Corsehouse Report 2016
24 July 2016
I have now changed my muddler for a smaller one, and with it has come a change in fortune. The original one had eventually lost all the tail and most of the body, leaving only the deer hair ball and a small bit of feather. Granted it was still catching fish even in that condition. The replacement looks good and it looked good to the fish. 6 offers but not one fish hooked. On closer examination I demised that the fly was too heavily dressed and a good trim, especially around the hook point area should help the offer to catch ratio. So my first blank for a while. But a learning experience.
14 July 2016
There has been no one fishing since my last trip. I was only up to test a repair to my electric outboard. I only had 1/2 an hours fishing, but still managed to winkle a nice 3/4 pounder. The muddler is now down to its head only. The fish were on the surface moving like shoals of mullet supping flies which littered the glassy flat calm surface. The caenis are here, but they are still taking the sedge so all is not lost. Still worth a try.
10 July 2016
Things looked like they were slowing down. There are not so many entries in the book mostly 1 fish a trip. This trip was only an hour and a half but still managed to produced 6 fish, including four 11/2 pounders. I could do no wrong. They were all solid positive confident takes. A porpoise rise just before the muddler with the line tightening as they went down. Perfect hooking every time. There have been signs of poaching. Orange bubble float washed up on shore, people walking away from the bottom end of the water when I arrived. A 3 piece fly rod has been found. If any member has left it get in touch and we will get it back to you. All our waters in terms of Scottish Law are stank waters. It is an offence to be at these waters with fishing tackle in possession. You don't have to be fishing or have stolen fish to be guilt of an offence. Everything used in the crime,including the car would be confiscated. And we do prosecute all poachers. A large proportion of our members are police or X police. It is not much to get a full seasons fishing permit We have stepped up bailiff patrols so make sure you have your permits with you and parking permits displayed.
04 July 2016
How did you celebrate the 4th of July. I decided to go out to the Corse to bail out the boats following some very heavy rain over the past week. Using my trusty floating water pump, I threw it into the boat, connected the battery and while pumping out got my gear ready for fishing. The pump has 2 settings one for auto float shut off and the other on till you pull the battery lead off. before setting off fishing I threw the pump into the second boat and away I went, knowing that the pump would switch off when it had pumped out most of the water.
The returns book was still showing some good catches, last week with 8's, 5's and 4's the order of the day. Some good catches even in bright fishing conditions. As I set out there were a lot of surface activity. They were taking caenis mostly and a few sedges.
There were a lot of great gentle porpoise rises everywhere and they would actively attack my flies as well. I caught 3 but should have been so many more. The strange thing was not one fish came to the muddler. Gasp, I may change it next trip, to a smaller muddler. The caenis hatch was not prolific, probably because it was cold. This is what helped me. When they switch on to the massive caenis hatch it will be the kiss of death on the fishing. However, at this time you realise just how many fish there are in our waters. They are not called the anglers curse for nothing. I will keep you posted.
18 June 2016
Not the best of fishing weather, bright sunshine, but a good breeze. I know, making my excuses before I have even started. Thankfully there was one fish that didn't read the rule book. Another two followed but much later on, as the sun was getting lower and hidden behind some wispy clouds, including a cracking 2lb fish. All returned. 3 fish, on each of my 3 flies. (see gallery 2) I think that means they are taking anything in front of them. Its just finding them and persevering. The catch book was reporting steady catches throughout may and June. With some really good catches when conditions were perfect. The corsehouse does not seem to get the same angling pressure as the picket and goin, being further away and only open to full members. It is certainly worth a try.
27 May 2016
Yes it is back to the Corsehouse again. I only had 3 hrs, half an hour up half back 2 Hrs fishing. Thanks to the guys who bailed out the boats, it gave me more time fishing. There was quite a strong wind blowing. I went right up to the top of the water and allowed the wind to drift me back down. There were fish rising but with the speed of the drift It was hard to cover them effectively. I did get one offer but it was only having a look. One and a half hours later I was starting to reconcile with my first blank. The sighting of Mr and Mrs Otter, a sprightly deer bounding over fences would be my only consolation. Just one more drift I decided, down the far away bank, not to far up the loch, a little more sheltered, water a little less murky. Bang fish up but missed then the same fish again and again but not taking the fly. I left it static. It came again and the line shot off. I tightened into a nice 1lb brownie. With bright red spots it was probably one of the grown on stockies from years ago, the 6in fingerlings . Quickly followed by two others from this years stockies. The returns book showed a few people fishing during the week. most 3s and 4s for their trip, one blank and another with 10 taken on the Bibio. Great fishing indeed. Get out and enjoy.
20 May 2016
Well it was a dull rainy windy evening. I met 2 anglers just off the water, having fished the bank for most of the day. They had a few fish on and lost them. In the returns book there were a few blank days but most had 1 or two fish, one having had 8. Sport definitely improving. I went out on the boat after pumping them all out. The wind was bad for drifting but with the electric outboard I was able to drift from 150yds out onto the shore and sawtoothed down the bank. I was hitting fish at all parts of the drift close in and far out. They were mostly interested in my large attractor muddler. I saw no fish rising. unless to my flies. The fish were definitely on the feed, One had my teal blue and silver right down its throat. It was spitting up minnows and snails so really feeding well. It was a typical corsehouse fishing day for me 6 fish landed, including a double hook up. it was slow but steady fishing all evening, cut short by a going home tangle.
15 May 2016
It had been very bright all day. The returns book did show catches mostly ones and twos, with one lucky angler having landed 5. This was the first time this year a have met anyone else on the water. The first 2 hours it was dead. No rises not swirls no tugs nothing. Just as the sun began to lower in the sky it just switched on. I had 2 on at the same time, but lost both, tugs fish on fish off. I put this down to barbless hooks. I would prefer to loose fish than damage them. With hope rekindled, I drifted off about 30 meters from the bank.
Another swirl and it was on, a very hard fighting brownie, beautifully marked with a tail like a paddle. Tomorrows breakfast. Then the otter made an appearance and the switch was off. Time for home. It looks like the water board has taken the hasp and our paddle-lock. Easier to get in and out though.
05 May 2016
This is what I love about being a member of the club. I can finish work, drive out to the waters and still have 3 to 4 hours fishing.
Well tonight everything looked perfect. Buzzers everywhere, it was warm and I even had a midge bite yes look, that small red spot, that was a midge. The trout had other ideas. There were fish rising in the light breeze, but disappeared as soon as I got close. Stealth was the order of the day. I found a rising fish. creped carefully to within casting distance and carefully placed my cast over it. Instant success a hard fighting 1lb brownie. Released to fight another day. Only the one this time but it saved the blank. It was a bit like late summer fishing.
28 April 2016
I fished the west bank and was not moving and catching anything. The fish just weren't in the shallows like they were before. Then I spotted the reason. A large swirl close into shore revealed a hunting otter, swimming out a few yards and driving the fish back to the shore line and pinning them against the banking. So I lengthened my cast putting the flies straight out in front rather than the 45 degree angle strike zone. Two casts later I hit into a fish followed by another 3. One had a large hole in it back. Otter damage. I just shows to keep alert at all times. The otter hunt only lasted a minute but if I had missed it I would have fished all day in the wrong place as the otter had moved the fish out of the shallows into the deeper water. Next time I will bring my big zoom camera and see if I can get some action shots to share. Fascinating creatures.
22 April 2016
The day was brilliant sunshine and warm. When I arrived at the water the clouds were starting to build and it was getting noticeably colder. Like the last trip the fish would follow the flies and turning away with a little nip at the flies but not connecting. Then the wind disappeared and a few flies started to hatch. Fish started rising and the started taking my flies with gusto. within half an hour I had 4 cracking fish about a pound and a half each. The wind picked up again and the hatch was over. It was surprising how close to the shore the fish were coming. Over the next few hours 2 more were winkle out just over a pound.
17 April 2016
It Just shows you can't just look at statistics. There were are number of anglers on the water before I had arrived and there were no reports of any fish being landed. I also caught none. Was this a bad days fishing. No I had 15 follows 3 fish on and lost. One gripping and exciting 3 hour session. Statistically a bad day but what a fun and memorable one.
14 April 2016
There has been plenty of risers as the new fish settle in and spread out to find their feeding stations. The fish are now well spread out, but hugging the shore line in search of warmer water and insect life. Should be steady fishing from the shore. There is no need to wade as this just pushes the fish further out.
I have now changed my muddler for a smaller one, and with it has come a change in fortune. The original one had eventually lost all the tail and most of the body, leaving only the deer hair ball and a small bit of feather. Granted it was still catching fish even in that condition. The replacement looks good and it looked good to the fish. 6 offers but not one fish hooked. On closer examination I demised that the fly was too heavily dressed and a good trim, especially around the hook point area should help the offer to catch ratio. So my first blank for a while. But a learning experience.
14 July 2016
There has been no one fishing since my last trip. I was only up to test a repair to my electric outboard. I only had 1/2 an hours fishing, but still managed to winkle a nice 3/4 pounder. The muddler is now down to its head only. The fish were on the surface moving like shoals of mullet supping flies which littered the glassy flat calm surface. The caenis are here, but they are still taking the sedge so all is not lost. Still worth a try.
10 July 2016
Things looked like they were slowing down. There are not so many entries in the book mostly 1 fish a trip. This trip was only an hour and a half but still managed to produced 6 fish, including four 11/2 pounders. I could do no wrong. They were all solid positive confident takes. A porpoise rise just before the muddler with the line tightening as they went down. Perfect hooking every time. There have been signs of poaching. Orange bubble float washed up on shore, people walking away from the bottom end of the water when I arrived. A 3 piece fly rod has been found. If any member has left it get in touch and we will get it back to you. All our waters in terms of Scottish Law are stank waters. It is an offence to be at these waters with fishing tackle in possession. You don't have to be fishing or have stolen fish to be guilt of an offence. Everything used in the crime,including the car would be confiscated. And we do prosecute all poachers. A large proportion of our members are police or X police. It is not much to get a full seasons fishing permit We have stepped up bailiff patrols so make sure you have your permits with you and parking permits displayed.
04 July 2016
How did you celebrate the 4th of July. I decided to go out to the Corse to bail out the boats following some very heavy rain over the past week. Using my trusty floating water pump, I threw it into the boat, connected the battery and while pumping out got my gear ready for fishing. The pump has 2 settings one for auto float shut off and the other on till you pull the battery lead off. before setting off fishing I threw the pump into the second boat and away I went, knowing that the pump would switch off when it had pumped out most of the water.
The returns book was still showing some good catches, last week with 8's, 5's and 4's the order of the day. Some good catches even in bright fishing conditions. As I set out there were a lot of surface activity. They were taking caenis mostly and a few sedges.
There were a lot of great gentle porpoise rises everywhere and they would actively attack my flies as well. I caught 3 but should have been so many more. The strange thing was not one fish came to the muddler. Gasp, I may change it next trip, to a smaller muddler. The caenis hatch was not prolific, probably because it was cold. This is what helped me. When they switch on to the massive caenis hatch it will be the kiss of death on the fishing. However, at this time you realise just how many fish there are in our waters. They are not called the anglers curse for nothing. I will keep you posted.
18 June 2016
Not the best of fishing weather, bright sunshine, but a good breeze. I know, making my excuses before I have even started. Thankfully there was one fish that didn't read the rule book. Another two followed but much later on, as the sun was getting lower and hidden behind some wispy clouds, including a cracking 2lb fish. All returned. 3 fish, on each of my 3 flies. (see gallery 2) I think that means they are taking anything in front of them. Its just finding them and persevering. The catch book was reporting steady catches throughout may and June. With some really good catches when conditions were perfect. The corsehouse does not seem to get the same angling pressure as the picket and goin, being further away and only open to full members. It is certainly worth a try.
27 May 2016
Yes it is back to the Corsehouse again. I only had 3 hrs, half an hour up half back 2 Hrs fishing. Thanks to the guys who bailed out the boats, it gave me more time fishing. There was quite a strong wind blowing. I went right up to the top of the water and allowed the wind to drift me back down. There were fish rising but with the speed of the drift It was hard to cover them effectively. I did get one offer but it was only having a look. One and a half hours later I was starting to reconcile with my first blank. The sighting of Mr and Mrs Otter, a sprightly deer bounding over fences would be my only consolation. Just one more drift I decided, down the far away bank, not to far up the loch, a little more sheltered, water a little less murky. Bang fish up but missed then the same fish again and again but not taking the fly. I left it static. It came again and the line shot off. I tightened into a nice 1lb brownie. With bright red spots it was probably one of the grown on stockies from years ago, the 6in fingerlings . Quickly followed by two others from this years stockies. The returns book showed a few people fishing during the week. most 3s and 4s for their trip, one blank and another with 10 taken on the Bibio. Great fishing indeed. Get out and enjoy.
20 May 2016
Well it was a dull rainy windy evening. I met 2 anglers just off the water, having fished the bank for most of the day. They had a few fish on and lost them. In the returns book there were a few blank days but most had 1 or two fish, one having had 8. Sport definitely improving. I went out on the boat after pumping them all out. The wind was bad for drifting but with the electric outboard I was able to drift from 150yds out onto the shore and sawtoothed down the bank. I was hitting fish at all parts of the drift close in and far out. They were mostly interested in my large attractor muddler. I saw no fish rising. unless to my flies. The fish were definitely on the feed, One had my teal blue and silver right down its throat. It was spitting up minnows and snails so really feeding well. It was a typical corsehouse fishing day for me 6 fish landed, including a double hook up. it was slow but steady fishing all evening, cut short by a going home tangle.
15 May 2016
It had been very bright all day. The returns book did show catches mostly ones and twos, with one lucky angler having landed 5. This was the first time this year a have met anyone else on the water. The first 2 hours it was dead. No rises not swirls no tugs nothing. Just as the sun began to lower in the sky it just switched on. I had 2 on at the same time, but lost both, tugs fish on fish off. I put this down to barbless hooks. I would prefer to loose fish than damage them. With hope rekindled, I drifted off about 30 meters from the bank.
Another swirl and it was on, a very hard fighting brownie, beautifully marked with a tail like a paddle. Tomorrows breakfast. Then the otter made an appearance and the switch was off. Time for home. It looks like the water board has taken the hasp and our paddle-lock. Easier to get in and out though.
05 May 2016
This is what I love about being a member of the club. I can finish work, drive out to the waters and still have 3 to 4 hours fishing.
Well tonight everything looked perfect. Buzzers everywhere, it was warm and I even had a midge bite yes look, that small red spot, that was a midge. The trout had other ideas. There were fish rising in the light breeze, but disappeared as soon as I got close. Stealth was the order of the day. I found a rising fish. creped carefully to within casting distance and carefully placed my cast over it. Instant success a hard fighting 1lb brownie. Released to fight another day. Only the one this time but it saved the blank. It was a bit like late summer fishing.
28 April 2016
I fished the west bank and was not moving and catching anything. The fish just weren't in the shallows like they were before. Then I spotted the reason. A large swirl close into shore revealed a hunting otter, swimming out a few yards and driving the fish back to the shore line and pinning them against the banking. So I lengthened my cast putting the flies straight out in front rather than the 45 degree angle strike zone. Two casts later I hit into a fish followed by another 3. One had a large hole in it back. Otter damage. I just shows to keep alert at all times. The otter hunt only lasted a minute but if I had missed it I would have fished all day in the wrong place as the otter had moved the fish out of the shallows into the deeper water. Next time I will bring my big zoom camera and see if I can get some action shots to share. Fascinating creatures.
22 April 2016
The day was brilliant sunshine and warm. When I arrived at the water the clouds were starting to build and it was getting noticeably colder. Like the last trip the fish would follow the flies and turning away with a little nip at the flies but not connecting. Then the wind disappeared and a few flies started to hatch. Fish started rising and the started taking my flies with gusto. within half an hour I had 4 cracking fish about a pound and a half each. The wind picked up again and the hatch was over. It was surprising how close to the shore the fish were coming. Over the next few hours 2 more were winkle out just over a pound.
17 April 2016
It Just shows you can't just look at statistics. There were are number of anglers on the water before I had arrived and there were no reports of any fish being landed. I also caught none. Was this a bad days fishing. No I had 15 follows 3 fish on and lost. One gripping and exciting 3 hour session. Statistically a bad day but what a fun and memorable one.
14 April 2016
There has been plenty of risers as the new fish settle in and spread out to find their feeding stations. The fish are now well spread out, but hugging the shore line in search of warmer water and insect life. Should be steady fishing from the shore. There is no need to wade as this just pushes the fish further out.