I would really like to broaden my horizons.

Is there decent pike fishing on the Edinburgh stretches of the Union Canal?

I can remember from my young days when my uncle was the groundskeeper at Meggatland and I used to stay over in his "big" house on the grounds, I had a follow from a pike then with a wee spinning rod and mep almost sh£t masel!, but wouldn't know if it was worth the time fly fishing for pike from the canal now.
Anybody fish it?

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Colin

"Just being out fishing is enough...catching....a welcome addition to a good day in natures garden."

Yup - I would expect there would be - the Forth n Clyde is stuffed with them..

http://urbanflyfisher.com/825/

get yer fly rod out and head down and give it a bash

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http://urbanflyfisher.com/

Many moons ago I used to fish for pike in the Union Canal with the fly. Never caught anything of any size but there were plenty of jacks. Now that the canal has been opened up for navigation the water is very coloured and the weed beds have died right back. I've not fished it since its been in this state but I would imagine that fish are still there. Best bits used to be the Basin at Fountainbridge along to Polwarth, the back of Harrison Park(s) and the area around the Aquadauct & Viaduct at Slateford. The back of Meggetland was never one of the best spots. I walked along the tow path a couple of weeks ago and noticed that they had been dredging this whole stretch so that will have impacted on the fishing

I don't know what its like now but Bonaly reservoir (steep but pleasant walk from the carpark at Bonaly) used to be stuffed full of pike. Other spots to think about are the quarries out in west lothian at Winchburgh (clayhole) and Humbie - the canal out there is also quite good. Duddingston and Dunsapie both have pike in them not sure about access though.

Norm

Good morning everyone,

I wondered if anybody of you still fishes in Edinburgh for Pike?

So far I fished the Union Canal, as it is just five minutes away from my flat in Tollcross.

The Canal can be very productive, but on other days you get nothing, no pull, no follower.

Can anybody please recommend a pike water within Edinburgh or close to Edinburgh?

If anybody wants to fish the Canal with me, I would be very glad.

Cheers,

Frank

I would also be interested to hear about this

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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

Hi Denzil,

today I was fishing the Union Canal again. For maybe around 45mins before it was too dark, too see anything. I caught a small pike of around 50cm.

I am desperate to feel a bigger tug at the end of my line.

Funnily I would like to mention, that I only catch pike in the Canal if there is wind! On days without wind, the only reaction I get are followers...

So if anybody does know a different venue, please report...

Cheers,

Frank

I'd be surprised if you could get peace to flyfish on the canal within the city boundaries these days.The tow path is like piccadilly circus with walkers and cyclists.As Norm says,all the features it once had are gone,shame.I spent a lot of my youth fishing there before I got into trout fishing.

Wee jimmy, I didn't know you were a mad piker at once ... lol


Wilkie

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" TRUE CHAMPION'S DO NOT GET JUDGED ON HOW THEY FALL......... BUT HOW THEY RISE".

I fished the Union Canal when I was a boy used to catch lost of smaller pike fishing with bullhead and stoneloach sink and draw style.

I have never fly fished in the canal for Pike but I would imagine it will be harder going now because of the coloured water. That could also be an advantage because I do know that course fish will feed more confidently if the water is coloured.

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

Aye mate....I used to think fly fishing was gay,like WTFs all that swishing the rod aboot....