Angling: Dancer hooks triploid rainbow for catch of the month

Oct 9 2008 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

SEPTEMBER on Beecraigs Loch proved to be an excellent month for anglers who enjoy top quality fly-fishing.

The weather was kinder, with long dry spells, although the air temperature was cooler than during August, which was better for anglers.

Water and air temperatures have dropped quite a bit, which has made the fish feed just that wee bit deeper.

Tactics have varied during September, with the floating line and nymphs the favoured method on mild days.

Best nymphs have been the daiwl bach, buzzers, bloodworm and hare’s ear.

On colder days when the fish were feeding deeper intermediate lines to full sinkers and lures was the best option.

The best lures were the dancer, nomads, black and green fritz, blobs and humungus.

Best areas have been the roadside, behind Dagger Island and by the plant rafts.

One of the best baskets of the season was taken by the Alva pairing B Ramage and McRobbie, who took a limit of 12 buzzer-feeding trout for 44lbs 3ozs.

The basket included a good bow of 12lbs 5ozs for Bill.

Jimmy Lowe and Paul Castello from Kirkcaldy weighed in with eight fine Rainbows for 26lbs 5ozs all on the bloodworm.

Armadale anglers Alex Marshall and John Morrison had a great mid month outing and brought to the scales 12 Rainbows for 35lb on the damsel and the booby.

Greg Lockhart and boat partner John McLaren from Dunblane had a good day’s sport and recorded 12 fine fish for 36lbs 14ozs which included a triploid Rainbow of 8lbs 14ozs.

During the month six doubles have been caught between 10 to 14lbs and a lot more hooked and lost after epic battles.

A number of real quality fish have been taken in the seven to 9lbs class.

Fish of the month went to Cambusbarron angler Freddie Tortolano for a fine triploid Rainbow of 14lbs 5ozs, taken on a dancer.

Mr Tortolano wins a fly rod to the value of £100, courtesy of September’s sponsor, Almond Cleaning Services of Livingston.

Clubs have faired well during September, with Broxburn and District weighing in with 49 fish for 129lbs 4ozs. George Muir and Ronnie Whitelaw had best boat on the day with 12 for 29lbs 13ozs.

All were hooked on the hare’s ear nymph.

Ayrshire club Vesuvius had 28 fish for 65lbs 4ozs for four boats.

G. McLeod had best basket with six for 15lbs 13ozs on hare’s ear.

The club has high hopes for October with it having the potential to be one of the best months of the season on Beecraigs Loch.

As water temperatures fall, a lot of big fish are on the fin and feeding up before winter sets in.

Fishery staff would remind all anglers fishing on Beecraigs Loch to please check their knots and leader materials as a number of anglers are reporting being snapped off by large trout. A leader strength of 8lbs or more is recommended.

There are still a number of permits available for October and bookings should be made through the Park Centre by calling 015096 844516.