FISHING REPORTS

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  1. This past month at the Watch Water has been a month of "Highs and Lows". The Highs being high air pressure coming in from the south west resulting in some phenomenal sport and the lows being low pressure and strong easterly winds resulting in some challenging fishing conditions.

    Tactics have being very variable throughout this period. During the periods of high pressure washing line method has proved successful with big Buzzer hatches pushing through around the mid day mark. These periods however have been very brief and when the strong winds have blown over the reservoir different tactics have been needed. The most popular being on sink tips or slow intermediate lines with a varied retrieve. One of the good things about these strong winds during this period is the fact that all fly life and available food that fish feed on are being pushed close to the margins and of course the fish are not far out from the bank at all.

    Gilmerton Angling Club figured this out on Saturday producing a return of 61 fish. Well done guys fantastic Angling.

    The most successful patterns of this month have been predominantly Black and Green Lures such as Green Peas, Ally McCoists and Green Taddies. Other productive lures have been Cats Whiskers, Cat Booby/ Candyman Booby, Humungus and Pink Lures. For the more imative Angler, Black Buzzers, Bloodworm and traffic light crunchers have done the trick.

    Going into April the forecast is to bring some slightly warmer weather which can only mean one thing for the Watch Water Fishery - more fly life and rising fish. As many of you are aware and if you are not, the Watch Water is primed for its top of the water sport. Be sure to be armed with small daddies/ Hoppers and Yellow Owls for the month of April.

    For those of you who have been up at the watch over the past few weeks you will have guessed that we are looking to have something for everyone throughout this year. We shall be running various competitions during the calendar so be sure to check out the competition section of the website. I am also looking to start up a small fly tying club on a Wednesday night at our Lodge. If you are interested then please get in touch.

    Lastly, we have had 4 tagged fish in the water where you can pay a pound to enter the tagged fish competition since last July. Should you catch one of these tagged fish you shall either win a pot of money or a Hardy Demon fly rod. 2 of these fish have been caught already during March and last year, however the people who caught them did not pay their pound for the pot and therefore did not win anything. Be sure to pay a pound when you buy your fishing permit from our well stocked lodge to avoid disappointment.

    Finally, I look forward to seeing you up for a cast at some point throughout April. If you need any information prior to you visit please get in touch or follow us on Facebook and Twitter where we post daily snippets.

    Tight Lines,

    Martin

    March Fish 1

     

    March fish 2

     

  2. I would like to start our first fishing report of the season with a Tight Lines to 2014 and may your rods be bent double as much as possible!

    Over the past week has seen some tremendous sport for this time of year with numbers of fish being caught into the mid teens. The fish are in fine fettle and more than eager to take, especially the over wintered fish.

    Tactics have mainly been Black and Green lures/ Boobies, Cat Boobies, Candy Cat Boobies or the mini lure versions, Orange and tequila Blobs and also Hot Head Dial Bachs.  

    Anglers who have been fishing succesfully have been fishing these flies on Midge Tip/ Sink Tip lines, Fast Glass intermediates or going down to a Di3 sinking line. The method is quite simple, cast out count down and find the depth that the fish are feeding on. Slow retrieve is key, the fish are looking for the slow pulsing movement of your flies and every now and again vary the speed to try and induce a take.

    Since Sunday, there has been a bout of high pressure coming from the west which has changed tactics during the afternoon. The high pressure has brought on some warmer weather resulting in big Buzzer hatches around the Reservoir. Mark Straughen and Mick Yeomens of Norham switched onto these tactics which produced a big catch using Black Buzzers and Traffic Light Crunchers on a midge tip.

    There has also been a few big fish caught during the first week including William Crombie's 8lbs Brown Trout (picture below) What a stunning fish and what a way to start the season. Well Done William, Cracking fish.

    We shall be posting dates for Competitions  and various activities that we shall be hosting in the next couple of days so be sure to keep an eye out on the website.

    Also please note that we are now on facebook and twitter. Our page name is The Watch Water, please click the on the links below and follow us for daily updates and Fishing pictures:

    https://www.facebook.com/FacebookUK?brand_redir=1#!/pages/The-Watch-Water/596665120409968

    https://twitter.com/TheWatchWater

    Finally I shall leave you with the Catch Returns from those who came back into the lodge after their days fishing throughout the opening week and also some fishy pictures.

    Catch Returns over past week:

    W. Clark - returned 3 
    C. Puntun - returned 3
    R. White - kept 1 and released 2
    D. Jackson - returned 12 from boat
    William Crombie - returned 12 from boat
    C. Punton Snr - returned 1
    Bob Cockburn - returned 15
    Robbie Bell - returned 10
    D. Hermiston - returned 4
    P. Allan - returned 11
    J. Banks - kept 2 fish for 6lbs and returned 8
    G. Turnbull - kept 1 for 2lbs
    Keith Naismith - kept 1 for 2lbs
    John Banks - Kept 2 for 5lbs and returned 13
    Andrew McQuater - kept 2 for 3lbs
    William Dodds - Kept 2 for 4lbs
    Frank Daly - returned 2
    Mike Blackwood - returned - 12
    Bob White - kept 1 for 1lbs 1/2 and returned 2
    Alex Johnson - returned 3
    Dean WIlson - returned 2
    Mark Straghen - returned 13
    Mick Yeomans - returned 14
    John Banks - returned 3
    Graham Barnes - returned 3

    Over Wintered Fish

    overwintered fish 1

    over wintered fish 2

    Bob White

    bob white

    John Banks with his catch

    john banks

    Kevin Naismith with a nice Troot

    Kevin Naismith

    William Crombie's Stonker of an 8lbs Brown Trout

    William Crombie 8lbs brown

    A beautiful March Sunset over the Watch Water

    March Sunset over the watch

    I hope to see you all soon and if you need any information or help prior to your visit then please do not hesitate to pick up the phone and we shall be more than happy to help.

    Tight Lines
    Martin Stewart