Pleased to say that we are now back open after that cold spell.

And as we say goodbye to the naughties…Can we all wish you the very best for the New Year and hope that it’s a good one for you all with good times and plenty of fish!

Cheers

Paul

Again another tough decision, but definitley the correct one.

I was on my way to the fishery this morning and on the way up had a 360 moment due to ice on the road.

-12 degrees C overnight and -5 this morning. Despite that, due to the ice-free machinery, the water was fishable but It just doesn’t make sense to risk the drive or extreme cold.

We’ll be acessing the situation daily, so keep checking the website for more details.

All the best

Paul

Extremely sorry to say that the difficult descision has been made to cancel this weekend’s festive competitions, both the bait on boxing day and the fly on Sunday.

With the current weather conditions and forcast over the next few days, it seems safer and prudent to do so. And it also seemed sensible to do so now so that you all know where you stand, rather than leave it to the last minute.

I hope you all understand.

THE FISHERY WILL BE OPEN! AND DEPOSITS RETURNED.

So if you fancy coming up, we’ll be delighted to see you – just take care on the road up!

To all of you and yours, we hope you have a very merry Christmas.

Cheers

Paul

The shop now has gift vouchers available if you are looking for a gift idea for Christmas.

I’m sure the wife will love it!

(apologies to our female anglers – it was a poor attempt at a funny!)

Also, places are filling up fast for what is sure to be a great occasion on Boxing day.

Our bait competition is taking place then, and we’ll have the fluff chuckers the following day on Sunday the 27th. Just so you’re aware, we will be closed on Christmas eve and Christmas day.

Everytime you turn on the telly you get someone or other giving you present or food tips for Christmas.

Here’s mine!

Fish course for your Christmas dinner.

Take one georgeous Carbeth Fishery rainbow trout (make it a big one – you know we have them!)

Fillet both sides and give one to your mate (or keep it if you’re like me and have 14 people coming for dinner!)

Lay the fillets skin side down on a deep oven proof dish.

Take the juice and rind off of 2 oranges and 1 lemon. Pour half of the juice into a jug and pop in a few cloves. Let them sit for a bit.

After an hour or so take the jug of juice and pour over your fillets – leave in the fridge for another hour or so.

Meanwhile take the rind and the rest of the juice and place in a bowl along with enough fresh breadcrumbs that will cover the fish (leave the orange packet stuff  alone!!) Add some freshly chopped parsley or corriander and mix well. This is now your crispy crimbo topping. Put it aside for the hour then place on top of the fillets.

The juice on the fish acutally cooks it slightly, so you’ll only need about 15 to 20 minutes (depending on how big the fish is) in a hot oven.

Buriful. In fact it can be prepared the previous day and eaten cold as a salad.

So what are your chances of getting the main ingredient then?

Well, fishing has been good the past few days and the conditions surprisingly mild. Ok, it’s not exactly balmy, but not as cold as it could be.

Stop wrapping presents, wrap yersel up, and get fishing!

All the best for the festive season

Paul

Before I start on the fishing report, I just wanted to let you all know that the fishery has invested in some technology to keep the ponds ice-free this year.

The cold weather won't get in the way this year

And thankfully it doesn’t involved me with a big pair o wellies and a big stick.

Darren told me just now that if a heavy frost is expected then the agitators will be run all night to keep the ponds open, so no excuse for missing out on your fishing.

There are braziers at the huts – all we ask is that you bring your own fuel and PLEASE don’t start attacking bits of wood that are around the ponds.

Also please tidy the thing away before you leave and be careful if juniors are around that they don’t burn themselves.

Anyway, back to the fishing.

I’m on record quite a few times already stating that the fishery fishes extremely well in the winter.

And I’m just about to prove it!

I enjoyed a great day at the fishery yesterday for our end of month competition.

Quite a few brave souls enjoyed it too. I don’t think any one person blanked….er apart from me that is, but to be fair I only messed about for around half-an-hour.

Young Darren won the heaviest bag on the bait pond – that’s his second victory in a row and newcomer to the competition Paul from the Duntreath angling club had the biggest fish at 3.71 lbs – well done both.

Some of the competitors not feart to have their picture taken with dodgy clobber on

Honorable mentions have to go to Ricey, again from the Duntreath club – he had his 3 fish bag within 30 or 40 minutes if memory serves!

 Not to be bored for the rest of the competition I loaned him a fly rod and he tried catch and release for a bit.

Well to be honest, it was really not catch and didn’t have to release – but keep banging away mate, you’ll get there eventually!

Talking of the fluff chucking persuation, it was simply incredible.

Most reached their bag of three and continued onto catch and release, the heaviest bag won by Rab 8.42lb.

Winner of most fish caught was Ricky, who took three and released an incredible 18. Yes that’s not a typo.

EIGHTEEN!

A more than honorable mention though has to go to Sammy who released 16. SIXTEEN!

All together I reckon that there was around 80 fish ‘jagged’ yesterday. So don’t be surprised if you have to be a wee bit more wiley with them over the next wee while.

I would say that ‘naturals’ would be the way to go, but as I was the only person NOT to catch a fish yesterday, what the hell do I know!

Just another wee story to wind up with. It’s always great to welcome first-time anglers and Sunday there was no execption.

Young David Morris who’s five caught his first ever fish and followed it closely with a second before his dad eventually caught up!

He told me that the wee man wouldn’t sleep on Saturday night because he was so excited about his first fishing expedition. I told him I was exactly the same when I was young and if truth betold I still feel like that from time to time.

So well done David and I hope you have a great time with your new hobby.

Couple of dates to remember – the next Friday night fishing competition is on the 11th December.

There are a few places left for the Boxing day bait competition – remember its a booking thing, so get a deposit down to secure your place.

And finally, the usual end of month competition will be on the following day, Sunday 27th Dec for the fluff chuckers.

I hope you get a chance to join us  – you’ll not be disapointed.

Till the next time, tight lines and no’ uppa tree!

Paul

Just a wee reminder that the end of month competition is going ahead tomorrow.

Hope to see a few Hardy souls there. The fish are in great fettle, lets hope you are too!

all the best

Paul