Goldenloch
July09th -Week-27-2018
Having operated a commercial Stillwater fishery since approx 1985/86, we have seen many different problems with the water and oxygen levels, but have never seen the water temperature so high, just now or rather yesterday it was 19 / 20 degrees, to day a bit of a breeze and less sun, sees it at 19 degrees, the fish are living quietly under the weeds where they are sheltered from the blistering sun, in actual fact in the weeds or rather under the weeds it is 14 degrees, but that is still hot, a major bonus is the amount of fly life that is hatching just now and the water is positively hoaching with buzzers etc, lots of pond skimmers, beetles and Blue Damsels, never ever seen so many Blue damsels’, so what’s happening the Algae is mild, it was at its worst on Saturday, but a lot of that was cloudiness in the water from cutting weeds, I am really hoping that the algae has run its course and it looks pretty much in a poor condition, everything we have done this year was to minimise the effect of algae, however that didn’t really interfere with the David Wilson, Kingskettle, jolly, BBQ, fishing day, not that many fish were caught by them, on the hottest day of the year so far, with the last man leaving at 8pm, however local and regular lad Billy arriving at 7pm was being cajoled by the not so sober group, went on to fish the bank and caught and released 9 keeping 2 for 5.5 lbs all on Klinkhammers and sedge hogs, this week has been very varied mostly due to the heat and bright sun, remember these fish have no eye protection, we have an oxygenator working on a 24 hr timed cycle, its making a huge difference, today Darin and his canoe were on the water at 5 am, and being honest that’s the time to fish after a cool night, his words were that there were fish everywhere, This year especially it is the time anglers have to be vigilant about dipping nets and equipment, especially if they have fished recently elsewhere, we have two disinfectant net dips and they are for motors as well, this weather will see Argulas ( Louse ) spread like wild fire, the eggs are miniscule, 0.01 mm and each louse lays hundreds if not thousands in a sticky string spawn, not unlike toads spawn however it’s the stickiness’ that causes the problem, the spawn sticks to the fish and weeds and the fish go into the weeds for cover, these eggs get under the scales at first, often many hundreds are on each fish, the fish at that stage don’t suffer, its not until the eggs hatch and makes its way under the scales into the gills and then the fish just die, being next to Lindores Loch and experiencing the devastation caused back then 20years ago we have been ultra cautious about our bio security, also if anglers find fish with eyes popping out you must tell fishery staff as this is a sure sign of oxygen starvation.
Fly Fishing is a Pastime, it is not only relaxing, but also rewarding, come to the “Goldenloch” enjoy your Hobby to the max, no stress, only tranquil surroundings abundant wildlife, great fish, Brown, Blues and Rainbows, you will not be disappointed. Phone 01337840355 or 07968006367 ask for John or look up Postcode KY14 6HZ