Seping 2 for 5lb 8oz including a Gold Lee Currie 2 for 5lb 4oz including a Gold Stuart Crossley 2 for 4lb 8oz from the Millpond including a Blue Rab Bonar caught and released 15 Ben Oliver caught and released 11 Marcus Tripney caught and released 9 including 3 Golds, 2 Blues and 8lb 8oz Rainbow Calum McMillan caught and released 7 including a Rainbow estimated between 6lb and 7lb Paul McGuigan caught and released 7 Euan Lockie caught and released 7 Fraser Cooper caught and released 6 Les Cooper caught and released 4 Liam Murray caught and released 4 Robert McColl caught and released 4
27.11.23 to 03.12.23	The weather turned very wintery this week with overnight temperatures down to -5C and snow at the weekend. Water temperature dropped from 4C to 2C and the aerators were working hard to keep all three ponds from freezing over. Fortunately we managed to keep the fishery open despite the conditions. The fish were around 4 to 6 feet down in the main pond, with the Island and boats the best areas. The Meadow Pond was also fishing extremely well at times. Lures and buzzers took most of the fish with yellow, orange or black the most successful colours. For those fishing on the Millpond, the same flies were working along with spinning and powerbait. Names are now being taken for our. Please contact the Fishery for further information.We also have Gift Vouchers for sale if anyone is looking for Christmas ideas. The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 4.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm. Those doing well on the fly ponds included; Stewart Nicholson 5 for 11lb, plus 1 C&R Mark Robertson 2 Blues and 2 Golds for 8lb 8oz from the small ponds Dillon Paterson and Lee McQueen 3 for 7lb 4oz including a Tiger Steven Langlands caught and released 15 Brandon McKinney caught and released 12 Rab Bonner caught and released 11 Greg McKinlay caught and released 8 Graeme Keir caught and released 6 including 2 Blues and 2 Golds Paul McGuigan caught and released 5 Connor Leyden caught and released 4 Jamie McGowan caught and released 4 John Middleton caught and released 4 Iain Sinclair caught and released 4 Paul Dancer caught and released 4 Gordon Angus caught and released 3 including a Blue and a Gold Amongst those catching on the Millpond were; Barry Lee 3 for 8lb 8oz including a Gold and a Blue Lux Arthur 5 for 9lb 8oz including 2 Tigers, a Spartak, a Blue and a Gold Roy Shaw 4 for 9lb 8oz Ian Grinwald 3 for 7lb 12oz Colin McInally 3 for 5lb 8oz including 2 Tigers Calen McLachlan 3 for 7lb including a Gold and 2 Blues Aidas and Justas 3 for 8lb 8oz including 2 Golds Lina 4 for 11lb including 2 Blues and a Tiger
20.11.23 to 26.11.23	The weather was mostly dry and bright this week, although there were a few showers mid week. Water temperature was just over 8C at the start of the week but as the week went on, things got a good deal colder and there were overnight frosts resulting in a drop in water temperature to 4C at the weekend. Water clarity remains excellent. There are still a good selection of different varieties being landed with lots of Blues and Golds featuring in the catch returns. Many anglers are remarking on the great quality of the fish and what a hard fight they give. The fish were well spread out around the main pond and were to be found in different areas on different days, with the Island, overflow, dam wall and jetty area all hotspots on different occasions. The depth the fish were feeding was also changing, with fish being taken between 3 and 8 feet down. Buzzers, Yellow Dancer, Ally McCoist, Ace of Spades and Bloodworm were the most successful fly patterns. Although the cold weather is apon us our aerators are now working on all 3 ponds, so the fishery will be open, hopefully, right through the winter Those doing well on the fly ponds this week included; Stuart Nicholson 5 for 12lb 8oz Danny Doherty 4 for 11lb 4oz, plus 7 C&R Alan Stirling 4 for 10lb 4oz including a Gold and a Blue Frank Barr 3 for 7lb, plus 4 C&R John O’Hara 3 for 7lb 8oz including 2 Golds Gerry McDonald 2 for 6lb 8oz from the Meadow Pond including a Gold Stuart McKay 2 Blues for 5lb 4oz David Hennessey took 2lb 8oz Rainbow and returned 6lb Brown James Miller caught and released 10 Peter Brown caught and released 10 Rab Bonnar caught and released 10 Calum McMillan caught and released 7 Tim Gellaitry caught and released 6 Chris Brennan caught and released 5 Jamie Miller caught and released 4 Liam Murray caught and released 4 David Harper caught and released 4 Stuart McMillan caught and released 3 John Middleton caught and released 3 Cameron Fortey caught and released 3 including 4lb Gold Ian Fortey caught and released 2 including Rainbow estimated at 10lb The Millpond was very quiet this week but a few bait anglers did well; Jack Simpson 2 for 9lb including 6lb 14oz Rainbow Paul Martin 3 for 8lb 12oz including 4lb 8oz Gold Lux Arthur 7 for 15lb 4oz including 3 Golds and 2 Blues Doug Shepherd 2 for 4lb 8oz including a Blue and a Gold Stevie King 2 for 7lb including 5lb 2oz Rainbow and a Blue
13.11.23 to 19.11.23	It was a dreich, wet week with rain or drizzle every day except Friday and very heavy rain a couple of days. The water temperature rose by nearly 4C this week and ended the week around 8C. Despite the rain, the water clarity remains very good, and any dirty water is clearing very quickly. The fish were spread out around the main pond with the Dam, Overflow, and Jetty areas all doing well. Those fishing from boats were also having a lot of success. The good range of varieties continues with Tigers, Golds and Blues featuring in the return, along with a few Browns being caught and released. Favourite fly patterns included Ally McCoist, Dancer, Egg, Buzzer, Montana, Cormorant and Hare’s Ear, with spinners, mouse tails and worms all taking fish on the bait pond. Amongst those doing well on the fly ponds were; Danny Doherty 4 for 11lb 8oz, plus 5 C&R Calen McLachlan 2 for 8lb and 4 for 8lb 12oz Donald McMurchy 2 for 5lb Carter Laird 2 for 5lb Nan Morrison 2 for 4lb 8oz Rab Bonar caught and released 13 including 10lb Rainbow and 7lb 6oz Tiger David Hamilton caught and released 8 including 8lb Brown Craig McAffer caught and released 8 Paul McGuigan caught and released 8 Harry Haggarty caught and released 7 including 2 Golds and a Blue Gregor McGregor caught and released 4 Joe Easton caught and released 2 including 7lb Rainbow Some of the best catches on the Millpond included; Kyle Robertson 4 for 12lb Liam Kennedy 5 for 12lb 8oz including 2 Golds and a Blue Roy Shaw 4 for 9lb 8oz including a Blue and a Gold John Deakin 2 for 5lb 8oz Fraser Scott 2 for 4lb 8oz Douglas Kyle 3 for 5lb 8oz Jamie Dooey 7 for 14lb 8oz including 2 Golds, 2 Blues and a Tiger, and 3 for 6lb including a Gold Andy Brown 3 for 7lb 4oz including a Gold and 2 Tigers John Teevan 2 Golds for 5lb Jack Brown 2 for 4lb 4oz Doug Shepherd 2 for 4lb including a Blue and a Tiger Lux Arthur 5 for 10lb 8oz including 3 Golds and a Blue and 5 for 10lb 8oz Ian Grunewald 3 for 6lb 8oz William Wells 3 for 6lb
05.11.23 to 12.11.23	Apart from a few showers in the middle of the week, the weather was cold, calm, and bright. With the start of the frosty nights, the middle part of the day was the best time to fish. Although the water temperature dropped down to 4.5C on Sunday, the fish were generally still in the top 3 to 4 feet of the water and were well spread out in all of the ponds. It was another ‘colourful’ week with plenty of Blues, Golds and Tigers featuring in the returns, particularly from the Millpond. For those bait fishing, spinning was the best method. Fly anglers using buzzers and various lures were having the most success, with favourite patterns including Cat’s Whisker, Ace of Spades, Ally McCoist, Yellow Dancer, and Eggs The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 5.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm. Those doing well on the fly ponds included; Stuart Nicholson 5 for 12lb 4oz including 2 Blues, plus 5 C&R Barry Lee 4 for 10lb 12oz Danny Doherty 4 for 1olb 8oz including a Gold and a Blue, plus 4 C&R including 10lb Rainbow Mark Fawcett 3 for 6lb Stephen Bunton caught and released 13 James McLauchlan caught and released 12 including a Rainbow estimated at 10lb Frank Barr caught and released 7 Mark Spiers caught and released 7 Daniel Vanstone caught and released 6 Craig MacAffer caught and released 6 Marcus Tripney caught and released 6 Jimmy Higgins caught and released 5 Rab Bonnar caught and released 4 including 5lb Rainbow Paul McGuigan caught and released 4 Some of the best catches from the Millpond included; Nicky and Zac Drummond 2 for 7lb 12oz including 5lb 12oz Rainbow for young Zac and a Gold Roy Shaw 6 for 13lb including 2 Golds, 2 Tigers and a Blue Ian Grunewald 3 for 6lb 4oz including 2 Tigers Steven Millican 3 for 6lb 4oz including a Tiger Chris Rae 3 for 6lb including 2 Gold Richard Johnston 2 for 5lb including a Tiger 3 for 6lb including 2 Golds and a Blue Lux Arthur 10 for 24lb including 7 Golds and 3lb Tiger Andrew Allan 4 for 8lb 8oz including 2 Blues and 2 Tigers Steven Galloway 2 Golds for 4lb 12oz David Robertson 3 for 6lb including a Blue and a Gold David Murray 2 for 4lb 8oz including a Blue Eddie Sludden 4 for 9lb 4oz including 3 Blues and a Tiger Kenny Aldridge 4 for 8lb 4oz
30.10.23- to 5.11.23	Apart from Wednesday, when it was very wet and cold, it was a much better week weather-wise. There were plenty of dry days, with sunny spells mixed with overcast periods, and not much wind, in contrast to the storms being suffered elsewhere in the country. The colourful selection of fish continues the feature in the catch returns with plenty of Blues and Golds being caught. The fish were generally well spread out, although the Far Bay and the Dam were sometimes better than other areas, and the boats were also doing well. They were to be found at varying depths from just under the surface to just above the bottom of the ponds. A mix of lures fished slow and deep, or stalking bugs around 3 to 4 feet down have been the most successful methods on the fly ponds. Spinners and power bait were taking most of the fish on the bait ponds. The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 5.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm. Amongst those doing well on the fly ponds were; Alan Evans and Owen shared 4 for 11lb 8oz, plus 13 C&R Willie Nyguist 4 for 11lb, plus 1 C&R and 4 for 9lb 12oz including 2 Golds and a Blue, plus 5 C&R Danny Doherty 4 for 11lb including 2 Blues, plus 9 C&R Gerry Sipena 3 for 10lb, plus 8 C&R Ian Brown 3 for 8lb 4oz, plus 4 C&R Ian Munro 3 for 6lb from the Meadow Pond including a Blue and a Gold Henry Thomson 2 for 5lb 8oz including a Blue Robert Smith 2 Golds for 5lb, plus 2 C&R Blair Duchart, in two visits, caught and released 14 including 2 Golds and a Blue Frank Barr caught and released 8 Paul McGuigan caught and released 7 Mark Anthony caught and released 6 Liam Murray caught and released 6 Chris Harris caught and released 5 Greig McKinley caught and released 5 John Simpson caught and released 4 including Rainbows estimated at 10lb and 8lb Jamie McGowan caught and released 4 Bill Henderson caught and released 4 Jack Morrison caught and released 4 Some of the best bags from the Millpond included; Craig David 2 for 10lb 8oz including 8lb Rainbow Roy Shaw, in three visits, 10 for 22lb including 6 Golds and 2 Blues Lux Arthur 7 for 15lb incluidng 4 Golds and 2 Blues Daniel Forrest 5 for 11lb including 2 Golds Scott McCafferty 3 for 6lb including a Gold David Carroll 3 for 6lb including a Gold Eddie Sludden 2 for 4lb 4oz Barry Lee 3 for 9lb Ramsay Conroy 4 for 8lb 8oz Mike Marr 3 for 6lb 8oz Daniel Shaw 4 Golds for 8lb 8oz Neil Harrison 3 for 6lb including a Blue Finlay Harrison 3 for 6lb including a Blue Graeme Scott 3 for 7lb 8oz
23.10.23 to 29.10.23	Despite some more very wet and stormy weather, the water temperature rose by 1.5C this week and water clarity remains good. Although the week started cold and bright with overnight frost, most days were overcast and wet. The small ponds were very popular with anglers this week , providing shelter from the worst of the wind. A good selection of brightly coloured fish were landed this week, with some superb Blues and Golds featuring in the catch returns. Cormorant, Green Nymph, Black Spider, Kate McLaren, Buzzer and Eggs were the favourite fly patterns. On the bait pond, spinning, power bait and worms were the most successful. The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 5.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm Amongst those doing well on the fly ponds were; Nan Morrison 4 for 10lb Charlie Price 3 for 8 from the Meadow Pond including a Gold and a Blue William Forbes 3 for 6lb from the Meadow Pond Danny Doherty 2 for 5lb 8oz including a Gold Mark Spiers caught and released 8 on the Meadow Pond Davy Quinn caught and released 7 including a Brown estimated at 6lb Paul McGuigan caught and released 6 including 5 Golds Ricky Goodwin caught and released 5 Rab Bonnar caught and released 4 including a Rainbow estimated at 8lb and 2 Blues Iain Cairns caught and released 3 on the Meadow Pond On the Millpond, some of the best bags were; Luxley Arthur 5 for 13lb 4oz including 3 Blues, biggest at 3lb 8oz Luxley Arthur 5 for 10lb including 3 Golds and 2 Blues Luxley Arthur5 for 10lb 12oz including a Gold and 3 Blues Tyler Belton 2 for 4lb including a Blue Stephen Grant 2 for 4lb including a Blue Roy Shaw 3 for 6lb including 2 Golds and a Blue Chris Roy had a Blue and a Gold for 3lb 12oz Brian Scott 3 for 6lb 4oz including a Blue and a Gold Graham McIntrye 3 for 6lb including a GoldFinlay Harrison 2 for 4lb 12oz includ
16.10.23 to 22.10.23	Although there was some very wet and windy weather this week, the Fishery fortunately escaped the worst of Storm Babet which battered the eastern side of the country. The stormy conditions kept many anglers at home but those who came out when the weather was kinder had a lot of success, particularly those on catch and release on the main pond. The water temperature is still around 7C and water clarity remains very good. Green lures, Yellow or Black Dancer, Egg, Damsel, Buzzer, Cormorant, Bloodworm, and Olive Nymph were the most successful fly patterns, with spinners or power bait working best on the bait pond. Plenty of Blues and Golds feature in the catch returns this week, along with the usual top-quality Rainbows. The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 5.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm. Some of the best bags from the fly ponds included; Calen McLachlan 3 for 9lb including a Blue and a Gold Barry Lee 3 for 8lb Gerry Hooper 2 Golds for 4lb 8oz from the Meadow Pond Rosinski caught and released 46 in three visits Chris Brennan caught and released 19 James McLachlan caught and released 12 including 4 Blues Euan Henderson caught and released 9 on the Meadow Pond Fraser Cooper caught and released 7 Blair Duchart caught and released 6 Cameron MacFarlane caught and released 6 Les Cooper caught and released 5 Justin Shields caught and released 5 Jim McInnes caught and released 5 Chris Norris caught and released 5 Those doing well on the Millpond included; Douglas Kyle 2 for 9lb 8oz including 7lb Rainbow Owen Purdie 4 for 11lb 8oz including 5lb 4oz Rainbow and a Gold Allan Robertson and Kyle Whiteman 4 for 12lb including 5lb Rainbow Andy Conroy 6 for 12lb Roy Shaw 5 for 10lb including 2 Golds and 2 Blues David Carroll 6 for 12lb including 3 Golds Johnny Berry 3 for 7lb Kenny Aldridge 3 for 5lb 8oz including a Blue William Wells 3 for 6lb 8oz including 2 Blues Mo Hunter 2 for 5lb 8oz including a Gold and a Tiger Charles Hannan 3 for 5lb 12oz including a Blue and a Gold Ross Alexander 3 for 6lb including a Gold
09.10.23 to 15.10.23	Typical autumn weather, cool nights, and the first frost of the autumn led to a drop in water temperature from 11C to 7.5C. The water started the week being coloured from the torrential downpour last weekend, but it cleared rapidly, and the week ended with excellent conditions. The fish were well spread out around the ponds and tended to go deeper as the week went on and the temperature dropped. The boats and those fishing near the dam were doing best at the weekend. Some of the bigger fish were moving around this week and several were caught and released to fight another day. The usual range of varieties feature in the catch returns from all three ponds. Eggs, Ally McCoist, Cat’s Whisker, Dancer, Cormorant, Olive Nymph, Buzzer, Bibio, and Sedge were the most successful fly patterns this week, with power bait, spinners, and mouse tails all taking fish on the bait pond. The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 6.30pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm Amongst those doing well on the fly ponds were; Danny Doherty 4 for 19lb 4oz including 10lb Rainbow and a Gold Geoff Gilbert, in two visits, 7 for 23lb including 2 Blues, bigger one at 8lb, and a Tiger Donald McMurchy 5 for 13lb 12oz including 2 Blues Kyle Nesbit 4 for 9lb 12oz including a Blue, plus 2 C&R Adam Fox 4 for 7lb 12oz from the Meadow Pond including 2 Blues and 2 Golds Robert Smith 3 for 8lb including 2 Golds, plus 10 C&R Barry Lee 3 for 7lb 12oz including 2 Golds Mark Fawcett 3 for 7lb, plus 3 C&R Calum McMillan 2 for 6lb including a Blue and a Gold, plus 8lb Brown and a Tiger C&R Peter Comrie 2 for 5lb 4oz including a Blue and a Gold Ricky Goodwin, in two visits, caught and released 16 including Rainbows at 9lb 12oz, 7lb 8oz and 6lb 8oz David Adams caught and released 11 Chris Harris caught and released 10 Sean Wilson caught and released 8 including a Blue and a Tiger Zack Zarebski caught and released 8 from the Meadow Pond Tim Gellaitry caught and released 7 Mark Osborne caught and released 6 Chic McGrievie caught and released 6 Liam Murray caught and released 6 Paul McGuigan caught and released 6 from the Meadow Pond Rab Bonner caught and released 5 including a Rainbow estimated at 20lb Scott Deakin caught and released 5 Thomas O’Neil caught and released 5 Some of the best bags from the Millpond included; Nicky Drummond 2 for 9lb including 7lb 8oz Rainbow and a Tiger Eddie Sludden 3 for 10lb including 5lb 12oz Rainbow Gavin Church 2 for 5lb 4oz Andrew Connelly 2 for 4lb including a Blue Zac Drummond and his mum 3 for 6lb including a Blue John Fern and Eva Horsburgh shared 6 for 13lb 4oz including 4lb 8oz Rainbow Stuart White 2 for 4lb including a Blue and a Tiger Ryan Andrews 3 for 6lb John Sweeney 5 for 9lb 8oz Roy Shaw 4 for 8lb 8oz Cole Davis 2 for 5lb 12oz Ivan 6 for 12lb 8oz including 2 Blues Igor 5 for 9lb 8oz including 2 Blues and a Gold Alex 7 for 15lb including 2 Golds and a Blue
02.10.23 to 08.10.23	The very heavy rain at the weekend didn’t deter either anglers or fish! Despite some pretty awful weather this week, plenty of fish were landed. With over 50mm of rain at the weekend, the level of the main pond was very high, and the water was coloured on Sunday morning but conditions started to improve as the day went on. The water temperature is around 11C. Fly anglers were having success with a variety of patterns with lures, nymphs, wets and dries all taking fish this week. Favourite flies included Ally McCoist, Yellow Dancer, Eggs, Damsel, Hare’s Ear, PTN, Black Gnat, Gold Head Daddy, Sedge and Buzzer. On the bait pond, where the full variety of fish are still featuring in the returns, maggots, spinners and power bait were all taking fish. The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 6.30pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm. Those doing well on the fly ponds included; Malcolm Tunnah 3 for 12lb 12oz including 7lb 4oz Rainbow Tam Gordon 2 for 9lb 4oz including 6lb 12oz Rainbow David Tunnah 5 for 15lb 12oz including 5lb 4oz Rainbow Geoff Gilbert 6 for 17lb including 2 Blues and a Tiger Harry Dickenson 5 for 10lb 8oz Colin Hunter 3 for 14lb 4oz Alastair Grierson 3 for 8lb 12oz Robert Rankin 3 for 7lb 8oz, plus a Brown C&R Dave Lewis 3 for 6lb 12oz plus 1 C&R Callum McMillan 2 for 5lb including a Gold, plus 2 C&R Ricky Goodwin caught and released 13 Tim Gelliatry caught and released 8 Andrew Murray caught and released 8 Stuart Reilly caught and released 7 Liam Murray caught and released 6 Davy Quinn caught and released 6 Keith Honey caught and released 6 Jimmy Higgins caught and released 6 Jim Spiers caught and released 4 Lewie Renton caught and released 4 On the Millpond, some of the best bags included; Dean Horne 2 for 5lb including a Blue John Bell 4 for 7lb 8oz including 2 Golds and a Blue Euan Henderson 2 for 5lb including a Blue and a Gold Declan Conlan 3 for 8lb including a Tiger Graham McIntyre 2 for 4lb including a Blue
25.09.23 to 01.10.23	The fishing was good throughout the week, and, at times, it was really good. The changing weather conditions, from overcast to sunny to showery to wet, on most days meant that anglers had to adjust their tactics in order to attract fish. Water temperature remains around 11C. The fish were generally not deep but were to be found in the top 2 to 3 feet of the water. The Island and the Bridge area were the hot spots earlier in the week with anglers having a lot of success on damsels and buzzers. At the weekend, boats were a must, with most fish being taken on buzzers and egg patterns. Diawl Bach, black spider, bibio, sedge, and olive nymph were also taking fish at various times on the fly ponds. On the bait pond, all varieties featured in the catch returns, as they did on the fly ponds, with plenty lovely blues and golds being landed, as well as rainbows, tigers and browns. The best results came from fishing maggots, with spinning successful when the sun was out. Please note that the Brown Trout Season comes to an end on Friday 6th October and after that date, all Browns must be carefully returned to the water. The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 7pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm Amongst the best bags this week were; Robert Smith 2 for 12lb 4oz including 9lb 4oz Rainbow John Dargie 6lb 4oz Rainbow Jamie McLaughlan 6lb Rainbow from the Millpond Stewart Nicholson 5 for 14lb Robert Watt 5 for 13lb including 3 Blues and a Gold John Bell 5 for 11lb 8oz including a Gold, on bait in the Millpond Danny Doherty 4 for 10lb including a Spartak, plus 7 C&R Sean Bell 3 for 9lb 4oz including a Tiger Richard Johnston 3 for 8lb from the Meadow Pond Rosinski 3 for 7lb 8oz, plus 19 C&R on his first visit, and 20 C&R, including at least one of each variety, on his second trip Witold Skwarcan 3 for 7 including a Gold, plus 2 C&R Calen McLachlan 3 for 6lb 8oz including a Tiger Graeme Arthur 2 for 8lb 8oz Callum McMillan 2 for 5lb, plus 2 C&R Bud Robertson had a Brown and a Gold for 4lb 12oz Stuart Reilly caught and released 12, a new personal best Blair Duchart caught and released 7 including 6lb Blue and a Gold Calen McLachlan caught and released 7 including a Blue and a Tiger Brian Prentice caught and released 6 Jamie McGowan caught and released 5 Tim Gelliatry caught and released 5 Jim Donnelly caught and released 4 including a Rainbow estimated at over 11lb Bobby Orr caught and released 4 including a Blue and a Gold Stuart Reilly caught and released 4 Carter Laird caught and released 4 including a Blue
18.09.23 to 24.09.23	This week we have seen the Autumn weather at work, with a lot more rain and windy periods contributing to a big drop in temperature. The water temperature remained cool and with clearer water after the heavy rain, anglers were seeing the fish more active on all the ponds and conditions are improving with a lot more takes. Our top rod on Saturday was 15 and our top rod on Sunday was 14. The fish have been widespread across the main area of Swanswater with the hot spots including the island and the bridge area with lots being seen in the channel. The fish remained high in the water with a variety of fly patterns working. The most successful being lures, nymphs and buzzers with darker colours at the start of the week then anything green/olive towards the end of the week with the clearer water. This week our bait anglers were finding spinners and maggots working the best and were all landing a variety of trout species. The fishery is now open from 8am until 7pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm. Some of the best bags taken on Swanswater included: Donald McMurchy 11 for 29lb 4oz including a Blue in 2 visits this week Sean Bell 7 for 24lb 8oz including a 9lb Rainbow, a 4lb Tiger and 2 Blues Alan and Owen Evans 4 for 19lb including a 9lb 8oz Rainbow plus 13 C+R Danny Docherty 4 for 16lb 8oz including a 8lb Rainbow plus 2 C+R Davie Cassidy 4 for 9lbs plus 1 C+R Robert Watt 4 for 9lb 8oz Stuart Nicholson 4 for 9lb 8oz Barry Lee 3 for 8lb including a Blue and a Gold plus 5 C+R Henry Thompson 2 for 5lb 4oz Robert Smith 2 for 5lb plus 2 C+R Nan Morrison 2 for 4lb 8oz including a Blue Rosinski caught and released 15 (including a 8lb Rainbow and a 4lb Tiger) Tim Gelliarty caught and released 14 (including a Blue, a Gold and a Tiger) Ian Whitfield Snr caught and released 5 Ross Calder caught and released 4 Bill Henderson caught and released 4 (including a Tiger) Liam Murray caught and released 3 Jim Archibald caught and released 3 Malcolm Miller caught and released 3 David McMahon caught and released 3 Blair Duchart caught and released 3 (including a 6lb Rainbow) on 2 visits this week John Harvey caught and released 2 Ian Whitfield Jnr caught and released 2 (including a 13 Rainbow) Ian Mclaren caught and released 2 James McGuire caught and released 2 Peter Brown caught and released 2 Ben Buchannan caught and released 2 John McCormack caught and released 2 Bait and Fly on the Millpond; Luke Hunter 7 for 15lb James Brown 4 for 9lb including a Blue, a Gold and a Tiger Rosinski 4 for 8lb including a Tiger plus 2 caught and released from the Meadow Pond Andrew Allan 4 for 8lb Brian Robertson 3 for 7lb 8oz including a Blue and a Gold Richard Johnston 3 for 7lb including 1 from the Meadow Pond William Wells 3 for 5lb 8oz Steven Milligan 3 for 5lb including 2 Golds Jim Allan 2 for 3lb 12oz Kyle Toohy 2 for 3lb 8oz Nicky Drummond 5lb Rainbow
11.09.23 to 17.09.23	The week started off warm and humid, getting cooler by the end of the week with some rainy periods. Autumn has arrived. We can see a big drop in the water temperatures this week from 17C down to 12C, this has helped the fish become more active and anglers are seeing a lot more action on all the ponds. Hopefully these conditions will continue to improve. The fish have been widespread across the main area of Swanswater with the hot spots including the far bay, the island and also including the dam to the big tree, with the fish being in the top 2 feet. Most successful fly patterns this week with the changing weather conditions have been dry flies, including hoppers and daddies. Subsurface, most success has been with smaller black flies, including buzzers, damsels, ally mccoist and eggs. The bait anglers were finding that spinners and worms were most effective during the week. One of our big Golds in the Millpond is proving difficult to land for our anglers and is still up for grabs. The fishery is now open from 8am until 7.30pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm. Some of the best bags taken on Swanswater included: Charles Devine 4 for 19lb 8oz including a 6lb and 2 5lb Tigers plus 11 C&R (including 2 Tigers) over 2 visits this week Danny Docherty 4 for 16lb 12oz including a 7lb 8oz Rainbow plus 7 C&R (including 10lb and a 6lb Rainbow) Robert Watt 4 for 12lb including a 4lb Tiger and a 3lb Gold Sean Bell 4 for 12lb Rosinski 3 for 13lb including a 8lb Rainbow plus 8 C&R Robert Smith 3 for 10lb 12oz including a 6lb Rainbow plus 10 C&R (including a Brown) Davie Quinn 3 for 10lb including a 4lb Tiger plus 4 C&R John Campbell 2 for 9lb including a 6lb 8oz Rainbow Mark Campbell 2 for 6lb including a Tiger and a Gold Brian Robertson caught and released 17 over 2 visits this week Brian Taylor caught and released 5 Tim Gellaitry caught and released 5 Peter Brown caught and released 5 Brian McDonald caught and released 5 Stuart Reilly caught and released 5 Ricky Goodwin caught and released 4 (including a 10lb Rainbow) Bait and Fly on the Millpond; Luxley Arthur 5 for 9lb including a Blue and 2 Golds Riley Toye 4 for 8lb Barry Lee 4 for 8lb Nicky and Zac Drummond caught 3 between them for 6lb including a Tiger Colin Flaws 3 for 6lb Harry Madden 3 for 6lb Jamie Morgan 2 for 8lb Stephen Anderson 2 for 4lb including a Gold Richard Johnston 2 for 4lb Esther Foxton 2 for 4lb David Brown 2 for 4lb
04.09.23 to 10.09.23	Some great bags were recorded this week, despite the unusual sunny and hot weather we are experiencing for September. The mornings this week have started cooler and overcast with some misty mornings, we then finish our days in basking sunshine and hot temperatures. Obviously the warmer water temperature has been a contributing factor to how the fish are acting, becoming less active and occasionally going much deeper. However, some of our anglers are still managing to lure them in with their skills. The fish have been widespread across the main area of Swanswater with the island and shaded areas being more favoured later in the day. Anglers in the boats have been doing well. Most successful fly patterns this week, despite the sunshine have been dry flies, including daddies and hoppers. Subsurface, most success has been with smaller black flies, including buzzers, pheasant tails and Bibio. The bait anglers were finding that maggots were most effective during cloudy spells, whilst spinning was best during the sunny periods. Hopefully the torrential downpour on Sunday night will help to improve fishing conditions over the coming days. The fishery is now open from 8am until 8pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm. Some of the best bags taken on Swanswater included: Barry Lee 3 for 9lb 8oz (including a Tiger) plus 1 C&R Roger Smith 2 for 7lb Martin Brown 2 for 6lb (including a 4lb Brown) James Elliot 6lb 8oz Rainbow Stuart Malcolm Snr and Jnr shared 13 caught and released between them (including 8lb Brown) Blair Duchart 9 caught and released in 2 visits over the weekend Steven Bunting 6 caught and released George Johnston 5 caught and released Colin Walker 4 caught and released Jamie Tucker 3 caught and released Robert McColl 3 caught and released (including a Gold and a Tiger) Dean Torrance 3 caught and released Ben Oliver 3 caught and released Bait and Fly on the Millpond; Luxley Arthur 9 for 17lb 8oz (including 4 Blues and a Gold) Joe McKenna 5 for 11lb (including a Blue and a Gold) Jon Forbes 4 for 8lb Rafael 3 for 7lb 8oz Artus 3 for 6lb 8oz Barry Lee 2 for 11lb (including a 8lb Rainbow) Paul Gildie 2 for 5lb John Houston 2 for 4lb 8oz (including a Blue) Paddy Ging 2 Tigers for 4lb 8ozCraig Burne 5lb Rainbow
28.08.23 to 04.09.23	The weather remained dry all week with some cool nights. The days mostly started slightly overcast, but brightened up mid-morning with some long sunny spells and warm temperatures. Water temperature remains around 14C and water clarity is still very good. The fish were well spread out around the ponds and generally were taking around 2 to 4 feet down, although they were also seen and sometimes caught on or just below the surface. Anglers were reporting lots of follows and tweeks, which did not always translate into takes. All varieties of trout feature in this week’s returns with Blues, Golds, Tigers, Spartics, and Browns joining the more usual Rainbows. Damsel, Buzzer, Bibio, Sedge, Daddy Long Legs, Kate McLaren, and various other nymphs and dries were the most successful fly patterns. On the bait pond, worms, maggots, spinners, and power bait were all taking fish. The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 8.30pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm. Some of the good bags from the fly ponds included; Witold Skwarcan 8lb 8oz Rainbow, plus 3 C&R Lawrence McGuire 3 for 12lb 6oz including 7lb 2oz Rainbow, plus 1 C&R Bert Clee 3 for 12lb 8oz including 6lb 8oz Tiger Leon Letson 4 for 9lb 12oz Danny Doherty 4 for 9lb 8oz including a Gold, plus 4 C&R including 10lb 8oz Rainbow Nan Morrison 4 for 8lb including a Blue and a Brown Jane McLeary 3 for 6lb from the Meadow Pond including 2 Golds and a Blue Michael Baxter 3 for 6lb including a Gold Robin Watt 2 for 6lb Iain Kay 2 for 5lb 8oz Nicky and Zack Drummond 2 for 4lb 8oz from the Meadow Pond John Mooney 4lb Rainbow George McCallum caught and released 9 Liam Murray caught and released 7 Jim McInnes caught and released 6 Mark Anthony caught and released 4 Amongst those taking fish from the Millpond were; Brian Kay 2 for 7lb 8oz including 5lb Rainbow Marcus McGuinness 3 for 9lb 8z including 5lb Rainbow Luxley Arthur 5 for 9lb 8oz including 2 Blues and 5 for 10lb 4oz including 3 Golds Richard Johnston 2 for 5lb 4oz and 3 for 6lb John Burns 2 for 3lb 12oz including a Blue Mark Scott 3 for 6lb including 2 Spartics and a Blue Gary Wallace 3 for 7lb 8oz
21.08.23 to 27.08.23	It was another week of changeable weather starting with some heavy rain. It was overcast for much of the week, but there were periods of bright sunshine, and some showers. The water temperature started the week at 16C, but after the showers and some cooler nights it ended up at 14C, which suits the fish a lot better. The water is still very clear, and conditions are pretty good. The Island was the best place to find fish for most of the week, with the Far Bay, and sometimes the Dam also quite productive. The fish tended to be feeding in bursts so there were periods of intense activity followed by quieter spells. Early in the week a lot of fly anglers were using dry and wet flies, with spiders , daddy long legs, bibio, and yellow owl all successful. From midweek onwards, nymphs, and lures were doing better, with favourite patterns including Ally McCoist, cat’s whisker, dancer, damsel and cormorant . Most of the time the fish were looking for movement and wanting something to chase, but on Sunday it was all change and static buzzers were the best method. On the bait pond worms and maggots were doing better than power bait and spinning. The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 8.30pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm Amongst the best bags caught on the fly ponds were; Danny Doherty 4 for 18lb 8oz including 9lb 8oz Rainbow Stuart Nicholson 2 for 9lb 8oz including 7lb 8oz Rainbow Sean Bell 3 for 12lb 8oz including 6lb 8oz Rainbow William Baillie 4 for 11lb including a Tiger Barry Lee 3 for 8lb including a Gold, plus 5 C&R Mike Chubb 3 for 6lb 8oz including a Gold, plus 2 C&R Connor Ward 2 for 6lb 4oz Donald McMurchy 2 for 5lb 12oz Tom Donohoe 2 for 5lb 8oz Davy Quinn 4lb Tiger, plus 3 Tigers C&R Callum Addison 3lb Tiger Liam Murray caught and released 14 including 8lb Gold Ricky Goodwin caught and released 9 Witold Skwarcan caught and released 6 Stuart Hay caught and released 6 Tracy Allan caught and released 4 Those doing well on the Millpond (bait and fly) included; Euan McMillan 7lb Rainbow Peter Young 4 for 12lb including 7lb Rainbow and a Gold Joseph Easton 3 for 6lb including a Brown Andrew York 3 for 5lb 8oz including 2 Blues Luxley Arthur 5 for 10lb including a Blue William Wells 2 for 7lb 8oz Anthony Green 2 for 4lb Scott Young 3 for 6lb Jamie Ramage 2 for 4lb Robbie Fletcher 2 for 5lb James Drain 4 for 7lb Graham Johnston 2 for 4lb 4oz including a Gold John Bell 3 for 5lb 12oz Iain Fern 3 for 7lb Shaun Lachut 3 for 6lb 12oz Richard Johnston 3 for 7lb and 2 for 5lb
14.058.23 to 20.08.23	A changeable week of weather with periods of wind and rain but generally still mild. The water temperature was around 15.5C to 16.5C all week, and hopefully it will drop over the next few weeks, and water clarity is still very good. There is no issue with weed in any of the ponds. Fish habits are frustrating both anglers and staff alike. Sometimes they are deep, sometimes near the surface and moving around the ponds. Lots of anglers are reporting lots of fish chasing and pulling at flies, but not necessarily being hooked. This week’s regular stocking of bigger fish including Rainbows, Tigers and Blues, had an immediate effect for some anglers. The most successful fly patterns included Black Pennel, Damsel, Cormorant, Buzzer, Diawl Bach, Dancer, Spider, and a variety of dry flies. On the bait pond mouse tails, power bait, spinning, and maggots were all taking fish. The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 9.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm. Some of the best bags taken from the fly ponds included; Alan Evans 5 for 17lb 8oz including 8lb Rainbow plus 9 C&R Robert Watt 5 for 16lb 4oz including 7lb Rainbow, 3 Blues and a Gold Danny Doherty 4 for 15lb including 7lb 8oz Rainbow and 2 Blues, plus 1 C&R Callum McMillan 2 for 13lb including Rainbows at 7lb and 6lb Joe Malcolmson 4 for 9lb Stuart Nicholson 3 for 8lb 4oz including a Blue Jim McInnes 2 for 5lb including a Blue Tracey Allan caught and released 8 on the Meadow Pond Ben Oliver caught and released 7 Graham Roger caught and released 5 including 2 Browns and a Tiger Chris Harris caught and released 4 Liam Murray caught and released 4 Owen Haugen caught and released 4 Davy Quinn caught and released 4 Some cracking fish were landed from the Millpond including; Luxley Arthur 5 for 9lb including 2 Golds, and 5 for 15lb 12oz including 8lb 8oz Rainbow and a Gold Nicky and Zack Drummond 4 for 8lb 4oz including a Gold, and 3 for 9lb 4oz including 6lb Rainbow, a Blue and a Gold Leo Carroll 2 for 9lb 12oz including 7lb 8oz Rainbow Rafael 2 for 9lb including 6lb 8oz Blue Kenzie Johnston 5lb 10oz Blue Kyle Douglas 2 for 7lb including 5lb 8oz Rainbow and a Blue Andrew Brown 2 for 5lb Keiran Millar 3 for 6lb Fabrizio 7lb 8oz Rainbow Bill Sharp 2 for 4lb 8oz John Bell 2 for 3lb 8oz including a Gold Barry Lee 3 for 9lb4oz including a Blue Andy and Logan Dick 2 Golds for 3lb 8oz Achmed 2 for 5lb 12oz
07.08.23 to 13.08.23	The fishing continues to improve at Swanswater despite a slight increase in water temperature and some warm, muggy weather. There were also very heavy showers and sunny periods. The water remains clear and fish, especially the golds, can be seen moving around the ponds, just below the surface. Once again, all varieties of fish feature in the catch returns with several Golds and Blues being landed. Buzzers, Dancers, Damsels, Cormorant, Hare’s Ear, Spider, and Sedgehog were among the favourite fly patterns, with various dry flies also taking fish especially towards the end of the week. On the bait pond, spinners, maggots, worms and power bait were all catching fish. The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 9.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm. Some of the best bags from Swanswater included; Stephen Mason 4 for 19lb 8oz including 8lb 8oz Rainbow Peter Henderson 7lb Rainbow David Aitken 7lb Rainbow Peter Paterson 2 for 10lb including 6lb 8oz Rainbow Robert Watt 5 for 14lb 8oz, plus 1 C&R Kyle Nisbet 5 for 12lb 8oz, plus 1 C&R Danny Doherty 4 for 9lbb 8oz, plus 2 C&R Keiron Lydon 3 for 8lb 4oz Kyle Crossan 3 for 7lb 8oz including a Brown Stuart Nicholdon 2 for 6lb 4oz Daniel Abraham 2 for 5lb 10oz including a Tiger Robert Henderson 2 for 5lb 8oz Chris Richard 2 for 5lb David Brownlie 4lb Rainbow Witold Skwarcan caught and released 8 in one visit and 7 including 2 Blues on a second visit Tim Gellaitry caught and released 8 including 6lb Rainbow, 2 Blues and 2 Golds Chris Harris caught and released 8 Billy Reid caught and released 8 Ricky Goodwin caught and released 6 Martin Williams caught and released 6 Davy Quinn caught and released 6 Iain Whitfield caught and released 4 Alan Kirkham caught and released 3 including 6lb Tiger Those doing well on the Millpond included; Willie Stevenson 2 for 6lb 8oz including 5lb Rainbow Luxley Arthur 5 for 12lb including 2 Blues Doug Shepherd 4 for 9lb including 3 Blues Vidrel Cimbir 3 for 7lb Richard Johnston 3 for 7lb and 2 for 5lb Daniel Forrest 2 for 4lb Eddie Forrest 2 for 4lb Stuart Crossley 3 for 5lb 12oz including a Gold and a Blue Scott Douglas 2 for 4lb including a Blue David Lovingstone and Owen Purdey shared 4 for 10lb Paddy Ging 3 for 5lb 8oz including a Blue and a Tiger Nicky and Zack Drummond 4 for 9lb including a Blue
31.07.23 to 06.08.23	The miserable summer weather continued this week, with occasional warm sunny spells, but mostly humid, overcast or rainy with light winds. On the main pond the fish were generally in the top couple of feet of the water and well spread out, although at times they were congregated around the island and along from the dam to the big tree. All varieties – rainbows, blues, tigers, browns and golds – feature in this week’s catch returns with some cracking fish in the 5lb to 10lb range being landed. The fish were often looking for something to chase and anglers were reporting lots of follows, although they didn’t always result in a take. A wide selection of flies were working with lures doing best some days, and nymphs, wets, or dries more successful on other occasions. Favourite patterns included Dancer, Damsel, Cormorant, Black nymphs. Kate McLaren, Yellow Owl and Buzzers. Some excellent fish were also landed from the Millpond, by both bait and fly anglers. Those fishing bait had most success with spinning, worms, and power bait. The fishery is open from 8.00am to 9.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm. Those doing well on the fly ponds included; Matt Hardie 9lb 8oz Rainbow Jim Spiers 8lb 12oz Rainbow James Elliott 7lb 12oz Rainbow Donald McMurchy 4 for 12lb 12oz including 6lb 8oz Blue Graeme Arthur 3 for 11lb including 5lb Tiger, plus 4 C&R Jim Donnelly 4 for 13lb 4oz Danny Doherty 4 for 12lb including a Blue, plus 2 C&R Nan Morrison 4 for 9lb 4oz including 2 Tigers Kyle Nisbet 4 for 9lb Sean Bell 3 for 7lb 4oz including a Tiger Calen McLachlan 2 for 6lb Chris Grosvener 2 for 5lb 8oz including a Blue Alan Rogers 2 for 5lb 8oz, plus 2 C&R Tim Gellaitry caught and released 10 Ian Sinclair caught and released 7 including a Gold Fraser Redpath caught and released 6 Martin Williams caught and released 5 Frank Barr caught and released 5 Graeme Arthur caught and released 4 John Ross caught and released 4 Bobby Orr caught and released 4 Bill Henderson caught and released 3 including a double figure Rainbow Some of the best catches from the Millpond included; Chris McGlynn 7lb Rainbow Doug Shepherd 3 for 9lb including 5lb Rainbow Barry Lee 2 for 7lb 12oz including 5lb 8oz Blue Luxley Arthur 8 for 14lb including 2 Blues, a Gold and a Spartic Walter McLaren 4 for 11lb including 5lb 10oz Blue Hugh Lawrence 2 for 6lb 4oz including 4lb 4oz Brown Ross Stewart 3 for 6lb Roddy Ross 2 for 4lb Craig Johnston 2 for 5lb 8oz Ross Alexander 3 for 6lb including a Gold Richard Johnston 3 for 6lb 4oz Craig Burnett 3 for 6lb
24.07.23 to 30.07.23	There was a great variety of trout caught in all three ponds this week, with Browns, Blues, Tigers, and Golds all featuring in the catch returns along with the more usual Rainbows. All the fish are top quality and are giving the anglers some excellent sport. A good number of larger sized specimens also feature in the returns. The weather was overcast for much of the week, with some, mostly light, rain and a bit of a breeze. The water temperature rose by a couple of degrees to 16C and water clarity remains excellent. On the main pond the fish were to be found around the bridge, the island, and from the dam to the big tree. Olive nymph, Cormorant, Millennium Bug, Buzzers, Damsel, Diawl Bach, Sedge, and Yellow Owl were among the favourite fly patterns, with worms, mousetails, spinners, and power bait all taking fish on the bait pond. The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 9.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm Amongst the best bags from the fly ponds were; Donald McMurchy 5 for 19lb 8oz including Rainbows at 6lb 10oz and 6lb 8oz Robert Smith 3 for 12lb 8oz including 7lb Rainbow and a Blue Witold Skwarcan 3 for 12lb 8oz including 6lb Brown and 4lb 4oz Tiger Willie Nyguist 7lb Blue Danny Doherty 4 for 11lb including a Blue, plus 3 C&R David Alexander 3 for 9lb Willie Smillie 3 for 7lb including a Blue Charlie Price 3 for 6lb from the Meadow Pond including a Gold, plus 2q C&R Robert Rankine 2 for 5lb 8oz Callum McMillan 2 for 5lb 8oz Tim Gellaitry caught and released 9 including a Tiger Rosinski 3lb 4oz Tiger, plus 4 C&R Craig Faller caught and released 4 Aiden Docherty caught and released 4 Those doing well on the Millpond included; Sam Parker 4 for 16lb 8oz including 6lb 4oz Rainbow and 5lb 12oz Rainbow Douglas Kyle 2 Blues for 11lb Walter McLaren 4lb Rainbow Kenzie Johnston 5lb Rainbow Logan Stirling 3 for 6lb Rocco McLeish 2 Blues for 3lb 12oz Luxley Arthur 5 for 13lb 4oz including 2 Tigers and a Blue Doug Shepherd 2 for 4lb including a Gold Lorna Flannigan 2 for 5lb Robert O’Brien 2 for 6lb 4oz including 4lb Rainbow
17.07.23 to 23.07.23	The weather conditions appeared much more favourable for fishing this week, and at times the fishing was good, but in general it was a rather frustrating week. Plenty of fish are to be seen moving around the ponds, but there is an excess of natural food available at the moment so they are rather fussy when it comes to taking flies. The water temperature is sitting around 14C, and water clarity remains extremely good. Many anglers were reporting hooking and losing fish, so they were still enjoying some great sport. Some anglers will always manage to take fish, and there were plenty of ones and twos being returned. The first of a new batch Blues and Golds are now being stocked regularly which is making things more colourful in the ponds. Diawl Bach, Yellow Owl, Buzzer, Bibio, Spider, Cat’s Whisker, Dancer, Sedge, and other dries were among the most successful fly patterns, with worms, meps, spinners, and power bait all working well on the bait pond. The Fishery is open from 8.00amd to 9.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm. Amongst those taking fish this week were; Donald McMurchy 5lb 12oz Rainbow Danny Doherty 4 for 12lb 8oz, plus 5 C&R Witold Skwarcan 2 for 5lb 12oz Joe Schroeder 2 for 5lb 8oz Sean Young 2 for 5lb including a Blue John Hester caught and released 4 Jim McInnes caught and released 4 James Brown caught and released 4 Ian Whitfield caught and released 3 Lawrence Eddie caught and released 3 Luxley Arthur 7 for 15lb including a Blue Richard Johnston 3 for 7lb 12oz William Reid 4 for 9lb Logan Stirling 2 for 4lb including a Blue Jim Allan 2 for 4lb 4oz Brian Jordan 3 for 6lb 8oz Nicky and Zack Drummond 2lb Gold John Kennedy 3 for 7lb 8oz William Wells 3 for 7lb Barry Lee 4 for 9lb 8oz including a Blue John Poag 3 for 6lb 12oz John Harrower 2 for 4lb including a Blue
03.07.23 to 16.07.23	There have been a lot of great catches over the last couple of weeks as the conditions improved after the really hot spell. The weather was very variable – typical Scottish summer – and the water temperature has dropped back down to around 13.5C. A good variety were landed with Rainbows, Browns, Tigers and Blues all featuring in the returns, along with some cracking fish in the 5lb to 10lb range. Nymphs, wets, and dries were taking most of the fish on the fly ponds, with favourite patterns including cormorants, buzzers, damsels, grouse and claret, yellow owl and sedge. On the bait pond, worms, spinning and various colours of power bait were all taking fish. The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 9.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm Amongst the best bags from Swanswater were; Nan Morrison 2 for 6lb, and 3 for 12lb 4oz including 5lb 4oz Brown and 3lb 12oz Tiger Billy Weir 4 for 16lb 4oz including 8lb 4oz Rainbow Donald McMurchy 5 for 18lb 4oz including 7lb 8oz Rainbow, and 5 for 15lb 8oz including 2 Blues, bigger one at 5lb 10oz Danny Doherty 4 for 11lb, plus 7 C&R, and 4 for 18lb, including 9lb 8oz Rainbow, plus 2 C&R including a Brown Eddie Potts 4 for 15lb 8oz including 6lb 12oz Rainbow, plus8 C&R Danny Shelton 6lb 4oz Rainbow William Henderson 2 for 8lb 8oz including 6lb Rainbow Alan Stirling 5 for 13lb 10oz, plus 1 C&R Sean Bell 5 for 13lb including a Tiger, and 4 for 11lb Alan Weir 4 for 11lb including 2 Blues Mark Fraser 4 for 10lb 12oz Jim Potts 4 for 10lb 8oz including 2 Blues and a Tiger Colin Weir 4 for 10lb 8oz Joe Potts 4 for 9lb 8oz, plus 5 C&R Ross Carroll 3 for 8lb 4oz, plus 6 C&R Geroge Dobbie 3 for 8lb including a Blue and a Tiger Jimmy Higgins 3 for 8lb including a Blue Cameron Smith 3 for 7lb 8oz Jimmy Higgins 2 for 6lb 8oz Charlie Price 2 for 6lb Witold Skwarcan, in two visits, 2 for 6lb and 7 caught and released Rosinski caught and released 13 Iain Whitfield caught and released 8 including 10lb Rainbow Tim Gelliatry caught and released 5, and caught and released 7 including a Tiger Alan Kirkham caught and released 5 including a Blue, a Brown and a Tiger Ben Oliver caught and released 5 Marcus Tripney caught and released 5 Chris Harris caught and released 5 Harry Haggarty caught and released 5 Amongst those doing well on the Millpond were; Paul McGlynn 3 for 12lb including 8lb Rainbow Craig Burnett 2 for 10lb 8oz including 7lb Rainbow Andrew and Logan Dick 2 for 9lb including 7lb Rainbow John Paul Morgan 6lb 8oz Rainbow Logan Duncan 2 for 11lb both 5lb 8oz Rainbows Matthew Allen 5lb 8oz Rainbow John Keevin 4lb 12oz Rainbow Mark Henderson 5 for 15lb Scott Anthony 3 for 7lb8oz Marcus Tripney 5 for 10lb 12oz Doug Shepherd 2 for 5lb 8oz Owen Purdey 3 for 7lb 8oz Mark Gillon 2 for 6lb Richard Johnston 3 for 7lb 10oz William Wells 3 for 6lb 12oz including a Blue, and 3 for 7lb 8oz Paddy Ging 3 for 6lb 8oz Andrew Brown 3 for 8lb Luxley Arthur 5 for 11lb 4oz Tony Bishop, Jack Ross and Lennon Potterson shared 4 for 13lb James Gilmore 4 for 9lb 8oz, and 6lb 4oz Rainbow Jack Hamilton 4 for r9lb David Hamilton 2 for 8lb 8oz including 6lb Rainbow Nicky and Zack Drummond 4 for 10lb John Kennedy 3 for 6lb 8oz
26.06.23 to 2.07.23	After a couple of weeks of very warm, sunny weather things were back to a more normal level this week and the water temperature (which is recorded from water leaving the main pond at a depth of about 4 feet) dropped from 18C back down to a more bearable 16C. There was a cooling breeze and some rain to freshen the water, and, towards the end of the week, the fishing started to pick up as the fish started to move around a bit more and show more interest in feeding. From Thursday onwards, the fish were to be found along the Far Side, around the Island and the Channel, and, in particular, in the Bridge area where fresh water from the burn comes in to Swanswater. Black Spider, Hoppers, Sedge, Cormorant, dry Daddy, and Buzzers were the most popular and successful fly patterns, with power bait and spinning working best for the bait anglers. The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 9.oopm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm Amongst the best bags from Swanswater were; Geoff Gilbert, visiting from the Isle of Man for the first time for a few years, 3 for 16lb 8oz including 9lb Rainbow and 5 for 13lb including a Tiger, plus 4 C&R including another Tiger Donald McMurchy 5 for 20lb 8oz including 9lb 8oz Rainbow Jim Petrie 4 for 13lb 12oz including 6lb 8oz Rainbow, plus 4 C&R Danny Doherty 4 for 13lb, plus 9 C&R Sean Bell 4 for 12lb including a Tiger Danny Robertson 4 for 11lb 4oz Jimmy Higgins 4 for 9lb 8oz, plus 2 C&R Brian Lorimer 3 for 7lb 12oz Witold Skwarcan 3 for 7lb, plus 1 C&R Robert Smith 2 for 7lb Jim Spiers 2 for 5lb 4oz Stuart Nicholson 2 for 5lb 8oz Rosinski, in two visits, caught and released 29 including 10lb Rainbow, 8lb Rainbow, and 4 Tigers Peter Brown caught and released 6 Mark Anthony caught and released 6 John Walkinshaw caught and released 4 Ricky Goodwin caught and released 3 Those doing well on the Millpond (fly and bait) included Pele Bangura 4 for 17lb including 6lb 8oz Rainbow Connor McDuff 3 for 12lb including 6lb Rainbow Stuart Wallace 5 for 11lb including a Blue Matthew Allen 3 for 7lb Richard Johnston 2 for 6lb Paul McGlynn 2 for 5lb 12oz Conor Stewart 2 for 6lb William Wells 2 for 4lb 12oz Willie Wilson 3for 9lb 12oz Derek Douglas 3 for 7lb 12oz Terry Murphy 3 for 9lb Willie Johnson 3 for 7lb 12oz Steve Reilly, Mark McCloy and Kyle Craig shared 8 for 22lb
	Despite the continuing hot weather and subsequent low oxygen levels in the ponds making conditions very hard, some anglers, both fly and bait, were still managing to catch fish last week.
05.06.23 to 11.06.23	Most days this week started overcast and cool, but then the sun came out, and despite the easterly breeze, the temperature rose. Sunday saw the first rain for several weeks, a welcome change that, despite the mugginess, freshened things up considerably. The fish were often to be found in the channel and around the island, around 3 to 4 feet down, or, when the sun was bright, in any areas offering some sort of shade. Browns, Tigers, Golds and Blues all feature in the returns this week along with the usual top quality Rainbows. Nymphs and wets were doing best for the fly anglers, with power bait and spinning working well for bait anglers. Favourite fly patterns included Buzzers, Spider, Kate McLaren, Bibio, Cruncher, Diawl Bach, Bloodworm, CDC, Dancer and Ally McCoist. The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 9.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm. The conditions meant that there were a lot of ones and twos landed this week, but amongst the best bags on the fly ponds were; David Berwick 2 for 11lb 10oz including 9lb 2oz Brown Daniel Shelton 3 for 9lb 4oz including 5lb 4oz Rainbow, plus 2 C&R Robert Barton 5 for 16lb including 5lb Blue, plus 3 C&R Danny Doherty 4 for 10lb 4oz Kyle Crossan 3 for 8lb 8oz including 2 Blues Witold Skwaran 3 for 8lb, plus 3 C&R including 4lb Brown Robbie Leitch 2 for 5lb Marcus Tripney caught and released 13 including 7lb Rainbow Rab Bonnar caught and released 8 including a Tiger Frank Kane caught and released 8 Frank Barr caught and released 6 David Donnelly caught and released 6 including 6lb Gold Tommy Boyd caught and released 4 Ronan White caught and released 3 James Craig caught and released 3 John Stewart caught and released 8lb Rainbow Some of those doing well on the Millpond included; David Murray 3 for 10lb 12oz including 6lb 10oz Rainbow and a Brown William Wells 3 for 7lb Jim Allan 2 for 7lb 8oz including 5lb 8oz Rainbow Douglas Kyle and Lorna Flannigan had 5 each for a total of 23lb Stuart Wallace 4 for 8lb 4oz including a Gold Joe Martin 2 for 4lb including a Blue John Harrower 2 for 5lb John Berry 2 for 4lb 4oz Andy Conroy 2 for 4lb Jack Storrie 5 for 11lb including a Blue Derek Hall 4 for 8lb 8oz Robert Palmer 2 for 4lb Mark Robertson 2 for 4lb Brian Nelson 4 for 8lb Finn Gardiner 2lb 8oz Gold Gary Wallace 2lb Brown
29.05.23 to 04.06.23	There was some very hot, sunny weather this week, interspersed with some more overcast days, and a light easterly breeze. It is still cool overnight, and the water temperature only rose by 1 degree to 14.5C which helped conditions both for fishing and for fish rearing. Water clarity remains excellent. At times, the fishing was a little tough, especially when the sun was really bright, and the fish were looking for any shade they could find. The Island and the Channel were the most productive areas on Swanswater with the fish to be found around 2 to 3 feet down. Many anglers were reporting plenty of offers and takes although they didn’t all result in fish to the net. All varieties of trout figure in the catch returns this week, with some lovely golds being taken from the Millpond. Others were seen cruising around and are always good indicators as to where fish are to be found. A variety of dry flies were catching this week along with the usual lures and nymphs. Favourite patterns included Damsel, Shipman’s Buzzer, Diawl Bach, Black Gnat, Cat’s Whisker, Egg, and PTN. On the bait pond, power bait and spinning were catching most of the fish. The fishery is currently open from 8.00am to 9.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2,30pm. Amongst the best bags on the fly ponds were; Keiron Shepherd 7lb 12oz Rainbow Robert Barton 5 for 16lb 8oz including 6lb Rainbow Frank Barr 3 for 10lb 8oz including 5lb 4oz Brown and a Tiger, plus 2 C&R Joe Potts 5 for 13lb 4oz including a Tiger, plus 2 C&R Donald McMurchy 5 for 12lb 4oz including a Tiger Eddie Potts 5 for 11lb 8oz Ryan Potts 5 for 11lb Danny Doherty 4 for 12lb Kyle Nesbit 4 for 8lb 12oz including a Blue, plus 2 C&R Ross Carroll 3 for 8lb including a Tiger Danny Abraham 3 for 8lb including 3lb Tiger Colin McNally 3 for 7lb 8oz from the Meadow Pond Willie Nyguist 2 for 5lb Frank Barr caught and released 6 Ben Oliver caught and released 6 from the Meadow Pond Kris Richard caught and released 5 Rab Bonner caught and released 4 Those doing well on the Millpond included; Andy Sillars 6 for 11lb 8oz Brian Kempson 6 for 12lb Eddie Potts 4 for 9lb 8oz Luxley Arthur 5 for 12lb Stuart Wallace 4 for 9lb Zack Drummond, in three visits, 5 for 11lb 4oz Nicky Drummond, in two visits, 3 for 9lb 8oz including 3lb 8oz Blue and 3lb 8oz Gold Brian Williams 2 for 4lb 4oz Chris McGlinn 4 for 8lb including a Gold Philip Hanlon 2 for 5lb William Wells 3 for 6lb 4oz Doug Shepherd 2 for 5lb
22.05.23 to 28.05.23	The arrival of some summery weather was very welcome this week, although the combination of bright sunshine and quite strong wind made the fishing rather testing at times. The fish were generally lying in sheltered areas and those parts of the ponds with some shade cover. Browns and Tigers are still featuring in the catch returns from all three ponds, including a 9lb Brown landed on the bait pond. A few Golds also made an appearance this week. On the fly ponds, those catching fish were using a wide variety of flies including Ally McCoist, Mini snake, Dancer, Damsel, PTN, Bibio, Buzzer, and a selection of dry flies. Meps, spinners, worms and power bait were all taking fish on the bait pond. A local cub scout group enjoyed a fishing evening with us on the small ponds, and, although they didn’t all catch fish, they ended up taking 3 for 11lb including 6lb Rainbow, plus they returned 3 on the Meadow Pond. The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 9.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm Amongst those taking fish from the fly ponds were; Kevin O’Brien 5 for 18lb 8oz including 7lb 8oz Rainbow Alan Evans 4 for 9lb 8oz, plus 10 C&R Robert MacKinnon 4 for 9lb 8oz Robert Watt, in two visits, 6 for 15lb 8oz Colin McNally 4 for 8lb Rubber Ear Fishing Club enjoyed their outing taking 12 for 28lb 4oz, plus 9 C&R Barry Lee 3 for 8lb 8oz Peter Comrie 3 for 6lb 8oz from the Meadow Pond, plus 2 C&R Jimmy Higgins 2 Blues for 5lb Martin LeBlond caught and released 7 Sean LeBlond caught 6 Robert Watson, in two visits, caught and released 10 including a Tiger and a Gold Calen McLachlan caught and released 5 including 8lb Rainbow Chris Harris caught and released 5 Ricky Goodwin caught and released 3 including 8lb Rainbow and 7lb Brown Those doing well on the Millpond included; Zac Drummond and his dad, Nicky, in two visits, 4 for 15lb 12oz including 9lb Brown Luxley Arthur 4 for 13lb 4oz including 6lb Rainbow Shane and Brian Newsam 4 for 8lb 12oz Stuart Wallace 5 for 10lb 8oz Graham Johnston 3 for 6lb 8oz Gary Wallace 3 for 6lb Evan Bitumus 4 for 8lb including a Blue Scott Lee 3 for 6lb William Wells 3 for 6lb, plus 2 C&R on the Meadow Pond# John Harrower 4 for 8lb 4oz including a Brown Stewart Crossley 3 for 6lb 12oz Paul Leachut 2 Tigers for 5lb
15.05.23 to 21.05.23	What wind there was this week was from the west leading to milder conditions, sometimes overcast but with some sunny periods. Water temperature remains around 12C, and water clarity is excellent. A huge number of hawthorn flies provided an excess of natural food, and the fish were gorging on them midweek. Early in the week the fish were near the surface, and many were taking dry flies. Towards the weekend, they were still showing but were taking either just below the surface or around 2 to 3 feet down. Favourite fly patterns included black dries, CDC, Kate McLaren, Diawl Bach, Buzzer and Eggs. On the bait pond, where several youngsters were enjoying catching fish with their fathers, power bait and spinners were most successful. Blues, Browns and Tigers continue to feature in the catch returns from all three ponds, along with the more usual Rainbows. The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 9.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm Amongst the best bags on the fly ponds this week were; Witold Skwarcan 2 for 11lb including 8lb Rainbow, plus 5 C&R including 8lb Rainbow John Mooney 7lb 4oz Rainbow Ross Martin 3 for 11lb4oz including 6lb 12oz Rainbow D Campbell 6lb Rainbow Robert Watt 5 for 14lb Danny Doherty 5 for 13lb including a Blue Colin McNally 5 for 12lb 8oz from the small ponds Donald McMurchy 5 for 12lb including a Tiger and an overwintered Brown, plus 1 C&R Jimmy Higgins 4 for 11lb Robert White 4 for 10lb 4oz Robert Rankin 3 for 9lb 10oz including 2 Blues, plus 1 C&R Kyle Nesbit 3 for 7lb 12oz including a Blue and a Tiger Barry Hamilton 3 for 7lb 8oz including a Brown Sean McCaffrey caught and released 16 Arthur Martin caught and released 9 Stuart Gardiner caught and released 8 Stephen Langlands caught and released 8 Pete Brown caught and released 6 Carter Laird caught and released 5 Gordon Frater caught and released 5 Colin Wallace caught and released 5 Frank Barr caught and released 2 including 7lb Rainbow Ricky Goodwin caught and released 2 including 7lb Brown Those doing well on the Millpond included; Stuart Wallace 5 for 18lb 8oz including 8lb Rainbow Danny Shelton 3 for 11lb 8oz including 6lb 5oz Rainbow Paul McGlynn and Keatin 3 for 11lb 12oz John McGlynn and Jessica 3 for 10lb 8oz including 6lb 8oz Rainbow Luxley Arthur 5 for 15lb 4oz including 5lb Rainbow Raymond Broadley 3 for 7lb Zac Drummond 2 for 7lb 8oz and 2 for 7lb 12oz including 5lb 8oz Rainbow Eddie Blair 3 for 6lb 4oz Yusaf 3 for 6lb 4oz including a Tiger Alastair Smith and Joe Watson took 2 each for a total of 9lb Kevin O’Hara 3 for 6lb 4oz William Wells, in two visits, 6 for 12lb 4oz including a Tiger John Harrower 2 for 4lb including a Tiger
08.05.23 to 14.05.23	There was a lot of cool overcast weather this week, interspersed with some sunny spells and some longer periods of light rain. The water temperature crept up a couple of degrees to finish the week on 12C and water clarity remains excellent. The fish were spread out around Swanswater with the Far Bay, Roadside, Island, and Dam all fishing well at various times. Plenty of fish were being caught on dry flies or just below the surface, although others were to be found deep down. All varieties featured in the catch returns with several lovely big Browns and Rainbows were taken this week, along with some cracking Blues and Tigers. Favourite fly patterns included Daddy, Hopper, Spider, Black Pennel, Bloodworm, Buzzer, Nomad, and Dancer. On the bait pond, the majority of fish were taken on power bait or spinners, with worms also catching. The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 9.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm. Amongst the best bags landed on the fly this week were; George Dobbie 3 for 14lb 12oz including 9lb 4oz Brown and 3lb 8oz Brown Danny Doherty 5 for 19lb 8oz including 8lb 14oz Rainbow, plus 9 C&R Kevin O’Brien 6 for 27lb including 7lb 8oz Rainbow, 6lb Brown and a Tiger Alan Fernie 3 for 13lb 8oz including 8lb Rainbow Danny Shelton 3 for 10lb 8oz including 6lb 8oz Rainbow Robert Watt 5 for 15lb including a Tiger, plus 1 C&R Peter O’Brien 4 for 9lb 8oz Barry Lee 3 for 8lb 8oz Colin McNally, fishing the Meadow Pond, 3 for 8lb and 5 for 11lb, plus 4 C&R Willie McFadyen 3 for 7lb 4oz including a Tiger Ricky Goodwin caught and released 30, in three visits, including Rainbows at 7lb 4oz and 6lb 4oz Paul Ryder caught and released 17 including several Browns and a Tiger Rosinski caught and released 16 James McLachlan caught and released 15 Craig Pearson caught and released 14 Iain Whitfield caught and released 11 Tim Gellaitry caught and released 8 Ross Martin caught and released 8 Calen McLachlan caught and released 8 Paul Gemmell caught and released 6 Thomas O’Neill caught and released 6 Some of the best bags taken on bait from the Millpond included; Andy Conroy 4 for 15lb including 8lb 12oz Rainbow Nicky Drummond 5 for 19lb including Rainbows at 6lb 8oz and 6lb 4oz Stephen Anderson 5 for 14lb 8oz including 6lb 8oz Rainbow Michael O’Neil 2 for 8lb including 6lb Rainbow Kyle Harrower 6lb Rainbow Ally Smith 2 for 7lb 8oz including 5lb 4oz Rainbow and a Blue Mark McKenzie 5lb 4oz Brown Luxley Arthur 7 for 15lb 4oz including a Blue John Berry 4 for 8lb Craig Irvine 2 for 4lb 4oz Tony Bishop 2 for 4lb including a Tiger Joe Smith 3 for 6lb 4oz including a Blue Ross Dunn 2 for 4lb including a Blue Zack Drummond 3 for 6lb 8oz and 4 for 10lb including a Tiger Stuart Harrower 2 for 4lb 8oz Ann Hunter 3 for 6lb Max Ryan 3 for 7lb 4oz Sam Neilson 2 for 4lb 8oz Billy Ross 3 for 6lb John MacMillan 4 for 8lb Gordon MacMillan 5 for 13lb Gordon MacMillan 4 for 10lb James Elliott 3 for 6lb 12oz
01.05.23 to 07.05.23	The cold east wind remained for much of the week and there was a lot of overcast, damp, drizzly weather. On the odd occasions when the sun made an appearance, it felt pleasantly warm but, on the whole, it was a chilly week for this time of year. Despite the water temperature only rising by about 1.5C, more and more fish on the fly ponds were taking dry flies as the week went on, with the bulk of the fish on Saturday being caught on dries. Other flies doing well were those tied by Nan Morrison whose flies have been responsible for several big fish being caught over the last couple of weeks. Favourite fly patterns this week included CDC Buzzers, Hopper, Damsel, Diawl Bach, Bloodworm, Cruncher, Spider, Yellow Shrimp, Sedge, and a few of the usual lures. Power bait and spinning accounted for most of the fish taken by bait anglers. Plenty of varieties of trout feature in the catch returns including several Browns and Tigers, along with some cracking Rainbows and Blues. Apologies go to Jimmy Higgins, 10lb 14oz Rainbow, and Danny Doherty, 5 for 16lb including 5lb 12oz Brown and a Blue, plus 1 C&R, who were somehow left off last week’s catch returns. Amongst those doing well on the fly this week were; Ricky Goodwin 4 for 18lb 8oz including 7lb overwintered Brown, 5lb Rainbow and a Blue Calen McLachlan 3 for 12lb 8oz including 7lb 4oz Rainbow, plus 4 C&R Alan Evans and Owen 4 for 14lb 12oz including 6lb Rainbow, plus 13 C&R Mark Spiers, in two visits, 5lb 12oz Brown, and 2 for 5lb 8oz including a Tiger, plus 3 C&R Robert Smith and Alastair3 for 9lb 12oz including 5lb 8oz Rainbow, plus 1 C&R Nan Morrison 4 for 11lb 12oz including 5lb 4oz Rainbow Danny Doherty 5 for 13lb 8oz, plus 3 C&R Donald McMurchy 5 for 11lb 8oz including a Blue Stuart Black 4 for 12lb 4oz Malcolm McRobbie 3 for 10lb 8oz, plus 1 C&R Barry Lee 3 for 9lb plus 2 C&R Jim Donnelly 3 for 8lb, plus 7 C&R Charles Devine 3 for 8lb, plus 1 C&R Craig Pearson 3 for 7lb including a Tiger Peter Brown 3 for 6lb, plus 7 C&R Tim Gellaitry caught and released 15 including a Tiger and a Brown in one visit, 11 including a Tiger and a Brown on a second visit, and 13 on his third visit of the week Rosinski caught and released 11 Neil Shedden caught and released 10 Mark Anthony caught and released 10 on the Meadow Pond Jamie McGowan caught and released 9 Eric Kytzia caught and released 7 including a Brown Richard Taylor caught and released 6 David Pratt caught and released 5 including a Tiger Stuart Frame caught and released 5 Ricky Goodwin caught and released 5 Jim Jack caught and released 5 Scott Stephenson caught and released 5 Ross Martin caught and released 5 Frank Barr caught and released 3 including 11lb Rainbow Some of the best bags from the Millpond included; Luxley Arthur 8 for 24lb 10lb including 9lb Brown Robert Penrith 7lb Rainbow Stuart Wallace 5 for 13lb 8oz including 5lb 11oz Rainbow Andy Bowie 5lb 4oz Rainbow Ewan McMillan 5lb 3oz Rainbow Eddie Blair 3 for 6lb 4oz Raymond McIntosh 3 for 6lb 4oz including a Tiger Jay Lockhart 2 for 4lb 8oz Charles Hannon and Declan Connolly shared 6 for 13lb 8oz Paul McGlynn 4 for 8lb including a Tiger David Murray 3 for 7lb including a Tiger Robert Balfour 3 for 6lb including a Blue Andy Brown 2 for 4lb including a Tiger

24.04.23 to 30.04.23	It was a cold week for the time of year, and although there were some pleasant sunny spells, much of the time it was overcast with some drizzle. The water temperature dropped from 10C at the start of the week down to below 8C before finishing the week around 8.5C. The fish were well spread out for much of the week, with the Far Bay, the Dam, and the Island the most popular spots. At times the fish were deep down and a fast retrieve was working well; at other times they were in the top couple of feet of the water although fish that were showing were not always taking what anglers were offering. Browns, Blues, Tigers, and Golds all figured in the catch returns along with the more usual Rainbows. A wide variety of flies were taking fish with various nymphs and dry flies doing well. The most successful patterns included Hopper, Daddy Long Legs, Kate McLaren, Bibio, Black Pennel, Damsel, Diawl Bach, Buzzer, Egg, Dancer, Nancer, and Ally McCoist. Spinners, power bait, worms and maggots were all taking fish on the bait pond. The Fishery is now open from 8.00am to 9.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm Amongst those doing well on the fly ponds were; Kevin O’Brien 5 for 18lb 8oz including 8lb overwintered Brown Peter O’Brien 2 for 11lb 8oz including 7lb 9oz Rainbow Robert Rankin 3 for 9lb Andy Duffin 3 for 8lb including a Blue, plus 8 C&R Malcolm McRobbie 3 for 7lb 12oz including a Brown, plus 6 C&R Jim Craig 3 for 7lb 8oz, plus 3 C&R Frank Barr 3 for 7lb including a Blue, plus 3 C&R Willie McFadyen 2 for 6lb including a Tiger Mark Tully 2 for 6lb Jim Spiers 2 for 5lb from the Meadow Pond Rosinski, in three visits, caught and released 88 including 2 big Browns Tim Gellaitry, in two visits, caught and released 20 William Wells caught and released 10 from the Meadow Pond Ross Martin caught and released 9 James McLachlan caught and released 8 David Morgan caught and released 7 Ryan Egan caught and released 7 Keiran Welsh caught and released 5 Ryan Ferguson caught and released 4 Robert Smith caught and released 4 Gerry Flannigan caught and released 4 David Pratt caught and released 4 including 7lb Brown Paul McGuigan caught and released 4 from the Meadow Pond Some of the best catches on the Millpond included; Doug Shepherd 2 for 8lb including 6lb Rainbow Archie McKinnon 4 for 11lb 4oz including 5lb 8oz Rainbow John Berry 3 for 9lb 4oz including 5lb 8oz Rainbow Luxley Arthur 7 for 18lb 4oz including 5lb 4oz Brown Ryan Currie 2 for 6lb 4oz including 4lb Rainbow HanH Danny Keenan 3 for 8lb William Wells, in two visits, 6 for 12lb including a Blue and a Brown Craig Johnstone 3 for 6lb Philip Hanlon 2 for 4lb Sean Grant 2 for 4lb Andy Conroy 3 for 6lb 8ozWilliam Wells 3 for 6lb including a Brown Johnathan Morton 3 for 6lb 8oz Colin Tawse 3 for 6lb Michael More 3 for 7lb
17.04.23 to 23.04.23	There was a cold east wind for most of the week, but otherwise the weather was dry with some lovely spring sunshine at times. The water, which has excellent clarity, was sitting around 8,5C-9.5C all week, rising to 10C on Sunday. The Browns and Tigers appeared to like the conditions and several feature in the catch returns along with some superb Rainbows. Many anglers are remarking on the quality of the fish and the excellent fight they are giving. The fish were generally well spread out around the main pond with the Far Bay, the Island and the Jetty the most productive areas. At times they were showing on the surface, and at other times, particularly in the sun and wind, they were deeper down. A wide variety of flies were taking fish with favourite patterns being Buzzer, Klinkhammer, CDC, Diawl Bach, Silver Invicta, Cat’s Whisker, Egg, Dancer, Ally McCoist, Henrik Larson, and black Floating Fry. On the bait pond power bait and spinners were taking the majority of the fish. The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 7.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm Amongst those doing well on the fly ponds were; John Sneddon 2 for 10lb 12oz including 8lb 12oz Rainbow Gordon Frater 8lb 8oz Brown Kyle Ferrier 3 for 12lb 4oz including 7lb 10oz Rainbow Jordan Baxter 7lb Rainbow Charlie Henderson 4 for 14lb 8oz including 6lb 4oz Rainbow Jamie Ferrier 4 for `12lb 12oz including 6lb 1oz Brown, plus 4 C&R Danny Doherty 5 for 15lb 8oz including 5lb 8oz Brown, plus 17 C&R including a Tiger Donald McMurchy 5 for 12lb 4oz including 2 Blues Ricky Goodwin 4 for 11lb 8oz Craig Wilson 4 for 10lb 8oz, plus 2 C&R Andy Tervit 3 for 7lb 8oz Donald Macrae 3 for 7lb 4oz Peter Comrie 3 for 6lb 8oz from the Meadow Pond Robert Henderson 2 for 6lb Gary Frater 2 for 4lb 12oz including a Tiger Rosinski caught and released 16 including 8lb Rainbow Stuart Hay caught and released 9 Frank Barr caught and released 8 David McGill caught and released 6 including 6lb Tiger Alan Grant caught and released 6 Bobby Orr caught and released 5 Jim Galloway caught and released 4 including 6lb Tiger Rjussell Ferguson caught and released 4 Ben Oliver caught and released 4 from the Meadow Pond Mark Anthony caught and released 4 from the Meadow Pond Jim McInnes caught and released 3 including a big Brown Stuart Alexander caught and released 9lb Rainbow Some of the best bags from the Millpond included; Charles Devine 2 for 8lb 12oz including 6lb 12oz Rainbow Drew Caldwell 3 for 12lb 8oz including 8lb Brown Ryan Seath 2 for 11lb 4oz including g6lb 12oz Rainbow and 4lb 8oz Gold Luxley Arthur 8 for 19lb including 4lb Rainbow and 2 Blues Jiri Uhyrek 5 for 13lb Michael McKendrick 4 for 8lb Paddy Ging 3 for 7lb 8oz Walter McLaren 3 for 7lb 8oz including a Tiger William Wells 3 for 6lb Graeme Johnstone 2 for 4lb 4oz Kenzie Johnstone 2 for 4lb 4oz Barry Lee 3 for 7lb 8oz including a Tiger David Murray 2 for 4lb 8oz including a Tiger
10.04.23 to 16.04.23	Some fantastic bags were recorded this week during this cold spell in April. Weather is still cool with some frosty nights. We had some sunny intervals along with some rain. The water has remained clear with the temperature dropping from 9.5 degrees to 7.5 degrees. The air temperature is gradually getting warmer during the day with some small hatches leading to fish rising. Fish were a lot more active in the mornings and starting to rise again in the evening anywhere from on top to 6 feet down. Anglers favourite choices this week varied from dries including yellow owl and other cdc’s to ally mccoist, buzzers and eggs for fish found deeper. Best method on the millpond was power bait with yellow being the favourite colour. Some Anglers were having great success hooking fish on spinners. Some of the best bags on the fly included: Willie Nyguist 5 for 19lb 12oz Jimmy Higgins 4 for 17lb 4oz including 9lb Brown Kyle Nisbit 3 for 15lb 12oz including 7lb and a 5lb Rainbow and a Blue Witold Shwarcan 4 for 14lb including a 6lb 8oz Rainbow John Sneddon 2 for 13lb 12oz including 7lb 8oz Rainbow Donald McMurchy 5 for 12lb 12oz Mike Chubb 3 for 11lb including a 6lb 4oz Blue Gordon Crawford 2 for 10lb 8oz including 8lb Rainbow plus 1 big returned on C+R Gavin McGowan 2 for 9lb 8oz including 6lb Rainbow Hugh McLean 3 for 9lb Calan McLachlan 2 for 8lb 8oz including 6lb Rainbow Rosinski caught and released 31 including an 8lb Rainbow, 2 Browns and a Tiger James McLachlan caught and released 12 John Thomson caught and released 11 George Johnston caught and released 11 Mark Anthony caught and released 9 Kevin Laing caught and released 8 Tim Gellaitry caught and released 7 Chris Harris caught and released 6 Ian Cairns caught and released 4 Bait on the Millpond; The Williams family shared 7 fish for 15lb 8oz including 4lb Blue Jordan Day 3 for 12lb including 7lb 8oz Rainbow Mason Montador 3 for 10lb 12oz including 6lb 8oz Rainbow a Blue and a Brown Alan Robertson 4 for 9lb 8oz Doug Shepherd 2 for 8lb 8oz including 6lb 8oz Rainbow Cameron King 4 for 8lb 4oz Leon Rougvie 4 for 8lb including a Blue Barry Nicol 2 for 7lb 8oz including 5lb 8oz Blue Eddie Blair 3 for 6lb 8oz Simon Neil 3 for 6lb Callum Reilly 3 for 6lb Ewan McMillan 2 for 6lb
03.04.23 to 09.04.23	Despite some overnight frost this week, the water temperature rose another couple of degrees to 9C. The days were mostly either warm with bright sun, or mild and overcast, although there was still a cool east wind at the weekend, with things turning cold as soon as the sun went away. The fish started the week quite deep in the water, came nearer the surface midweek, and were back deep down by the weekend particularly in the bright sunshine. The Island, Bridge, Dam and Overflow were the most productive areas, with fish also being caught at the Roadside. Favourite fly patterns included Kate McLaren, Damsel, Buzzer, Ace of Spades, black Cat’s Whisker, Ally McCoist, Egg, and PTN. On the Millpond, those going deep were having the most success with power bait, spinners, and worms all working well. The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 7.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm: Amongst those catching fish on the fly ponds this week were Donald McMurchy 5 for 14lb 4oz, including 6lb 4oz Rainbow Jimmy Higgins 5 for 13lb 8oz Ross Martin, in two visits, 5 for 11lb 8oz Alan Evans and Owen shared 4 for 1olb 12oz, plus 7 C&R Frank Barr 3 for 7lb, 3 for 7lb 12oz Alan Armstrong 3 for 7lb Cameron Herdsman 3 for 6lb from the Meadow Pond, plus 3 C&R Colin McNally 3 for 6lb from the Meadow Pond Lawrence McGuire 2 for 8lb 4oz, plus 2 C&R Joe Schroeder 2 for 7lb Andy Tervit 2 for 6lb 8oz John Robertson 2 for 5lb including a Blue John Thomson, in three visits, caught and released 3, 7, and 25 including 9lb Rainbow Ian Sinclair caught and released 15 Harry Haggerty caught and released 9 including a big Rainbow and a Blue Graeme Booth caught and released 7 including 10lb Rainbow Ross Martin caught and released 7 Kenny McKlintock caught and released 6 Steven Burton caught and released 5 Tony Robinson caught and released 3 good Browns Those doing well on the Millpond included; Luxley Arthur 5 for 17lb 4oz including 9lb 7oz Rainbow Scott Jankowski 3 for 6lb 8oz Fraser Comrie 3 for 6lb Joe McKenna 3 for 6lb Ewan McMillan 2 for 4lb 8oz Jamie McLaughlan 2 for 4lb Andy Brown 3 for 6lb Callum Campbell 3 for 9lb 4oz including 5lb 4oz Rainbow James Elliott 3 for 6lb 12oz Sam Parker 2 for 5lb 8oz John Fern 3 for 5lb 10oz Eva Horsburgh 4 for 7lb 12oz William Cummings 3 for 6lb 8oz Neil Ihlenfeldt 2 for 4lb William Wells 2 for 5lb 4oz Matt Taylor 5 for 12lb
27.03.23 to 02.04.23	The week started with overnight frost, but the weather became milder as the week went on although there was a cold east wind on Friday and Saturday. The water temperature rose from just below 6C to 8.5C before dropping down again to 7C on Sunday; water clarity remains excellent. The fish have started to move around a bit more, with the overflow and dam, the far bay, and the bridge the best areas on different days. They were to be found deep down at the start of the week, between 3 and 5 feet down towards the end of the week, and were seen moving on or just below the surface on Sunday. Plenty of Browns and Tigers were caught this week with many going back to fight another day. Favourite fly patterns included Eggs, Dancer, Ally McCoist, Damsel, Diawl Bach, PTN, Klinkhammer, Buzzer, and Bloodworm. There were fewer bait anglers out this week, but those who were out were having success with power bait and spinners. The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 7.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.3opm. Amongst the best bags taken from Swanswater were; Kris Elliot 2 for 12lb 8oz including 10lb 8oz Rainbow Justin Brake 3 for 12lb including 8lb Brown Calen McLachlan 3 for 13lb including 7lb Rainbow, plus 5 C&R including 7lb Brown Michael Baxter 3 for 11lb 8oz including 6lb 12oz Rainbow Witold Skwarcan 6lb 8oz Tiger Robert Rankin 3 for 11lb including 6lb 4oz Rainbow George Evans 4 for 13lb 8oz including 5lb Rainbow, plus 1 C&R Allan Evans 4 for 13lb including 5lb Rainbow, plus 2 C&R Danny Doherty 5 for 14lb, plus 11 C&R including 6lb Tiger Robert Smith, in two visits, 3 for 9lb 12oz, plus 2 C&R, and 2 for 5lb including a Tiger, plus 4 C&R Nan Morrison 3 for 7lb 4oz Gavin Hosie 2 for 7lb, plus 1 C&R Tam Pate 2 for 7lb including a Blue George Dobbie 2 for 6lb George Watson 2 for 6lb Brett Glencross 2 for 5lb from the Meadow Pond Gary Kidd 2 for 4lb 12oz including a Tiger, plus 2 C&R Ben Oliver caught and released 24 including a Gold and a Blue Jim McInnes, in two visits, caught and released 16 including a Brown Fraser Cooper caught and released 8 Peter Hill caught and released 8 Brian Shaw caught and released 8 William Porteous caught and released 7 including 2 Browns and a Tiger Jamie Finlay caught and released 6 including 9lb Rainbow and a Tiger Connor Montgomerie caught and released 6 including 2 double figure Rainbows and a big Brown Drew Clinton caught and released 4 Ben McInnes caught and released 4 Iain Whitfield caught and released 4 Khalid Aslam caught and released 4 Stuart Frame caught and released 10lb Brown Those doing well on the Millpond included; Luxley Arthur 5 for 12lb including a Blue and a Spartic Doug Shepherd 3 for 11lb8oz including 7lb 8oz Rainbow David Murray 2 for 5lb William Wells 3 for 10lb 12oz including 7lb 4oz Rainbow Neil Ihlenfeldt 3 for 6lb including a Tiger Colin Murphy 3 for 6lb including a Blue Andrew Williams 3 for 5lb 12oz including a Tiger Andy Conroy 3 for 6lb John Berry 2 for 4lb Stuart Kennedy 4 for 8lb Ellen Amelia 2 for 4lb
20.03.23 to 26.03.23	There was a complete mix of weather this week with some calm, overcast, dreich days; some strong winds midweek; and some bright spells and showers. The water clarity is excellent at the moment and water temperature was between 6C and 7C all week. Although none of the big Browns were caught this week, they were spotted by anglers, as were several big Rainbows. A few Tigers feature in the catch returns this week, along with some lovely Rainbows weighing in around the 5lb-6lb mark. Early in the week the fish were mostly in the channel, with the Dam, Overflow and Island the best spots at the weekend. In general, they were to be found around 3 to 4 feet down. On Swanswater, most fish were taken on lures with Ally McCoist and Yellow Dancer the favourite patterns, and Buzzers and Bloodworm also taking fish. On the Millpond, spinners, various colours of power bait, and worms were doing best, with the fish often to be found near the inflow at the top end. The Fishery is now open from 8.00am to 7.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm Some of the best bags from the fly ponds included; Donald McMurchy 5 for 16lb 4oz including 5lb 8oz Rainbow Danny Doherty 5 for 13lb 4oz, plus 3 C&R including a Tiger Colin McNally 4 for 11lb from the Meadow Pond including 5lb 1oz Rainbow Barry Hamilton 4 for 13lb 8oz,plus 4 C&R Ricky Goodwin 4 for 10lb 8oz, plus 3 C&R David Alexander 3 for 8lb 4oz, plus 3 C&R Stuart Oliver 3 for 9lb Alan Armstrong 3 for 8lb 8oz Alister Pratt 3 for 8lb 8oz Iain Brown 3 for 7, plus 2 C&R Gordon Crawford 2 for 8lb Calen McLachlan 2 for 6lb Robert Watt 2 for 5lb 12oz Brian Wallace 2 for 5lb, plus 1 C&R David Goss caught and released 14 Joe Dewhurst caught and released 12 Rosinski caught and released 12 Callum McMillan caught and released 8 including 2 Tigers Keiran Welsh caught and released 6 Tommy Lynas caught and released 5 Thomas O’Neill caught and released 5 William Halliday caught and released 5 Frank Barr caught and released 4 including 11lb Rainbow Amongst those doing well on the Millpond were; Andy Brown 3 for 16lb including Rainbows at 8lb and 6lb Jack Brown 4 for 8lb 4oz Luxley Arthur 7 for 20lb including 5lb Rainbow and a Blue Eddie Blair 3 for 7lb 8oz Declan Connelly 2 for 4lb Paddy Ging 3 for 6lb 4oz Walter McLaren 3 for 6lb including a Tiger Michael Cummings 2 for 5lb Jamie Davitt 3lb Rainbow Robbie Livingstone 2 for 4lb 8oz Scott Young 2 for 4lb 4oz John Teevan 2 for 4lb Mark Taylor 1lb 8oz Spartic Alan McCulloch 2 for 4lb Stuart Aitken 2 for 6lb including 4lb Rainbow Delletts Angling Club took 18 for 48lb with their best bags being John Madden, 2 for 7lb 8oz including 5lb Rainbow, David Markie 2 for 7lb including 5lb Rainbow, Harry Mulholland 2 for 6lb, and Brian McLaughlin 3 for 7lb 12oz including 4lb Rainbow
13.03.23 to 19.03.23	The week started cold and wet with some heavy rain and snow showers. The end of the week was considerably milder although it was still mostly overcast. Water temperature rose from 3C to 6C over the course of the week and although the water coloured a bit due to the heavy rain, it cleared again relatively quickly. The start of the Brown trout season was marked by large stockings of Browns, including some monsters, Tigers and Spartics, a new variety for Swanswater. There are plenty more of these cracking fish to come over the next weeks and months. Some cracking big Rainbows have also been stocked. The catch returns feature plenty of all varieties. On Swanswater, the fish were often to be found along the dam wall, in the channel and at the top end of the pond, and usually about 3 to 4 feet deep. Favourite fly patterns included Dancer, Ally McCoist, Cat’s Whisker, Damsel, Kate McLaren and Bibio, with spinners and power bait doing best on the Millpond. The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 5.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm. Amongst the best bags from Swanswater and the Meadow Pond were; Danny Doherty 5 for 21lb 8oz including 8lb Brown, 5lb 13oz Tiger and the first of the Spartics, plus 4 C&R including another Tiger Peter O’Brien 5 for 21lb including 7lb Rainbow, 5lb 8oz Rainbow and a Tiger Kevin O’Brien 5 for 16lb 12oz including 7lb 12oz Brown Grant Mooneuy 6 for 21lb including 7lb Brown John Sneddon 5lb 12oz Tiger Gordon Crawford 3 for 12lb including 5lb Rainbow Iain Gardner 5 for 15lb Witold Skwarcan 4 for 12lb Frank Barr 3 for 10lb 12oz including 6lb Rainbow Calen McLachlan 3 for 8lb, plus 4 C&R Charles Devine 3 for 7lb 8oz, plus 1 C&R, from the Meadow Pond Robert Smith 2 for 7lb including a Tiger Mark Anthony caught and released 17 including a Rainbow estimated at 10lb and a Tiger Rosinski caught and released 17 including a Spartic estimated around 10lb John Thomson caught and released 11, in two visits, including 6lb 8oz Rainbow Stuart Hay caught and released 7 Thomas O’Neil caught and released 6 Paul Christie caught and released 6 including 9lb 12oz Rainbow Kimin Smith caught and released 5 including a Spartic Malcolm Miler caught and released 5 Steven Scott caught and released 5 Harry Haggarty caught and released 5 Frank Barr caught and released 4 Glen Hogan caught and released 4 Garry McLachlan caught and released 3 including 2 Browns On the Millpond those doing well included; Luxley Arthur 5 for 11lb 12oz Luxley Arthur, on his second visit this week, 7 for 24lb 4oz including 9lb Rainbow and 5lb 4oz Rainbow Ellen Amelia 7lb Rainbow John Teevan 2 for 7lb 4oz including 5lb 8oz Rainbow Andy Brown 2 for 13lb 8oz including Rainbows at 8lb 4oz and 5lb 4oz Jack Brown 3 for 7lb including 3lb Brown and 2lb Tiger Lorrie Gardner 2 for 9lb 8oz including 7lb 8oz Rainbow David Murray 2 for 4lb 8oz James Elliott 2 for 7lb including 5lb Rainbow Sam Parker 3 for 6lb 8oz Paul McGuigan 3 for 7lb 8oz including a Tiger
06.03.23 to 12.03.23	It was a cold week at Swanswater with overnight temperatures dropping as low as -8C midweek. As a result the water temperature dropped from 5C to 2.5C and there was some ice on the ponds. There was also some snow overnight at the weekend. Not many anglers ventured out but some of those who braved the conditions were well rewarded. Several fly anglers sought the shelter of the small ponds when things got too chilly on Swanswater. Favourite fly patterns included Dancer, Ally McCoist, Damsel, PTN, Cormorant and Buzzer. Power bait, spinners, and worms were all taking fish on the bait pond. We are looking forward to the start of the Brown Trout season later this week. In addition to some cracking big Browns we will be stocking a good number of Tigers and Spartics, the latter a new variety for Swanswater. The season starts on Wednesday 15th March. The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 5.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm. Amongst the best bags from Swanswater and the Meadow Pond were Robert Smith 2 for 7lb 8oz including 5lb 8oz Rainbow, plus 3 C&R Barry Lee 3 for 9lb Rhys Cove 3 for 8lb 8oz, plus 2 C&R Steven Buntin caught and released 20 Ian Sinclair caught and released 14 Jay O’Donnell caught and released 5 Malcolm Miller caught and released 5 Keiron Preston caught and released 5 Ben Chalmers caught and released 4 Those doing well on the Millpond included; Luxley Arthur 5 for 10lb Danny Doherty 4 for 10lb 8oz including a Blue Jimmy Higgins 4 for 7lb 8oz Craig McDonald 3 for 6lb Barry Lee 3 for 6lb William Wells 3 for 6lb Aaron Blackley 2 for 5lb Bradley Johnston 3 for 6lb Euan Millar 3 for 6lb Iain Fern 3 for 5lb 12oz including a Blue Doug Shepherd 2 for 4lb Ellen Amelia 2 for 5lb including a Blue Andy Conroy 3 for 6lb 4oz John Berry 3 for 7lb 4oz Scott Smith 2 for 5lb 4oz
27.02.23- to 05.03.23	Most of the week was cold and overcast with some overnight frosts. There were occasional sunny spells when things warmed up a little but there was always a cool breeze. With the water temperature sitting around 4 or 5oC all week, the fish were generally quite deep in the water although there were times when they were to be found only about 6 inches below the surface, especially in the Dam area. Otherwise, they were well spread out on the main pond with the Island sometimes a bit of a hotspot. Some cracking Blues and Tigers were landed this week, and with the Brown Trout season not far away, it was good to hear of an overwintered Brown being caught and released on Swanswater. Black, red, and silver were the favourite colours this week with the most successful fly patterns including Buzzer, Hummungus, Egg, Cat’s Whisker, Dancer, Damsel, Cormorant, Diawl Bach, PTN, Bibio, and Kate McLaren. Those fishing on the bait pond had most luck with power bait and spinners. The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 5.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm Amongst the best bags on the fly ponds were; Danny Doherty 5 for 18lb 8oz including 6lb 4oz Rainbow and 2 Blues Charlie Price 3 for 11lb 8oz including 6lb Rainbow Donald McMurchy 5 for 13lb including a Blue Callum McMillan 3 for 12lb 8oz, plus 1 C&R Robert Rankin 3 for 9lb 12oz, plus 4 C&R Archie Fisher 3 for 8lb 8oz Steve Salmon 2 for 5lb Robert Smith and Alistair 2 for 4lb 12oz, plus 4 C&R Sam Wilson caught and released 13 including a Tiger Alan Harrison caught and released 11 Will Hastings caught and released 9 Stuart Malcolm jnr caught and released 6 in the Meadow Pond Jordan Morrison caught and released 5 Ben Oliver caught and released 5 Mike Palmer caught and released 5 Thomas O’Neil caught and released 5 Paul Ryder caught and released 4 Stuart Malcolm caught and released 2 including 5lb Brown Those doing well on the Millpond included; Scott Young 3 for 6lb 8oz Lewis Miller 3lb Rainbow David Murray 3 for 8lb 8oz Fraser Scott 3 for 7lb Doug Shepherd 3 for 6lb
20.02.23 to 26.02.23	It was a mainly dry and cool week with some overnight frost and some bright sunshine. The water remains very clear; water temperature rose to 7.5oC in the middle of the week, but dropped back to 5oC at the weekend. The fish were well spread out around Swanswater with the Dam and the Island being the best areas. They were to be found around 3 to 4 feet down for most of the week and slightly nearer the surface midweek. The usual favourite fly patterns were doing well including Ally McCoist, Yellow Dancer, Bloodworm, Eggs, Damsel, Bibio and Kate McLaren. On the bait pond, most success was had with worms, power bait and spinners. The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 5.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm. Amongst the best bags landed on the fly ponds this week were; Robert Ross 2 for 10lb 8oz including 7lb 8oz Rainbow, plus 1 C&R Danny Doherty 5 for 16lb 8oz including a Blue, plus 6 C&R Willie Nyguist 4 for 13lb 12oz Gerry Cargill 4 for 12lb 4ozBarry Lee 3 for 10lb Alan Evans and Owen 4 for 11lb 4oz plus 20 C&R Ben Jones 3 for 8lb 8oz Iain Brown 3 for 7lb 12oz William Jones 2 for 7lb 4oz Sean Riley 2 for 6lb 8oz Sean MacIntyre 2 for 5lb 8oz. plus 1 C&R Nan Morrison 2 for 5lb 8oz Colin Bernard caught and released 16 Jim McInnes caught and released 9 John Thomson caught and released 8 Ben Oliver caught and released 7 from the Meadow Pond including a Gold Tim Gelliatry caught and released 6 Keith Anderson Caught and released 6 Kimin Smith caught and released 5 Chris Brennan caught and released 5 William Hastings caught and released 5 Ian McLaren caught and released 5 Neil Shedden caught and released 4 Those doing well on the Millpond included; Scott Seath 2 for 8lb 4oz including 6lb 2oz Rainbow and a Gold Andy Conroy 3 for 10lb 12oz including 6lb 4oz Rainbow John Berry 5lb Rainbow Andy Brown 3 for 8lb 12oz including 4lb 12oz Rainbow Eddie McMenemy 2 for 7lb 4oz Mark Robertson 2 for 6lb Willie Mailly 3 for 7lb Scott Smith 2 for 5lb Billy Livingston 2 for 5lb 8oz Harry Livingston 2 for 4lb 8oz George Honey 2 for 5lb Jim McLaughlin 4lb 8oz Rainbow William Addison 2 for 5lb including a Blue Bradley Johnston 3 for 7lb 4oz Kalid Aslam 3 for 7lb 8oz William Wells 3 for 8lb
13.02.23 to 19.02.23	The week started cool, calm and clear and ended with a wet and windy weekend. The water remained very clear with water temperature around 5.5 to 6oC. At the start of the week fish were been seen near the surface but were proving slightly difficult to tempt. By the weekend they were much deeper and were to be found around the Island and in the Channel. Some days they were looking to chase, other days a slower retrieve was needed. Favourite fly patterns included Dancer, Cat’s Whisker, Nomad, Ace of Spades, Cormorant, Bloodworm, Buzzer and Emergers. Power bait and spinners were doing best on the Millpond. Several fish around the 5lb mark were landed this week, both on Swanswater and the Millpond. A couple of lovely Tigers also feature in the catch returns. The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 5.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm The best bags from the fly ponds included; Donald McMurchy 5 for 15lb 6oz Gerry Cargill 4 for 12lb 12oz, plus 5 C&R Peter Patterson 3 for 10lb 4oz Frank Barr 3 for 8lb 4oz Robert Smith 2 for 7lb, plus 2 C&R Alan Stirling 2 for 6lb 2oz Jonathan Mooney 2 for 6lb Glen McArthur 2 for 4lb 8oz from the Meadow Pond, plus 13 C&R Alan Hay caught and released 11 Mick Mulgrew caught and released 8 George Boag caught and released 7 Alan Kirkham caught and released 5 Robert McColl caught and released 5 from the Meadow Pond Jamie Johnstone caught and released 4 Phil Harris caught and released 4 Callum McMillan caught and released 5lb Rainbow Those doing well on the Millpond included; Doug Shepherd 3 for 12lb 10oz including 5lb 6oz Rainbow Ryan Curry 2 for 10lb Luxley Arthur 4 for 11lb 12oz including 4lb 8oz Rainbow Charlie Price 4lb 8oz Rainbow Scott Seath 2 for 7lb 8oz including 5lb 4oz Rainbow and a Tiger Michael McGregor 3 for 8lb including 4lb Rainbow Jamie Cassells 3 for 9lb including 5lb 4oz Rainbow Bradley Johnson 2 for 6lb including 4lb Gold and a Tiger James Elliott 3 for 9lb 4oz 10 year old Peyton Wilkie caught her first ever fish, 3lb 8oz Rainbow
06.02.23- to 2.02.23	There was some great fishing this week with plenty of big fish being landed including several returned to fight another day on Swanswater. The weather was mainly cool and overcast with some breezy spells and some heavy drizzle at times. Water temperature is sitting around 5.5oC and water clarity remains excellent. On the main pond the fish tended to be near the Dam or around the Island, although they were well spread out at the weekend, with the boats doing well on Sunday. In general, they were between 3 and 5 feet down and taking mostly lures and nymphs. Favourite patterns included Ally McCoist, Dancer, Cat’s Whisker, Egg, Damsel, Buzzer, Bloodworm, Cormorant, PTN and Bibio. On the bait pond power bait and mouse tails were working best, with the fish to be found around 1 foot off the bottom at the weekend. The Fishery is now open from 8.00am to 5,00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm. A selection of the best bags on the fly ponds included; Danny Doherty 5 for 25lb 1oz including 10lb 13oz Rainbow and a Blue Steve Narbrough 3 for 15lb 2oz including 7lb 4oz Sean Bell 3 for 12lb including 6lb Gold Willie Smillie 3 for 11lb 12oz including 5lb 8oz Rainbow Ian Hamilton 5lb 8oz Rainbow Willie Nyguist 5 for 15lb 4oz Robert Smith 3 for 9lb, plus 8 C&R Barry Lee 3 for 9lb Ricky Goodwin 3 for 8lb 12oz Peter Comrie 3 for 8lb Tam Pate 2 for 6lb 12oz, plus 4 C&R Mark Spiers 2 for 6lb 8oz, plus 4 C&R Frank Barr 2 for 6lb Jim Spiers 2 for 5lb 4oz Joe Malcolmson 4lb Rainbow David Goss caught and released 11 John Thomson caught and released 10 in two visits Dan Thompson caught and released 9 Paul Dancer caught and released 8 Ben Oliver caught and released 7 Jean Dekleik caught and released 7 Brian Zarebski caught and released 7 Gordon Kelly caught and released 7 Alan Hay caught and released 6 Graham Paris caught and released 6 Scott Freeman caught and released 5 Andy Flanegan caught and released 4 including 8lb Rainbow Les Cooper caught and released4 John Graham released a Brown estimated at 13lb Those doing well on the Millpond (bait and fly) included; James McDonald and 11-year-old son Connor, 2 for 10lb 12oz with young Conner taking 5lb 12oz Rainbow and dad catching his first ever fish, a 5lb Rainbow Luxley Arthur 5 for 19lb including 10lb 2oz Rainbow Sam Parker 4 for 17lb 4oz including 8lb 12oz Rainbow James Elliott 4 for 10lb 4oz including a Gold Andy Brown 3 for 10lb Doug Shepherd 2 for 5lb 12oz Ellen Amelia 2 for 4lb 4oz Paddy Ging 3lb Blue Tony Bishop 2 for 5lb Jamie Ramage 2 for 4lb Scott Young 2 for 6lb Calen McLachlan (fly) 5lb Rainbow Margit DeBruijn 3 for 8lb 12oz Craig Finlayson 2 for 4lb 12oz
30.01.23 to 05.02.23	It was another week of changeable weather with some heavy rain and strong winds as well as bright periods and a cool breeze. Water clarity remains excellent despite the rain and the water temperature rose from 4oC to 6oC over the course of the week. The fish started the week deep down in the water but were to be found between 2 and 5 feet down towards the end of the week, and very near the surface at the weekend. The Dam was the most productive area of Swanswater, while on the Millpond the fish were moving all around the pond. Favourite flies this week included Cat’s Whisker, Cormorant, Bloodworm, Evans’ Special, Dancer, Buzzer, Blob and Yellow Rabbit. On the bait pond, worms and power bait were taking most of the fish The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 4.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm. Amongst the best bags from the fly ponds were; Jimmy Higgins 5 for 25lb 12oz including 10lb 12oz Rainbow Robert Rankin 2 for 9lb 8oz including 6lb 12oz Rainbow Danny Doherty 5 for 15lb 12oz, plus 3 C&R Alan and Owen Evans 4 for 12lb Liam Philip 4 for 10lb Stewart Mackay 3 for 9lb 9oz David Brown 2 for 6lb 12oz Willie Smillie 2 for 6lb 4oz Alexander Brodie 2 for 6lb John Sneddon 4lb 8oz Gold Graham Keir caught and released 10 Mark Bradley caught and released 7 Alan Davidson caught and released 6 Gordon Angus caught and released 6 Colin Parsons caught and released 5 Khalid Aslam caught and released 5 Alan Grant caught and released 5 John Thomson caught and released 5 John Dallas caught and released 4 Those doing well on the Millpond included; Luxley Arthur 5 for 13lb 4oz Jiri Uhyrek 4 for 9lb 4oz David Murray 3 for 8lb Fraser Scott 2 for 5lb Andrew Dick 2 for 4lb 8oz John Reid 2 for 5lb William Johnston 2 for 4lb 8oz Sam Neilson 2 for 4lb
23.01.23 to 29.01.23	The weather turned milder for a spell this week with some fine sunny spells, some showers, and some strong wind and rain on Sunday. The water temperature went from 3.5oC to almost 6oC midweek, before dropping back to 4oC at the weekend; water clarity remains excellent. The fish were generally around 3 to 4 feet down and an intermediate line was working best. On Swanswater fish were to be found in the channel, at the roadside and around the big tree. The most successful flies included Dancer, Ally McCoist, Egg, Green Cat, Black lure, Damsel, Cormorant, Diawl Bach, Buzzer, and Black Pennel. On the bait pond, where the water is also crystal clear, the fish were well spread out and power bait, spinning and worms were the taking most of the fish. The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 4.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm. Please check before travelling for any unexpected closures due to weather conditions. Amongst the best bags on the fly ponds were; Robert Smith 4 for 13lb, plus 7 C&R John Mooney 4 for 13lb, plus 2 C&R Danny Doherty 4 for 12lb Jimmy Higgins 4 for 12lb Alan Evans 4 for 11lb 8oz, plus 6 C&R George Evans 4 for 11lb 8oz, plus 6 C&R Jimmy McLauchlan 3 for 12lb Peter Paterson 3 for 8lb 12oz Ricky Goodwin 3 for 8lb 8oz Steve Narborough 3 for 9lb 12oz Robert Rankin 3 for 9lb 4oz including 4lb Blue, plus 4 C~&R Donald McMurchy 3 for 8lb Peter Comrie 3 for 6lb 12oz from the Meadow Pond, plus 4 C&R Paul Wan 2 for 8lb Willie Smillie 2 for 7lb 4oz Barry Lee 2 for 6lb 12oz Tom Pate 2 for 6lb 8oz Calen McLachlan 2 for 6lb Charlie Price 2 for 5lb 12oz Neil Sheddon caught and released 9 David Morrison caught and released 6 Nigel Muckle caught and released 5 including 5lb Tiger Alan Hay caught and released 4 including 6lb Rainbow Mick Mulgrew caught and released 4 Those doing well on the Millpond (fly and bait) included; Jiri Uhyrek 3 for 14lb including 7lb 8oz Rainbow Robbie Livingston 3 for 9lb 8oz Darren Nugent 3 for 7lb Billy Reid 3 for 7lb Jack Morrison 2 for 4lb 8oz
16.01.23 to 22.01.23	Snow and ice closed the Fishery from Monday to Friday this week, but with the help of aerators and a fairly dramatic rise in air temperature, we were open over the weekend and able to accommodate a good number of both fly and bait anglers. The change in conditions seemed to waken the fish up and there were some great bags over the two days with very few anglers failing to catch, particularly on Sunday. Most of the fish were around 3 to 4 feet down, although those fishing from the boats were finding fish much deeper. The Island and the Far Bay were the best areas. Successful flies included black lures, wotsits, eggs, damsel, bloodworm, and buzzer. On the bait pond, anglers were having most success with worms and power bait. The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 4.00pm except for Thursday when we close at 2.30pm. Please check with the Fishery for any weather-related closures before travelling. Those doing well on Swanswater included; Donald McMurchy 5 for 17lb 10oz Calen McLachlan 3 for 8lb, plus 2 C&R David Hunter 2 for 8lb, plus 8 C&R John Coelho 2 for 6lb 4oz James Turner 2 for 6lb Willie Brownlie caught and released 16 Ronnie Cooper caught and released 11 Gary Wilkinson caught and released 8 Robert McColl caught and released 6 Alister Golding caught and released 5 Graeme Keir caught and released 5 George Boag caught and released 5 Ross Yearsley caught and released 5 Gordon Angus caught and released 4 James McInnes caught and released 4 Gareth Mair caught and released a Rainbow estimated at over 10lb Amongst the best bags on the Millpond were; James Elliott 4 for 11lb Sam Parker 6 for 18lb Sean Lachut 2 for 5lb Evan 4 for 11lb including a Gold Arthur 2 for 5lb Alex 3 for 9lb Billy Reid 3 for 7lb Jack Morrison 2 for 4lb 8oz
09.01.23 to 15.01.23	It was a cold week with some very heavy rain and some breezy spells. Despite the weather conditions, the anglers who braved the cold were usually well rewarded and there were some excellent bags in the catch returns. The big fish are still active despite the water temperature sitting around 4oC and the water clarity remains very good even after the heavy rain on Thursday. On the main pond, the fish were mostly to be found around the Island, behind the island, in the channel and at the roadside. Most successful fly patterns included Ally McCoist, Cat’s Whisker, Egg, Dancer, Damsel, Cormorant, Yellow Nymph and Buzzer. The few bait anglers who were out were mostly using power bait. The Fishery from 8.00am to 4.00pm except on Thursday when we close at 2.30pm. Please check our Facebook page or directly with the Fishery for any unexpected closures before travelling, particularly in bad weather. Those doing well on the fly ponds included; James Petrie 3 for 16lb 12oz including 9lb 12oz Rainbow David Hunter 6lb Rainbow Danny Doherty 5 for 15lb including a Gold, plus 1 C&R Calen McLachlan 4 for 13lb 8oz, plus 1 C&R Ricky Goodwin 4 for 10lb, plus 6 C&R Willie Brownlie 3 for 10lb 8oz Robert Smith 3 for 10lb John Jeffrey 3 for 9lb Carter Laird 3 for 9lb Mark Robertson 3 for 7lb 12oz from the Meadow Pond Jamie McCleary 3 for 7lb 8oz Barry Lee 2 for 6lb 4oz Ricky Taylor 2 for 5lb 8oz including a Tiger, plus 1 C&R Nan Morrison 2 for 5lb 8oz Jim Spiers 2 for 5lb 8oz from the Meadow Pond Ben Oliver, in two visits at the weekend, caught and released 23 Rosinski caught and released 12 including a big Brown and a big Rainbow Stuart Riley caught and released 7 Tyler Howells caught and released 7 Chris Harris caught and released 4 Gordon McConnachie caught and released 3 Only a few anglers fished the Millpond this week. Best bags were; Scott Robertson 4 for 9lb Neil Handyside 2 for 5lb Doug Shepherd 1 for 2lb 8oz Peter Young 1 for 2lb 8oz
03.01.23 to 08.01.23	The week started cool, calm and drizzly becoming windier towards the weekend. The break over the New Year period seemed to do the fish good and there was some great sport to be had over the course of the week. Two double figure Rainbows figure in the catch returns – one at nearly 14lb taken from Swanswater and the other, close to 11lb, caught on the bait pond. Several other large fish were caught and released on the main pond. The Island and the Roadside were the best areas with the boats and the Far Bay also producing plenty of fish. In general, they were to be found around 2 to 3 feet down and a fast retrieve was producing the best results. Favourite fly patterns included Dancer, Cat’s Whisker, Ally McCoist, Egg, Cormorant, Diawl Bach, Buzzer, and Bloodworm. Those fishing bait were having most success with various colours of power bait. The Fishery is open from 8.00am to 4.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm. In bad weather conditions, including frost, please check that the Fishery is open before travelling. Amongst the best bags caught on the fly ponds this week were; Craig Young 3 for 23lb 4oz including Rainbows at 13lb 14oz and 7lb, plus 7lb Brown caught and released Donald McMurchy, in two visits, 10 for 28lb 10oz including 4lb Rainbow and a Blue Mike Chubb, in two visits, 8 for 21lb, plus 5 C&R Robert Smith 4 for 13lb including a Blue, plus 10 C&R Danny Doherty 4 for 12lb including a Blue Alan Evans and Owen shared 4 for 11lb 12oz, plus 6 C&R Ricky Goodwin 3 for 11lb 8oz Ian Brown 3 for 9lb, plus 4 C&R John Jeffrey 3 for 9lb Charles Devine 3 for 8lb 8oz, plus 5 C&R Peter Comrie 3 for 7lb 12oz from the Meadow Pond, plus 7 C&R Calen McLachlan 2 for 7lb, plus 1 C&R Alan Kirkham caught and released 11 including 12lb Rainbow Lee Cassidy caught and released 11 John Bennett caught and released 10 Robert Golan caught and released 8 Ross Ramsay caught and released 8 Jim Galloway caught and released 7 including 4lb Rainbow David Goss caught and released 6 Chris Hunter caught and released 6 Stevie Windsor caught and released 5 including 8lb Gold Les Cooper caught and released 5 Ryan Jordan caught and released 5 including 4lb Rainbow J Wilson caught and released 5 Drew Clinton caught and released 4 Steve Mullen caught and released 4 David Lax caught and released 4 Those doing well on the Millpond included; Doug Shepherd 2 for 13lb 10oz including 10lb 14oz Rainbow Andy Conroy 3 for 8lb 4oz John Berry 2 for 5lb 8oz Arthur Napier 4 for 12lb Rab Thomson 4 for 8lb 12oz Rab Palmer 4 for 8lb 4oz Jeff Palmer 3 for 6lb 4oz Jim Palmer 3 for 7lb 12oz including a Gold Mr Mailiey 2 for 5lb Kyle Forester 3 for 7lb 12oz Arthur 4 for 9lb Alex 2 for 5lb
27.12.21	The annual “Day After” charity competition in aid of Strathcarron Hospice, was held on Monday 27th December. The weather was overcast, calm and relatively mild and, with the fishery having been closed for two days over Christmas, the conditions were excellent for the 19 participants. Things started well with many anglers hooking in to fish within a few minutes of the starting whistle and many more also catching on their first peg. As it was a catch and release competition, the time of the first fish caught was recorded in case of a tie in points. Two points were awarded for the first fish caught on each peg, with one point for any subsequent fish on that peg up to a total of five fish per peg. The fishing continued to go well with bent rods all around the pond. Although there was a bit of a hot spot in the bridge area, fish were caught from each of the 24 platforms in use. With the fish around 3 to 4 feet down, the favourite patterns were blobs, eggs, buzzers, damsels, and dancers. A total of 113 fish were recorded as caught and, with barbless hooks being used, there were a sizable number reported as lost as well. At the end of the day, the competition was very close, and with the fish being well spread out, the final result came down to the fact that the winner caught at least one fish on seven out of his eight pegs and caught his first one within 5 minutes of the competition starting. Daniel Shelton finished first with 11 fish for 18 points, with Malcolm Miller second with 14 fish for 18 points, although he didn’t catch his first one until slightly later. Stevie Plank, with 12 fish for 17 points, was third, and there was a tie for fourth place between Charles Devine (10 fish), Logan Gibson (11 fish) and Robert McColl (10 fish), all on 15 points. The prize for first fish went to Aaron Kirkwood. We would like to thank all those who took part and to those who donated prizes for the competition and the raffle, including Glasgow Angling Centre. A good day was had by all, and everything took place safely out of doors. A total of £600 was raised for Strathcarron Hospice.
12.12.21 to 18.12.21	The week started mild and overcast and ended a good deal cooler and still overcast with fog on Saturday. Water temperature rose from 4oC on Sunday to 7oC on Thursday and Friday before dropping back to 6oC on Saturday. Water clarity remains excellent. The fish were at varying depths throughout the week being much nearer the surface from midweek on as the water temperature rose, with the Golds being very visible just under the surface. The Far Bay and Dam areas were the most productive. Nymphs took the majority of fish this week with a couple of days when nothing was caught on lures! Favourite patterns included Daiwl Bach, Buzzer, Olive nymph, Cormorant, Montana, Snatcher and Damsel. *Fishery opening hours for the coming week are as follows –* *Monday 20th to Wednesday 22nd, 8.00am to 4.00pm* *Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th, 8.00am to 2.30pm* *Christmas Day and Boxing Day, closed* *Monday 27th Charity Fly Competition on Swanswater – small ponds open as normal 8.00am to 4.00pm.* A selection of this week’s catches included; Willie Nyguist 3 for 11lb, including 6lb Rainbow and a Gold Calan McLachlan 3 for 10lb including 6lb Rainbow and a Gold Gordon Crawford 3 for 8lb Donald McMurchy 3 for 7lb 12oz William Wells 3 for 7lb 8oz from the Meadow Pond David Young 2 for 6lb 12oz Callum McMillan 2 for 6lb 8oz Danny Doherty caught and released 12 Stewart Marshall caught and released 11 Stevie Plank caught and released 10 Alan Kirkham caught and released 9 Mark Anthony caught and released 7 John Devine caught and released 6 Neil Shedden caught and released 5 Bill Henderson caught and released 4 Thomas O’Neil caught and released 4 Ryan Smith caught and released 3 Ian Whitfield caught and released 3
05.12.21 to 11.12.21	The fishing was still very good this week, although the cold weather kept a lot of anglers at home. Those who braved the chilly conditions were well rewarded. For much of the week the fish were fairly deep in the water but some days they were surprisingly near the surface, and one angler even had success using a dry fly. The water is still very clear and the fish are visible down to around 2 to 3 feet with the Golds showing up particularly well. Water temperature remained around 4oC all week. The best areas were from the dam to the boats, the far bay, the bridge area and the boats. Favourite fly patterns included Cat’s Whisker, Dancer, Egg, Damsel, Blob, and Buzzer. There were only a couple of anglers fishing on bait this week and they were having success with yellow power bait. The Fishery is open 8.00am to 4.00pm every day except Thursday when we close at 2.30pm. Amongst the best bags taken on the fly were; Willie Nyguist 4 for 13lb 8oz from the Millpond, including 5lb Gold, 4lb 8oz Rainbow and 2 Golds Callum McMillan 3 for 7lb 8oz including a Gold, plus 10 C&R George Johnston 3 Golds for 6lb 8oz from the Meadow Pond, plus 2 Golds C&R, and 3 for 7lb 8oz from the Meadow Pond including a Gold, plus 3 C&R including 2 Golds Ian Munro 3 for 8lb from the small ponds, plus 2 C&R Barry Lee 2 for 5lb 12oz Jim Spiers 2 for 5lb 8oz from the Millpond Willie McFadyen 2 for 5lb 4oz Robert McColl caught and released 12 Josh Moody caught and released 11 Alan Kirkham caught and released 10 Andrew Townsley caught and released 10 John Thomson caught and released 8 Nigel Muckle caught and released 7 Liam Love caught and released 7 Mark Anthony caught and released 4 including a Gold Maciej Stefaniak 3 for 7lb 4oz including a Gold Shane Newsan 2 for 4lb Those who have entered the charity competition on 27th December are reminded that entry money must be paid before Monday 20th December.

Swanswater Fishery Weekly Reports

Wishing all our anglers a very Merry Christmas.