Demand to go fishing on the rise across the Lothians

Anglers are clamouring for tickets at Eliburn after monster carp Colin is landed
Ben Steer caught this fine wild trout on the Water of LeithBen Steer caught this fine wild trout on the Water of Leith
Ben Steer caught this fine wild trout on the Water of Leith

Eliburn Reservoir day tickets have “gone through the roof” since the easing of lockdown restrictions and a stroke of good fortune, while Central Scotland’s two main coarse fisheries also report increased business.

The same goes for sea angling charter chiefs out of Eyemouth who are running daily and evening trips as the mackerel return to the East Coast. Jason Biggin, secretary of non-profit-making Eliburn, is hugely encouraged by recent returns and he said: “Our treasurer is compiling our monthly returns now, but our ticket sales are through the roof.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It helped, of course, that local anglers John Wood landed ‘Colin’ the giant common carp last week.

It took John three days and nights to claim the record carp for the Livingston lake and the lucky strike happened as the roads worker was thinking of packing up. The 43-year-old fought for ten minutes to subdue the 25lbs 12oz monster, but he revealed that it is not the biggest carp he has landed.

That was a 33lbs specimen hooked in a lake near Catterick in England when he was working in the area.

The father-of-two believes it is the biggest carp landed in Scotland this year but it is, however, well below the Scottish record which is listed at 45lb 12oz and caught by Ben Mir from Glasgow during an overnight session at Castle Loch, Lochmaben, in August 2017.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

John fished an area at Eliburn which had an extensive weed cover cut recently and used boilies and a Chod rigg on a 15lbs breaking strain line. The Chod is regarded as having the advantages of the way in which it allows the bait to be displayed on soft mud, weed or debris and its distinct shape.

His previous biggest catch at the water was an 18lb carp and he said: “The fish was 25lbs 12oz and we believe the last time ‘Colin’ was caught was in May 2019 and he was 22lbs 13oz. I understand I’m the fourth angler to have hooked him. I’m chuffed.”

Meanwhile, at Magiscroft boss Rory MacLeod is also smiling at the seven-day, walk-up, venue near Cumbernauld as he reported a 30 per cent rise in ticket sales. A newby can buy what they need to start with a budget of around £50.

The location has more than 150 pegs on seven ponds which are well stocked with a variety of coarse fish and he confirmed: “People want to get outside and move around and do something after lock down and there has been a rise in interest with many of the newcomers being young people.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

That, of course, is encouraging for a leisure activity which is understood to be Britain’s biggest participant sport and the sixth biggest overall.

He added: “Our pegs are ten meters apart so social distancing is not a problem here and most anglers will help others which is great.”

Andrew Jackson the part-owner of Orchil near Dunblane said he had noted a similar boost. Andrew looks after the coarse fishing lake and the facility also boasts a fly pond.

He has regulars from as far afield as Aberdeen, Kilmarnock and Edinburgh and he said: “We were anticipating a boost in interest and that has happened. We’ve had our regulars coming back, of course, but we’ve also noted a number of new people of all ages taking an interest. However, the overriding consideration is that fishing can be good for mental health.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Moving offshore, Derek Anderson of Aquamarine Charters of Eyemouth has been busy since he was allowed to set sail again at the end of May and the relaxation has come at a good time.

Social media has been buzzing with questions about the return of mackerel and that has been one of the key drivers recently along with cod fishing. Mackerel arrived this week and Derek is running three-hour evening trips to cater for demand.

Mark Fouracres runs Bee Cool Fish also out of Eyemouth and he is currently running six-hour trips seven days a week, sometimes twice a day from 7am.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.