Good fishing to be had in the Lothians as Menzies brothers prove with impressive haul

The three Menzies brothers continue to plunder reservoirs in the Lothians. Their latest haul came at Loganlea where they netted over 30 fish between them in one session.

Sean McGarry of Bonnyrigg landed 33 trout at Rosslynlee recently but this 8lb Atlantic salmon was caught at Lower Varzuga on the Kola Peninsula in Russia.

And that follows a 50-plus catch only days before at nearly Rosslynlee.

What's more, their catch at Loganlea was left in the slipstream by a duo who caught "an estimated 100 fish" during their session.

David said: "My brothers Ross and Chrissy both landed 14 each and I had an off day. I only landed seven.

The Menzies brothers, from left, Chrissy, Ross and David, have been plundering reservoirs in the Lothians.

"I couldn’t keep a fish on and had around ten come off, but that’s fishing for you."

The preferred method for Ross was a rabbit lure made by David plus black and red lures. Chrissy used his home-tied peeping caddis and David bagged most of his fish on a mix of lures and black crunchers.

David said: "Loganlea is fishing well lately, like most places around Edinburgh. A lot of fish are being caught and it is very good sport."

Loganlea boss Karen Jack confirmed bank anglers were outstripping those in the three boats she has in the popular water high in the Pentland Hills above Flotterstone.

"The fishery is fishing its socks off," she said. "The warmer weather is certainly playing a part and the fish are very hungry after the cold winter.

"Intermediate or midge tip lines are working best with a variety of patterns."

From the cabin - roughly half way down the reservoir - to the top end into the hills has proved the most productive part of the water and the trout have been between three and six feet down and close to the bank.

"Nothing much is showing in the middle but the sport is good and anglers are happy," Jack added. "We're really busy and that's great for the start of the season."

Rosslynlee continues to produce big numbers. Sean McGarry from nearby Bonnyrigg landed 33 in one session and the water has seen nearly 1,600 fish returned and 190 killed since mid-February.

McGarry, who hooked 23 in another recent session at the water near Penicuik, said: "Rosslynlee is fishing very well. If I landed everything I hooked it could easily have been a plus-50 haul. Depth was the key. With the warming weather the fish were taking buzzers from 3ft up to just below the surface."

Meanwhile, angling opens on the Water of Leith and at Harlaw reservoir on Thursday, April 1. Free permits are required for the Water of Leith and they are available from Edinburgh Council's Natural Heritage team on 0131 529 2401 or email [email protected].

Harlaw permits are only available online this year but Malleny Angling, who administer the water, stress that online booking can be only be done one week before your visit.

At Linlithgow Loch, the best flies currently are tadpoles, damsels and cormorants, mostly on midge tip lines. However, Craig Cowan was one of the anglers making a significant return on buzzers on his midge tip line, but he also received a surprise in hooking an indignant pike of around 20lbs.

Ian Dobbie and his boat partner, fishing black and green snakes on fast glass line, returned 16 fish and Mr Dobbie tried his luck again and returned 17 fish, while Nigel Muckle and his boat partner returned 17 on black and green lures while Keith Anderson returned ten on snakes.

The club continue to stock weekly and boats are available for most days for full day or four-hour sessions. Call 01506 671753 to book.

Nearby, Bowden Springs is currently fishing well and both the bait and fly ponds have been re-stocked. Dylan Johnston, for example, landed seven including a 10lb rainbow and he followed that with an 8lb fish a few days later. Paul Dancer has also been into trout of up to 9lb with Ally McCoist, yellow dancer, black and green lures and apps among the best options.