Freeze hits fishing hard but Mark Cameron still manages to land a monster at Drumtassie

The recent big freeze has hit recreational fishing hard, with a number of popular reservoirs frozen out, but several ownerships have kept going and regulars have cashed in.

Thick ice at Rosslynlee Trout Fishery near Roslin has made fishing impossible. Picture: Nicola Perfect

Sport has been enjoyed at both Drumtassie, near Blackridge in West Lothian, Tweeddale Millennium, near Gifford in East Lothian, and at Kailzie Fishery at Peebles.

In fact, one angler at Drumtassie recently landed three fish over 20lbs in the newly-named Kingfisher Pond. Mark Cameron was the angler and his haul included one of 20lbs, another of 22lbs and a monster at 26lb, a fishery record.

Leeanne Aitchison, fishery manager, said that another angler landed 17 during a session using an Okey Dokey pattern and she will attempt to remain open when weather permits.

Drumtassie was closed in midweek because of the heavy snow fall and she stressed that anglers should phone before travelling to make sure it’s open.

She added: "It's been bitterly cold, but anglers keep coming and we have been really busy."

John Jackson, owner of Tweeddale, said FAB, blob, Yellow Dancer, black and gold lures and humongous patterns had worked well when he has been open.

On one day 149 fish were caught by a total of 24 anglers and he said: "We will be open weather permitting but please call before travelling."

Anglers have enjoyed limited sport at Kailzie in the Borders once parts of the fly pond, which can cater for around 20 anglers, cleared of frost, according to Jimmy Barrett, fishery manager.

Regulars have been keen for Nicola Perfect to re-open popular Rosslynlee Trout Fishery near Roslin and she finally broke through thick ice to make several platforms operational earlier this week.

Sadly, all the hard work came to nothing as the big freeze kicked in again and, adding to the misery, was a heavy snowfall which forced her to shut again and she will not now re-open until Monday, February 22.

Jim Gargaro at Bowden Springs near Linlithgow had around 12 inches of snow in midweek and his two-acre fly and five-acre bait pond are both frozen. He does not anticipate opening for some days yet. Allandale Tarn near West Calder and Pottishaw at Whitburn are currently shut.

However, Pottishaw owner Fraser Thomson hopes to be open again on Sunday, February 21. He said: "On the few days we fished in January, we were still tempting trout on dries. Our overwintered fish were in super condition."

We were unable to contact bosses at Markle in East Lothian.

Looking further ahead, Glencorse boss Bill Taylor has pencilled in Saturday, March 27 to open his season at the popular location in the Pentlands, if he is allowed by Scottish Government regulations.

Phil Dixon, organiser of the Sierra Pairs, one of Britain's top fly fishing competitions, has confirmed that two Scottish heats of the popular event are full.

Glencorse on Friday, May 28 and Sunday, August 1, are sold out. Three other venues north of the Border still have spaces and they are Lake of Menteith on Sunday, April 25, Harlaw on Saturday and Sunday June 5 and 6, and Black Loch on Sunday, June 27.

Over to rivers now and Scot Muir, secretary of West Lothian Angling Association, who administer an eight-mile stretch from near Newbridge to Kirkton in Livingston, said he had not received any news of any salmon or sea trout being caught but added: "The river level is fine for fishing, but obviously very cold."

Cramond secretary Joe Arndt also said he had not received any reports of salmon being caught in their eight-mile stretch of the river from the estuary to near Newbridge.

Social media reports indicate that the level of the River Esk at Musselburgh is going down but that could change due to snow melt following the midweek weather.

Musselburgh and District Angling Association officials have not responded to calls to find out how grayling fishing is progressing on their stretch of the popular river from the A1 to the estuary.

Moving to the sea, East Lothian anglers have been out and several have reported quality cod catches, including Dunbar-based Chris Empson, whose bag included several over 8lbs, and Craig Ogilvie, chairman of the Bass Rock Shore Angling League, from North Berwick. Craig has sometimes cast a line in the early hours.

Derek Anderson, boss of Aquamarine Charters of Eyemouth, is hoping to start trips from Easter onwards, subject to Government restrictions.

The Scottish Federation of Sea Anglers are looking for a treasurer due to a sudden resignation which is work related.

Mike Horn, the federation's president, said: "We need a treasurer from the Central Belt simply for communication purposes. There is a very small honorarium for this role, but it’s essentially a volunteer position. Someone who has time on their hands and wants to help us. would be ideal. Fishing interest or passion is not necessary, but they must have some knowledge of basic accounts/bookkeeping."

And in coarse fishing, Eliburn at Livingston was closed in midweek as it was frozen.

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