Glencorse Reservor closes its popular fishery for the season with glowing reports

Glencorse Reservor boss Bill Taylor closes the popular fishery on Saturday for the season with glowing reports from anglers from all over Scotland and England.

Glencorse Reservor boss Bill Taylor is closing his popular fishery for the season.

Fish well into double-figures have featured in catch returns from the water above Flotterstone this season and it is no surprise to learn that Bill's order book is filling up fast for next year.

All Saturday dates are almost gone and Bill said that it is mostly from repeat business after anglers had enjoyed their Glencorse experience.

Next year, incidentally, the season will open on March 25 and run until October 10 and it is booking only.

Day sessions are Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 4.30pm for three boats or more - he has 11 in total - and he has been forced to bring in a new rule after being hit by a number of late cancellations.

Bill said: "All clubs and group bookings must confirm the number of boats they reserve two weeks prior to their outing.

"They will be issued with a reference code when confirming and if they cancel or turn up with fewer numbers without giving us ample notice they will be charged for each boat they don't take.

"This policy has had to be introduced due to the constant over booking and cancelations at short notice."

No bank fishing is allowed at the 106-acre reservoir and anglers must be 18 or over or accompanied by an adult.

Bill said that cormorant patterns in red and green have been among the successful flies along with FAB and Blob this term. Damsel flies have also scored.

Nearby, there is still time to enter the proposed winter league at Rosslynlee near Roslin. Give you names to Nicola Perfect, the fishery owner, and a series of ten matches are planned between the end of this month and February.

Lunch is included in the kill ticket with the first four fish landed on each occasion counting for the competition. Anglers can fish, catch and release after that and Jamie McLeary is defending the title he won earlier this year.

Stenhouse fishery near Burntisland has re-stocked after being shut for a lengthy period and owner John Callison is encouraging anglers from the Lothians to give it a try.

His loyalty cards are currently sold out, but he offers six-month and 12-month tickets for unlimited catch and release. Prices are on his Facebook page.

Meanwhile, treasurer James Stewart reminded permit holders on the Water of Leith to submit their catch returns as soon as possible so Honorary Fishery Officers can find out information about fish stocks.

Regular angler Ben Steer commented that it has been a short season because of COVID-19 but a spectacular one on the lower reaches of the river.

Small dry flies in the low clear conditions proved successful according to Ben, one of the honorary fishery officers.

Grey dusters and CDC plus hares ear and F flies of size 16 and 18 were particularly successful.

Ben said wet flies also had their moments with partridge and PT brown hackle also working well.

On to course fishing, and Darrin Ferguson can claim the Edinburgh and Lothians Coarse Angling Club's Summer League title on Saturday.

The scheduled final day of the series was postponed from last Saturday because of a severe weather warning and he requires a second place in the re-arranged match at Alex's Pond at Orchill near Auchterarder to edge John Parella on weight overall despite a disappointing sixth leg.

Darrin failed to make the top three with John Parella bagging the top weight of mixed fish totalling 10lbs 14oz with Stewart Richie second on 7lbs 3oz with Tony Ball third an ounce behind.

Darrin Ferguson also meets Bill Hamilton in the final of the Knockout Cup, also on Saturday.

Over to Cumbernauld now and 25 leading coarse anglers, including Darrin Ferguson of the Edinburgh club and Fife-based Gus Brindle, chairman of the Scottish Federation for Coarse Anglers, have so far entered the five-match silver series at Magiscroft being run by owner Ronnie MacLeod and greengrocer and keen angler Derek Brady.

The event is capped at 30 anglers and runs from November 29 with follow-up matches on December 13 and 27 and January 10 and 24. is on the Main Loch where anglers are allowed to drop their worst result and the prize money is £50 for third place, £100 for the runner-up and £150 for the winner.

There is a £10 registration fee which is refundable provided the angler completes in at least four of the five matches.

The rules are that carp and F1 fish (a hybrid between carp and a crucian carp or brown goldfish) don't count.

Meanwhile, a new carp record of over 22lb has been set and ponds are fishing well with all baits producing fish. Natural baits are coming to the fore like maggots and worms as the water cools down.

Monday is the deadline for responses to Marine Scotland's survey to understand the challenges faced by businesses, including recreational fisheries, as a result of COVID-19.

The survey asks questions about the financial and operational performance of businesses during the pandemic and the results will be used to shape future strategies and policies.

A spokesman said: "It would be helpful to have as many responses from the recreational sector, including fishery boards, trusts, fishery owners and angling clubs."

Finally, retail news is that Fishers have taken delivery of the Penn Rival Longcast Reels for carp, surf and feeder disciplines as there are sizes to choose from 6000, 7000 and 8000.

There is also a 7000 size reel, spool and case surf pack for shore anglers and there are introductory offer available in-store and online.