Angling in lockdown: Species hunt gets the green light but can Mike Kyle’s 47 varieties be beaten?

The Scottish Federation of Sea Anglers (SFSA) this week launched their second year-long species hunt and chairman Mike Horn confirmed that this is a sporting activity you can take part in during lockdown as long as you adhere to Scottish Government guidelines.

Scottish Federation of Sea Anglers chairman Mike Horn have launched the second year-long species hunt.

Last year's results confirm that Dalkeith-based international angler Mike Kyle scooped two awards. He bagged 47 different species to top the podium and Kyle, who is on the SFSA board, also tempted the longest thornback ray, which measured 91cm, in the event which raised £200 for Erskine who have been caring for veterans since 1916.

A total of 57 species were collected around Scotland including a double-figure huss from the shark family, also known as rock salmon, and conger, tope, spurdog, smoothhound and a treble-figure skate.

The longest cod was landed by Ryan Barnett and was 67cm and the longest flounder was tempted by Colin McGarva and that was 45cm.

Kirkcaldy-based Horn said their 2021 hunt costs £5 to enter and runs until December 31. All proceeds go a charity which has not yet been named.

Horn hooked over 20 different species last year and he added: "The hunt has been a great success and is something everyone can get involved in to add new fish to their catches.

"Overall, we, as an organisation, are working hard behind the scenes to make fishing possible and keep anglers safe during these challenging times.

"The species hunt is just one of our initiatives. It allows anglers to stay safe but continue fishing during lockdown by making a short journey to a local harbour or shoreline and dropping a line into the sea."

Horn added: "Angling is a community and, by taking part, you are involved in a national event which embraces the leisure fishing community in the whole of Scotland."

He stressed that if you catch you take a photograph which must be clear. It should show the top of the fish and the underside and any mini species need to be in a clear tub with water and entrants need to display their entry card on the photo alongside the fish.

The latest Scottish Government regulations, according to Angling Scotland, say that you can travel a maximum of five miles from your local authority boundary. However, the underlying principle should be to not travel any further than you need to in order to access angling. Basically, stay local.

Meanwhile, trout anglers have been hard hit over the past week by the cold snap with many fisheries icebound, including Bowden Springs near Linlithgow, Tweeddale Millennium at Gifford, Rosslynlee at Roslin, and Drumtassie at Blackridge, where temperatures dipped to minus eight.

Coarse anglers at Eliburn Reservoir at Livingston have also had to stay away because of thick ice.

Looking ahead, Nicola Perfect, owner of Rosslynlee, said she will be opening once the lake is free of ice and she added: "I will put in place new measures for anyone wishing to fish."

Tweeddale will also stay open along with Clubbiedean above Colinton but Iona Allan at Allandale Tarn said she remains closed while Jim Gargaro at Bowden is closed until further notice and bosses at Raith Lake in Kirkcaldy have decided to close until February 1. Their message to anglers was simple: "Priority must be to follow the guidelines, act responsibly and follow the stay at home message."

Kailzie Fishery at Peebles is closed until January 15 when manager Jimmy Barrett will re-assess the situation but we have not had a response from Drumtassie. Anglers are advised to check with their favourite fishery before travel.

At sea, Aquamarine Charters of Eyemouth are also closed until February.

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