Burnhouse Lochan Fishery – Weekly Report: 26.03.21 – 02.04.21      

I am a very fond believer that tough conditions make us better anglers. If fishing were always easy, we would not learn, it is through perseverance that our knowledge grows and we build some of our best skills, essential skills! This week certainly gave us all that opportunity when Scotland at its best gave us four seasons in one week!

FISH OF THE WEEK – This week’s top spot goes to IAN DON with an 11.4lb bow! Well done, Ian!

FLIES OF THE WEEK – This week’s top 3 flies were BUZZERS, EGGS AND NYMPHS.

Other successful flies were – double humpy, wotsits, squirmy worms, goldie lure, fab, daiwl bachs, snatchers, dancers, hares ears, bunny leeches, the covid fly, zonkers, apps, Alex Ferguson, Kate McLaren, blobs, hoppers, Ally McCoist, okey dokey, klink hammers, orange nomad, black rabbit, sedges, Griffiths gnat, shipmans, tequila tadpole, orange dancer,  black rabbit, and a shimmy worm.

CATCHES OF THE WEEK

  • ROBERT RANKIN – Safely returned 2 good sized rainbows caught using buzzers on a floating line.
  • STEVEN HALL  –Safely returned 7 rainbows, 2 tigers and a wild brown caught using hot head pheasant tailed nymphs and buzzers all on a floating line.
  • CHRIS DRAKE –Safely returned 2 rainbows including his new P.B weighing 10lb, both were caught using buzzers on a floating line.
  • JOHN KERR –Safely returned 1 rainbow and 1 brown caught using hot head pheasant tailed nymphs on a floating line.
  • DECLAN WINTERS –Safely returned 2 rainbows caught using buzzers on a floating line.
  • BRIAN LEITH –Safely returned 2 rainbows caught using a goldie lure on an intermediate line and a pink egg fished static under a sight indicator. He was that impressed by the fight and quality of the fish that he returned the next day, he safely returned 1 rainbow caught using a covid fly on a floating line.
  • ALFIE SPENCE –Safely returned 1 rainbow caught using buzzers on a floating line. He returned a few days later and safely returned 5 rainbows and 1 brown caught using a klink hammer and buzzers on a floating line and a spearmint egg fished static under a sight indicator.
  • EUAN PERRY –Safely returned 2 rainbows caught using a yellow fab and a red daiwl bach both on a floating line.
  • COLIN SPENCE – Safely returned 1 rainbow caught using a black snatcher on a floating line.
  • ROSS MORRISON –Has been dying to catch a tiger for months, watching time after time as his friends caught them but, he finally did it! He safely returned an 8lb tiger caught using a uv yellow dancer on an intermediate line.
  • REYNER KENNEDY –Safely returned 1 rainbow caught using a hares ear on a floating line.
  • ALAN HUNTER –Safely returned 1 tiger and 4 rainbows caught using a black bunny leech and a green & white lure on an intermediate line and a green & white egg fished static under a sight indicator.
  • LEWIS KIDD –Had a “cracking day” he safely returned 1 blue, 1 tiger and 3 rainbows including 1 weighing 8.5lb. A pink zonker, uv yellow dancer, redd apps and an Alex Ferguson all on an intermediate line were the successful flies for him.
  • ALLAN DOWNIE – Safely returned 2 impressive rainbows, 1 weighing 8.5lb and the other 10.2lb! A double humpy and a Kate McLaren both on a floating line were the flies that made him a very happy man.
  • RICHARD TAYLOR –Safely returned 6 rainbows caught using nymphs, a yellow blob and a white zonker all on a floating line.
  • RYAN BURNS –Safely returned 2 rainbows caught using a white egg fished static under a sight indicator.
  • BLAIR ADAMSON –Safely returned 3 rainbows caught using a white egg fished static under a sight indicator.
  • JIMMY MARSHALL –Safely returned a brown caught using buzzers on a floating line.
  • HUGH MOORE –Safely returned a stunning 9lb rainbow caught using a tequila egg on a floating line.
  • WILLIAM TURNER –Weighed in 2 rainbows for 7.4lb caught using a tequila egg fished static under a sight indicator.
  • WULLIE CARR –Safely returned 4 rainbows including 1 double and 1 weighing 9lb, he also lost and missed several more using an elk hair sedge and hoppers on a floating line.
  • IAN DON –Safely returned a very impressive rainbow weighing 11.4lb caught using a double humpy on a floating line.
  • ANDY FLANIGAN – Safely returned 1 rainbow weighing 7.5lb caught using an Ally McCoist on an intermediate line. He also lost several and had plenty offers all on the Ally.
  • NEIL FLANIGAN –Safely returned 1 rainbow weighing 9.5lb caught using a yellow dancer on an intermediate line.
  • BRIAN SKINNER –Safely returned 1 rainbow and 1 blue caught using a pink egg fished static under a sight indicator. One a return visit he also safely returned 1 rainbow and 1 blue using a pink and a white egg.
  • JONNO McDONALD –Safely returned 22 rainbows and 2 wild browns caught using a double humpy, Griffiths gnat, buzzers, black rabbit, orange dancer, greenwells spider and a black & green spider all on a floating line.
  • BRIAN McGREGOR –Weighed in 1 rainbow for 3lb and safely returned 2 others using an okey dokey, olive buzzer and a damsel nymph all on a floating line.
  • EDDIE HIGGINS – Fishing in the freezing cold strong winds and rain left with a massive smile on his face after catching a fin perfect double figure rainbow on a tequila tadpole. “Honestly, this place is just amazing! Can’t beat it!”
  • ALAN SMITH – Safely returned 4 rainbows caught using nymphs on a floating line.
  • IAN TELFORD –Safely returned 2 rainbows caught using a black & orange wotsit and a red & white wotsit fished static under a sight indicator.
  • JUSTIN PRENTISE –Weighed in 1 rainbow for 3.2lb caught using an Ally McCoist on an intermediate line.
  • ROBERT PATON –Safely returned 2 rainbows caught using buzzers on a floating line and a pink egg fished static under a sight indicator.
  • TONY STEEN – “I really enjoyed that, the fish are in brilliant condition, they all fight like crazy, there’s more than plenty in there and the wee wild browns are some of the most beautiful I’ve seen!” He safely returned 5 rainbows and 2 wild browns using pheasant tailed nymphs on a floating line and later when the cold wind picked up a spearmint egg and a spearmint shimmy worm fished static under a sight indicator.
  • COLIN BIGGAR – Safely returned 2 rainbows caught using a sedge on a floating line.
  • MAY ANDERSON –Safely returned 18 rainbows and 4 wild browns caught using buzzers, a black shipmans buzzer, Griffiths gnat, Kate McLaren, yellow owl, and a double humpy all on a floating line.

 

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!