Robert Ross sent me this picture of a super 8lb rainbow trout he caught on opening day, 1st April 2019. This is almost certainly one of the large fish stocked in June 2018. Although we have snow again today, the first couple of days of the season have been very productive with lots of anglers taking multiple fish.  

Robert was fishing a 7 weight sink tip line, a tapered leader, 6lb tippet and two size 10 flies. On the top dropper a gold head viva and on the point a black hot head dancer. The fish took the black hot head dancer on a slow retrieve, about 3 to 5 feet deep. Fish were also seen taking small black buzzers on the surface.

Some great captures on Harlaw to start us off in 2019!

There have been a couple of pre-season stockings which meant there were plenty of fish to be caught on opening day. We had 40+ anglers on the banks at one time or another through the day, and lots of fish landed.

A nice surprise was three of the large trout we stocked last June were caught, the best of 8lb. The picture shows Ronnie Robinson with a fine 6lb Rainbow trout. So despite the winter, high water temperatures and low water levels last summer plenty of fish have survived. Plenty of chances of another big fish or two over the coming season!

We stock the fishery right through the season.

Thanks to Nigel Duncan for his trout season opening day promotion in the Edinburgh Evening News this week, a great place to keep up with the angling news. Also keep an eye out for our promotional posters, in a tackle shop near you.

Despite Storm Gareth battering the banks everything is looking great up at the reservoirs. Water levels are up and about right for fishing. Out of the wind, with the sun shining it was feeling very spring like again today. No fish seen rising this morning, but it was choppy.  Judging by the rises I've seen through the winter and resident cormorants I believe a good number of fish have successfully overwintered successfully this year. There will be freshly stocked Rainbow Trout added throughout the season. Threipmuir will also receive a fresh stock of Brown Trout.

All the paths are clear and in good condition. The path towards the Blacksprings, east from the Threipmuir wall has been much improved with a new hard surface. The path extends a good way up the muddy hill back towards Harlaw. I presume thanks go to Edinburgh City Council for the works.

Here's Journalist Nigel Duncan Interviewing Head bailiff Jim McComb for Edinburgh Local Radio. Nigel asks Jim about the 2018 season and what Malleny Angling are doing to make things better in 2019. Jim tells us about poor fishing conditions in 2018 due to weather and water levels and goes on to explain our new price structure for 2019. In case you missed it: £20 all day 3 fish; 15 all day C+R; 15 evening 2 fish; £10 evening C+R. Nigel and Jim agree that this will encourage anglers to visit after work. They go on to discuss how its hoped this will encourage anglers to bring a junior (u16) along as one is included for each paying adult.