Had a day on the boat, at North Third to-day, i hadn't visited it for around 15years, I had actually given up fly fishing about 14 years ago, (work commitments and so on..) and just taken it up again end of last year.

The most noticable and welcome change, (at least for me ) was that you no longer have to walk down that hill loaded with gear to the boats, there is a cabin, footbridge and car park in place, so now an easy jaunt from car to boat with that great lump of over expensive fishing gear that you told her costs buttons

As i arrived, just before 10am the sun was trying to peek through the cloud, however the wind was not too kind, and had trouble deciding which way it wanted to blow, and i suppose it kept the fish down that bit, so i decided on the cortland sinking line, and a tungsten bead, hothead damsel, to get down to the fish, before the wind and drifting boat, complete with drogue, had you over your line.

The wind meant basically no-one headed towards the dam at all, and the most sheltered bay from the footbridge down towards the cliff wall, ended up a bit like sauchiehall street, so had to resign myself to queu-ing up for short drifts.

Within an hour i was into my first fish of the day, and what a scrap it put up, i managed to get three before lunch time (all were returned), all in the bay nearest the new footbridge, The fish were around the two and a half to three pound mark, in superb condition, if these were stockies they were in stunning condition.

I ventured out from the most sheltered bay a bit, after lunch time, away from the armada, as the short drifts were becoming annoying, i had a heart stopping pull around about 2 o clock, which nearly ripped my rod out of my hand (then nothing) that split second you realise to yourself, that's one of those ones you hear stories in the pub about, (the one that got away...) Oh well such is fishing

Sinking lines aren't really what i like to fish, so i moved over to a floating line and later a sink tip, but not even a pull, so it appears you had to get the flies down, to at least 4 or 5 feet. So never picked up anything after that, around three o clock it seemed to go colder and must have put the fish off as it got very quiet.

However overall a very enjoyable day, in very pleasant surroundings, the owner and staff were friendly and were helpful in telling you what spots were fishing well, what patterns and so forth, (dreadful wind aside), however you can't do a thing about the weather, and the scenery at North Third is second to none in my humble opinion.

Jim

Only ever fished it once, whilst I had a brief spell working at Bannockburn for an irrigation company. As you say it was a jaunt down the hill so it sounds just what was needed to improve the access. Great setting and only fished it from the bank. Would love to go back one day and take a boat out.

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Location - Ospreylia

Like yourself I hadn't fished it in 15 years when I went down last year. A really cracking water with very varied scenery considering its size...also great watching the peregrines flying around the crags above.

Fished it twice last year, which was once more than any other commercial water. One of the best in Scotland.

I fished it on opening day in a blizzard. it fished well considering it was hard to get the DI 3 through the Gru on the surface. I like the £10 all day C&R ticket.bank or boat.That's got to be a winner.
My only crib is George should lower the fish limit.20 fish for a 2 man boat is 10 to many.(only really relevant in a competition)

Jim

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The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

Hi,
I was also at north third on saturday but was off the bank and struggled only ending up with the one fish caught on a damsel on a courtland sinking line. the boats seemed to be fishing better as george had said that 1 boat had gone in at lunch with seven and most bank anglers i spoke to had blanked.

The Bank anglers struggled on opening day as well.The bank anglers normally do very well on north 3rd.Especially as it's easy to reach deep water from the shore.

Jim

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The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

Ye it fished well off the bank last year and i had a few days where i had fish but this is my second time back and has not been upto my expectations
although one place that is fishing well and is well worth a go is linlithgow loch in linlithgow it is best fished of the boat but can fish well of the bank.

Tommy the fish are there.but just not getting caught from the bank(which is very unusual)
Have to agree,linilithgow is fishing well.But so is Nth 3rd from a boat.

Jim

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The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

I agree jim but some ppl dont like fishing from a boat as i fish with 2 other ppl and there is just no enough space in the boat for us. although that said we are going to lake of menteith tomorrow in the boat (obviously) and hope to catch some fish.
regards,
Tom

I ended up with a susprise free day off on friday, and as you do, put it to good use, got a late booking, to go fish north third again, as the howling wind last time, spoiled it a bit, and today the wind was to be much kinder.

On my last visit there all the fish were taken in the bay closest to the new footbridge carpark, running down to the crags, so thought it should have changed by now, (boy was i ever wrong).

Headed off to the dam wall, and tried every fly and line in my bag, not a touch, (perch aside) the very few fish that were showing at the dam wall were small brownies.

According to the owner George, he said fish were being caught all over, the last week or so, but i never seen anyone take a fish outside of the aforementioned bay, there was a club from Helensburgh fishing it that day, and they were all mostly in that area.

Reluctantly i joined the party and headed into it also, ending up with 2 on buzzers, sink tip line, for just under 6lbs, i believe the club took 88 fish.

I was very surprised to only see 2 bank anglers, who didn't hang around very long, and it might be a sign of the bank still hasn't come into play at north third yet, which is unusual.

Still and all, i like this fishery, scenery is great, owner is helpful, and i will be back later in the year when hopefully the fish are more widespread and willing.

Jim