My smallest catch ever!

Well another gorgeous day yesterday so couldn't waste it. Went out around 2pm again and thought I'd try the mooring behind Westerhailes petrol station as I've not been there for a while. Set up in lovely warm sunshine and saw some fly activity on water so things looked promising. An hour and a quarter dragged by, my confidence sinking into the depths. Apart from a rat skulking from the bushes to the water I'd seen no movement at all! Then it all changed, caught a nice shiny Roach about 4-5 ounce, put back and popped new bait on. Went for the same spot and again another Roach a bit smaller but still nice. Noticed much more timid takes, think cause the water is really cold now. This time I didn't even see float twitch, I just noticed it had stopped drifting and right enough another but about 2-3 ounce. Next cast a wee one about the same size, seems like a new crop of tiddlers. I topped my day off when I saw float bobbing, lifted and looked like I'd caught a bit of silver paper. It was without question the smallest fish I have ever caught. At 3 cm i didn't even think it was possible for it to take the hook, even the maggot looked impressive next to it :) So decided it was time to go, really nice couple of hours and a good bit of fun.

Long time no see!

Hi folks, gotta start with an apology for not blogging for what seems like ages. I am currently seeking work and whilst this means I have more time I've not been in the mood for fishing with a few financial worries on my mind. Anyway that's my problems moaned about back to fishing.
Went out last Wednesday, but like its been a lot recently, it was really windy and hard to keep sight on float never mind see any takes. None the less caught and landed a nice shiny Roach about 10 ounce within first few minutes. Missed 3 takes in a row and water was rough so decided to call it a night.
Today was so nice out I couldn't not chance my luck packed my gear and started fishing about 2pm. Ten minutes in float disappeared into the depths but not quick enough and it was gone. Nothing much happened for half an hour till once again float vanished from sight, this time I was alert and tightened firmly into a lovely bright 7-8 ounce Roach. Pleased with myself, changed maggot and popped it into a nice fishy looking spot. It hadn't drifted 2 foot before I was into a seriously annoyed Roach, around 9-10 ounce but bite mark on one side. Photo taken, put back, change maggot and presented again. Missed another on the drop! So decided when it went all still it was time to call it a day at four.

Mushroom time!

Hi all, sorry not been posting or fishing much recently but things have been a bit heavy at work. Decided to do a bit of recon this afty as I plan on going fishing tomorrow. Whilst wandering near a Larch tree I spotted a long row of yellow, on closer inspection it turned out to be a pound and a half of Larch Bolette. A good to eat firm fungus found in or near Larch woods, will go down nicely with tomorrows tea! Anyway water looks good and will update once I've been out on the water.

N.B. Please only pick wild food if you are sure you know what you're picking!

Autumn Foraging

Whilst out fishing I'm always on the lookout at natures larder. Now wherever you go you'll find Elderberries are ripening up but not quite time for them yet, Blackberries (Brambles) are still green but fattening up and wont be long before a few will end up on the table. At the moment the Rosehips are ripe and ready to pick, these can be used to make soothing syrups for the winter. These syrups can also be used as a nice addition to your favourite tipple like vodka or gin in particular. You can also use these fruits to make a Rosehip liqueur by adding cleaned hips to vodka, some sugar and letting it mature for a few weeks then passing through a fine tea towel to remove the waste. Rosehips contain around twenty times more vitamin C by weight than oranges and there are many uses listed on the net. Happy foraging and Tight Lines!

Festival Madness

Hi all, with Edinburgh's Festival under full swing things have been busy at work and so no fishing for a whole week!!! Anyway got out on Monday night about eight, sat down and was tackling up when a local couple passing buy started to chat. Nice couple and guy seemed interested in trying the Canal out after giving him some hints, like most people I don't think he thought there was anything in the canal worth fishing for. As they walk off I lowered my hook in the water and watched it lazily drift a few feet. Down it went and was into a fish within seconds, but sadly lost it in my rush to show there was a good reason to fish The Canal. Got my act together and after two or three more drifts a very definite take saw my float disappear from sight. This time there was no escape and I landed a nice 6-7 ounce Roach, good condition and full fins. The next hour passed with me catching another three Roach all between 6-9 ounces. A great hour and a half out and bigger fish all around now the small fry are growing up.

Breezy evening

Went to a nice quiet spot last night to take in the sights and sounds nature provides. Had a quiet start with a few small fish nibbles and was finding it hard to focus on the float with the sunshine and rippled water. After about half an hour float went down positively and landed a 4-5 ounce Roach. Ten minutes later another definite take saw me land a 7-8 ounce beauty, good fight and great condition. Wind had really picked up and after catching one more fish, smaller 2-3 ounce decided it was time to go support my local publican and invest in his wares.

First night out this week

Hi folks, nipped out for a while last night after a few days of being unable to get out to play due to work. Started fishing just after eight, there was a light breeze rippling the water but a nice and mild evening. Whilst chatting to a local lady interested in taking up fishing, I hooked a couple of tiddlers which gave me hope for some better action later. Right enough around 9.15 pm landed a nice wee Roach around 4-5 ounce, the next half hour saw me land another three slightly bigger 5-7 ounce. All keen takes and great fun to catch and play.
Just getting ready to go out now, heading to a nice spot with good views and clear sunshine for a bit of R&R. Let you know how I get on later!