Hi there, first post on the forum so please be gentle. I am looking for info on harperigg in west Lothian. This is my first full season of fly fishing ( I've got the bug) and to my preferance have stayed on my local streams and river targeting and releasing brown trout. Ive been invited by an inlaw for a trip on saturday with the genarl consencouse being harperigg or crosswoods although id rather harperigg as the little info i can find it has a good population of wild broonies. With this being my first trip to any still water on the flie I have afew Q's that I'm looking for A's to and if any1 can answer i would be very grateful. Q1- is harperigg still up and running with the same brownie policy. Q2- if the going gets tough are wooly buggers legal on this water Q3- what's the best tactics, flies, leader lenth and strain. Thanks in advance for any help any1 can give!

Harperrig is absolutely lovely.

Feels much more remote than it is, you usually have it to yourself, and it's stuffed with wild brownies. They're not terribly big (half pound is a good fish), but they're fiesty. It is very lightly stocked with brownies, though I'm not sure if they put any in this year (I certainly haven't caught any).

Best flies are traditional wets, especially anything with claret and black in it: pennel, grouse and claret, clan chief, bibio, Kate McClaren. Though I'ver also done very well with small sea trout patterns, especially Alexandra, Teal Blue & Silver and Peter Ross. Black hare's ears and black & red hoppers also work well. Sedges and muddlers work well toward evening. All in size 12-14.

*******s are legal, but not terribly successful (don't know why).

Best set up is a 4 or 5wt floater, long leader and 2-3 flies fished in a team. They are quite leader sensitive - success goes up markedly if you drop down to 4lb or less. Cast out and actively retrieve with jerks and pauses.

You don't have to cast far from the bank - I've often taken fish 2-3 yards out, so don't even wade into the water for the first 2-3 casts. The key is to keep moving - make about 10 casts in a spot (longest doesn't ned to be any more than 15 yards), then move on 20 yards or so.

Generally most productive (and easiest) to fish the east shore (side furthest from the A71), especially around the various burn mouths.

Best of luck

Thanks mate, Superb. Sounds like my cup of tea. I'm not to botherd about size as long as it's wild, not the that I have a problem with or will never target stockies I just think it's better for me learning and developing as a fly fisher to lear that way. I'm surprised the wolly dosent do the damage there because on the boag burn and linhouse which is in close proximity it's like a wee black stick of dynamite at the start and end of the season. Thanks a million for the info and I'll let you know how I get on!

The woolly is a mystery on there.

I have had a few on an olive damsel with a very heavy gold head, but always done better on wets.

Don't be tempted to stay by the car park. You'll see a lot rising, but they're *very* educated trout!

By the way - I fish the Linhouse a lot as well (though not been out for a bit). How's it fishing at the moment? Where do you fish it?

Hi mate sorry I didn't reply sooner ( work and moany wife ), I normally fish between the end of the camlity and the Waterfall viaduct next to the a71. The Linhouse broonies are really active with lures (woolys and cats whiskers) attracting the bigger residents 8-11 OZers, my guess is there fattening up for winter. Last time I was up saw some one that comes from the forth vie Almond lying down didnt stop to talk thow . Oh aye I'm the silly sod thats up the trees all the time trying to get his flies back lol