Burnhouse Lochan Fishery – Weekly Report: 19.03.21 – 26.03.21                            

The warm weather was short lived but wasn’t it lovely! Those sunny days could be a bit of a challenge, but once anglers found the right flies at the right depth, we seen some good returns. The evenings, however, were where the most fun was had, the warmer weather created a lot of hatches and the top of water sport was exceptional! Most of the doubles were also landed in the evenings.

The beginning of the week seen the return of the cooler temperatures, rain, and winds difficult to cast in, pushing anglers perseverance to their limits. The temperature is set to rise again next week  and will definitely be welcomed!

FISH OF THE WEEK – This week’s top spot goes to DECLAN WINTERS with a fin perfect rainbow weighing 12.5lb! This was just one of the many impressive fish he caught during his evening session. Well done, Declan!

FLIES OF THE WEEK– This week’s top  flies were BUZZERS, DOUBLE HUMPY, EGGS AND DAIWL BACHS.

Other successful flies were –  Hares ears, double humpies, apps, pheasant tail nymphs, viva variant, bunny leeches, okay dokey, squirmy worms, orange rabbit, cormorants, stalking bugs, yellow owl, Kate McLaren, blood worms, nymphs, Griffiths gnat, shimmy egg, wotsit, black pennell and a yellow dancer.

CATCHES OF THE WEEK

  • ALAN McMAHON – Safely returned 2 rainbows using a yellow dancer on an intermediate line. The fish were nipping at the tail of his dancer all day. “I will definitely be back!”
  • ALAN CUNNINGHAM – Thoroughly enjoyed his day at Burnhouse in the glorious sunshine. He safely returned 2 rainbows and 1 blue caught using a hares ear and a double humpy on a floating line.
  • BILLY HOEHLE – Safely returned 1 rainbow caught using buzzers on a floating line.
  • REG DAVIDSON – Safely returned 3 rainbows caught using buzzers on a floating line and a white egg fished static under a sight indicator.
  • JOE WHITE – Weighed in 2 rainbows for 7.89lb caught using buzzers on a floating line.
  • ANDY McALPINE – Weighed in 2 rainbows for 9.22lb caught using buzzers on a floating line.
  • ROSS DUNN – Enjoyed his first visit to Burnhouse. He weighed in 2 rainbows for 7.8lb, he then went on to safely return 1 beautiful tiger and 1 rainbow. Pheasant tail nymphs and an olive apps on a floating line proving successful for him.
  • BRIAN SKINNER – Safely returned 3 rainbows all of a good size caught using a pink egg fished static under a sight indicator and a viva variant on a floating line.
  • CHIC SKINNER – Weighed in 1 rainbow for 4.14lb caught using an orange bunny leech on an intermediate line.
  • DICKIE KERR – Weighed in 2 rainbows for 11.11lb, he then went on to safely return 1 tiger and a wild brown. Buzzers, daiwl bachs and a bunny leech were the successful flies for him.
  • ROSS MORRISON – Safely returned a beautiful 9lb fin perfect rainbow caught using an okay dokey fished static under a sight indicator.
  • RAYNOR KENNEDY – Safely returned 1 rainbow and 1 wild brown caught using a gold head hares ear on a floating line.
  • ALAN McQUEEN – Weighed in 2 rainbows for 8.4lb caught using a green & white egg fished static under a sight indicator.
  • TAM BROGAN – Weighed in 2 rainbows for 12.5lb and safely returned a tiger. He used mixed tactics including a red squirmy worm fished static under a sight indicator , a blue daiwl bach on a floating line and an orange rabbit on an intermediate line.
  • JOE MURPHY – Safely returned 3 rainbows caught using buzzers and daiwl bachs on a floating line.
  • GORDON FERGUSON – Safely returned 3 rainbows including 2 at 10lb using cormorant on a floating line.
  • GLEN McNEIL – Safely returned 5 rainbows caught using stalking bugs fished static under a sight indicator. On a return visit he safely returned 6 rainbows and 1 wild brown caught using an okay dokey fished static under a sight indicator and buzzers on a floating line.
  • DELAN WINTERS – Had a phenomenal evening session with 25 fish to the net including rainbows weighing 12.5lb, 10.5lb, a few at 9lb and a few at 8lb. All of his fish were over 5lb and put up an incredible fight, his arm was hurting for days! He used mixed tactics in variable sunshine and winds including buzzers, daiwl bachs and pheasant tail nymphs on a floating line, an olive apps on an intermediate line, an okay dokey and a white egg fished static under a sight indicator. I hope your arm has recovered!
  • RICHARD TAYLOR – Popped up for a few hours in the evening, he safely returned 4 rainbows including a “beauty” at 10lb. All fish were caught using nymphs on a floating line.
  • WULLIE CARR – Safely returned 3 rainbows caught using daiwl bachs and a Griffiths gnat on a floating line.
  • BLAIR ADAMSON – Safely returned 1 rainbow caught using an orange egg fished static under a sight indicator.
  • RYAN BURNS – Was very impressed by the size and fight of the 3 rainbows he caught on his evening session, caught using a white egg fished static under a sight indicator.
  • ALAN SMITH – Was glad he decided to pop up for a few hours in the evening. He ended his night with 1 tiger and 9 rainbows including a stunning double! Buzzers and nymphs on a floating line proving successful for him.
  • ALLAN DOWNIE – Safely returned 2 rainbows fishing buzzers on a floating line. On a return visit he safely returned 7 rainbows including 1 weighing 10.2lb using a black pennell and a double humpy on a floating line.
  • IAN DON – Safely returned 6 rainbows including 1 weighing 11.5lb caught using buzzers and a double humpy on a floating line.
  • BRIAN McGREGOR – Safely returned 1 rainbow around 5lb caught using a lime green shimmy egg fished static under a sight indicator.
  • IAN TELFOR – Safely returned 1 rainbow caught using a green wotsit fished static under a sight indicator.
  • R BURNS – Safely returned 1 rainbow caught using a yellow squirmy fished static under a sight indicator.
  • JONNO MCDONALD – Safely returned 15 rainbows caught using a double humpy, buzzers, a black pennell and a green & black nomad all on a floating line.
  • KEVIN CRAIG – Safely returned 1 rainbow around 5lb caught using a cormorant on a floating line.
  • EDDIE HIGGINS – Safely returned 6 rainbows caught using a white egg fished static under a sight indicator and a yellow owl on a floating line. “ The pies and coffee are cracking, and the fish are some of the best I’ve ever seen, what a fight! I will definitely be back!” True to his word he returned a few days later, he landed a stunning rainbow around 10lb and safely returned 1 other. His yellow owl again proving successful.
  • DAVID LAVAN – “ I’ve fished every fishery in the area, I can’t believe I’ve not been here yet!” He had a brilliant first visit safely returning 18 fish including rainbows of 10.5lb and 3 at 8lb! He used mixed tactics including buzzers on a floating line and a white egg fished static under a sight indicator.
  • HUGH MOORE – Weighed in 1 rainbow for 4.18lb caught using a black nymph on a floating line.
  • DERICK SAVAGE – Weighed in 1 rainbow for 4.48lb caught using an olive apps on a floating line. He was delighted with his overall experience on what was a stunning day.
  • JIM LIVINGSTONE – Safely returned 1 rainbow caught using a Kate McLaren on a floating line.
  • KEITH RICHARDSON – Safely returned 1 rainbow and 1 tiger caught using a blood worm and an okay dokey fished static under a sight indicator.
  • MAY ANDERSON – Safely returned 16 rainbows caught using a Kate McLaren and buzzers on a floating line.

 

With catch and release becoming more popular and more new anglers coming into the sport we thought we would give you a few pointers on how to safely return a fish to our or any water. Even if you are an experienced angler please have a read, every day is a school day when I comes to fishing.

Safe Catch & 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 lost and over played.
  • 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. Never bring the fish onto the banking or podiums as this removes the protective slime, increasing the chances of infections and diseases.
  • 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 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.

 

Important COVID-19 Regulations – please read:

Please adhere to the following:

  • Please adhere to the current travel restrictions.
  • We will be operating a strict booking in only policy. This allows us to limit the number of anglers arriving, using our facilities and fishing our water. It also enables a better track and trace. Please phone 07949220511 to book your space.
  • If you feel unwell or show any symptoms of COVID-19 please cancel your booking, stay at home and isolate.
  • We will be issuing tickets from the window of the lodge.
  • Refreshment are still available via the window, gloves and masks will be worn by staff and strict hygiene standards implemented during the handling.
  • ALL anglers MUST use the hand sanitising station before approaching the window. The station will be cleaned after every use. Disposable gloves are also available for anyone who wishes that extra bit of protection.
  • We ask that our anglers bring the exact money to avoid change being given. All ticket prices can be found on our website or upon request on telephone enquiries.
  • Toilets will be cleaned on a regular basis, though we ask that anglers use the antibacterial wipes and toilet brushes available to clean up after their own use.
  • Please adhere to all social distancing guidelines in place.

We would hate for anything to be traced back to our beloved sport, so let us work together to keep it as safe as possible for all participants.

Stay safe & tight lines for the week ahead!