READERS of this article will know that Loch Fad has had a hard time over the last few years but it now looks as if all of their troubles are behind them.

The water I am assured is full of hard fighting fully finned rainbow trout waiting to be caught. If you have not been for a while you will find that Jimmy has carried out a number of improvements to the fishery, which help to enhance your fishing experience there.

Casting platforms have been installed and generally the place has been spruced up. The trout are spread throughout the Loch from the north to the south.

Of course the known hot spots such as The Pump House and The Boat House are still fishing very well. This week the fish have been on top and at times taking dries in the favourable conditions. I hope to get over soon and I hope to see you there.

Last Friday was one of those days when everything collided to make for an extra special fishing day. Fishery managers reported extra special catches that day up and down the country. I fished for a short while in the morning at Lawfield Trout Fishery and managed to net 19 fish. By the end of the day nearly 200 fish had been caught nearly all on dry flies. A big olive hatch brought the fish to the surface and at times the place bubbled with rising fish.

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. An incredible 440 fish were recorded last week. Notable catches include Bobby Quinn from Linwood 27, Davy Coleman from Bridge of Weir 26, Joe Currie from Paisley 24, The Killie Boys 22, Liz Pringle from Paisley 21, Alex Rae from Beith 21, Stevie Pringle from Paisley 20, Joe Woods from Johnstone 20, John Milne from Elderslie 19, Alan Jones from Port Glasgow 18, Paul Tourish from Barrhead 17, Scott McCormick from Kilbirnie 15 and Malky Muir from Kilbarchan 15, Danny Quigley from Johnstone 11, Steven Kennedy from Erskine 10, Jordan Queen from Elderslie nine, Mark Blair from Kilbirnie eight and under tuition from John Milne, Harry Colville from Fife six. Other catches include Mr Timms four for 10lbs 4oz, Mr Sutherland 3 for 7lbs 4oz, Mr McCloy 4 for 13lbs 8oz, Mr Malcolmson 4 for 9lbs 12oz, Mr Williamson 2 for 5lbs 13oz and Mr Jones 2 for 5lbs. The best flies were olive CDCs, suspender buzzers, buzzers, elk hair caddis, greenwell spider, diawl bach, small damsels and the Ally McCoist. Contact Billy on 01505 874182.

New Howwood near Paisley. The fishing was mainly steady for most of the past seven days at the fishery. Monday to Friday saw some good hatches and the fish feeding aggressively. Saturday fished well early morning and afternoon and Sunday fished well early morning then seemed to slow down. The best areas were once again the Top Shallows and Left Bank. Boat anglers also did well in the main basin. Notable catches include Colin Crighton 26, Bernie Love 23, Martin Daly 20, Scott Young 15., Eddie Higgins 12, Stuart Lindsay 12, Mikey Lindsay 11, John McSherry 10, Tam Barrie 8 and Mr McDougall 8. The fish of the week goes to Danny Sullivan with a rainbow estimated at 12lbs. A further 250 fish were recorded by anglers. The best flies were suspender buzzers, CDC`s, buzzers, hoppers, beetles and various lures. Contact Colin on 0777 1690 585

Lake of Menteith. 6ft Water Temperature 9C , Clarity (Secchi disc) 2.9m. Evening fishing has now started at The Lake.

On Saturday 30th Caley Liners landed18 fish for 44lbs and returned 59 with 6 boats, Wellington AC landed 20 for 45lbs and returned a further 78 with 5 boats. Pike Anglers Alliance Scotland returned 90 pike with 14 boats – the biggest being 17lbs. On Sunday 1st May East Kilbride AC weighed in 28 for 56lbs and returned another 63 with 10 boats. Pencaitland AC weighed in 26 for 51lbs. Mr Armstrong from Dollar landed 4 fish for 12lbs 6oz. Contact The Lake on 01877 385664.

Loch Fad Isle of Bute. The water is clear and fishing very well for bait and fly anglers from boat and bank. The Ferry Flydressers had 120 fish over the weekend on yellow dancers and green peas fished on intermediate lines. Neil Doran and company had 18 for 44lbs on bait, The Bull party had 30 fish for 62lbs on bait and Alan Firth had 20 fish. The water was alive at times last week with rising fish. Contact on Jimmy on 01700 504871