After a long drawn out spawning season (still ongoing) caused by unseasonably cold weather and water temperatures, the catches are beginning to return to something resembling normality with progressively larger pike being landed in the past few weeks the best of which were a chunky 22lb 6oz from Alan Meechan, a 20lb 4oz from Ross Stevenson and a solid 20lber from Willie Salmond. Good trout catches are also being reported with the average weight being between 1 & 2 lbs in healthy numbers with the best being a lovely 2lber, spinning from David Potter.

It was good to see Dave Lindsay and The Pike Fly Fishing Association (P.F.F.A) boys at Venachar who, although fishing in difficult conditions, had a great day out. Check out the report of their trip at http://www.pffa.co.uk/lochvenacharapril2011.htm and visit their website for more information on this innovative and exciting way of pike fishing. With the consistent warmer weather arriving and more activity from the fish, especially at Little Drum Farm and The Road Shores, we are expecting some good results very soon, so remember to be there for the post-spawning feeding frenzies…it could be good!

 Some recent reported catches (boat & bank) :- Alan Meechan (Falkirk) 22lb 6oz - mackerel, Preston McGlone (Coatbridge) 16lb 1oz - mackerel, Kevin Mackenzie (Falkirk) 10lb 14oz -trout, 12lb 3oz - smelt, Craig Learmonth (Paisley) 16lb 2oz - trout, Mark Thompson (Falkirk) 9lb, 15lb 9 oz, 13lb 6oz, 7lb 8oz, 12lb 9oz - pollan & smelt, Scott McBride (Motherwell) 12lb 6oz - lure, Lawrence Broadley 1lb 3oz brown trout & Adam Yacoob 1lb 8oz brown trout- beaded wooly bugger, Adrian Ferguson (Greenock) 10lb 2oz - roach, Ian Purvis (Burntisland) 14lb & 6lb pike, 1lb 4oz brown trout, David Rough (Paisley) 14, 10 & 5lb, Steven Gibson (Paisley) 13lb, Ryan Tweedy (Paisley) 10lb, Michael & Ross Devaney 22lb 2oz - bluey, Dick Love (Airdrie) 16lb 1oz - lamprey, Ross Stevenson (Falkirk) 20lb 4oz - Eel, Willie Salmond (Dunfermline) 20lb - Roach, David Potter 2lb & 1lb 8oz brown trout - spinning and Ryan Bain (Rosyth) 17lb 4oz - smelt.

Remember to always adhere to proper angling practice (minimum requirements information leaflet available from boathouse or bailiff) and to leave the loch as you find it, i.e. clean! Don’t hesitate to report any anti-social behaviour, vandalism or wildlife offences to the police, park-rangers or the water bailiff. Thanks.