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WEDNESDAY 21st JANUARY – SUNDAY 19th FEBRUARY – BF4

Even though due to the weather the fishery has been quieter over the last few months, it has been an incredibly busy time for our staff. There is so much work to be done behind the scenes to enable us to move forward with the next few stages of the Burnhouse development. This year we plan to introduce a hot food menu for our anglers, however if we want to do this right this takes a lot of research, planning, modifications to the cabin and training.

We have also been busy with the finishing touches, and finalising all of the paperwork and licences required to allow us to offer holiday accommodation at Ochil view cottage situated on our farm at High Forrester Quarter. You can see a preview on holidaycottages.co.uk and we will update you when this goes live.

The Burnhouse fishing team have been busy also with 2 rounds of the Inter Fisheries Quaich Competition, you can see how they got on after the top 20 returns.

During my time here at Burnhouse, I have heard a lot of theories with regards to fish and of catch and release. Where I do find some of the theories fascinating, others where condemning of catch and release deeming it as pointless, harmful to the fishery and cruel. I’ve heard theories about the number of times a fish can be caught some reckoning they can only be caught once or twice. Theories that once they are jagged they will only take small natural flies. Theories, with no evidence to support them. I have always been a fan of  research and have an eagerness to learn more. It was time to do some research and put facts to theories.

6 months ago we introduced a golden trout to the fishery, as this was the only goldie in the water we hoped to learn from it. In that time, this fish was caught 9 times and I have had reports of it being lost at the net 4 times. Sadly the 9^th time was its last. It remained in incredible condition, maintained its weight, and never lost strength giving anglers an epic fight. Its winter colours were beautiful, and it even developed a kype. It was caught on a variety of flies; lures, buzzers, dries, snakes, diawl bachs and finally on a yellow shimmy worm. It was caught in a different location every time so didn’t form a territory like we have seen with some of the tigers and browns.

The research doesn’t end there though, this year we plan to not only introduce another golden trout to the water, but to tag a tiger, brown, blue, double figure rainbow, and regular stocky sized rainbow. For every fish that comes to the end of its life we will replace it with another to enable continuous comparable statistics on each species and I will make these available for all to read.

FISH OF THE WEEK.

WEEK ENDING 29/01 – DARREN BARCIK 15lb 4oz rainbow.

WEEK ENDING 05/02 – GLEN THOMSON 13lb 4oz rainbow.

WEEK ENDING 12/02 – TOBY LOMAS 15lb 4oz rainbow.

WEEK ENDING 19/02 – SCOTT POZZI 11lb 7oz rainbow.

A massive well done to our fish of the week winners, your all-day c&r tickets and scrumptious pies await you!

TOP 3 FLIES – The top 3 flies were BUZZERS, CORMORANTS, and APPS.

Other successful flies were nymphs, fabs, mop flies, squirmies, bibio, dogs bollocks, shimmies, chewing gum worms, smokers, apps, buzzers, eggs, stocking bugs, straggle cats, blood worms, nomads, rabbits, crunchers, klinkhammers, snakes, damsels, daddies, blobs, big hairy, yellow dancers, cat bugs, zonkers, sedgehogs, ace of spades, Mrs Simpson, sedge, yellow owls, eggstacy worms, humongous, beetles and grunters.

TOP COLOURS –  Pink, black, olive, and red.

HOTSPOTS –  The far bank and the cabin side bay.

TOTAL NUMBER OF FISH CAUGHT –  1156

NUMBER OF ANGLERS –  224

ROD AVERAGE – 5.16

THE TOP 20 RETURNS

• JOHN DONALDSON – Safely returned 26 fish, when asked what he was catching with he said, “everything I put on!”
• NORRY MCNEIL – Safely returned 22 fish using cat bugs on a floating line.
• GREG HOGGAN – Safely returned 21 fish using black apps, buzzers, and blue eggs on various lines.
• ROBERT STEVENSON – Weighed in 2 fish for 6lb 2oz and safely returned 18 using an ace of spades, buzzers, and cormorants on a floating line.
• ANDREW ANDERSON – Weighed in 2 fish for 8lb 3oz and safely returned 18 using black and olive apps and buzzers on various lines.
• ALAN SMITH – Safely returned 19 fish using various dries on a floating line.
• PAUL SMITH – Weighed in 2 fish for 9lb 8oz and safely returned 16 using a black bunny leech on a fast glass line.
• SCOTT GRAY – Weighed in 2 fish for 7lb 1oz and safely returned 16 using an ace of spades, buzzers, and diawl bachs on a floating line.
• BOB GRAY – Weighed in 2 fish for 10lb 4oz and safely returned 14 using bibio, buzzers and crunchers on a floating line.
• ROBERT STEVENSON – Weighed in 2 fish for 6lb 5oz and safely returned 13 using buzzers on a floating line.
• DONALD FORBES – Safely returned 14 fish using buzzers on a midge tip line.
• PAUL SMITH – Weighed in 2 fish for 8lb 4oz and safely returned 12 using a hothead damsel, buzzers, and cormorants on a floating line.
• BOB GRAY – Weighed in 3 fish for 10lb 10oz and safely returned 11 using fabs and buzzers on a floating line.
• COLIN SHARPE – Safely returned 13 fish including 2 browns weighing 9lb & 7lb and a 5lb tiger using an olive snake and buzzers on various lines.
• RAB PATON – Safely returned 13 fish using red and olive apps, buzzers and a pink fab on various lines.
• BRIAN SKINNER – Safely returned 13 fish using a green shimmy, red apps, and buzzers on various lines.
• ALLY SYME – Safely returned 12 fish using an orange dancer on a floating line.
• DARREN BARCIK – Safely returned 12 fish including a rainbow weighing 15lb 4oz and a brown using diawl bachs, snakes and apps on various lines.
• DARREN BARCIK – 12 appears to be Darren’s magic number at Burnhouse! Those diawl bachs, snakes and apps on floating are serving him well.
• TONY DEEB – Safely returned 12 fish using buzzers and squirmies on various lines.

THE INTER FISHERIES QUAICH COMPETITION.

It’s that time of the year again when Burnhouse, Newhouse, High Cleughearn and Bangour battle it out over 4 heats to lift the Quaich trophy and become the Inter Fisheries Champions. As the 2022 winners, our Burnhouse team will try their upmost to defend the title, however it won’t be easy as all teams are full of incredibly talented anglers.

HEAT 1 – BURNHOUSE LOCHAN FISHERY

The anglers were greeted to flat calm and overcast conditions. The fish were rising all over the lochan, and the anglers couldn’t wait to get started. However, when the bell rang, and the 20 lines all hit the water the fish spooked, and the morning became extremely difficult for all of the teams. Silence fell as the anglers had to put their full concentration and efforts into catching.

After lunch the wind picked up slightly, creating a much-welcomed ripple on the water making the fishing a little easier and the anglers started to rack up points for their teams. Some impressive fish were caught including Darren Meirer of the Bangour team with a beautiful fin perfect brown estimated to be around 10lb. Toby Lomas of the Burnhouse team smashed his P.B twice with rainbows weighing 13lb 3oz and 15lb 4oz, he also lost quite a few big specimens. And John Donaldson also of the Burnhouse team landed a rainbow weighing 11lb 8oz.

72 fish were caught with a rod average of 3.6, the conditions definitely put the anglers to the test.

THE RESULTS

BUNHOUSE – 26 FISH

NEWHOUSE – 22 FISH

HIGH CLEUGHEARN – 14 FISH

BANGOUR – 10 FISH

 TOP ROD – JOHN BROWN – TEAM NEWHOUSE – 11 FISH

 A first heat victory for Burnhouse! A massive thank you and well done to the team, you done us proud!

 HEAT 2 – NEWHOUSE FISHERY

The weather returned to what we have come accustomed to in the Quaich, awful! The freezing cold strong winds were a challenge in the morning and the anglers knew that the wind speed was to increase as the day went on. However, they didn’t let it hold them back and an incredible 178 fish were caught with a rod average of 8.9! 8 doubles were caught, 4 coming from the Burnhouse team. Our team captain Donald Forbes even smashed the February big fish leader board with a rainbow weighing a stonking 16.7lb! Fingers crossed he can hold on to that top spot.

A massive thank you to Stevie, Rose, Erika and Jackie for an amazing competition and hospitality! Apart from the weather, everyone had a great laugh and brilliant day!

THE RESULTS

 BURNHOUSE – 52 FISH

NEWHOUSE – 44 FISH

HIGH CLEAUGHEARN – 44 FISH

BANGOUR – 38 FISH

 TOP ROD – JOHN DONALDSON – TEAM BURNHOUSE 19 FISH

 CURRENT POSITIONS

1^ST – BURNHOUSE – 78 FISH

2^ND – NEWHOUSE – 66 FISH

3^RD – HIGH CLEUGHEARN – 58 FISH

4^TH – BANGOUR – 48 FISH

 A second-round win for Burnhouse puts us 12 fish in front, however theres not much between the teams, and with 2 heats still to go it could all change.

I would like to take this opportunity not just from myself and the team but from all at Burnhouse to thank DONALD FORBES who has been our team captain for the last 2 years. You have been an incredible support and friend to everyone at Burnhouse and you will be greatly missed. We know however, that even wild horses couldn’t drag you away so we have comfort in knowing we will be seeing you again. Best of luck with your new life in Stornoway, I have a feeling Stornoway is about to become a very popular holiday destination!

As the current team captain, Donald is now left with the difficult decision of which team member will become the new captain.

 THE WINTER BIG FISH COMPETITION LEADERBOARD

(Competition ends Sunday 5^th of March 2023)

• 1^st – MICHAEL BAXTER – 16lb rainbow. BF3
• 2nd – DARREN BARCIK – 15lb 4oz rainbow. BF4
• 3^rd – TOBY ROUGHTON – 15lb 4oz rainbow. BF4

Michael Baxter still holds on to that top spot, but with plentiful bigger fish, theres still time to knock him off the spot and claim yourself the 5 all day catch and release tickets!

A massive THANK YOU to all of the anglers that have joined us over the last few weeks, without your support and custom there would be no Burnhouse. We look forward to welcoming you back.

FISHERY RULES

• FLY FISHING ONLY.
• BARBLESS HOOKS ONLY, NO DOUBLE OR TREBLE HOOKS, THIS RULE ALSO APPLIES TO ANGLERS ON KILL TICKETS.
• ALL ANGLERS MUST USE THE FISHERY NETS ONLY.
• NO LITTERING. ALL RUBBISH, CIGARETTE ENDS AND USED LINES MUST GO IN THE BINS PROVIDED.
• NO FISHING FROM THE BRIDGE.
• EVERY TICKET ENTITLES ANGLERS TO FISH ONLY 1 ROD AT A TIME.
• NO BOOBIES, DOUBLE HOOK SNAKES OR SPIN FLIES.
• A MAXIMUM OF 3 FLIES TO BE FISHED AT 1 TIME.
• NO LURES FISHED STATIC UNDER A SIGHT INDICATOR.
• NO SPLIT SHOTS OR WEIGHTS.
• GROUND BAITING, THE USE OF BAITS AND SCENTED DIPS ARE STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.
• ALL FISH OVER 8LB, TIGERS AND BROWNS MUST GO BACK, UNLESS IN POOR CONDITION. THE DECISION TO KILL THESE FISH MUST ONLY BE MADE BY THE BAILIFF.
• BAG LIMITS ARE ACHIEVED FROM THE FIRST FISH CAUGHT, NO SELECTIVE KILLING. FISH MUST BE KILLED IMMEDIATELY AND SHOULD NEVER BE KEPT ALIVE IN KEEP NETS UNTIL THE END OF THE SESSION.
• ALL RETURNS MUST BE RECORDED WITH THE BAILIFF BEFORE DEPATURE, EVEN IF IT’S A BLANK.
• ALL ANGLERS ON KILL TICKETS MUST REPORT TO THE CABIN FOR WEIGH IN BEFORE GOING TO THEIR CARS.
• ANGLERS MUST NOT AID OTHERS TO ACHIEVE THEIR BAG LIMITS.
• CATCH AND RELEASE ANGLERS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO KILL FISH, KILL TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED BEFORE FISHING.
• WHEN FISHING CATCH AND RELEASE THE FISH MUST BE KEPT IN THE WATER AT ALL TIMES, NEVER ON THE PODIUMS OR THE BANKING AND STRICTLY NO HANDLING.
• IF ANGLERS FIND THEMSELVES ON A HOT SPOT, PLEASE MOVE ON ATLEAST 2 PODIUMS AFTER 5 FISH, WITH NO RETURN TO THAT PODIUM WITHIN 2 HOURS.
• ANGLERS MUST NOT STAY ON THE ONE PODIUM FOR MORE THAN 2 HOURS, UNLESS THEY REQUIRE TO DO SO DUE TO MOBILITY.
• ANGLERS MUST RESPECT OTHERS AROUND THEM; NO INSULTING OR ABUSIVE BEHAVIOUR WILL BE TOLERATED.
• NO PODIUM HOLDING, IF ANGLERS ARE LEAVING THEIR PODIUMS OTHER THAN FOR TOILET BREAKS, THEY MUST TAKE THEIR BELONGINGS WITH THEM.
• THE BAILIFF RESERVES THE RIGHT TO PERFORM BAG CHECKS.

ANYONE FOUND TO BE IN BREACH OF THESE RULES WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE, NO REFUND WILL BE ISSUED AND NO RETURN VISITS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

 SAFE CATCH AND RELEASE PROCEDURE

• Only use single, barbless hooks. Strictly no multiple hook snakes, double or treble hooks. Not just for catch and release but for kill tickets too.
• Due to the size and strength of our fish we ask that ALL anglers use a minimum of 8lb line, this is to reduce the number of fish being over played or snapping anglers line.
• Bring the fish to the net as quickly as possible. Over playing a fish causes stress and exhaustion and decreases the chance of survival.
• Unhook the fish as quickly as possible, keep the fish in the water. It is strictly forbidden for anglers bring the fish onto the banking or podiums as this removes the protective slime, increasing the chances of infections and diseases. Fish cannot breathe out of the water, any time spent out of the water drastically reduces the survival rate!
• If you have to handle the fish do so with wet hands, never with gloves on, this avoids removing the protective slime.
• If the hook is too deep to be removed, cut the line as close to the hook as possible.
• Avoid squeezing the fish as this can cause damage to internal organs.
• Take time to recover the fish, be patient as this can take some time especially in warmer weather. Support it gently until the fish is strong enough to swim away from you.

If you are struggling to recover or unhook a fish please call the bailiff for assistance, the decision to kill any fish whilst on catch and release must only be made by the bailiff.

WEDNESDAY 21^st DECEMBER 2022 – SUNDAY 22nd JANUARY 2023 – BF3

It has been an exhausting and frustrating winter. We are on what feels like a never-ending rollercoaster with weather from one extreme to the next. The sub-zero temperatures though creating a landscape that was breathtakingly beautiful, brought a fishery closure of nearly three weeks. The thaw was greatly welcomed but with it came weeks of storms and flooding. The settled weather that followed had us breathing a sigh of relief, but that too was short lived as the freezing temperatures returned and lochan once again became frozen.

When running a business, any time closed can bring worries. At Burnhouse we face our challenges and turn those negatives into positives. There was no point in dwelling over things that were out with our control. Instead we have focussed our time and energy on how we could improve the fishery in the long run. We have utilised the time to carry out maintenance, upgrades, and repairs. We have put plans in place for the year ahead and even did a few courses.

The time also proved beneficial for the fish, they had time to rest and heal which in turn has benefitted the anglers. The fish were fighting harder than ever, some memorable days were had, and prime specimens caught.

The fishery is once again thawing nicely which will allow us to reopen this week. We hope that this time we get a good period of settled weather, but it is winter, and this is Scotland. All we can do is make the most of it while it lasts and not fret if the weather should turn on us again, because, Burnhouse will continue to improve, no matter the weather!

FISH OF THE WEEK

WEEK ENDING 24^TH DECEMBER – DECLAN WINTERS 10lb 10oz rainbow.

WEEK ENDING 2^nd JANUARY – MICHAEL BAXTER 16lb rainbow.

WEEK ENDING 8^th JANUARY– CAMERON CLARK 15lb 2oz rainbow.

WEEK ENDING 15^th JANUARY – BRIAN MCCLUCKIE 12lb 1oz rainbow.

WEEK ENDING 22^nd JANUARY – We were only partially open for 1 day; no fish were weighed but I can say that TRACY ALLAN lost what would have been fish of the week and definitely a contender for the entire competition (sorry Tracy!). Tracy struck into the fish, and it instantly caught my attention, the rod was solid and buckled over, there was no doubting that this was a big fish. Then the surface exploded, and the rainbow took a run across the surface and into the shallows, allowing me to see the monster she was playing. I knew there was no way that this fish could be landed alone, I shouted to Scott to grab one of the bigger nets and run to Tracy’s aid but as soon as the words left my mouth the fish snapped her line. She soon recovered her sight indicator with the fly still attached and went on to catch more fish using the pink shimmy.

A massive well done to our fish of the week winners, your all-day c&r tickets and scrumptious pies await you, after the thaw. Commiserations to Tracy.

TOP 3 FLIES – The top 3 flies were BUZZERS, APPS, and DIAWL BACHS.

Other successful flies were green fritz, pink lures, black & green lures, Ally McCoist, pheasant tailed nymphs, yellow & orange lure, eggs, tadpoles, eggstacy worms, bibio, damsels, klinkhammers, cormorants, sedge, skunks, snakes, fabs, hoppers, crunchers, mop flies, mini dancer, squirmies, blobs, yellow dancer, hares ears, blood worms, stalking bugs, bunny leech, humongous, shimmies, emergers, poly buzzers, daddies, nymphs, okey dokey, rabbits, Rutland sparkler, cat bugs, cutthroat cat, emergers, beetles, pin fry imitations, copper johns, suspended buzzers, cats whiskers, zonkers, nomads and incredible cats.

TOP COLOURS –  Pink, red, olive, and black.

HOTSPOTS –  The bridge shallows and cabin side bay.

BEST LINE –  Fast Glass.

TOTAL NUMBER OF FISH CAUGHT –  1049

NUMBER OF ANGLERS – 196

ROD AVERAGE – 5.35

THE TOP 20 RETURNS

• JOHN DONALDSON – Had a phenomenal day, he safely returned 31 fish including a rainbow weighing 11lb 12oz, a brown estimated to be around 7lb and 2 tigers over 5lb using apps on a fast glass line.
• BRIAN SKINNER – Safely returned 20 fish using shimmies and eggs fished static under a sight indicator.
• ALAN SMITH – Could do no wrong with just a few hours on the water he safely returned 18 fish using apps and diawl bachs on a fast glass line.
• CHRIS DAVIDSON – On his first ever visit to Burnhouse left saying “that was great fun!” he safely returned 18 fish including a rainbow estimated to be around 8lb using olive snakes and tequila fabs on fast glass and 3ft midge tip lines.
• ALAN WALKER – Safely returned 17 fish using a pink mop fly and cheese egg fished static under a sight indicator.
• MICHAEL BAXTER – Wasn’t even meant to be fishing, he popped up to try out his new line and ended up having a day he will never forget with 17 fish to the net including a rainbow weighing 16lb, 2 tigers and an 8lb brown using various flies on a sink tip line.
• ANDY RICHMOND – Had another fantastic day at Burnhouse, he safely returned 17 fish using tadpoles and eggs on various lines.
• ANDY RICHMOND – using practically everything he put on safely returned 16 fish including a rainbow weighing 11lb 12oz.
• KENNY DOWNIE – Was catching fish all day right from his very first cast, he safely returned 16 fish using a Donny Mac charity rabbit and a pink egg on various lines.
• DECLAN WINTERS – It had been a while since Declan was able to fish due to his work in the Navy, so he was looking forward to getting back to Burnhouse. He wasn’t disappointed, he safely returned 16 fish including a rainbow weighing 10lb 10oz using apps and shimmies on various lines.
• ALAN SMITH – Safely returned 15 fish using sedges on a floating line.
• JIM DOWNIE – Could have had easily double the fish he landed, he safely returned 15 fish using diawl bachs and a pink egg on various lines.
• COLIN SHARPE – Safely returned 13 fish using white worms and fabs on various lines.
• LAWRENCE THOMSON – “Thoroughly enjoyed” his first visit to Burnhouse, he weighed in 5 fish for 14.6lb and safely returned 8 using buzzers and nymphs on various lines.
• CRAIG BINNIE – Safely returned 12 fish using a zonker, eggs, shimmies and squirmies on various lines while his son CAMERON BINNIE safely returned 4 including his new p.b brown weighing 6.5lb using the same flies.
• ALAN SMITH – Practically moved in here during the festive holidays, I’m surprised we didn’t find him sleeping in the BBQ hut! He safely returned 12 fish using a daddy on a floating line.
• DEREK HUGHES – Safely returned 11 fish using an okey dokey and diawl bachs on a floating line.
• BRIAN SKINNER – Safely returned 11 fish using shimmies, eggstacy worms, apps, and buzzers on various lines.
• DAVID KYLE – Weighed in 1 fish for 3.8lb and safely returned 10 using buzzers, apps and emergers on fast glass and floating lines.
• DARREN BARCIK – Safely returned 10 fish including a 10lb rainbow using diawl bachs, cormorants and eggs on various lines.

BIG FISH

• MICHAEL BAXTER – 16lb rainbow, 8lb brown and 2 tigers.
• CAMERON CLARK – 15lb 2oz rainbow and an 8lb brown.
• COLIN CAMPBELL – 13lb 2oz brown.
• BRIAN MCCLUCKIE – 12lb 1oz rainbow.
• JOHN DONALDSON – 11lb 12oz rainbow, 7lb brown and 2 tigers.
• ANDY RICHMOND – 11lb 12oz rainbow.
• HUGH WILLIAMS – 11lb 12oz rainbow.
• JOHNY WHITLAM – 10lb 100z brown.
• DECLAN WINTERS – 10lb 10oz rainbow.
• RUSSELL BRENNAN – 10lb 7oz rainbow.
• SCOTT POZZI – 10lb 1oz rainbow.
• SCOTT LAIRD – 10lb blue.
• DARREN BARCIK – 10lb rainbow.
• STEVIE OROURKE – Double figure rainbow and a tiger.
• NORRY MCNEIL – 9lb 4oz brown.
• TOBY LOMAS – 8lb 6oz rainbow.
• RUSSELL BRENNAN – 8lb tiger.
• CHRIS DAVIDSON – 8lb rainbow.
• JORDAN HENDERSON – 7lb 1oz rainbow.
• GRAHAM STEWART – 7lb rainbow.
• CAMERON BINNIE – 6lb 5oz brown.
• MICHAEL BAXTER – 6lb 5oz tiger.
• SCOTT ANDERSON – 8lb rainbow and a tiger.
• SCOTT MURPHY – 6lb 2oz tiger.
• HUGH RANKIN – 6lb tiger.
• GARY MCGUINELY – 6lb tiger.
• JOHN KERR – 6lb tiger, one of 2 tigers he caught that day.
• RUSSELL BRENNAN – 5lb 11oz tiger.
• STEVIE BROWN – 5lb 10oz tiger.

THE WINTER BIG FISH COMPETITION LEADERBOARD

(Competition ends March 2023)

• 1^st – MICHAEL BAXTER – 16lb rainbow. BF3
• 2nd – CAMERON CLARK – 15lb 2oz rainbow. BF3
• 3^rd – DAVID MENZIES – 14lb 2oz rainbow. BF2

A massive THANK YOU to all of the anglers that have joined us over the last few weeks, without your support and custom there would be no Burnhouse. We look forward to welcoming you back.

FISHERY RULES

• FLY FISHING ONLY.
• BARBLESS HOOKS ONLY, NO DOUBLE OR TREBLE HOOKS, THIS RULE ALSO APPLIES TO ANGLERS ON KILL TICKETS.
• ALL ANGLERS MUST USE THE FISHERY NETS ONLY.
• NO LITTERING. ALL RUBBISH, CIGARETTE ENDS AND USED LINES MUST GO IN THE BINS PROVIDED.
• NO FISHING FROM THE BRIDGE.
• EVERY TICKET ENTITLES ANGLERS TO FISH ONLY 1 ROD AT A TIME.
• NO BOOBIES, DOUBLE HOOK SNAKES OR SPIN FLIES.
• A MAXIMUM OF 3 FLIES TO BE FISHED AT 1 TIME.
• NO LURES FISHED STATIC UNDER A SIGHT INDICATOR.
• NO SPLIT SHOTS OR WEIGHTS.
• GROUND BAITING, THE USE OF BAITS AND SCENTED DIPS ARE STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.
• ALL FISH OVER 8LB, TIGERS AND BROWNS MUST GO BACK, UNLESS IN POOR CONDITION. THE DECISION TO KILL THESE FISH MUST ONLY BE MADE BY THE BAILIFF.
• BAG LIMITS ARE ACHIEVED FROM THE FIRST FISH CAUGHT, NO SELECTIVE KILLING. FISH MUST BE KILLED IMMEDIATELY AND SHOULD NEVER BE KEPT ALIVE IN KEEP NETS UNTIL THE END OF THE SESSION.
• ALL RETURNS MUST BE RECORDED WITH THE BAILIFF BEFORE DEPATURE, EVEN IF IT’S A BLANK.
• ALL ANGLERS ON KILL TICKETS MUST REPORT TO THE CABIN FOR WEIGH IN BEFORE GOING TO THEIR CARS.
• ANGLERS MUST NOT AID OTHERS TO ACHIEVE THEIR BAG LIMITS.
• CATCH AND RELEASE ANGLERS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO KILL FISH, KILL TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED BEFORE FISHING.
• WHEN FISHING CATCH AND RELEASE THE FISH MUST BE KEPT IN THE WATER AT ALL TIMES, NEVER ON THE PODIUMS OR THE BANKING AND STRICTLY NO HANDLING.
• IF ANGLERS FIND THEMSELVES ON A HOT SPOT, PLEASE MOVE ON ATLEAST 2 PODIUMS AFTER 5 FISH, WITH NO RETURN TO THAT PODIUM WITHIN 2 HOURS.
• ANGLERS MUST NOT STAY ON THE ONE PODIUM FOR MORE THAN 2 HOURS, UNLESS THEY REQUIRE TO DO SO DUE TO MOBILITY.
• ANGLERS MUST RESPECT OTHERS AROUND THEM; NO INSULTING OR ABUSIVE BEHAVIOUR WILL BE TOLERATED.
• NO PODIUM HOLDING, IF ANGLERS ARE LEAVING THEIR PODIUMS OTHER THAN FOR TOILET BREAKS, THEY MUST TAKE THEIR BELONGINGS WITH THEM.
• THE BAILIFF RESERVES THE RIGHT TO PERFORM BAG CHECKS.

ANYONE FOUND TO BE IN BREACH OF THESE RULES WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE, NO REFUND WILL BE ISSUED AND NO RETURN VISITS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

SAFE CATCH AND RELEASE PROCEDURE

• Only use single, barbless hooks. Strictly no multiple hook snakes, double or treble hooks. Not just for catch and release but for kill tickets too.
• Due to the size and strength of our fish we ask that ALL anglers use a minimum of 8lb line, this is to reduce the number of fish being over played or snapping anglers line.
• Bring the fish to the net as quickly as possible. Over playing a fish causes stress and exhaustion and decreases the chance of survival.
• Unhook the fish as quickly as possible, keep the fish in the water. It is strictly forbidden for anglers bring the fish onto the banking or podiums as this removes the protective slime, increasing the chances of infections and diseases. Fish cannot breathe out of the water, any time spent out of the water drastically reduces the survival rate!
• If you have to handle the fish do so with wet hands, never with gloves on, this avoids removing the protective slime.
• If the hook is too deep to be removed, cut the line as close to the hook as possible.
• Avoid squeezing the fish as this can cause damage to internal organs.
• Take time to recover the fish, be patient as this can take some time especially in warmer weather. Support it gently until the fish is strong enough to swim away from you.

If you are struggling to recover or unhook a fish please call the bailiff for assistance, the decision to kill any fish whilst on catch and release must only be made by the bailiff.

WEDNESDAY 23RD NOVEMBER – SUNDAY 11^TH DECEMBER – BF2

FISH OF THE WEEK

WEEK ENDING 27^TH NOVEMBER – DAVID GOSS 14.1LB RAINBOW

WEEK ENDING 4^TH DECEMBER – DAVID MENZIES 14.2LB RAINBOW

WEEK ENDING 11^TH DECEMBER – CRAIG FALLOR 8.1LB RAINBOW

A massive well done to our fish of the week winners, your all-day c&r tickets and scrumptious pies await you, after the thaw!

TOP 3 FLIES – The top 3 flies were BUZZERS, CORMORANTS, and FABS.

Other successful flies were blobs, eggs, yellow dancer, eggstacy worms, cat bugs, Pittsford pea, damsels, mop flies, zonkers, hoppers, snakes, Rutland sparkler, shimmies, squirmies, size 20 wet flies, pink lures, beetles, puddle bugs, crunchers, hares ears, bloodworms, apps, pin fry imitations, Montana nymph, okay dokies, snatchers, humongous, tadpoles, grub imitations, stalking bugs, bunny leech, klinkhammers, top hats, daddies, emergers, ace of spades, cutthroat cat and suspended buzzers.

TOP COLOURS –  Pink, chartreuse and yellow.

HOTSPOTS –  The bridge shallows and the cabin side bay.

BEST LINE – Midge tip.

TOTAL NUMBER OF FISH CAUGHT –  491

NUMBER OF ANGLERS – 104

ROD AVERAGE – 4.72

THE TOP 20 RETURNS

• DONALD FORBES – Safely returned 16 fish using his old faithful beetles and buzzers on a floating line.
• BRIAN SKINNER – Safely returned 14 fish using shimmies and buzzers on various lines.
• CAMPBELL MORGAN – Safely returned 12 fish using shimmies, fabs and buzzers on various lines.
• ALAN SMITH – In just 3 hours, safely returned 11 fish including rainbows weighing 9.5lb, 9.2lb & 9lb and a blue weighing 8.5lb using stocking bugs on an intermediate line.
• CRAIG BINNIE – Safely returned 10 fish using squirmies, buzzers and eggs on various lines.
• ROBERT PATON – Safely returned 10 fish using buzzers and fabs on a floating line.
• ALAN WALKER – Safely returned 9 fish using shimmies and a puddle bug fished static under a sight indicator.
• JAMES MACKIE – Safely returned 9 fish using eggstacy worms fished static under a sight indicator.
• GEOFF APPLETON – Had a red-letter day catching 3 double figure rainbows 2 at 14lb and 1 at 11lb. He safely returned 8 fish using black zonkers and hoppers on various lines.
• TOMMY TURNBULL – Safely returned 8 fish including a rainbow weighing 11.3lb using size 20 wet flies and buzzers on a floating line.
• TYLER HOWELLS – Safely returned 8 fish using eggs, snakes, and shimmies on various lines.
• MARK HOPKINS – Safely returned 8 fish using eggs, fabs and diawl bachs on various lines.
• ROSS RAMSAY – Safely returned 8 fish using a cheese egg and white squirmy fished static under a sight indicator.
• DAVID GOSS – Safely returned 7 fish including a rainbow weighing 14.1lb rainbow, 6lb tiger and a 6.7lb tiger using cat bugs, buzzers, and a Rutland sparkler on various lines.
• NORY MCNEIL – Safely returned 7 fish including a rainbow weighing 8.9lb rainbow and a 7lb tiger using a pink lure, squirmies and cormorants on various lines.
• COKER WILSON – Safely returned 7 fish using buzzers, cormorants and fabs on various lines.
• REG DAVIDSON – Safely returned 7 fish using fabs and buzzers on a floating line.
• LORRI TAYLOR – Safely returned 6 fish including a 12lb rainbow and a 12lb brown using fabs and mop flies on various lines.
• TRACY ALLAN – Safely returned 6 fish including a 7lb tiger using squirmies fished static under a sight indicator.
• BILLY WILSON – Enjoyed his birthday fishing trip, he safely returned 6 fish using buzzers, cormorants and fabs on various lines.

BIG FISH

• DAVID MENZIES – 14.2lb rainbow.
• DAVID GOSS – 14.1lb rainbow, 6lb tiger.
• GEOFF APLLETON – 14lb rainbow, 14lb rainbow, 11lb rainbow.
• DARREN SMITH – 13lb rainbow.
• ALAN DAVIDSON – 12.5lb rainbow.
• LORRI TAYLOR – 12lb rainbow, 12lb brown.
• TOMMY TURNBULL – 11.3lb rainbow.
• STEVEN LEE – 10.2lb brown.
• BILLY CLARK – 10lb rainbow.
• ALAN SMITH – 9.5lb rainbow, 9.2lb rainbow, 9lb rainbow, 8.5lb blue.
• GORDON SMITH – 9lb rainbow.
• NORRY MCNEIL – 9lb rainbow, 7lb tiger.
• CHRIS MENZIES – 8.6lb brown.
• STUART GLEN – 8.5lb tiger.
• TAM BROGAN – 8lb tiger, 6.7lb tiger.
• TRACY ALLAN – 7lb tiger.
• CAMPBELL BAILLEY – 6.1lb tiger.
• EDDIE VAUGHIN – 6lb tiger.

THE WINTER BIG FISH COMPETITION LEADERBOARD

(Competition ends March 2023)

• 1^st – DAVID MENZIES – 14.2lb rainbow. BF2
• 2nd – DAVID GOSS – 14.1lb rainbow. BF2
• 3^rd – GEOFF APPLETON – 14lb rainbow. BF2

A massive THANK YOU to all of the anglers that have joined us over the last few weeks, without your support and custom there would be no Burnhouse. We look forward to welcoming you back after the thaw.

FISHERY RULES

• FLY FISHING ONLY.
• BARBLESS HOOKS ONLY, NO DOUBLE OR TREBLE HOOKS, THIS RULE ALSO APPLIES TO ANGLERS ON KILL TICKETS.
• ALL ANGLERS MUST USE THE FISHERY NETS ONLY.
• NO LITTERING. ALL RUBBISH, CIGARETTE ENDS AND USED LINES MUST GO IN THE BINS PROVIDED.
• NO FISHING FROM THE BRIDGE.
• EVERY TICKET ENTITLES ANGLERS TO FISH ONLY 1 ROD AT A TIME.
• NO BOOBIES, DOUBLE HOOK SNAKES OR SPIN FLIES.
• A MAXIMUM OF 3 FLIES TO BE FISHED AT 1 TIME.
• NO LURES FISHED STATIC UNDER A SIGHT INDICATOR.
• NO SPLIT SHOTS OR WEIGHTS.
• GROUND BAITING, THE USE OF BAITS AND SCENTED DIPS ARE STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.
• ALL FISH OVER 8LB, TIGERS AND BROWNS MUST GO BACK, UNLESS IN POOR CONDITION. THE DECISION TO KILL THESE FISH MUST ONLY BE MADE BY THE BAILIFF.
• BAG LIMITS ARE ACHIEVED FROM THE FIRST FISH CAUGHT, NO SELECTIVE KILLING. FISH MUST BE KILLED IMMEDIATELY AND SHOULD NEVER BE KEPT ALIVE IN KEEP NETS UNTIL THE END OF THE SESSION.
• ALL RETURNS MUST BE RECORDED WITH THE BAILIFF BEFORE DEPATURE, EVEN IF IT’S A BLANK.
• ALL ANGLERS ON KILL TICKETS MUST REPORT TO THE CABIN FOR WEIGH IN BEFORE GOING TO THEIR CARS.
• ANGLERS MUST NOT AID OTHERS TO ACHIEVE THEIR BAG LIMITS.
• CATCH AND RELEASE ANGLERS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO KILL FISH, KILL TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED BEFORE FISHING.
• WHEN FISHING CATCH AND RELEASE THE FISH MUST BE KEPT IN THE WATER AT ALL TIMES, NEVER ON THE PODIUMS OR THE BANKING AND STRICTLY NO HANDLING.
• IF ANGLERS FIND THEMSELVES ON A HOT SPOT, PLEASE MOVE ON ATLEAST 2 PODIUMS AFTER 5 FISH, WITH NO RETURN TO THAT PODIUM WITHIN 2 HOURS.
• ANGLERS MUST NOT STAY ON THE ONE PODIUM FOR MORE THAN 2 HOURS, UNLESS THEY REQUIRE TO DO SO DUE TO MOBILITY.
• ANGLERS MUST RESPECT OTHERS AROUND THEM; NO INSULTING OR ABUSIVE BEHAVIOUR WILL BE TOLERATED.
• NO PODIUM HOLDING, IF ANGLERS ARE LEAVING THEIR PODIUMS OTHER THAN FOR TOILET BREAKS, THEY MUST TAKE THEIR BELONGINGS WITH THEM.
• THE BAILIFF RESERVES THE RIGHT TO PERFORM BAG CHECKS.

ANYONE FOUND TO BE IN BREACH OF THESE RULES WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE, NO REFUND WILL BE ISSUED AND NO RETURN VISITS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

SAFE CATCH AND RELEASE PROCEDURE

• Only use single, barbless hooks. Strictly no multiple hook snakes, double or treble hooks. Not just for catch and release but for kill tickets too.
• Due to the size and strength of our fish we ask that ALL anglers use a minimum of 8lb line, this is to reduce the number of fish being over played or snapping anglers line.
• Bring the fish to the net as quickly as possible. Over playing a fish causes stress and exhaustion and decreases the chance of survival.
• Unhook the fish as quickly as possible, keep the fish in the water. It is strictly forbidden for anglers bring the fish onto the banking or podiums as this removes the protective slime, increasing the chances of infections and diseases. Fish cannot breathe out of the water, any time spent out of the water drastically reduces the survival rate!
• If you have to handle the fish do so with wet hands, never with gloves on, this avoids removing the protective slime.
• If the hook is too deep to be removed, cut the line as close to the hook as possible.
• Avoid squeezing the fish as this can cause damage to internal organs.
• Take time to recover the fish, be patient as this can take some time especially in warmer weather. Support it gently until the fish is strong enough to swim away from you.

If you are struggling to recover or unhook a fish please call the bailiff for assistance, the decision to kill any fish whilst on catch and release must only be made by the bailiff.

WEEK ENDING SUNDAY 20th NOVEMBER.

The wet and miserable weather on Thursday and Friday kept most of the anglers away, however these days produced some spectacular sport, rewarding the brave anglers with high numbers and arm aching fun! I know I say it all the time but some of the best sport happens in the worst of weather, so wrap up warm, get those waterproofs on and come out to play! Remember we have all the facilities to keep you warm this winter and now that there is a frost on the ground, on busier days we will light the fire in the BBQ hut giving you a warm and cosy escape to enjoy your lunch, all we ask is that this is kept tidy after use.

The winter big fish competition is back and this year it is even better than before!

At Burnhouse we always like to give something back to our anglers to show just how much we value and appreciate your custom, even more so over the winter months when the weather is miserable, and the comforts of home are more favourable! The winter big fish competition was a massive hit last year, with weekly prizes for catching the fish of the week; this year we have decided not only to give away weekly prizes but have an overall winner too. Theres £665 worth of tickets and pies up for grabs.

How it works

The competition is completely free to enter.

The angler who catches the fish of the week and is named in the weekly report will win an all-day c&r ticket and one of our scrumptious pies. This will then be entered into a leaderboard which can be found at the bottom of every report.

The angler that catches the biggest fish out of the entire winter big fish competition will win 5 all day c&r tickets!!

2nd 3 all day c&r tickets

3rd 1 all day c&r ticket.

THE RULES

*The competition will run from this weeks report until the first report in March.

*The fish must be weighed and photographed by a member of staff.

*If the angler is found to be using barbed hooks or in breach of any other fishery rule the fish will not count.

*If there is a draw for the weekly top spot this will be decided by overall performance (the angler that caught the most fish).

*If there is a draw for the overall winner this will also be decided by overall performance. On the leaderboard you will see BF followed by a number, this corresponds with the title of the reports and allows me to know which report to look back on.

*The c&r tickets won cannot be split into 2 visits and must be used by the named person only.

*The weekly c&r tickets must be used before the end of the competition (first Sunday in March)

*The overall prize tickets will expire before the beginning of next years competition (November 2023)

FISH OF THE WEEK –  This weeks top spot goes DEREK STEWART with a rainbow weighing 11.1lb. Well done, Derek! You are the first winner of the winter big fish competition; your all-day c&r ticket and scrumptious pie awaits you.

TOP 3 FLIES – The top 3 flies were BUZZERS, SHIMMIES, and CORMORANTS.

Other successful flies were sedgehogs, daddies, smokers, spiders, double humpy, grunters, hoppers, top hats, yellow owls, goats toe, diawl bachs, cormorants, crunchers, size 20 wet flies, nymphs, bibio, Kate McLaren, cutthroat cat, damsels, eggs, mop flies, yellow dancer, apps, orange dancer, rabbits, nomads, squirmies, stalking bugs, zonkers, humongous, dogs bollocks, ace of spades, Ally McCoist, mini lures, and snakes.

TOP COLOURS –  Green and yellow.

HOTSPOTS –  The bridge shallows and the cabin side bay.

BEST LINE – Floating.

TOTAL NUMBER OF FISH CAUGHT –  322

NUMBER OF ANGLERS – 52

ROD AVERAGE – 6.19

THE TOP 20 RETURNS

• DARREN BARCIK – Safely returned 21 fish including a rainbow weighing 9.3lb using diawl bachs, cormorants, and a cheese egg on a midge tip line.
• CRAIG BINNIE – Safely returned 18 fish while his son Cameron returned 6 using fabs, buzzers and a squirmy on various lines.
• SCOTT POZZI – Safely returned 17 fish including 2 tigers using cormorants, diawl bachs and stalking bugs on various lines.
• DONALD FORBES – Safely returned 14 fish including rainbows weighing 7 & 8lb using buzzers on a floating line.
• ALAN WALKER – Safely returned 14 fish using shimmies fished static under a sight indicator.
• TONY DEEB – Safely returned 14 fish using a black squirmy and black zonker on various lines.
• BRIAN SKINNER – Safely returned 13 fish using buzzers, shimmies, and a blue flash damsel on various lines.
• TRACY ALLAN – Is on a mission to master the bung for competitions, watch out guys because she has done it! She safely returned 13 fish using shimmies fished static under a sight indicator.
• ALAN WALKER – Safely returned 13 fish using shimmies fished static under a sight indictor.
• GAVIN SHEARER – Safely returned 11 fish using various lures on sinking lines.
• KYLE BURNS – Safely returned 9 fish using shimmies fished static under a sight indicator.
• ALAN WALKER – Made the top 20 for the 3^rd time this week, safely returning 9 fish again using shimmies fished static under a sight indicator.
• DEREK STEWART – Safely returned 8 fish including the fish of the week weighing 11.1lb using nomads, eggs and shimmies on various lines.
• TOMMY TURNBULL – Safely returned 8 fish using size 20 buzzers and wet flies on a floating line.
• CAMPBELL MORGAN – Safely returned 7 fish using yellow owls and fabs on a floating line.
• JIM ANDERSON – Safely returned 7 fish using a yellow dancer and shimmies on various lines. He also lost a large double right at the net that would have earned him the fish of the week.
• BRUCE DYSART – Safely returned 7 fish including a 9lb rainbow using shimmies, a goats toe and a cutthroat cat on various lines.
• RYAN BURNS – Safely returned 7 fish using buzzers and a yellow egg on various lines.
• TONY SMITH – Safely returned 7 fish using a bibio and spiders on a floating line.
• DEREK THOMSON – Safely returned 7 fish using damsels, ace of spades and cormorants on a slow glass line.

 BIG FISH

• HEATHER LISTER – Missed out on the fish of the week due to Derek catching more fish, she safely returned a rainbow weighing 11.1lb.
• ALAN SMITH – 10.5lb rainbow
• GEORGE BROWNLEE – 10.2lb rainbow.
• DARREN BARCIK – 9.3lb rainbow.
• BRUCE DYSART – 9lb rainbow.
• DONALD FORBES – 8lb & 7lb rainbows.
• EDDIE HUNT – 7.3lb brown.
• BILLY HOEHLE – 7lb tiger.
• COKER WILSON – 6.2lb brown.

THE WINTER BIG FISH COMPETITION LEADERBOARD

1^st – DEREK STEWART – 11.1lb rainbow. BF1

2nd – HEATHER LISTER – 11.1lb rainbow. BF1

3^rd – ALAN SMITH – 10.5lb rainbow. BF1

A massive THANK YOU to all of the anglers that have joined us this week, without your support and custom there would be no Burnhouse. We look forward to welcoming you back.

TIGHT LINES FOR THE WEEK AHEAD!

FISHERY RULES

• FLY FISHING ONLY.
• BARBLESS HOOKS ONLY, NO DOUBLE OR TREBLE HOOKS, THIS RULE ALSO APPLIES TO ANGLERS ON KILL TICKETS.
• ALL ANGLERS MUST USE THE FISHERY NETS ONLY.
• NO LITTERING. ALL RUBBISH, CIGARETTE ENDS AND USED LINES MUST GO IN THE BINS PROVIDED.
• NO FISHING FROM THE BRIDGE.
• EVERY TICKET ENTITLES ANGLERS TO FISH ONLY 1 ROD AT A TIME.
• NO BOOBIES, DOUBLE HOOK SNAKES OR SPIN FLIES.
• A MAXIMUM OF 3 FLIES TO BE FISHED AT 1 TIME.
• NO LURES FISHED STATIC UNDER A SIGHT INDICATOR.
• NO SPLIT SHOTS OR WEIGHTS.
• GROUND BAITING, THE USE OF BAITS AND SCENTED DIPS ARE STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.
• ALL FISH OVER 8LB, TIGERS AND BROWNS MUST GO BACK, UNLESS IN POOR CONDITION. THE DECISION TO KILL THESE FISH MUST ONLY BE MADE BY THE BAILIFF.
• BAG LIMITS ARE ACHIEVED FROM THE FIRST FISH CAUGHT, NO SELECTIVE KILLING. FISH MUST BE KILLED IMMEDIATELY AND SHOULD NEVER BE KEPT ALIVE IN KEEP NETS UNTIL THE END OF THE SESSION.
• ALL RETURNS MUST BE RECORDED WITH THE BAILIFF BEFORE DEPATURE, EVEN IF IT’S A BLANK.
• ALL ANGLERS ON KILL TICKETS MUST REPORT TO THE CABIN FOR WEIGH IN BEFORE GOING TO THEIR CARS.
• ANGLERS MUST NOT AID OTHERS TO ACHIEVE THEIR BAG LIMITS.
• CATCH AND RELEASE ANGLERS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO KILL FISH, KILL TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED BEFORE FISHING.
• WHEN FISHING CATCH AND RELEASE THE FISH MUST BE KEPT IN THE WATER AT ALL TIMES, NEVER ON THE PODIUMS OR THE BANKING AND STRICTLY NO HANDLING.
• IF ANGLERS FIND THEMSELVES ON A HOT SPOT, PLEASE MOVE ON ATLEAST 2 PODIUMS AFTER 5 FISH, WITH NO RETURN TO THAT PODIUM WITHIN 2 HOURS.
• ANGLERS MUST NOT STAY ON THE ONE PODIUM FOR MORE THAN 2 HOURS, UNLESS THEY REQUIRE TO DO SO DUE TO MOBILITY.
• ANGLERS MUST RESPECT OTHERS AROUND THEM; NO INSULTING OR ABUSIVE BEHAVIOUR WILL BE TOLERATED.
• NO PODIUM HOLDING, IF ANGLERS ARE LEAVING THEIR PODIUMS OTHER THAN FOR TOILET BREAKS, THEY MUST TAKE THEIR BELONGINGS WITH THEM.
• THE BAILIFF RESERVES THE RIGHT TO PERFORM BAG CHECKS.

ANYONE FOUND TO BE IN BREACH OF THESE RULES WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE, NO REFUND WILL BE ISSUED AND NO RETURN VISITS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

SAFE CATCH AND RELEASE PROCEDURE

• Only use single, barbless hooks. Strictly no multiple hook snakes, double or treble hooks. Not just for catch and release but for kill tickets too.
• Due to the size and strength of our fish we ask that ALL anglers use a minimum of 8lb line, this is to reduce the number of fish being over played or snapping anglers line.
• Bring the fish to the net as quickly as possible. Over playing a fish causes stress and exhaustion and decreases the chance of survival.
• Unhook the fish as quickly as possible, keep the fish in the water. It is strictly forbidden for anglers bring the fish onto the banking or podiums as this removes the protective slime, increasing the chances of infections and diseases. Fish cannot breathe out of the water, any time spent out of the water drastically reduces the survival rate!
• If you have to handle the fish do so with wet hands, never with gloves on, this avoids removing the protective slime.
• If the hook is too deep to be removed, cut the line as close to the hook as possible.
• Avoid squeezing the fish as this can cause damage to internal organs.
• Take time to recover the fish, be patient as this can take some time especially in warmer weather. Support it gently until the fish is strong enough to swim away from you.

If you are struggling to recover or unhook a fish please call the bailiff for assistance, the decision to kill any fish whilst on catch and release must only be made by the bailiff.

SUNDAY 16th OCTOBER – SUNDAY 13th NOVEMBER

BIGGEST FISH –  The top spot goes to MARTYN LEYDEN  with his new P.B, a rainbow weighing 18lb! Martyn also caught a rainbow weighing 17.4lb making it a day he will never forget!

TOP 3 FLIES – The top 3 flies were BUZZERS, SNAKES, and DAMSELS.

Other successful flies were Adams, olive emergers, grunters, cdcs, spiders, top hats, eggs, shammies, apps, smokers, squirmies, diawl bachs, black fritz, cutthroat cat, bibio, pink lures, eggstacy worms, green fritz, fabs, black & green lures, black lures, beetles, dogs bollocks, yellow dancers, grubs, midge pupae, shimmies, midget gem, cormorants, nymphs, hares ears, rabbits, popper fry, f-fly, sedge, cruncher, klinkhammers, yellow owls, nomads, hoppers, sedgehogs and minkies.

TOP COLOURS –  Pink, olive and yellow.

HOTSPOTS –  The bridge shallows, far bank and sluice corner.

BEST LINE – Floating.

TOTAL NUMBER OF FISH CAUGHT –  1056

NUMBER OF ANGLERS – 240

ROD AVERAGE – 4.4

THE TOP 20 RETURNS

• DANNY PEARCE – Who travelled from Wales had a phenomenal day, he safely returned 30 fish including rainbows weighing 14lb, 12.2lb, 10.4lb and 8.3lb! When asked what flies he caught on he replied “everything!”
• TONY DEEB – Safely returned 21 fish including a brown weighing 12.1lb using a white squirmy fished static under a sight indicator.
• CRAIG BINNIE – Safely returned 20 fish using an olive emerger on a floating line.
• DYLAN THOMAS DANIELS – Enjoyed his trip from Wales that much he is already planning his next! He safely returned 19 fish including the only goldie in our water, using various dries and lures on various lines.
• IAN SCOTT – Safely returned 17 fish including rainbows weighing 12lb and 9.9lb using eggs and snakes on various lines.
• BRUCE DYSART – Safely returned 16 fish using bibios, pink lures and green shimmies on various lines.
• TOBY LOMAS – Safely returned 15 fish including a 9.8lb rainbow using an olive CDC, and buzzers on a floating line.
• BRUCE DYSART – Safely returned 14 fish using bibios, yellow dancers, eggs, and shimmies on various lines.
• CRAIG BINNIE – Safely returned 13 fish while his son Cameron returned 9 using cdcs and snakes on various lines.
• GEOFF APPLETON – Safely returned 12 fish using spiders, emergers, orange apps and a bloodworm on a floating line.
• COLIN SHARPE – Won the Donnay Mac Charity final with 12 fish.
• GRAHAM BROWN – Safely returned 12 fish using buzzers and lures on a floating line.
• IAN DON – Safely returned 12 fish using a white squirmy and cheese egg fished static under a sight indicator.
• GRAHAM DEMPSTER – Safely returned 11 fish using shammies, apps and smokers on various lines.
• ALAN MELVILLE – Weighed in 2 fish for 4.5lb and safely returned 8 including a 10.8lb rainbow using stalking bugs, buzzers, and a grunter on a floating line.
• GAVIN SHEARER – Safely returned 10 fish including an 8lb tiger, 8lb rainbow and an 11lb brown, using snakes and eggs on various lines.
• BRIAN EADIE – Safely returned 10 fish using mojito shimmies fished static fished static under a sight indicator.
• DARREN SMITH – Part of the Donnay Mac Charity final safely returned 10 fish.
• ALISTAIR SYME – Safely returned 10 fish including a brown weighing 8.5lb using snakes on a floating line.
• TOMMY TURNBULL – Safely returned 10 fish using size 20 wet flies on a floating line.

OTHER BIG FISH

• DONALD FORBES – 17.5lb rainbow his New P.B
• T. DUFF – 15lb brown, New P.B brown
• ALLY TAIT – 14.8lb brown, New P.B brown
• TRACY ALLAN – 14.6lb & 11.9lb rainbows, New P.B
• WULLIE CARR – 14.4lb rainbow, New P.B
• ALAN WALKER – 13.6lb rainbow
• KEVIN CRAIG – 13.5lb rainbow, New P.B
• LEWIS RENTON – 12.5lb rainbow
• TONY DEEB – 12.1lb brown, New P.B
• ALAN SMITH – 12.1lb brown.
• TAM BROGGAN – 11.9lb & 9.5lb rainbows.
• PAUL ROWE – 11.4lb rainbow.
• TONY STEEN – 11lb & 8lb rainbows.
• STEVEN LEE – 11lb rainbow.
• ALAN MELVILLE – 10.8lb rainbow.
• COLIN SHARPE – 10lb rainbow.
• ANDY MCALPINE – 8.5lb brown.
• BILLY HOEHLE – 8.2lb brown, New P.B brown
• CHRIS JACKSON – 8.2lb tiger.
• LAWRENCE MACDONALD – 8.2lb rainbow.
• JOKE HUNTER – 8lb tiger.
• ROBERT BIRRELL – 8lb tiger.
• RAB PATON – 8lb rainbow.

THE DONNAY MAC CHARITY FINAL

The competition in aid of MacMillan Cancer support took place over 4 venues with the final at Burnhouse. They raised £4728 from the competitions bringing their overall total to £25,243 raised for MacMillian since 2015! Exceptional fundraising, well done to all involved.

The winner with 19 points was COLIN SHARPE

2^nd – ALI TATE 14 points

3^rd – DARREN SMITH 14 points

4^th – NATHAN HORNER 13 points

5^th – KIAN ROBERTS 13 points.

BIGGEST FISH – ALI TATE with a brown weighing 14.8lb.

A total of 110 fish were caught with a rod average of 5.

SPECIAL THANKS

Thank you to the fire fighters, busby, and the royal British legion for choosing Burnhouse for your group bookings, as always it was a delight to have you here with us and we hope you enjoyed your day.

A massive THANK YOU to all of the anglers that have joined us over the last few weeks, without your support and custom there would be no Burnhouse. We look forward to welcoming you back.

TIGHT LINES FOR THE WEEK AHEAD!

FISHERY RULES

• FLY FISHING ONLY.
• BARBLESS HOOKS ONLY, NO DOUBLE OR TREBLE HOOKS, THIS RULE ALSO APPLIES TO ANGLERS ON KILL TICKETS.
• ALL ANGLERS MUST USE THE FISHERY NETS ONLY.
• NO LITTERING. ALL RUBBISH, CIGARETTE ENDS AND USED LINES MUST GO IN THE BINS PROVIDED.
• NO FISHING FROM THE BRIDGE.
• EVERY TICKET ENTITLES ANGLERS TO FISH ONLY 1 ROD AT A TIME.
• NO BOOBIES, DOUBLE HOOK SNAKES OR SPIN FLIES.
• A MAXIMUM OF 3 FLIES TO BE FISHED AT 1 TIME.
• NO LURES FISHED STATIC UNDER A SIGHT INDICATOR.
• NO SPLIT SHOTS OR WEIGHTS.
• GROUND BAITING, THE USE OF BAITS AND SCENTED DIPS ARE STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.
• ALL FISH OVER 8LB, TIGERS AND BROWNS MUST GO BACK, UNLESS IN POOR CONDITION. THE DECISION TO KILL THESE FISH MUST ONLY BE MADE BY THE BAILIFF.
• BAG LIMITS ARE ACHIEVED FROM THE FIRST FISH CAUGHT, NO SELECTIVE KILLING. FISH MUST BE KILLED IMMEDIATELY AND SHOULD NEVER BE KEPT ALIVE IN KEEP NETS UNTIL THE END OF THE SESSION.
• ALL RETURNS MUST BE RECORDED WITH THE BAILIFF BEFORE DEPATURE, EVEN IF IT’S A BLANK.
• ALL ANGLERS ON KILL TICKETS MUST REPORT TO THE CABIN FOR WEIGH IN BEFORE GOING TO THEIR CARS.
• ANGLERS MUST NOT AID OTHERS TO ACHIEVE THEIR BAG LIMITS.
• CATCH AND RELEASE ANGLERS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO KILL FISH, KILL TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED BEFORE FISHING.
• WHEN FISHING CATCH AND RELEASE THE FISH MUST BE KEPT IN THE WATER AT ALL TIMES, NEVER ON THE PODIUMS OR THE BANKING AND STRICTLY NO HANDLING.
• IF ANGLERS FIND THEMSELVES ON A HOT SPOT, PLEASE MOVE ON ATLEAST 2 PODIUMS AFTER 5 FISH, WITH NO RETURN TO THAT PODIUM WITHIN 2 HOURS.
• ANGLERS MUST NOT STAY ON THE ONE PODIUM FOR MORE THAN 2 HOURS, UNLESS THEY REQUIRE TO DO SO DUE TO MOBILITY.
• ANGLERS MUST RESPECT OTHERS AROUND THEM; NO INSULTING OR ABUSIVE BEHAVIOUR WILL BE TOLERATED.
• NO PODIUM HOLDING, IF ANGLERS ARE LEAVING THEIR PODIUMS OTHER THAN FOR TOILET BREAKS, THEY MUST TAKE THEIR BELONGINGS WITH THEM.
• THE BAILIFF RESERVES THE RIGHT TO PERFORM BAG CHECKS.

ANYONE FOUND TO BE IN BREACH OF THESE RULES WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE, NO REFUND WILL BE ISSUED AND NO RETURN VISITS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

SAFE CATCH AND RELEASE PROCEDURE

• Only use single, barbless hooks. Strictly no multiple hook snakes, double or treble hooks. Not just for catch and release but for kill tickets too.
• Due to the size and strength of our fish we ask that ALL anglers use a minimum of 8lb line, this is to reduce the number of fish being over played or snapping anglers line.
• Bring the fish to the net as quickly as possible. Over playing a fish causes stress and exhaustion and decreases the chance of survival.
• Unhook the fish as quickly as possible, keep the fish in the water. It is strictly forbidden for anglers bring the fish onto the banking or podiums as this removes the protective slime, increasing the chances of infections and diseases. Fish cannot breathe out of the water, any time spent out of the water drastically reduces the survival rate!
• If you have to handle the fish do so with wet hands, never with gloves on, this avoids removing the protective slime.
• If the hook is too deep to be removed, cut the line as close to the hook as possible.
• Avoid squeezing the fish as this can cause damage to internal organs.
• Take time to recover the fish, be patient as this can take some time especially in warmer weather. Support it gently until the fish is strong enough to swim away from you.

If you are struggling to recover or unhook a fish please call the bailiff for assistance, the decision to kill any fish whilst on catch and release must only be made by the bailiff.

WEEK ENDING SUNDAY 16th OCTOBER.

FISH OF THE WEEK –  The top spot goes to CAMERON STEVENSON  with his new P.B, a rainbow weighing 16.2lb! Cameron is new to fly fishing, this was only his 3^rd fishing trip! Phenomenal! Well Done, Cameron!

FLIES OF THE WEEK – The top 3 flies were BUZZERS, FABS, and NYMPHS.

Other successful flies were spiders, pheasant tailed nymphs, apps, squirmies, damsels, yellow dancers, cormorants, woolly bugger, reaper, mop flies, fry imitations, eggs, pink lures, blobs, beetles, stalking bugs, cats whiskers, snakes, mini snakes, eggstacy worms, shimmies, nomads, size 22 wet flies, zonkers, diawl bachs, chewing gum worms, black lures, crunchers, Kate McLaren, bunny leech, grunters, top hats, emergers, shipmans, sedge, daddies, nano bugs, humongous, sedgehogs, hog hoppers, hedgehogs, hoppers, dogs bollocks and ace of spades.

TOP COLOURS –  Pink and yellow.

HOTSPOTS –  The bridge shallows, far bank and sluice corner.

BEST LINE – Floating.

TOTAL NUMBER OF FISH CAUGHT –  420

NUMBER OF ANGLERS – 81

ROD AVERAGE – 5.18

THE TOP 20 RETURNS

• ALAN WALKER – Safely returned 19 fish including a tiger weighing 8-9lb using a mojito shimmy fished static under a sight indicator.
• DAVIE SCOTT – Safely returned 18 fish using white worms fished static under a sight indicator.
• THOMAS BROWN – Weighed in 4 fish for 16.1lb and safely returned 13 using spiders and nymphs on an intermediate line.
• CHICK MCLAIN – Safely returned 17 fish using spearmint worms fished static under a sight indicator.
• BARRY SMITH – Weighed in 4 fish for 15.8lb and safely returned 12 using hoppers and sedgehogs on a floating line.
• REG DAVIDSON – Safely returned 15 fish using a yellow fab and buzzers on a floating line.
• PAUL PRICE – Safely returned 15 fish using yellow mop flies and eggs fished static under a sight indicator.
• TOMMY TURNBULL – Safely returned 14 fish using size 20 buzzers on a floating line.
• ALLY BRUCE – Safely returned 13 fish using size 22 wet flies on a floating line.
• CRAIG BINNIE – Safely returned 13 fish using mainly dries on a floating line, his son Cameron safely returned 3 on their parent and child ticket.
• WULLIE TURNER – Safely returned 11 fish including a tiger weighing 10.9lb using an olive snake on an intermediate line.
• GEOFF APPLETON – Safely returned 10 fish including a rainbow weighing 15lb using spiders, a green fab, pheasant tailed nymphs and orange apps on various lines.
• MARTYN SHEERER – Safely returned 10 fish using a yellow shimmy fished static under a sight indicator.
• CRAIG SMITH – Safely returned 9 fish using a white worm fished static under a sight indicator.
• MARTIN LEYDEN – Safely returned 9 fish using a bunny leech and pink egg on various lines.
• ALLY MCMAHON – Safely returned 8 fish including a rainbow weighing 12.2lb and a 5lb tiger using mop flies, shimmies, a pink lure, peach apps, buzzers, and a nano bug on various lines.
• ALAN WALKER – Safely returned 8 fish using a dogs bollocks and fry imitation on various lines.
• CAMERON BINNIE – On his dads ticket, safely returned 8 fish including a rainbow weighing 9.5lb using a biscuit shimmy fished static under a sight indicator.
• KYLE BURNS – Safely returned 8 fish using various eggs fished static under a sight indicator.
• GEORGE MURDOCH – Safely returned 8 fish using worms fished static under a sight indicator.

BIG FISH THIS WEEK

• GEOFF APPLETON – 15lb rainbow
• HUGH ANDREWS – 5lb tiger and a 8.5lb brown
• ANDY MCROBERTS – 15.4lb rainbow
• ANDY ALLISON – 11.5lb & 9lb browns
• WULLIE TURNER – 10.9lb tiger
• RICHARD TAYLOR – 14.1lb rainbow
• ALLY MCMAHON – 12.2lb rainbow and a 5lb tiger.

A massive THANK YOU to all of the anglers that have joined us this week, without your support and custom there would be no Burnhouse. We look forward to welcoming you back.

TIGHT LINES FOR THE WEEK AHEAD!

FISHERY RULES

• FLY FISHING ONLY.
• BARBLESS HOOKS ONLY, NO DOUBLE OR TREBLE HOOKS, THIS RULE ALSO APPLIES TO ANGLERS ON KILL TICKETS.
• ALL ANGLERS MUST USE THE FISHERY NETS ONLY.
• NO LITTERING. ALL RUBBISH, CIGARETTE ENDS AND USED LINES MUST GO IN THE BINS PROVIDED.
• NO FISHING FROM THE BRIDGE.
• EVERY TICKET ENTITLES ANGLERS TO FISH ONLY 1 ROD AT A TIME.
• NO BOOBIES, DOUBLE HOOK SNAKES OR SPIN FLIES.
• A MAXIMUM OF 3 FLIES TO BE FISHED AT 1 TIME.
• NO LURES FISHED STATIC UNDER A SIGHT INDICATOR.
• NO SPLIT SHOTS OR WEIGHTS.
• GROUND BAITING, THE USE OF BAITS AND SCENTED DIPS ARE STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.
• ALL FISH OVER 8LB, TIGERS AND BROWNS MUST GO BACK, UNLESS IN POOR CONDITION. THE DECISION TO KILL THESE FISH MUST ONLY BE MADE BY THE BAILIFF.
• BAG LIMITS ARE ACHIEVED FROM THE FIRST FISH CAUGHT, NO SELECTIVE KILLING. FISH MUST BE KILLED IMMEDIATELY AND SHOULD NEVER BE KEPT ALIVE IN KEEP NETS UNTIL THE END OF THE SESSION.
• ALL RETURNS MUST BE RECORDED WITH THE BAILIFF BEFORE DEPATURE, EVEN IF IT’S A BLANK.
• ALL ANGLERS ON KILL TICKETS MUST REPORT TO THE CABIN FOR WEIGH IN BEFORE GOING TO THEIR CARS.
• ANGLERS MUST NOT AID OTHERS TO ACHIEVE THEIR BAG LIMITS.
• CATCH AND RELEASE ANGLERS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO KILL FISH, KILL TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED BEFORE FISHING.
• WHEN FISHING CATCH AND RELEASE THE FISH MUST BE KEPT IN THE WATER AT ALL TIMES, NEVER ON THE PODIUMS OR THE BANKING AND STRICTLY NO HANDLING.
• IF ANGLERS FIND THEMSELVES ON A HOT SPOT, PLEASE MOVE ON ATLEAST 2 PODIUMS AFTER 5 FISH, WITH NO RETURN TO THAT PODIUM WITHIN 2 HOURS.
• ANGLERS MUST NOT STAY ON THE ONE PODIUM FOR MORE THAN 2 HOURS, UNLESS THEY REQUIRE TO DO SO DUE TO MOBILITY.
• ANGLERS MUST RESPECT OTHERS AROUND THEM; NO INSULTING OR ABUSIVE BEHAVIOUR WILL BE TOLERATED.
• NO PODIUM HOLDING, IF ANGLERS ARE LEAVING THEIR PODIUMS OTHER THAN FOR TOILET BREAKS, THEY MUST TAKE THEIR BELONGINGS WITH THEM.
• THE BAILIFF RESERVES THE RIGHT TO PERFORM BAG CHECKS.

ANYONE FOUND TO BE IN BREACH OF THESE RULES WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE, NO REFUND WILL BE ISSUED AND NO RETURN VISITS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

SAFE CATCH AND RELEASE PROCEDURE

• Only use single, barbless hooks. Strictly no multiple hook snakes, double or treble hooks. Not just for catch and release but for kill tickets too.
• Due to the size and strength of our fish we ask that ALL anglers use a minimum of 8lb line, this is to reduce the number of fish being over played or snapping anglers line.
• Bring the fish to the net as quickly as possible. Over playing a fish causes stress and exhaustion and decreases the chance of survival.
• Unhook the fish as quickly as possible, keep the fish in the water. It is strictly forbidden for anglers bring the fish onto the banking or podiums as this removes the protective slime, increasing the chances of infections and diseases. Fish cannot breathe out of the water, any time spent out of the water drastically reduces the survival rate!
• If you have to handle the fish do so with wet hands, never with gloves on, this avoids removing the protective slime.
• If the hook is too deep to be removed, cut the line as close to the hook as possible.
• Avoid squeezing the fish as this can cause damage to internal organs.
• Take time to recover the fish, be patient as this can take some time especially in warmer weather. Support it gently until the fish is strong enough to swim away from you.

If you are struggling to recover or unhook a fish please call the bailiff for assistance, the decision to kill any fish whilst on catch and release must only be made by the bailiff.

A massive THANK YOU to all of the anglers that have joined us this week, without your support and custom there would be no Burnhouse. We look forward to welcoming you back.

TIGHT LINES FOR THE WEEK AHEAD!

WEEK ENDING SUNDAY 9th OCTOBER.

The weather has been unpredictable, with glorious sunshine one minute and torrential rain the next, time to make sure you never forget your waterproofs! The weather may be miserable, but nature is beautiful at this time of the year, if you sit back, watch, and listen. The landscape is changing to those beautiful autumnal colours creating a picturesque backdrop to the Lochan, the kingfisher has made its return, testosterone is pumping through the stags who have began to clash antlers and roar, the banks and surroundings are alive with activity from game birds such as pheasants, partridge, duck, geese, and our resident guineafowl, we are even having daily visits from a woodpecker!

Last week we introduced a golden trout to the fishery, all in the aid of research, although we have turned it into a ticket winning fish also! Because this is the only gold in Burnhouse we hope to learn a lot from it, feeding habits, number of times it is caught, weight maintenance, life span, how it adapts to the different seasons and water temperatures, condition and fight after every time caught. So we ask that every time this is caught if you could give us a shout so we can inspect the fish and get all the details we need for our research. This fish has already been caught 4 times, at different areas of the lochan and every time to a different fly and style of fishing, it is in incredible condition, has maintained its weight and has fought incredibly hard every time! We just hope that because of its bright colour it doesn’t become an easy target for the many predators that roam our banks and water.

It wasn’t a week for the fair-weather anglers, but those who braved the wind and rain seen some brilliant sport! There were only 3 blanks recorded this week and the rod average has again increased. There have been some truly amazing fish caught, as well as the ones listed throughout the report, Chris Beverage landed a rainbow weighing 15.5lb, Andy Allison safely returned 9 including 2 tigers weighing 6lb and 8lb, Billy Walker safely returned 7 fish including 4 tigers one weighing 12lb! Paul Burrows safely returned 10 including rainbows weighing 15.5lb and 13.6lb and a tiger weighing 5lb! But though the tigers and big rainbows are being caught, the big browns are being caught few and far between, making it extra special when one does make the net!

On Sunday we held the final of the 2022 Burnhouse Trophy, you can see how they got on after the top 20!

FISH OF THE WEEK –  The top spot goes to GORDON SMITH  with his new P.B, a rainbow weighing 16lb! Well Done, Gordon!

FLIES OF THE WEEK – The top 3 flies were BUZZERS, DIAWL BACHS, and EGGS.

Other successful flies were badgers, sedge, sedgehog, cdcs, nymphs, apps, stalking bugs, shimmies, mop flies, cats whiskers, cat bugs, eggstacy worms, fabs, yellow dancers, green & black lures, grubs, humongous, emergers, green & white fritz, zonkers, rabbits, snakes, nomads, double humpy, pink lures, squirmies, bibio, fry imitation lures, floating fry, damsels, ace of spades, muddlers, daddies, klinkhammers, moths, shipmans, top hats, Kate McLaren, beetles, spiders, cinnamon & gold, butchers and cormorants.

TOP COLOURS –  Olive, pink and yellow.

HOTSPOTS –  The bridge shallows.

BEST LINE – Floating.

TOTAL NUMBER OF FISH CAUGHT –  541

NUMBER OF ANGLERS – 74

ROD AVERAGE – 7.31

THE TOP 20 RETURNS

• JEN OBRIAN – Safely returned 22 fish using stalking bugs fished static under a sight indicator.
• TOMMY TURNBULL – He’s in the top 20 every week using his tiny little flies! He safely returned 19 fish using size 20 buzzers and nymphs.
• KYLE BURNS – Safely returned 18 fish using various eggs fished static under a sight indictor.
• SCOTT MUDIE – This year’s Burnhouse champion, safely returned 17 fish.
• IAN SCOTT – Won the 2^nd place trophy with 16 fish.
• BOAB MCCOLL – Practicing for the competition, safely returned 15 fish including the only goldie in our water using diawl bachs, sedgehogs, fabs and buzzers on a floating line.
• BRIAN CONWAY – Safely returned 15 fish using mainly sweetcorn eggs fished static under a sight indicator. Brian fell in, I’ve yet to have the time to check the cctv but I think it should catch it, will have my popcorn ready just in case!
• ALAN DOWNIE – Safely returned 14 fish including a 6lb tiger using a double humpy, gold humongous, and nomads on a floating line. The day before he safely returned a brown weighing 11.7lb, what a great week for Alan!
• ALAN WALKER – Safely returned 14 fish using shimmies fished static under a sight indicator and fry imitations on a floating line.
• JOHNNY PORTEOUS – Who was practicing for the competition safely returned 14 fish using a covid snake on an intermediate line.
• CRAIG BINNIE – Safely returned 14 fish using diawl bachs and cdcs on a floating line and shimmies fished static under a sight indicator.
• GRAEME BAIRD – Came 3^rd in the competition with 14 fish including tigers weighing 6 & 7lb .
• TONY STEEN – Safely returned 13 fish including rainbows weighing 7lb & 8lb using a pink lure and a nymph on a floating line.
• TONY DEEB – Safely returned 12 fish using diawl bachs and sedge on a floating line.
• MICHAEL BAXTER – Bagged up his 2 fish and went on to safely return 10 using nymphs on a floating line.
• JOHN THOMSON – Safely returned 12 fish using a yellow dancer on a floating line.
• GREG HOWE – Came 4^th in the competition with 11 fish.
• DARREN MCPHERSON – Came 5^th in the competition with 11 fish.
• ROBERT STEEL – Safely returned 11 fish using diawl bachs and cormorants on a floating line.
• THOMAS CAMPBELL – Safely returned 11 fish using an ace of spades and cormorants on an intermediate line.

THE 2022 BURNHOUSE TROPHY DAY

25^th Anniversary Special.

The weather started off breezy and overcast, ideal conditions to kick off the final! But there was an air of dread amongst the anglers because the weather forecast for the rest of the day was horrific! Torrential rain and gale-force winds were due around lunch, so the finalists knew they had to make the most of the calm before the storm!

Scott Mudie landed the first fish after just one minute, with most anglers catching their first fish within the first hour. The larger specimens began to bite, the most memorable coming from Nathan Horner who had a dream day with a brown weighing 11.4lb and a tiger weighing 9.8lb! Graham Baird caught 2 tigers weighing 6 & 7lb one after the other! Toby Lomas landed a rainbow weighing 12.6lb, Wullie Carr after catching a beautiful wild brown weighing 1.5lb went on to catch a brown weighing 9.6lb and Johnny Porteous caught a 7lb tiger and an 8lb rainbow!

The strength of the wind increased by the hour, the direction changing throughout, a challenge to the finalists but they showed their strength and skill and the good returns continued.

Throughout the competition we had spot prizes, when the whistle blew the next angler to land a fish would win a prize, the last hour was incredible! Every time we blew that whistle, we would be blowing it again within a couple of minutes maximum! Unbelievable sport in the last peg that changed the scores drastically!

The results were so close that time of first fish was crucial!

THE RESULTS

FIRST FISH – SCOTT MUDIE – 09.01

BIGGEST FISH – TOBY LOMAS – 12.6lb Rainbow

1^st – This years Burnhouse Champion – SCOTT MUDIE – 17 fish

2^nd – IAN SCOTT – 16 fish.

3^rd – GRAHAM BAIRD – 14 fish.

4^th – GREG HOWE – 11 fish.

5^th – DARREN MCPHERSON – 11 fish.

6^th – NATHAN HORNER – 10 fish.

7^th – ROBERT PATON – 9 fish.

8^th – ALAN SMITH – 9 fish.

9^th – COLIN SHARPE – 8 fish.

10^th – BRIAN MCCLUCKIE – 7 fish.

11^th – BOAB MC – 7 fish.

12^th – JOHNNY PORTEOUS – 6 fish.

13^th – RORY STEWART – 5 fish.

14^th – WULLIE TURNER – 5 fish.

15^th – TOBY ROUGHTON – 4 fish.

16^th – JIM ANDERSON – 4 fish.

17^th – AARON KIRKWOOD – 4 fish.

18^th – CHRIS ALLAN – 4 fish.

19^th – BRUCE DYSART – 4 fish.

20^th – MICHAEL MCKENNA – 3 fish. (Retired before lunch)

21^st – WULLIE CARR – 3 fish.

22^nd – ROBIN LAMBERT – 3 fish.

23^rd – MARK GRAY – 3 fish.

WOODEN SPOON – STUART BELL – 2 fish.

A total of 169 fish were caught with a rod average 7.04! Top angling in incredibly tough conditions, well done to you all!

A massive thank you all of the anglers that took part in this year’s competitions, we were raw dealed with the weather for them all, but you didn’t let it hold you back and all of the competitions were great fun! A massive thank you also to Wullie Carr for stepping in on the day of the final, I think your dad was looking down on you when you caught that brown!

A massive thank you also to this years sponsors, your generosity as always was greatly appreciated and there was a lot of very happy anglers!

FISHERY RULES

• FLY FISHING ONLY.
• BARBLESS HOOKS ONLY, NO DOUBLE OR TREBLE HOOKS, THIS RULE ALSO APPLIES TO ANGLERS ON KILL TICKETS.
• ALL ANGLERS MUST USE THE FISHERY NETS ONLY.
• NO LITTERING. ALL RUBBISH, CIGARETTE ENDS AND USED LINES MUST GO IN THE BINS PROVIDED.
• NO FISHING FROM THE BRIDGE.
• EVERY TICKET ENTITLES ANGLERS TO FISH ONLY 1 ROD AT A TIME.
• NO BOOBIES, DOUBLE HOOK SNAKES OR SPIN FLIES.
• A MAXIMUM OF 3 FLIES TO BE FISHED AT 1 TIME.
• NO LURES FISHED STATIC UNDER A SIGHT INDICATOR.
• NO SPLIT SHOTS OR WEIGHTS.
• GROUND BAITING, THE USE OF BAITS AND SCENTED DIPS ARE STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.
• ALL FISH OVER 8LB, TIGERS AND BROWNS MUST GO BACK, UNLESS IN POOR CONDITION. THE DECISION TO KILL THESE FISH MUST ONLY BE MADE BY THE BAILIFF.
• BAG LIMITS ARE ACHIEVED FROM THE FIRST FISH CAUGHT, NO SELECTIVE KILLING. FISH MUST BE KILLED IMMEDIATELY AND SHOULD NEVER BE KEPT ALIVE IN KEEP NETS UNTIL THE END OF THE SESSION.
• ALL RETURNS MUST BE RECORDED WITH THE BAILIFF BEFORE DEPATURE, EVEN IF IT’S A BLANK.
• ALL ANGLERS ON KILL TICKETS MUST REPORT TO THE CABIN FOR WEIGH IN BEFORE GOING TO THEIR CARS.
• ANGLERS MUST NOT AID OTHERS TO ACHIEVE THEIR BAG LIMITS.
• CATCH AND RELEASE ANGLERS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO KILL FISH, KILL TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED BEFORE FISHING.
• WHEN FISHING CATCH AND RELEASE THE FISH MUST BE KEPT IN THE WATER AT ALL TIMES, NEVER ON THE PODIUMS OR THE BANKING AND STRICTLY NO HANDLING.
• IF ANGLERS FIND THEMSELVES ON A HOT SPOT, PLEASE MOVE ON ATLEAST 2 PODIUMS AFTER 5 FISH, WITH NO RETURN TO THAT PODIUM WITHIN 2 HOURS.
• ANGLERS MUST NOT STAY ON THE ONE PODIUM FOR MORE THAN 2 HOURS, UNLESS THEY REQUIRE TO DO SO DUE TO MOBILITY.
• ANGLERS MUST RESPECT OTHERS AROUND THEM; NO INSULTING OR ABUSIVE BEHAVIOUR WILL BE TOLERATED.
• NO PODIUM HOLDING, IF ANGLERS ARE LEAVING THEIR PODIUMS OTHER THAN FOR TOILET BREAKS, THEY MUST TAKE THEIR BELONGINGS WITH THEM.
• THE BAILIFF RESERVES THE RIGHT TO PERFORM BAG CHECKS.

ANYONE FOUND TO BE IN BREACH OF THESE RULES WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE, NO REFUND WILL BE ISSUED AND NO RETURN VISITS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

SAFE CATCH AND RELEASE PROCEDURE

• Only use single, barbless hooks. Strictly no multiple hook snakes, double or treble hooks. Not just for catch and release but for kill tickets too.
• Due to the size and strength of our fish we ask that ALL anglers use a minimum of 8lb line, this is to reduce the number of fish being over played or snapping anglers line.
• Bring the fish to the net as quickly as possible. Over playing a fish causes stress and exhaustion and decreases the chance of survival.
• Unhook the fish as quickly as possible, keep the fish in the water. It is strictly forbidden for anglers bring the fish onto the banking or podiums as this removes the protective slime, increasing the chances of infections and diseases. Fish cannot breathe out of the water, any time spent out of the water drastically reduces the survival rate!
• If you have to handle the fish do so with wet hands, never with gloves on, this avoids removing the protective slime.
• If the hook is too deep to be removed, cut the line as close to the hook as possible.
• Avoid squeezing the fish as this can cause damage to internal organs.
• Take time to recover the fish, be patient as this can take some time especially in warmer weather. Support it gently until the fish is strong enough to swim away from you.

If you are struggling to recover or unhook a fish please call the bailiff for assistance, the decision to kill any fish whilst on catch and release must only be made by the bailiff.

A massive THANK YOU to all of the anglers that have joined us this week, without your support and custom there would be no Burnhouse. We look forward to welcoming you back.

TIGHT LINES FOR THE WEEK AHEAD!

WEEK ENDING SUNDAY 2nd OCTOBER.

What a brilliant week we have just had, the dreich weather providing some spectacular sport! The larger specimens are feeding heavily, exciting anglers with their big bow waves and fry smashing! The rod average has rapidly increased and very few blanks are being recorded. The weather might be miserable, but the fishing is fun!

Some days were quiet this week due to the rain, but the rain is exactly what we want, so the next time you see the rain pouring from the sky remember that some of the best sport comes in conditions like that, pop your waterproofs on and come fishing, we have great facilities at Burnhouse to keep you warm and let you dry off over the cold and wet months ahead of us.

This week we had the pleasure of welcoming David Eadie and Nadine Jarvis for their Waldos Troot Flees Fun Day, and what a day it was! You can read all about it after the top 20.

FISH OF THE WEEK –  The top spot goes to BRIAN MCCLUCKIE  with a rainbow weighing 9.5lb! Well Done, Brian! I love it when Brian catches a big fish, because he’s like an excitable big kid and is straight on the phone to brag to his partner in crime Peach who is always working when he catches the big ones!

FLIES OF THE WEEK – The top 3 flies were BUZZERS, DIAWL BACHS, and DAMSELS.

Other successful flies were hoppers, sedge, daddies, spiders, shipmans, cdcs, beetles, yellow owl, green moth, midge, parachute buzzer, sedgehogs, top hats, double deckers, floating fry, popper fry, smokers, Kate McLaren, soldier palmer, size 22 wet flies, jig head nymphs, bibio, muddler, nymphs, scruffy nymphs, cormorants, humongous, bunny leech, ace of spades, fabs, blobs, Ally McCoist, yellow Ally McCoist, snakes, apps, eggstacy worms, puddle cats, cats whiskers, pink lures, yellow dancers, Henrick Larsen, shimmies, green dancer, yellow lures, eggs, mop flies, nano bugs, orange & yellow lures, pink & white rabbits and various dries.

TOP COLOURS –  Olive, pink and yellow.

HOTSPOTS –  The far bank, sluice corner and the bridge shallows.

BEST LINE – Floating.

TOTAL NUMBER OF FISH CAUGHT –  461

ROD AVERAGE – 6.14

THE TOP 20 RETURNS

• LEWIS YOUNG – Safely returned 18 fish using bibios and sedgehogs stripped across the surface. Lewis had never been to Burnhouse before, and his excitement made me chuckle, every time he seen a fish bowing after his flies he was shouted to his friends and, id have loved to have put my smart watch on him to see how many steps he racked up running on the one spot! He left saying, “that was the most fun I’ve ever had at the fishing, and I can’t wait to get back!”
• SCOTT MCCORMACK – Safely returned 16 fish using a hot head damsel, diawl bachs and an ace of spades on an intermediate line.
• ANDREW BURT – Safely returned 15 fish using a floating fry and orange daddy stripped across the surface.
• TOMMY TURNBULL – Safely returned 15 fish using size 20 buzzers on a floating line.
• ROBERT RICHARDSON – From the TIP TOP FLYS Facebook page, who was part of Waldos fun day weighed in 1 fish for 2.44lb and safely returned 14 using mainly eggs. He also lost a big tiger after playing it for quite some time. Robert gave us some much-appreciated feedback on the fishery and strength of the fish, his arm needed quite some time to recover!
• MICHAEL BAXTER – Part of the Waldos fun day weighed in 1 fish for 1.6lb and safely returned 14 using nymphs on a floating line.
• DONALD FORBES – Up for his Wednesday curry night safely returned 14 fish using buzzers and beetles on a floating line.
• BARRY WILSON – From the FISH BOUND FLIES Facebook page, who was part of the Waldos fun day, weighed in 1 fish for 1.88lb and safely returned 13 including one of the most beautiful tigers we have ever seen! He was using yellow eggs fished static under a sight indicator and orange lures.
• THOMAS FORD – Safely returned 13 fish using a hothead damsel, buzzers, and a sedge on a floating line.
• ALI STRACHAN – From MASTER BAITER FISHING, safely returned 12 fish using a pink lure, floating fry, and cormorants on a floating line.
• MICHAEL HEUCHAN – Part of the Waldos fun day, weighed in 1 fish for 1.4lb and safely returned 10 using various mop flies fished static under a sight indicator.
• GEORGE LYNCH – Safely returned 11 fish using various dry flies on a floating line.
• ALLY BRUCE – Safely returned 10 fish using size 22 wet flies on a floating line.
• LEE ANDERSON – Safely returned 10 fish using hoppers, sedge, and daddies on a floating line.
• ALEX DUNN – Weighed in 4 fish for 9.2lb and safely returned 6 using a puddle cat on a floating line.
• RYAN LAIRD – Safely returned 10 fish using a hot head damsel and yellow dancer on a floating line.
• COLIN BALFOUR – Safely returned 10 fish using various dry flies on a floating line.
• STEVEN OBRIAN – Safely returned 9 fish using various dries on a floating line.
• JOHN CALLISON – Formally of Newton farm, safely returned 9 fish using buzzers and an eggstacy worm on a floating line. It was great to see you again John and the rest of the Newton guys.
• AARON KIRKWOOD – Safely returned 9 fish using a yellow dancer, yellow owl, green dancer, and popper fry on various lines.

WALDOS FUN DAY COMPETITION

David Eadie started the Waldos Troot Flees Facebook page on the 7^th of April this year and it already has 839 members, the numbers increasing by the day. He decided to have a little get together, a fun competition and chose Burnhouse as “it was the place that ignited his passion for the sport again!” What a great way for the anglers from all over the country to meet up in person with the people they talk to every day through the fishing page.

The morning air that welcomed the anglers was crisp, the water was bubbling, and the conditions looked perfect for the day with the forecast set to remain overcast! Within the first 10 minutes 4 fish were weighed, the first coming from Johnathan Paul at 09.03 and then young Dylan McRoberts caught the only golden trout in the fishery…. But then the sun came out and the temperature reached an unseasonable high! The fishing slowed slightly but the anglers adjusted, and the good sport continued!

The rules of the competition were 1 fish kill, that fish was then weighed and that determined the winner of the fun day competition, meaning that it didn’t matter how well you did on c&r so long as you had caught 1 fish you were in with the chance of winning. All fish over 6lb, tigers, browns and the only goldie to be returned and not counted as a weighed fish.

THE RESULTS

1^st – ROBBIE BIRRELL – 5.02lb

2^nd – DAVID MCROBERT – 3lb

3^rd – ALAN SMITH – 2.64lb

• ROBERT RICHARDSON – 15 fish
• MICHAEL BAXTER – 15fish
• BARRY WILSON – 14 fish including a beautiful tiger
• MICHAEL HEUCHAN – 11 fish
• TOBY LOMAS – 8 fish
• ROBBIE BIRRELL – 6 fish
• JONNO MCDONALD – 6 fish
• BRUCE DYSART – 6 fish
• ROBERT IAIN MCANDREW – From the TROUT TREATS SCOTLAND Facebook page, 5 fish
• ALLY MCMAHON – 5 fish.
• DYLAN MCROBERT – 5 fish including the only goldie in the water, he beat his dad in numbers, but not in the weigh in.
• BRIAN MCGINILY – 4 fish
• NADINE JARVIS – 4 fish It’s a good job she only fished half the day guys because she would have shown you all right up!
• STEVEN MCGOWAN – From NEWHOUSE FISHERY, 4 fish, he had a nightmare start, arriving with a flat tyre and no spare! And to make things even worse, it was a Sunday and nowhere was open! Resulting in having to abandon his car over night and get a lift home! Its ok Stevie, we wont charge you for the overnight parking lol!
• LAWRENCE MCDONALD – Fell in the gorse bush, one minute i could see him, next he was gone! Happy to report he was uninjured, cheers for the laugh Lawrence! 4 fish
• KEITH DUNCAN – 3 fish
• STEVEN SHERRY – 3 fish
• JOHNATHAN PAUL – 3 fish
• DAVID MCROBERT – 3 fish
• MICHAEL MCKENNA – From the TROUT PERSUIT Facebook page, 3 fish including his new P.B rainbow weighing 9lb
• BRIAN DUNCAN – 2 fish
• EUAN CLARK – 1 fish
• ALAN SMITH – 1 fish Alan had to leave early because he was ill, we couldn’t believe he actually made the effort to come. We hope you are on the mend now Alan, especially ahead of this week’s final because we all know you won’t want to miss that!
• STEVEN SHERRY SNR – 1 fish.

A total of 132 fish were caught with a rod average of 5.5 and there were no blanks! Exceptional given the sunshine and temperature!

It was a thoroughly enjoyable day out for all of the anglers, well done to David and Nadine for all of the organising, you done a great job! Its brilliant to watch your group grow. I look forward to next years fun day already and cant wait to take part in future Waldos fun days at other venues too!

A massive THANK YOU to all of the anglers that have joined us this week, without your support and custom there would be no Burnhouse. We look forward to welcoming you back.

TIGHT LINES FOR THE WEEK AHEAD!

FISHERY RULES

• FLY FISHING ONLY.
• BARBLESS HOOKS ONLY, NO DOUBLE OR TREBLE HOOKS, THIS RULE ALSO APPLIES TO ANGLERS ON KILL TICKETS.
• ALL ANGLERS MUST USE THE FISHERY NETS ONLY.
• NO LITTERING. ALL RUBBISH, CIGARETTE ENDS AND USED LINES MUST GO IN THE BINS PROVIDED.
• NO FISHING FROM THE BRIDGE.
• EVERY TICKET ENTITLES ANGLERS TO FISH ONLY 1 ROD AT A TIME.
• NO BOOBIES, DOUBLE HOOK SNAKES OR SPIN FLIES.
• A MAXIMUM OF 3 FLIES TO BE FISHED AT 1 TIME.
• NO LURES FISHED STATIC UNDER A SIGHT INDICATOR.
• NO SPLIT SHOTS OR WEIGHTS.
• GROUND BAITING, THE USE OF BAITS AND SCENTED DIPS ARE STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.
• ALL FISH OVER 8LB, TIGERS AND BROWNS MUST GO BACK, UNLESS IN POOR CONDITION. THE DECISION TO KILL THESE FISH MUST ONLY BE MADE BY THE BAILIFF.
• BAG LIMITS ARE ACHIEVED FROM THE FIRST FISH CAUGHT, NO SELECTIVE KILLING. FISH MUST BE KILLED IMMEDIATELY AND SHOULD NEVER BE KEPT ALIVE IN KEEP NETS UNTIL THE END OF THE SESSION.
• ALL RETURNS MUST BE RECORDED WITH THE BAILIFF BEFORE DEPATURE, EVEN IF IT’S A BLANK.
• ALL ANGLERS ON KILL TICKETS MUST REPORT TO THE CABIN FOR WEIGH IN BEFORE GOING TO THEIR CARS.
• ANGLERS MUST NOT AID OTHERS TO ACHIEVE THEIR BAG LIMITS.
• CATCH AND RELEASE ANGLERS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO KILL FISH, KILL TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED BEFORE FISHING.
• WHEN FISHING CATCH AND RELEASE THE FISH MUST BE KEPT IN THE WATER AT ALL TIMES, NEVER ON THE PODIUMS OR THE BANKING AND STRICTLY NO HANDLING.
• IF ANGLERS FIND THEMSELVES ON A HOT SPOT, PLEASE MOVE ON ATLEAST 2 PODIUMS AFTER 5 FISH, WITH NO RETURN TO THAT PODIUM WITHIN 2 HOURS.
• ANGLERS MUST NOT STAY ON THE ONE PODIUM FOR MORE THAN 2 HOURS, UNLESS THEY REQUIRE TO DO SO DUE TO MOBILITY.
• ANGLERS MUST RESPECT OTHERS AROUND THEM; NO INSULTING OR ABUSIVE BEHAVIOUR WILL BE TOLERATED.
• NO PODIUM HOLDING, IF ANGLERS ARE LEAVING THEIR PODIUMS OTHER THAN FOR TOILET BREAKS, THEY MUST TAKE THEIR BELONGINGS WITH THEM.
• THE BAILIFF RESERVES THE RIGHT TO PERFORM BAG CHECKS.

ANYONE FOUND TO BE IN BREACH OF THESE RULES WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE, NO REFUND WILL BE ISSUED AND NO RETURN VISITS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

SAFE CATCH AND RELEASE PROCEDURE

• Only use single, barbless hooks. Strictly no multiple hook snakes, double or treble hooks. Not just for catch and release but for kill tickets too.
• Due to the size and strength of our fish we ask that ALL anglers use a minimum of 8lb line, this is to reduce the number of fish being over played or snapping anglers line.
• Bring the fish to the net as quickly as possible. Over playing a fish causes stress and exhaustion and decreases the chance of survival.
• Unhook the fish as quickly as possible, keep the fish in the water. It is strictly forbidden for anglers bring the fish onto the banking or podiums as this removes the protective slime, increasing the chances of infections and diseases. Fish cannot breathe out of the water, any time spent out of the water drastically reduces the survival rate!
• If you have to handle the fish do so with wet hands, never with gloves on, this avoids removing the protective slime.
• If the hook is too deep to be removed, cut the line as close to the hook as possible.
• Avoid squeezing the fish as this can cause damage to internal organs.
• Take time to recover the fish, be patient as this can take some time especially in warmer weather. Support it gently until the fish is strong enough to swim away from you.

If you are struggling to recover or unhook a fish please call the bailiff for assistance, the decision to kill any fish whilst on catch and release must only be made by the bailiff.

WEEK ENDING SUNDAY 25th OF SEPTEMBER.

With the return of the warm sunny weather the fishing slowed a little, the best sport coming on Friday and Sunday when we had overcast conditions and a good ripple on the water. Sunday seen a lot of the larger predatory fish make the nets however a lot more were lost, the fish are hitting and fighting incredibly hard, and we are witnessing more double hook ups as the fish begin to feed heavily in preparation for the winter months when their metabolism slows, however line strength is letting a lot of the anglers down. We recommend using 8lb+ throughout the year but especially at this time of the year when the takes are more aggressive, and the fish are fighting harder than before.

FISH OF THE WEEK –  The top spot goes to AARON KIRKWOOD  with tiger weighing 7.75lb! Well Done, Aaron! A few double figure rainbows were reported, however without being witnessed we cannot confirm. Remember we are a trout masters water, so get those fish weighed and witnessed.

FLIES OF THE WEEK – The top 3 flies were BUZZERS, OLIVE EMERGERS, and DAMSELS.

Other successful flies were klinkhammers, cdcs, shipmans, ants, yellow owls, polyball buzzers, big hairy, top hats, daddies, Griffiths gnat, double humpy, sedgehog, hoppers, smokers, floating fry, spiders, beetles, wickhams fancy, snatchers, crunchers, hares ears, pheasant tailed nymphs, black pennell, diawl bachs, Kate McLaren, cormorants, muddlers, minkies, blobs, fabs, apps, fluff cats, eggs, snakes, Ally McCoist, squirmies, mop flies, yellow dancers, shimmies, humongous, yellow dancers, Mrs Simpson, ace of spades, pink lures and an orange nomad.

TOP COLOURS –  Olive, yellow, orange, and pink.

HOTSPOTS –  The far bank, sluice corner and the bridge shallows.

BEST LINE – Floating.

TOTAL NUMBER OF FISH CAUGHT –  312

ROD AVERAGE – 3.8

THE TOP 20 RETURNS

• TOMMY TURNBULL – Top for the second week running, safely returned 14 fish using size 18 buzzers on a floating line.
• CRAIG BINNIE – Had a phenomenal evening session with 14 to the net using a size 18 olive emerger on a floating line.
• ALLY BRUCE – Safely returned 12 fish including a big rainbow using size 18 spiders and buzzers on a floating line.
• DONALD FORBES – Safely returned 11 fish using buzzers and a pink fab on a floating line.
• TONY DEEB – Safely returned 11 fish using mainly yellow owls on a floating line but later switched to a yellow egg fished static under a sight indicator.
• GEOFF APPLETON – Safely returned 11 fish using top hats and black cdcs on a floating line.
• TOMMY TURNBULL – Safely returned 10 fish using his usual tiny wee buzzers on a floating line. The biggest fly in his box is a size 16 which he rarely uses because its “too big”, he consistently produces excellent returns at Burnhouse, sometimes smaller is better!
• GREG HOGGAN – Popped up for 2 hours, he safely returned 9 fish including a beautiful tiger most of which were caught right at the gorse bush in the cabin corner. He was using buzzers and peach and yellow eggs fished static under a sight indicator.
• AARON KIRKWOOD – Started his day saying he hadn’t caught a tiger or a double for a while, he ended his day with a massive smile on his face after landing a 7.75lb tiger as well as 8 rainbows. The fish were chasing and nipping at Aarons flies with practically every cast, and it didn’t seem to matter what he put on he got plenty interest. He used floating and intermediate lines with olive fluff cats, blobs, foam daddies and orange apps.
• ROBERT PATON – Safely returned 8 fish including a rainbow weighing 7-8lb using a yellow dancer, buzzers and fabs on a floating line.
• ALAN WALKER – Safely returned 8 fish using various dries, shimmies, and buzzers on a floating line.
• WILLIE TURNER – Safely returned 8 fish including a beautiful resident tiger using an olive snake on an intermediate line.
• DONALD FORBES – Safely returned 7 fish using size 20 buzzers and a pink fab on a floating line.
• ALAN HASTIE – Safely returned 7 fish using a yellow owl and polyball buzzers on a floating line.
• ALAN MEEK – Safely returned 7 fish using shipmans, cdcs and ants on a floating line.
• CHARLES DEVINE – Safely returned 7 fish using a yellow egg fished static under a sight indicator and a red apps on a floating line.
• DONALD FORBES – Safely returned 6 fish using buzzers and fabs on a floating line.
• ALAN HENDERSON – Bagged up his 4 fish and went on to safely return a further 2 using a minkie, buzzers and a damsel on a floating line.
• JIM ANDERSON – Safely returned 6 fish using a black pennell, double humpy, pink apps, and a sedgehog on floating and intermediate lines.
• ANDY SMITH – Safely returned 6 fish using spiders and a Kate McLaren on a floating line.

THE SCOTTISH DEAF FLY-FISHING CLUB

It was a beautiful day for catching up with old friends, but unfortunately it was terrible weather for catching fish. It was an incredibly warm and sunny day and there wasn’t a ripple on the water. However the feed back from the club was brilliant, they thoroughly enjoyed their day!

• FREDDIE GOLEBIOWSKI – 4 fish using a wickhams fancy and a Kate McLaren on a floating line.
• JOHN DAILLY – 3 fish using a wickhams fancy on a floating line.
• WILLIAM DARROCH – 2 fish using a hopper and an orange fab on a floating line.
• JOHN INGLIS – 2 fish using a Kate McLaren on a floating line.
• IAN PAUL – 1 fish using a lure on a floating line.
• DAVID COUPER – 1 fish using a cormorant on a floating line.
• COLIN KEDDIE & ALASTAIR DAVIE – Unfortunately didn’t catch.

A massive THANK YOU to all of the anglers that have joined us this week, without your support and custom there would be no Burnhouse. We look forward to welcoming you back.

TIGHT LINES FOR THE WEEK AHEAD!

 FISHERY RULES

• FLY FISHING ONLY.
• BARBLESS HOOKS ONLY, NO DOUBLE OR TREBLE HOOKS, THIS RULE ALSO APPLIES TO ANGLERS ON KILL TICKETS.
• ALL ANGLERS MUST USE THE FISHERY NETS ONLY.
• NO LITTERING. ALL RUBBISH, CIGARETTE ENDS AND USED LINES MUST GO IN THE BINS PROVIDED.
• NO FISHING FROM THE BRIDGE.
• EVERY TICKET ENTITLES ANGLERS TO FISH ONLY 1 ROD AT A TIME.
• NO BOOBIES, DOUBLE HOOK SNAKES OR SPIN FLIES.
• A MAXIMUM OF 3 FLIES TO BE FISHED AT 1 TIME.
• NO LURES FISHED STATIC UNDER A SIGHT INDICATOR.
• NO SPLIT SHOTS OR WEIGHTS.
• GROUND BAITING, THE USE OF BAITS AND SCENTED DIPS ARE STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.
• ALL FISH OVER 8LB, TIGERS AND BROWNS MUST GO BACK, UNLESS IN POOR CONDITION. THE DECISION TO KILL THESE FISH MUST ONLY BE MADE BY THE BAILIFF.
• BAG LIMITS ARE ACHIEVED FROM THE FIRST FISH CAUGHT, NO SELECTIVE KILLING. FISH MUST BE KILLED IMMEDIATELY AND SHOULD NEVER BE KEPT ALIVE IN KEEP NETS UNTIL THE END OF THE SESSION.
• ALL RETURNS MUST BE RECORDED WITH THE BAILIFF BEFORE DEPATURE, EVEN IF IT’S A BLANK.
• ALL ANGLERS ON KILL TICKETS MUST REPORT TO THE CABIN FOR WEIGH IN BEFORE GOING TO THEIR CARS.
• ANGLERS MUST NOT AID OTHERS TO ACHIEVE THEIR BAG LIMITS.
• CATCH AND RELEASE ANGLERS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO KILL FISH, KILL TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED BEFORE FISHING.
• WHEN FISHING CATCH AND RELEASE THE FISH MUST BE KEPT IN THE WATER AT ALL TIMES, NEVER ON THE PODIUMS OR THE BANKING AND STRICTLY NO HANDLING.
• IF ANGLERS FIND THEMSELVES ON A HOT SPOT, PLEASE MOVE ON ATLEAST 2 PODIUMS AFTER 5 FISH, WITH NO RETURN TO THAT PODIUM WITHIN 2 HOURS.
• ANGLERS MUST NOT STAY ON THE ONE PODIUM FOR MORE THAN 2 HOURS, UNLESS THEY REQUIRE TO DO SO DUE TO MOBILITY.
• ANGLERS MUST RESPECT OTHERS AROUND THEM; NO INSULTING OR ABUSIVE BEHAVIOUR WILL BE TOLERATED.
• NO PODIUM HOLDING, IF ANGLERS ARE LEAVING THEIR PODIUMS OTHER THAN FOR TOILET BREAKS, THEY MUST TAKE THEIR BELONGINGS WITH THEM.
• THE BAILIFF RESERVES THE RIGHT TO PERFORM BAG CHECKS.

ANYONE FOUND TO BE IN BREACH OF THESE RULES WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE, NO REFUND WILL BE ISSUED AND NO RETURN VISITS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

SAFE CATCH AND RELEASE PROCEDURE

• Only use single, barbless hooks. Strictly no multiple hook snakes, double or treble hooks. Not just for catch and release but for kill tickets too.
• Due to the size and strength of our fish we ask that ALL anglers use a minimum of 8lb line, this is to reduce the number of fish being over played or snapping anglers line.
• Bring the fish to the net as quickly as possible. Over playing a fish causes stress and exhaustion and decreases the chance of survival.
• Unhook the fish as quickly as possible, keep the fish in the water. It is strictly forbidden for anglers bring the fish onto the banking or podiums as this removes the protective slime, increasing the chances of infections and diseases. Fish cannot breathe out of the water, any time spent out of the water drastically reduces the survival rate!
• If you have to handle the fish do so with wet hands, never with gloves on, this avoids removing the protective slime.
• If the hook is too deep to be removed, cut the line as close to the hook as possible.
• Avoid squeezing the fish as this can cause damage to internal organs.
• Take time to recover the fish, be patient as this can take some time especially in warmer weather. Support it gently until the fish is strong enough to swim away from you.

If you are struggling to recover or unhook a fish please call the bailiff for assistance, the decision to kill any fish whilst on catch and release must only be made by the bailiff.

WEEK ENDING SUNDAY 18^TH OF SEPTEMBER.

Autumn is arriving and those cooler overnight temperatures have helped to get those fish active and feeding, an incredible 479 fish were caught over 5 days with a rod average of 5.2! Brilliant sport considering that most of the week we had the challenges of flat calm and bright sunshine.

We have started to see those larger predatory fish chasing in the margins, we knew it would only be a matter of time before they started to make our anglers very happy, however even though the tigers have decided to play, those big browns are still proving to be illusive, with only one caught since the stocking went in.

The weekend was very busy, we welcomed the Vale angling club on Saturday, and then we had the 2^nd qualifying round of the 2022 Burnhouse trophy on the Sunday, you can see how they got on after the top 20.

FISH OF THE WEEK –  The top spot go to MATT MCSPORRAN with tiger weighing 9lb! Well Done, Matt!

FLIES OF THE WEEK – The top 3 flies were BUZZERS, BEETLES, and DAIWL BACHS.

Other successful flies were midge, cdcs, shipmans, sedge, ants, f-fly, spiders, daddies, hoppers, klinkhammers, top hats, sedgehogs, floating fry, smokers, viva, muddlers, pheasant tailed nymphs, bibio, cormorants, black pennell, Peter Ross, cinnamon & gold, copper tom, bobs bits, ace of spades, king fisher butcher, teal blue & silver, Alexandra, Kate McLaren, baby doll, pearly invicta, damsels, yellow dancers, shimmies, Ally McCoist, apps, humongous, squirmy, eggs, fabs, pink lures, straggle cats, blobs, stalking bugs, snakes, fry imitations, fry poppers and claret bumbles.

TOP COLOURS –  Olive, yellow, chartreuse, and pink.

HOTSPOTS –  The far bank and the bridge shallows.

BEST LINE – Floating.

TOTAL NUMBER OF FISH CAUGHT –  479

ROD AVERAGE – 5.2

THE TOP 20 RETURNS

• TOMMY TURNBULL – Safely returned a phenomenal 24 fish using size 18 olive buzzers on a floating line.
• DONALD FORBES – Safely returned 16 fish including rainbows weighing 6lb & 8lb using beetles, buzzers, pink apps and a humongous on floating and slow glass lines.
• DAVIE SCOTT – From Vale angling club bagged up his 4 fish and safely returned a further 12 using shimmies fished static under a sight indicator.
• DONALD FORBES – Safely returned 15 fish using buzzers and beetles on a floating line.
• BRUCE DYSART – Safely returned 14 fish, he was practicing for the competition, so he was a little secretive with what flies he used.
• PAUL PRICE – Safely returned 13 fish using pink and white squirmies and yellow eggs fished static under a sight indicator.
• TONY STEEN – Safely returned 13 fish using a pink lure, buzzers, and a yellow shimmy on a floating line.
• JOHN GILCRIST – Safely returned 13 fish using a goldie and mosaic cormorant on a fast glass line.
• ROBERT BIRRELL – Safely returned 10 fish using mainly buzzers on a 4ft sink tip line.
• WILLIE TURNER – Safely returned 10 fish to win the Burnhouse Trophy 2^nd qualifying round.
• ANDY MCHAULEY – Safely returned 9 fish while practicing for Sundays competition, unfortunately the fish didn’t fall for the same flies on the day of the comp.
• NEIL ANDREWS – Safely returned 9 fish using dries, buzzers, and blobs on a floating line.
• ALAN SMITH – Safely returned 8 fish using mainly dries, he claimed 2^nd place in the Burnhouse Trophy 2^nd qualifying round.
• AARON KIRKWOOD – Safely returned 8 fish to claim 3^rd place in the 2^nd qualifying round. Time of first fish put Alan in 2^nd
• DEREK GRAHAM –Safely returned 7 fish using a pink squirmy fished static under a sight indicator.
• RICHARD MCGOWAN – Safely returned 7 fish using an f-fly, pheasant tailed nymph and buzzers on a floating line.
• ALAN WALKER – Safely returned 7 fish using dries and a fry pattern on a floating line.
• GEOFF APPLETON – Safely returned 6 fish using muddlers, blobs, pheasants tailed nymphs and daddies on a floating line.
• DONALD FORBES – Making the top 20 for the 3^rd time this week, safely returned 6 fish using buzzers and beetles on a floating line.
• GRAHAM BAIRD, MICHAEL MCKENNA & BRIAN MCCLUCKIE – All safely returned 6 fish during the 2^nd qualifying round which claimed their place in the final.

THE VALE ANGLING CLUB

• DAVIE SCOTT – Weighed in 4 fish for 11.8lb and safely returned 12 fish.
• DARREN JOHNSTON – Weighed in 4 fish for 7.3lb and safely returned 1.
• MATT MCSPORRON – Weighed in 3 fish for 5.8lb and safely returned a 9lb tiger.
• JOHN CAMERON – Weighed in 4 fish for 8.46lb.
• CHAD KILBRIDE – Weighed in 4 fish for 7.8lb.
• GEORGE MURDOCH – Weighed in 4 fish for 7.3lb.
• B MCGEE – Weighed in 4 fish for 7.3lb.
• STUART MCGEE – Weighed in 4 fish for 6.7lb.
• IAN WATSON – Weighed in 1 fish for 2.29lb

Thank you to vale angling club for choosing Burnhouse, we very much enjoyed having you here and we hope you enjoyed your day in the sunshine.

THE 2022 BURNHOUSE LOCHAN TROPHY

25^TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL

With the high numbers caught on Friday and Saturday, the fishing slowed a little for the competition. The fish were chasing, rolling over flies, nipping, teasing, the anglers also appeared to have shared a batch of rubber hooks. It did not dampen the spirits of the anglers though and the fun and laughter echoed throughout.

The morning got off to a flying start with 3 fish landed before the first minute ticked over, the first by Bruce Dysart.

When the wind dropped, the entire cabin end became flat calm, the best sport then coming from the ripple in the far bank and the bridge shallows, this continued throughout the day, with only a few caught in the cabin side bay, gorse bay and the sluice. Anglers fishing the margins and using the weed beds to their advantage had the better returns.

THE RESULTS

TOP 12 QUALIFY

1st – WILLIE TURNER 10 fish including a big tiger.

2nd – ALAN SMITH 8 fish.

3rd – AARON KIRKWOOD 8 fish.

 GRAHAM BAIRD 6 fish.

MICHAEL MCKENNA 6 fish.

BRIAN MCCLUCKIE 6 fish.

BRUCE DYSART 5 fish.

GEORGE MURDOCH 5 fish.

JIM ANDERSON 4 fish, including a big Tiger and a big brown.

GREG HOWE 4 fish, including a big tiger.

CHRIS MELVILLE 4 fish, including a big tiger.

BOAB MC 4 fish.

ROSS MORRISON 3 fish.

CHRIS ALLAN 3 fish.

IAN SCOTT 3 fish.

JOHNNY PORTEOUS 2 fish.

ALLAN MELVILLE 2 fish.

BRIAN DEMPSY 2 fish.

WULLIE CARR 1 fish.

TRACY ALLAN 1 fish.

JONNO MCDONALD 0

DOUGIE HUGES 0

ANDREW MCAULAY 0

DEREK SAVAGE 0

87 fish were caught, with a rod average of 3.62.

A massive Thank you and well done to all of the anglers, it was not an easy day but there were still some great fish caught, cracking banter and a feast you won’t forget!

Well done to the top 12 who qualify to the final on October the 9th, if for any reason you cannot make the final, please let me know as soon as possible. For those that did not qualify it is not over for you yet, if a finalist cannot take their place, it will be offered to the angler next in line.

A massive THANK YOU to all of the anglers that have joined us this week, without your support and custom there would be no Burnhouse. We look forward to welcoming you back.

TIGHT LINES FOR THE WEEK AHEAD!

FISHERY RULES

• FLY FISHING ONLY.
• BARBLESS HOOKS ONLY, NO DOUBLE OR TREBLE HOOKS, THIS RULE ALSO APPLIES TO ANGLERS ON KILL TICKETS.
• ALL ANGLERS MUST USE THE FISHERY NETS ONLY.
• NO LITTERING. ALL RUBBISH, CIGARETTE ENDS AND USED LINES MUST GO IN THE BINS PROVIDED.
• NO FISHING FROM THE BRIDGE.
• EVERY TICKET ENTITLES ANGLERS TO FISH ONLY 1 ROD AT A TIME.
• NO BOOBIES, DOUBLE HOOK SNAKES OR SPIN FLIES.
• A MAXIMUM OF 3 FLIES TO BE FISHED AT 1 TIME.
• NO LURES FISHED STATIC UNDER A SIGHT INDICATOR.
• NO SPLIT SHOTS OR WEIGHTS.
• GROUND BAITING, THE USE OF BAITS AND SCENTED DIPS ARE STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.
• ALL FISH OVER 8LB, TIGERS AND BROWNS MUST GO BACK, UNLESS IN POOR CONDITION. THE DECISION TO KILL THESE FISH MUST ONLY BE MADE BY THE BAILIFF.
• BAG LIMITS ARE ACHIEVED FROM THE FIRST FISH CAUGHT, NO SELECTIVE KILLING. FISH MUST BE KILLED IMMEDIATELY AND SHOULD NEVER BE KEPT ALIVE IN KEEP NETS UNTIL THE END OF THE SESSION.
• ALL RETURNS MUST BE RECORDED WITH THE BAILIFF BEFORE DEPATURE, EVEN IF IT’S A BLANK.
• ALL ANGLERS ON KILL TICKETS MUST REPORT TO THE CABIN FOR WEIGH IN BEFORE GOING TO THEIR CARS.
• ANGLERS MUST NOT AID OTHERS TO ACHIEVE THEIR BAG LIMITS.
• CATCH AND RELEASE ANGLERS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO KILL FISH, KILL TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED BEFORE FISHING.
• WHEN FISHING CATCH AND RELEASE THE FISH MUST BE KEPT IN THE WATER AT ALL TIMES, NEVER ON THE PODIUMS OR THE BANKING AND STRICTLY NO HANDLING.
• IF ANGLERS FIND THEMSELVES ON A HOT SPOT, PLEASE MOVE ON ATLEAST 2 PODIUMS AFTER 5 FISH, WITH NO RETURN TO THAT PODIUM WITHIN 2 HOURS.
• ANGLERS MUST NOT STAY ON THE ONE PODIUM FOR MORE THAN 2 HOURS, UNLESS THEY REQUIRE TO DO SO DUE TO MOBILITY.
• ANGLERS MUST RESPECT OTHERS AROUND THEM; NO INSULTING OR ABUSIVE BEHAVIOUR WILL BE TOLERATED.
• NO PODIUM HOLDING, IF ANGLERS ARE LEAVING THEIR PODIUMS OTHER THAN FOR TOILET BREAKS, THEY MUST TAKE THEIR BELONGINGS WITH THEM.
• THE BAILIFF RESERVES THE RIGHT TO PERFORM BAG CHECKS.

ANYONE FOUND TO BE IN BREACH OF THESE RULES WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE, NO REFUND WILL BE ISSUED AND NO RETURN VISITS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

SAFE CATCH AND RELEASE PROCEDURE

• Only use single, barbless hooks. Strictly no multiple hook snakes, double or treble hooks. Not just for catch and release but for kill tickets too.
• Due to the size and strength of our fish we ask that ALL anglers use a minimum of 8lb line, this is to reduce the number of fish being over played or snapping anglers line.
• Bring the fish to the net as quickly as possible. Over playing a fish causes stress and exhaustion and decreases the chance of survival.
• Unhook the fish as quickly as possible, keep the fish in the water. It is strictly forbidden for anglers bring the fish onto the banking or podiums as this removes the protective slime, increasing the chances of infections and diseases. Fish cannot breathe out of the water, any time spent out of the water drastically reduces the survival rate!
• If you have to handle the fish do so with wet hands, never with gloves on, this avoids removing the protective slime.
• If the hook is too deep to be removed, cut the line as close to the hook as possible.
• Avoid squeezing the fish as this can cause damage to internal organs.
• Take time to recover the fish, be patient as this can take some time especially in warmer weather. Support it gently until the fish is strong enough to swim away from you.

If you are struggling to recover or unhook a fish please call the bailiff for assistance, the decision to kill any fish whilst on catch and release must only be made by the bailiff.