Hello Frank.

Ilive way below The Border so I've sent you a PM that should put you onto some fish.

Ernie

---------- Post added at 11:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:50 AM ----------

Hi Frank.

You've a PM.

Ernie

If memory serves me correctly I think Duddingston Loch either holds or held the Scottish Record Carp.

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A Bad Days Fishing Is Better Than A Good Day At Work

Damn. I should really subscribe to the threads I am in...

Sorry for my absence.

Thanks for your replies and I will check my pm's.

Regards,

Frank

So is the canal the only place to fish for pike in Edinburgh on the fly ?

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All fishermen are liars except for you and me, and to tell you the truth, I'm not sure about you.
- Unknown

The Union Canal seems the only place in Edinburgh itself to have a go for them! It's ideal for me, not having a car, being able to pop down for a cheeky couple of hours if i have the time.

I'v been down a couple of times recently and caught my first pike on the fly! My first visit, a couple of hours one evening, i caught a nice one (for a small canal) of around three pounds and a good deal of interest as well. My second visit, a whole day this day this time, i'd drew a complete blank. I stayed around the Lochrin Basin the first time but the second i fished from there right down to Slateford.

My second visit the water was a good deal muddier and i was using a sinking line instead of a floating line with split shots. I was told by a waterways worker that weed cutting had put extra colour into the water and that a few days heavy rain would clear it up again.

Has anyone found that the mud makes it too difficult to use the fly? Do you find it's important to get an immediate sink and draw on the fly as opposed to it sitting and then going under with the sinking line on the retrieve?

I'v also heard stories of boys taking lots of the pike out and killing them if that's reached anyone else? Bad news for the fishing here if so.

Cheers!

I remember catching a beautiful 5lb pike from Bonaly Reservoir on a baby doll trout lure i got free in trout fisherman magazine, I was 16 or 17 and I walked two hours from home to fish it in the early morning before going to school!! christ i was keen then! it gave a great take then tail walked a bit and then came straight in, I thought at first I was going to catch my biggest troot to date and feeling a bit disappointed, but when it came and looked at me with those big eyes and I saw the lovely colour and markings in the early morning sunshine, I felt lucky... this was 26 years ago, where does the time go