The sudden rise in air temperature and bright sunshine brought out the anglers this week although the combination of sunny weather and an easterly breeze did not always suit the fish and a suntan was more easily gained than a full bag!  However some anglers, as always, were doing really well and getting good results using small lures fished fairly deep during the day.  Some evenings there were good rises and dry flies were very successful.  Favourite patterns included Dancer, Damsel, Ace of Spades, Bibio, Snatcher, Diawl Bach and Spiders.

The Fishery is now open until 9.30pm.

• Willie McAleese, Laurieston, 8lb 4oz Blue

• M Thomson and A Kennedy shared 5 for 17lb including 7lb Rainbow and a Brown

• Danny Doherty, Denny, 5 for 17lb 4oz including 4lb Rainbow and a Blue

• Peter Bryce, Alloa, 5 for 16lb including 4lb 8oz Rainbow

• Frank Barr, Falkirk, 5 for 13lb including 2 Browns and a Blue

• Ian Laird, Falkirk, 4 for 13lb 4oz

• James Gallagher, Glasgow, 4 for 11lb 12oz including 4lb 12oz Rainbow and a Blue

• Ronnie Loos, Stirling, 8 for 24lb 4oz including 4lb Rainbow and a Blue

• Andrew Fox, Dunfermline, 3 for 10lb 12oz  including 5lb 10oz Rainbow and a Brown

• Andrew Spiers, Glasgow, 3 for 9lb 12oz

• Andy Duffin, Fallin, 3 for 9lb 4oz including a Blue and a Brown

• Davy Neilson, Carronshore, 3 for 9lb

• Ruaridh Macaskill, Alness, 2 for 7lb 12oz including 5lb Blue

• Jim Bustard, Cambuslang, 2 for 7lb 8oz

• Ronnie Codona, Glasgow, 2 for 6lb 14oz including 4lb 8oz Rainbow and a Brown

• Jim Craig, Balloch, 2 for 6lb 12oz including a Brown

A good weeks fishing at Swanswater saw fish becoming more active as water temperatures rise. Most fish have been caught down wind on wet flies including Bibio and Spider. Nymphs have also been doing well, with the favourites being Diawl Bach and Hares Ear. Towards the end of the week fish were being taken on dries including Spider, Hawthorne, White Moth and Hopper with a few being taken on the Daddy.

The Millpond and Meadow Pond are still fishing really well with dries having the most success, especially in the evening. The fishery will now be open till 9.00 pm for the next 2 weeks. Isobel Heslop, Stirling, 4 for 13lb 12oz including 7lb 7oz over wintered Brown Mike Rennie, edinburgh, 3 for 10lb including 6lb Rainbow, aBlue and a Brown John Walker, Stirling, 5 for 15lb 8oz Peter McLuckie, Alloa, 3 Blues for 8lb 12oz Bob McLean, Tullibody, 4 for 12lb 12oz Dougie Stobie, Bearsden, 4 for 13lb 2oz John Martin, Rutherglen, 5 for 15lb including a Blue Willie Stewart, Plean, 3 for 10lb 4oz including 5lb 6oz Rainbow Willie McAleese, Laurieston, 5 for 15lb including 2 Blues Peter Bryce, Alloa, 3 for 10lb 4oz Ricky Goodwin, Larbert, 5 for 15lb including 4lb 8oz Rainbow Davy Quinn, Dunfermline,  5 for 13lb 12oz including a Brown Ian McDonald, stirling, 2 for 5lb 12oz including a Brown Andrew Hepburn, Stirling, 5 for 15lb 8oz Hugh Lynas, Stirling, 2 for 7lb Ian Laird, Falkirk, 3 for 9lb 4oz including a Blue

All three ponds continue to fish very well despite the bitterly cold east wind.  On Swanswater the fish tended to be shoaling and although they were moving all  round the pond, many were being caught in the far bay into which the wind was blowing.  As soon as the wind dropped, fish were seen moving just below the surface and many were taken in the calmer spells.  Black and black and green were the favourite colours this week with a wide variety of patterns catching including the usual favourites.  Damsel, Dancer, Montana, various Fritz, Bibio, Hare's Ear, PTN and Diawl Bach were all doing well.   More superb Browns were landed this week including several overwintered fish.  Several cracking Blues up to 5lb 6oz were also taken. Lloyd Pitcairn, Dunfermline, took the biggest fish of the week, a superb 8lb 2oz Brown Other good bags included Gary Aitcheson, Glasgow, 4 for 12lb including 5lb 12oz Rainbow and a Brown Steve Lowrie, Airdrie, 2 for 8lb 10oz including 5lb 6oz Blue John Aitcheson, Glasgow, 2 for 8lb including 5lb Brown Craig Watson, Cowdenbeath, 4 for 15lb including 5lb Blue Graeme Jack, Cowdenbeath, 5 for 15lb 2oz  Danny Doherty, Denny, 5 for 14lb 4oz including a Blue James Gallagher, Glasgow, had 4 Browns in his 5 for 13lb Lawrence Eddie, Grangemouth, 4 for 14lb 12oz including 4lb 8oz Rainbow and 4lb 6oz Blue  Graham Witherspoon, Maddieston, 4 for 14lb 4oz including a Blue Sandy Jenkins, Carronshore, 4 for 13lb  Andy Henderson, Glasgow, 4 for 12lb 14oz including 2 Blues Scott Kelly, Erskine, 4 for 12lb 12oz including a Blue Blair Duchart, Plean, 4 for 12lb 4oz including 2 Browns, bigger one at 3lb 4oz Ronnie Loos, Stirling, 3 for 12lb 6oz including a Blue Jim Allan, Kilsyth, 3 for 11lb 10oz Craig Irvine, Falkirk, 3 for 10lb 4oz Jim Russell, Denny, 3 for 9lb 10oz including a Brown David Hendry, Larbert, 3 for 9lb 12oz including 3lb Brown and a Blue George Dobbie, Glasgow, 2 for 8lb including 4lb 8oz Blue David Brown, Stirling, 2 for 7lb including 4lb 8oz Rainbow and a Blue.

Some terrific over-wintered Browns were landed this week along a good selection of lovely Blues, stocked Browns and the usual top-quality Rainbows.  The biggest Brown of the season to date was landed this week - a cracking 8lb 6oz specimen.   The small ponds, especially the Millpond, are fishing consistently well.  Swanswater has been slightly variable although still fishing well.  In general the fish were down wind with the far bay and the dam area two of the hot spots depending on wind direction.  When the wind dropped there was plenty of surface action with fish taking small nymphs, wet or even dry flies.  The Browns were generally looking for something to chase and were often taking close to the banks.  Best patterns this week included Dancer, Damsel, Bibio, Black Pennel, Hare’s Ear, PTN, Diawl Bach, Muddler, Buzzer and Cormorant.    Russell Babiak, Stirling, 8lb 6oz Brown, biggest of the season so far. Ian Laird, Falkirk, had a very successful outing taking 4 for 22lb 10oz including Rainbows at 9lb 10oz and 8lb 14oz Richard Newton, Stirling, also had two biggies in his bag of 3 for 18lb 4oz including 9lb Rainbow, 7lb 8oz Rainbow and a Brown Joe Potts, Inchinnan, 5 for 17lb 12oz including 8lb 11oz Rainbow and a Brown Dougie Martin, Bellshill, 5 for 14lb from the small ponds including 6lb Rainbow Jim Craig, Bonhill, 3 for 10lb 6oz including 5lb 2oz Brown and 3lb 6oz Brown Derek Sibson, Edinburgh, 4 for 15lb including 5lb 8oz Rainbow and 3lb 12oz Brown Ronnie Johnstone, 5lb 8oz Rainbow Rab Don, Plean, 3 for 10lb 6oz including 4lb 12oz Blue James McMillan, Tillicoultry, 6 for 18lb 4oz including 4lb Brown John Kelly, Inchinnan, 5 for 16lb 4oz  G Dale, Edinburgh, 5 for 14lb including 4lb Blue Alec Paterson, Sauchie, 4 Browns for 8lb 12oz  Frank Barr, Falkirk, 3 for 9lb 8oz including a Brown Liz Fraser, Edinburgh, 2 for 7lb 12oz

There was some excellent fishing in a week when the weather changed from mild spring sunshine to wintry snow showers.  The fish behaviour was also changeable but in the main they were well spread out and taking a wide variety of flies.  The Browns in particular were taking near the margins of the ponds.   Catches were better early in the week when the weather was milder but towards the weekend when the cold north wind started the fish were willing to chase but not so keen to actually take.  Dancer, Damsel and various Fritz patterns were the favourite lures with Black or Black and Green the favourite colours;  Viva, Buzzers, Hare’s Ear, and Snatchers were also taking fish.  Paul Murtha, Moodiesburn, 2 for 11lb 8oz including 9lb 11oz Rainbow and a Brown  Sandy Bonella, Aloa, 4 for 16lb 12oz including 9lb 4oz Rainbow  Alex Allan, Glasgow, 9lb Rainbow Jim Allan, Kilsyth, 3 for 14lb 14oz including 8lb 10oz Rainbow Alec Paterson, Sauchie, 3 for 11lb 8oz including 7lb 8oz Rainbow and 2 Browns George Kochanek, Tullibody, 5 for 15lb 4oz including a Brown Ricky Goodwin, Falkirk, 4 for 12lb 8oz Ronnie Loos, Stirling, 3 for 9lb 12oz including 3lb 4oz over-wintered Brown Andrew Hepburn, Stirling, 3 for 9lb 4oz James Gallagher, Glasgow, 3 for 9lb including a Brown

Some excellent fishing this week especially early in the week when, despite the cold, the fish were moving all round the ponds and taking a large selection of flies including Damsel, Dancer, Montana, Hare’s Ear, Buzzers, and Cormorant.  Later in the week fish were also being taken on traditional wet flies such as Black Pennell and Kate McLaren.  A good number of over-wintered Browns are being caught as well as plenty of this year’s stocking including a cracker at 6lb.  Now that the clocks have changed the fishery will be open until 8pm.. Blair Duchart, Plean, 3 for 13lb 8oz including 8lb 12oz Rainbow James Barrowman, Bo’ness, 5 for 17lb 6oz including 8lb 3oz Rainbow and 2 Browns Ronnie Loos, Stirling, 4 for 12lb 8 oz including 6lb Brown George Kochanek, Tullibody, 5 for 15lb 14oz including a Brown Ian Laird, Falkirk, 4 for 13lb including a Brown Colin Syme, Bo’ness, 3 for 9lb 8oz Ken and Scott Seith, Menstrie, shared 6 for 18lb Frank Barr, Falkirk, 2 for 7lb 4oz John Moyes, Grangemouth, 2 for 6lb 4oz Aileen Brown, Plean, 2 for 6lb including a Brown Andrew Watkinson, Tillicoultry, 4lb 12oz Blue

The cold weather, especially overnight, meant there was a slow start most mornings although things improved as the day went on and the returns for the week turned out to be very good.  In the mornings fish were being taken around the boat area and the far bay, with the dam becoming more productive later in the day.  Despite the cold, the fish were not deep and were feeding just below the surface.  Early in the day fish they were taking lures - Dancer, Damsel, Ace of Spades and Cat's Whisker - on a floating line, and in the afternoons Buzzers were also doing well.  Favourite colours this week were Black or Black and Green.   The Browns are still finding things a bit chilly although a few really good ones were landed.  Hopefully the weather will improve soon and they will start moving more.   Jimmy Smith, Polmont, 2 for 9lb 8oz including 7lb 4oz Brown Cameron Wyler, Tullibody, 2 for 9lb 12oz including 7lb 12oz Rainbow Alec Paterson, Sauchie, 4 for 13lb 8oz including 6lb 8oz Rainbow and 2 Browns Nan Morrison, Stirling, 5 for 13lb 14oz Willie McAleese, Laurieston, 5 for 13lb 4oz including a Blue Davy Grigor, South Queensferry,  5 for 13lb 2oz  Davy Thomson, Alva, 4 for 11lb 4oz including 4lb 13oz Brown Alec Neil, Menstrie, 4 for 12lb including 3 Browns Gordon Thorne, Gareloch, 4 for 11lb 6oz including 3lb 8oz Brown Euan McDougall, Tullibody, 3 for 9lb Ricky Goodwin, 3 for 9lb 12oz Bob Perrett, South Queensferry, 2 for 5lb 15oz including 3lb 11oz Brow

The Brown Trout season got off to a cracking start for one angler, Andrew Knox, who landed a beautiful 8lb 4oz Brown on Saturday.  Several other browns were taken from all three ponds on the first day of the season.  Earlier in the week a number of anglers had been frustrated by catching browns and having to return them!  A small lure on an intermediate line was the best tactic this week with buzzers and other nymphs also taking fish.  Favourite patterns were Dancer, Damsel, Montana, Diawl Bach and Hare’s Ear.  Fish were being caught all round the ponds with the far bay a hot spot some days, and the shallower water behind the islands also a popular area. Andrew Knox, Denny, 3 for 15lb 8oz including 8lb 4oz Brown and 5lb Rainbow Mark Crawford, Broughty Ferry, 9lb 8oz Rainbow John Moyes, Grangemouth, 2 for 11lb including 8lb 12oz Rainbow  Stephen Conroy,  Cardross, 8lb 10oz Rainbow Eddie McGowan, Helensburgh, 3 for 12lb 10oz including 7lb 8oz Rainbow Kevin Duff, Alloa, 5 for 14lb  Nan Morrison, Stirling, 5 fo 13lb 12oz Jim Skilling, Shotts, 4 for 11lb 8oz Angus Auchinachie, Falkirk, 2 for 6lb 12oz David Sinclair 2 for 6lb 4oz

An excellent week’s fishing, with over 0ver 300 fish landed by those who braved the elements and dodged the blustery showers.  Buzzers, Yellow Dancers, Damsel, Viva and Diawl Bach were the favourite patterns with some anglers even having some success with dry flies on occasions when the wind dropped and the temperature rose.  Things are looking good for the start of the Brown trout season with several being returned over the last few weeks.  The first of the 2000 to be stocked this year will be going in to the ponds at the end of this week.  They are looking to be in great condition and hopefully promise some excellent sport over the coming months.  The biggest fish of the week was taken by:- Derek Morton, Kincardine, 2 for 11lb 8oz including 9lb 4oz Rainbow Also amongst the best bags this week was Gary Stewart, Armadale, 3 for 12lb including 7lb 12oz Rainbow Donald McMurchie, Fallin, 2 for 10lb 8oz including 7lb 8oz Rainbow Andy Hunter, Alloa, 4 for 12lb 12oz including 6lb Rainbow Chris Eddie, Bannockburn, 2 for 7lb 14oz from the Meadow Pond including 5lb 14oz Rainbow John Simpson, Falkirk, 5 for 13lb 4oz Danny Doherty, Denny, 5 for 13lb Willie McAleese, Laurieston, 6 for 16lb and released a Brown of around 4lb Kevin Duff, Alloa, 3 for 9lb  Martin Cook, Balloch, 2 for 7lb 4oz

During the week weather conditions dictated both the number of anglers and the number of fish they caught.   On the calmer days the fishing was excellent with anglers enjoying some great sport and taking plenty fish.  All the fish are in excellent condition and many are remarking on the great fight they are giving.   Damsel, Dancer, Cormorant, Buzzer and Bloodworm were the most popular patterns. The fish were in different areas at different times with the far bay and the back of the island being two of the hotspots.

The Troutmasters fish-off on Saturday was fished in difficult conditions, with strong winds and slightly coloured water from the heavy rain on Friday.  The competition was won by Robert Martin from Darvel who goes on to represent the Fishery at the final at Grafham in May.  Well done to all those who braved the weather and took part in the competition. Willie McAleese, Laurieston, 2 for 13lb 4oz including 11lb Rainbow Nan Morrison, Stirling, 2 for 12lb 2oz including 9lb 2oz Rainbow George Simpson, Falkirk, 8lb 12oz Rainbow  Frank Barr, Falkirk, 3 for 12lb 12oz including 7lb 9oz Rainbow Ian Fisher, Denny, 7lb 3oz Rainbow Tony Nugent, Keswick, 2 for 10lb including 7lb Rainbow Alan Armstrong, Dollar, 4 for 14lb 14oz including 6lb 12oz Rainbow and a Blue Ian Whitelaw, Denny, 5 for 14lb including 4lb Blue Malcolm Miller, Clackmannan, 3 for 11lb 4oz including 4lb 8 oz Rainbow Ian Dobbie, Larbert, 3 for 9lb Alastair Anderson, Dunfermline, 3 for 8lb 12oz

 The weather conditions yet again dictated matters with the bright frosty weather at the start of the week changing to wet and very windy towards the weekend.   Early in the week most of the fish were to be found in the far bay or the jetty area but as the water temperature rose towards the weekend they tended to favour the channel and roadside.  Small lures on intermediate lines were the best tactics with the usual patterns – Dancer, Damsel and Cat’s Whisker – the favourites.  At certain times Buzzers, Bloodworm, Diawl Bach and other nymphs were also attracting fish.  Chris Armstrong, Airth, had a very successful outing taking  2 Rainbows for 19lb 9oz, with the bigger one weighing in at 10lb 3oz Alexander Bonnar, Coalsnaughton, 3 for 14lb 2oz including 9lb 2oz Rainbow William Kane, Airdrie, 2 for 10lb 8oz including 8lb 2oz Rainbow Graeme Murdoch, Alexandria, 2 for 8lb including 5lb 8oz Rainbow Allan McLachlan, Plean, 5 for 15lb Colin Binnie, Denny, 5 for 13lb 4oz Alan Giebler, Tullibody, 4 for 11lb 4oz  Hugh Johnston, Denny, 3 for 8lb 12oz including 4lb Rainbow George Simpson, Falkirk, 3 for 8lb 4oz Dave Bellhouse, Menstrie, 2 for 6lb 4oz from the Millpond, including 4lb 4oz Rainbow Ian Whitelaw, Denny, 4lb 4oz Blue 

 The fishing midweek was excellent as the calmer more settled weather seemed to suit the fish better.  Over 420 fish were caught this week with the small ponds still making a significant contribution to this total.   Small lures fished on an intermediate line were again the favourites, with nymphs also doing well when the conditions were right.  Dancer, Damsel, Cat’s Whisker, Cormorant, Hare’s Ear, Pheasant Tail and Diawl Bach were the best patterns.  Fish were being caught all round the ponds with different areas being “hot spots” at different times, including the channel between the island and the roadside, the far bay and the dam area. 15 year old Martin Stewart, Glasgow, landed the biggest fish of the year so far, a cracking 10lb 8oz Rainbow, whilst fishing with his father Gary, who had a bag of 3 for 9lb

Ian Dobbie, Larbert, 4 for 17lb including 9lb 4oz Rainbow

Phil Bryant, Falkirk, and Alex Chisholm, Livingston, shared 10 for 33lb 12oz from the boat, including 8lb 3oz Rainbow for Alex and a Blue for Phil.  John Simpson, Falkirk, 2 for 9lb 12oz including 7lb 4oz Rainbow Geoff Gilbert, Isle of Man, 15 for 40lb 4oz over the course of the week Willie McAleese, Laurieston, 5 for 14lb  Jim Milne, Alloa, 5 for 13lb 4oz Davy Neilson, Carronshore, 4 for 11lb 12oz Kevin Duff, Alloa, 4 for 11lb Greg McLaren, Perth, 3 for 9lb 2oz George Murdoch, Alexandria, 2 fo r6lb 12oz William Robertson, East Whitburn, 2 for 6lb 2oz Malcolm Miller, Clackmannan, 2 for 6lb

The fishing continues to be good at Swanswater although the weather is still very changeable.  During the week the water temperature fluctuated with the aerators being needed midweek to combat an overnight frost to a very mild 8^oC at the end of the week.  The fish were well spread out early in the week but towards the weekend they were tending to congregate in the shallow water towards the top end of the main pond.  Some anglers were doing well fishing the furthest point of the pond, an area which is seldom fished.  The small ponds continue to fish very well with nearly 150 fish being caught from them over the week.  A wide variety of flies were successful this week with the usual small lures the most popular, but also doing well were nymphs such as Hare's Ear and Diawl Bach, Buzzers, Cormorants, Snatchers and Spiders.  A few bigger fish were moving and being caught this week. Biggest fish of the week went to Allan McLachlan, Plean, with a 9lb Rainbow in his bag of 4 for 17lb  Chris Sweet, Kilsyth,2 for 11lb 6oz including 8lb 14oz Rainbow George Murdoch, Alexandria, 2 for 11lb including 8lb 7oz Rainbow George Kochanek, Tullibody, 5 for 18lb 4oz including 7lb 12oz Rainbow Dennis Lennon, Airdrie, 5 for18lb including 7lb 12oz Rainbow Ian Dobbie, Larbert, 3 for 11lb 8oz including 7lb 2oz Rainbow James Elliot, Stirling, had a 5lb Blue in his 2 for 7lb 8oz Danny Doherty, Denny, 5 for 13lb Gary McDonald, Tillicoultry, 5 for 13lb  Davy Quin, Dunfermline, 5 for 12lb from Millpond