Fishing: Frozen waters but loch still lands a record

Jan 8 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

DECEMBER on Beecraigs Loch has been a cold and icy month.

Indeed the first 16 days of the month was lost for the local anglers due to the loch freezing over with ice.

The boats finally sailed on the 16th of the month and the fishing recommenced.

Fife angler Alex Jaap came in with six good Rainbows for 31lbs 7ozs.

All were taken on a deep sunk Booby Nymph with his best fish weighing in at 15lbs 9ozs.

Big fish were a regular feature at the weigh in during the month and a lot of anglers achieved their personal bests on Beecraigs.

By far the best fly during December was the Booby Nymph which could be fished deep and slow and that was just what the fish were looking for.

Arthur McKee and Alan Cunningham from Bo’ness had a good days sport and came in with 10 Rainbows for 40lbs all on the Booby including a nice fish of 15lbs 3 ozs.

Lanark angler Ron Boyd took the best fish of the year when he hooked and landed a beautiful Triploid Rainbow of 19lbs 13ozs, once again taken on the Booby.

Ron told fishery staff afterwards that it took a good half hour to bring to the net.

The hot spot was the North shore quite close in.

Many fish have been taken in the 14 to 19lbs range and many hooked and lost.

The best basket during December was by D Marlowe and K McCabe who fished with an Orange blob on a DI5 line and were rewarded with 7 good fish for 50lbs — including fish of 16lb 15ozs, 14lb 12ozs, and 8lb 6ozs respectively.

There are permits available for fishing ast the Beecraigs Loch in January giving the angler the opportunity to catch that specimen fish.

Permits and enquires can be made at the Park Centre on 01506 844516.