You need a high level of dedication if you want to be a serious specimen pike angler. Stefan Jensen from Irvine certainly has that and a great deal more.

We all know how horrible this winter has been but Stefan has been out on the banks of Harelaw Reservoir day in day out in search of one special fish that he knew swam in its shallow clear water.

Up until last weekend his personal best stood at a very creditable 22lbs but he was to smash that out of the park when this leviathan picked up his gold herring bait.

When the run started there was little evidence of what size the fish was but once it surfaced and then tore off in a series of long runs Stefan knew that this was indeed a very special fish. Every inch of his tackle was tested to the limit but his Prologic rod with a 3.5lbs test curve was a match for this huge female pike.

Luckily Davy McNally was on hand to net the fish and indeed it took two of them to weigh it. The scales were pulled round to an incredible 34lbs 12oz, breaking the record at Harelaw.

I spoke with Stefan last Sunday evening and the capture was just beginning to sink in. Every fishless hard session was forgotten and new memories of this gigantic fish were stored in the memory banks.

The fight in total lasted around 10 minutes, which may not seem long but in fishing terms it can seem like an age before the fish is slipped over the net.

This session is one not to be forgotten and even the loss of a fish earlier in the day means very little now. Congratulations Stefan on a well-earned fish. I am sure that the Harelaw will produce a forty pounder in the next few years. Of course this fish was returned to fight another day.

Please remember to email me your photographs of you and your fish catches to john.milne53@gmail.com

Fishery Tales.

Lawfield Trout Fishery near Kilmacolm. The records show that 162 fish were caught over the week. Notable catches include Alex Rennie from Johnstone 19, Davy Coleman from Bridge of Weir 18 up to 7lbs, Graeme McCallum from Johnstone 12, Danny Quigley from Johnstone 9, Alan Jones from Port Glasgow 9, Stevie Cowan from Linwood 8, Malky Lough from Paisley 8, Gerry Fleming from Paisley 6, Gerry McFadyen from Port Glasgow 5, Gary Dearie from Port Glasgow 5, Craig McNeish 3 for 8lbs 6oz and R. Wells 2 for 5lbs 12oz. The best flies were olive buzzers, black buzzers, blobs, millennium bug, diawl bach, damsels, fluffcat and the minkie. Contact Billy on 01505 874182.

Lake of Menteith. The lake opens on the 18th March 18. All of the boats have been allocated for this special day but bookings can now be made by telephone or email. Contact the lake on 01877 385664.

Harelaw Trout Fishery, near Neilston. Bobby Watson has told me that the fishery will open on March 19 and it will be once again fully stocked with top quality fish. Contact Bobby on 07890082494.

Pinewood near Bridge of Weir. The fishery will host a Catch and Release Flyfishing Competition on 13th March 13 from 9am to 4.30pm with a short break for lunch. The cost of this is £20 which includes your lunch. The prize money will be decided later when final numbers are known. Contact the fishery to book your place. Contact Dougie on 01505 872222 to book your place.

Arran View near Waterside. The fishery fished well last week with varying overnight temperatures. I visited last Saturday and found the place in good form. Robert Lamb from Paisley fished mainly in the top pond to catch 24 rainbow trout. He used a Cortland Blue Line with three lures although the fish mainly picked out one with a yellow body and white tail. Rods and Reels owner Graeme Milligan landed 10 on a variety of lures and I managed seven mainly from the bottom pond. Contact Tommy 07763 170779.