It just seems like yesterday that I was telling you all about Christmas and a nice recipe for Crimbo trout.

For Easter, just stick a daffodil on top.

Right, food tips over, lets get to the fishing.

I’ve actually not been around much over the past weeks – I’ve been laid up with a bad knee, so apologies for the lack of info and posts. I do need stuff to write about, either my own trips up….or more importantly yours!

If you’ve got a wee story or comment, do email it in, and if you have pictures, all the better.

Talking of comments…this came into the site from Chris:

Hi just wondering why naughts been gettin caught lately and for every 40 odd 10 fish gettin caught and the prices went up r u actual stocking it?

Quite simply…yes!

The water has been stocked as regularly as ever – every single day in fact  – but we have had a few bad spells with cold harsh weather that do make fishing tricky.

Not impossible though – remember it’s just a case of finding where the fish are

Most folk I’ve spoken to are actually quite happy with the price restructure – with the addition of 2 and 6 hr permits. So give it another go Chris – and if things are proving difficult for you – simply ask!

We’re always more than happy to give advice – as are most of the regulars.

Remember if you have comments or a reply to any of the blogs, just use the ‘comment’ box on the bottom of the page. Happy to hear form you, good or bad.

Anyway, now to some good news about the fishing.

Firstly, well done to big Rab for winning this years Troutmaster fish-off a week past Sunday. He got his three fish very quickly and one of them was an eight pounder! He now goes on to represent the fishery in the grand UK final – all the best mate and the tightest of lines!

I’m actually thinking that it might be good times to round a few folk up and a minibus to go support him (and maybe get a bit of fishing in too?) Let me know if anyone fancies it.

Now to a couple of big fish stories.

Sammy Wylie pictured here had a really good day with a 6lb 3oz cracker just the day before the Troutmasters fish-off. He was in two minds about it – happy to have caught it – but a wee bit disappointed it wasn’t in the final!

Still this fish may well be good enough to qualify him for a troutmasters monthly badge for another crack at the title next year.

Remember if you do catch a big fish then do enter it into Troutmasters – forms are available in the lodge.

I’m afraid fish caught on the fly are only permitted – sorry!

The bait pond had it’s fair share of action too though.

Gerard O’Donnel seen here had his  biggest fish yet using yellow powerbait, and if memory recalls the rest of his group all bagged up to with their three fish.

So well done to all of them but especially Gerard.

Nice one mate.

I don’t have a photograph for the next one but the story did stick out in my memory as young Kyle had his first ever fish when he visited with his granda. First fish, as you’ll know from previous blogs always get a mention!

Finally from me today, a wee word about the fluff chuckers and maggot dookers club.

Darren proposed that we move this from the last Sunday every month to a Wednesday night.

I think this is a great idea.

A lot of folk I’ve spoken to in the past find weekends difficult because God knows in this day and time, if you get offered a bit of OT, you’re going to take it!

So the first one will be on Wednesday the 28th of April from seven till eleven.

What do you think? Let me know by email or nab Darren or myself when next up.

All the best and tight lines

Paul