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magiscroft fishing reports @ 28 February 2005

We will all be glad to see February out as it's been so consistently cold with few milder days. Timing is crucial at this time of year, take advantage of any brief mild spells and be aware that afternoons are often better than the cold mornings.  If you can use the right methods in the right place at the right time there is still some interesting fishing to be had.  The key message is still to feed very little since if you feed too much it can badly affect your chances at the moment. Check with Ronnie in the shop and he will give you all the latest info and advice.

 

1st Jim Hillhouse

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1st Brian Cochrane

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Main Loch

The deeper water has helped to keep the bites coming when it is cold and feeder and slider tactics are the best now. Frank Smith had a nice catch last week of over 13lb of Carp and Skimmers.  On Saturday Karl Altdorfer showed that silver fish are starting to make an appearance by catching over 60 Roach and Ide on slider with loose fed maggot.  On Sunday again anglers found that fish suddenly started feeding late on, especially after the match time, ie after 4pm.

Slider is starting to be more and more successful now so perhaps that is a glimpse into how the Loch should fish during March as temperatures creep up.  Groundbait can be a bit hit or miss so more anglers are loose feeding maggots with a catapult  to keep silver fish bites coming.

More skimmers are being caught but the small carp are still the most consistent fish especially when the water is clear. A small groundbait or maggot feeder with a 3ft long tail cast towards the middle will reach the deep water. Maggot bait is catching all species. Pole fishing is usually hard but sometimes it can work well later in the day.

Top Pond

There are still lots of bites for everybody, but when it's really cold the key is not feeding too much which puts the Carp off. Often the best catches are coming later in the day as temperature warm and light fades. In the coldest weather certain areas can be better than others, often pegs in the middle of each side are better than the deeper or shallower ends. If the going is tough, a move to another spot can see you catch lots more fish. 

Pole is most effective because you can use a small pole cup to drip in small amounts of micro pellet and maggots very accurately. Near the island is usually most productive but when it is quiet or overcast you can catch close in too.

Island Pond

The species of fish that feed best is often determined by the weather conditions.  Some days it's Carp and on colder days it's often days Ide, Orfe and Chub.  Mr Hughes had lovely catch on Saturday of over 20 Carp to 2lb and Jim Hillhouse won the last match on the Island Pond with 24lb 6oz (report here)

 Gary McKay has been taking some impressive catches of big Ide to 1lb 4oz and he has found that the key is to feed very little using a small pole cup, search around a few areas and to stay patient until the fish start feeding.

Maggot, Pinkie and Caster are best baits, with micro pellet too as feed. Pellet hookbait is working mainly later in the day and is taking a few carp as the water warms and light fades. Worm is not so effective now so be careful how much chopped worm you use, though it can work well as a change bait. Bigger Carp and Tench up to 5lb are being caught but only occasionally.

Previous Reports

22 January 2005

18 December 2004

25 October 2004

27 August 2004

26 June 2004

25 May 2004

27 April 2004

21 April 2004

12 April 2004

3 April 2004

18 March 2004

18 January 2004

26 December 2003

17 November 2003

27 October 2003

7 October 2003

29 July 2003

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2nd Brian Clark

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