Heather Lauriston’s huge haul not enough to tip the scales

The quantity of fish wouldn’t weigh in for angling coach Heather

Heather Lauriston lifted her keep net out of the water to reveal a haul of 110 fish, including a 1lb 8oz perch.

Sadly, her prodigious effort in the 20mph wind at Orchill near Auchterarder failed to win the fourth leg of the Edinburgh and Lothians Coarse Angling Club’s (ELCAC) summer league match – her catch totalled only eight pounds and there were three other anglers ahead of the UKCC Level 2 angling coach.

She currently lies in fifth spot in the league on 82 points, the same tally as Roz Cassidy who was third on the day with 9lbs.

Roz is tucked in behind Bill Hamilton who is third with 89 points, the same as second-placed Darrin Ferguson who won the latest leg with 11lbs 12oz, thanks to hooking two bigger fish in the last 45 minutes.

John Parella is the current pace-setter with 95 points and totalled 10lbs for second position on the day.

Competitors battled for over six hoursand many were constantly changing their tactics and feeding to tempt fish.

The lake has been fished a lot recently and this, according to ELCAC chairman, Geoffrey Lowe, means there is a lot of groundbait in the water, leading to fish becoming lazy in their feeding paterns.

The weather, he added, did not help but the wind calmed in the later stages helping some fishermen lock into some larger specimens.

The latest round of the club’s Knockout Cup was also held at Orchill and through to the next round are Bill Hamilton, Geoff Lowe, Stewart Ritchie, Heather Lauriston, Andy Paterson, Peter McCrossan, Darrin Ferguson and Roz Cassidy who edged out Heather’s father, Tommy, in their tie. The next match and Round 2 of The KO Cup is on Saturday, September 5, again at Orchill. The venue fee is £10 and club membership costs the same.

Today Heather, Roz and Darrin will compete in the Scottish Canal Championship at Kirkintilloch which has nearly 30 entrants.

Meanwhile, Simon Swift made a lightning fast start to his career in the Bass Rock Shore Angling League.

Simon, a native of Dunbar, used his local knowledge to its full extent to make a winning debut, landing two fine fish, a wrasse and a coley, one of the least expensive fish in the cod family, for a measure of 51cms off Dunbar Harbour wall.

They were tempted by a lugworm bait to win him the best total prize.

James Ogilvie from Haddington, who topped the podium in a recent match, landed a rockling measuring 31cms to take the longest fish honours. He was fishing a mackerel and peeler crab mix.

A freshening onshore wind and swell made for tricky conditions for the club anglers whose numbers were swelled by another newcomer, Alban (cor) Scott.

He travelled from Peebles to make his first cast in the popular twice-monthly series which attracts anglers from all over the Lothians to different locations around the East Lothian coastline including harbour and beach venues.

The next event is on Wednesday, September 2, at a venue to be decided. Details will be posted on the club's Facebook site on the Sunday before the event but registration will be at 6.20pm wherever the competition is.

If you are interested in joining the group then contact chairman Craig Ogilvie whose details are on the Facebook page.

He is often asked which baits are most popular with regulars and it is peeler crab, mackerel, mussels and lugworm.

On to fly and bait fishing now and Drumtassie near Blackridge celebrated their third birthday in this week while Glencorse Reservoir boss Bill Taylor is now taking bookings for 2021 season.

Bill confirmed that local police are carrying out targeted patrols in the Flotterstone area of the Pentland Hills and he said that this was due to recent anti-social behaviour and an increase in poaching.

Midlothian Police later confirmed that they traced two males fishing illegally at one of the reservoirs and they added: "Both males aged 37 and 46 years of age were charged in connection with the incident."

Nearby Rosslynlee have enjoyed bumper catches despite traditionally tough August conditions. Regular Gordon Bunch had bags of 14 and 16 on F fly and orange blobs while Kevin Walkinshaw from Midlothian topped his bag with a 15lb fish landed on a Shipman's near the fishery entrance.

Brian Shackleton from the Borders hooked a beautiful 14lb fish in his bag hooked with bloodworm and mini-cats while Musselburgh angler Tam Preston weighed in with one of 10lb 7oz.

Rosebery Reservoir boss Dave Picken has been delighted with the response from anglers since the water re-opened after Scottish Water repairs in mid-August. Over 200 have fished the reservoir near Temple.

Finally, Fishers of Penicuik sold out of their fly fishing starter kit so they are now offering a similar package which is best suited to lochs and reservoirs. The RRP should be in excess of £200 but the offer price is £150. It includes a Greys GR20, ten foot, seven weight, rod and Redington Crosswater reel plus line, backing, flies, leader and free fitting.

A Fishers spokesman said the offer was not available online but can be ordered by phone and posted out.