Linlithgow Loch opens up to evening anglers, with the fish lying high

Anglers can fish from 4pm until dusk during the evening sessions at Linlithgow Loch. Picture: Tom Lambert

Locals say the fish are lying fairly high in the water and favourite lines are floater and midge tip, with anglers using the washing line technique. Best flies are buzzers and diawl bachs.

The loch is popular with clubs and Waders AC have been recent visitors along with IBM Freshwater AC who kept 23 trout for 61lb plus two returned. The best fish was a 6lb 6oz trout, tempted by a buzzer.

Ian Dobbie is among the anglers who have recorded double-figure halls. He netted 11 on buzzers while Stephen Walker and partner returned 18 using ghost tips and buzzers.

Linlithgow Palace provides a picturesque backdrop for anglers on Linlithgow Loch.

West Lothian Fly Dressers have also visited and they kept 19 for 62lbs, mostly tempted on boobies, while Cupar AC kept five for 14lb plus eight returned using buzzers on a midge tip line. East of Scotland Police fished the loch in difficult conditions but claimed 21 fish for 78lb and returned a further 19.

A loch spokesman said: "We continue to stock weekly and all areas of the loch are fishable. Boats are available for most days for full day or four-hour sessions."

Anglers may have noted a film crew at Harlaw this week and they were shooting BBQ scenes for a Quality Meat Scotland film. Fishing has been excellent with Millennium bugs, buzzers, nymphs and lures, including yellow dancer, producing quality returns, with David Bullen recording 31 on various patterns during one session.

Simon Grivan netted 13 on one occasion and ten on another while Gary Turnbull had 11 and then eight in two sessions. Jamie McKenzie collected seven in four hours. Scott Abbott tempted 21 fish on a washing line rig, 12 blue trout and nine rainbows.

The fish are lying fairly high in the water at Linlithgow Loch. Picture: Tom Lambert

Nearby Glencorse continues to impress with one pair recording over 30 each to the boat while Rab Amos, a regular at Rosslynlee, used his extensive knowledge to hook 20 in one session on buzzers. David Bullen switched venues to enjoy a good day at Rosslynlee with 13 also on buzzers and Brian Laird had 12 on CDC and buzzers.

Ben Grieve also had ten in his session, one about the 12lb to 13lb weight, with eggs and yellow dancer being his chosen patterns.

A reminder that Rosslynlee's new prices started this week and the water remains open until 9pm but owner Nicola Perfect said that if no one is booked in by 4pm they will close at 5pm, At Bowden Springs near Linlithgow, a 15-year-old landed his first fish, a superb 8lb specimen. Tom Morgan had seven including a 7lb rainbow and even better was Dillon Johnston with 11. Two were around the 8lb mark and he also landed a a 4lb brown trout. Bowden's bait pond has also been producing with Mr McKnight and friend netting seven fish for nearly 24lbs with a best of 6.5lbs.

On the rivers, Stevie Melrose landed a lovely 2lb brown trout on the Almond but reports suggest that the Water of Leith has "gone to sleep". Pike have been tempted on the Union Canal in the Edinburgh area.

This 7.5lb rainbow trout was caught last Saturday at Linlithgow Loch.

On to sea fishing, and Bass Rock Shore Angling League bosses have confirmed their first Summer League match on Wednesday, May 12 at Belhaven Beach, It will be a pegged match and fish caught will be measured and released. Fishing times are 7pm to 10pm and registration is at the East Links John Muir Country Park carpark from 6pm till 6.30pm. There is a £10 entry fee with old and new members welcome. Organiser James Ogilvie said: "We hope to have a good turnout,"

Aquamarine Charters boss Derek Anderson reports improved fishing off Eyemouth.

Edinburgh and Lothians Coarse Angling Club have hosted their first Summer Series match and 22 members took part, the best turn out for some time.

The match was fished from 10.30am to 4pm on Alex's Pond at Orchill near Auchterarder and the wind was comfortable until noon when the chill factor increased and had people running for extra clothing. A heavy rain shower killed the fishing for the final two hours.

There were a number of blanks and two anglers had no bites during the event, but Scott McGhee netted five chub, a carp and other fish for a bag of 10lb 2oz.

Second was Tommy Lauriston with 9lb 1oz fishing and he had two smaller chub and two chub at 3lb plus other fish hooked with maggots on the far side up the shelf.

Lauriston said it was a strange day and the fish caught were "like blocks of ice". He added: "We need warmer water to bring the fish fully onto feeding."

John Perella was third two ounces behind Tommy with 8b 15oz. He netted two carp and a sizeable skimmer while Roz Cassidy and Stuart Ritchie had excellent nets of silver fish, mostly roach and gudgeon.

Lauriston added: "Like all years previous years, the first match is always hard. We look for an improvement in the weights for Matchday 2 on May 15."