After the previous week of warm weather this last week has been really very cold and windy. Few anglers were out braving the weather but those that did all weighed in fish. A fast glass intermediate with either a cast of boobies and nymphs or mini lures retrieved at a steady figure of eight was the way to go with fish being found between 3 and 4 feet down. The forecasted rain never materialised but the winds were averaging 17 – 22 mph and air temperature was an average of 9'C. Water temp is still only 7'C and clarity is still a low 0.5M.

The fish are now being caught all over the loch with the bulk being caught from the dead tree at Osprey point, down past the lilies and along the reeds to Pike point and cottage bay. This was due to anglers being able to anchor up and get out of the wind. There were also fish caught along the shelf and in the shallows just outside and to the left of the harbour. There are a lot of new named areas on Butterstone so if you don't know the area there is a new map on the Butterstone website.

The average size of fish this year is around the 2lb mark with some lovely mid -sized fish ranging from 3 lbs – 10lbs and throughout the week the loch has been producing a small number of these fish just to keep anglers appetites wetted. There have also been more overwintered fish coming to the fly this week as Alan Young of Stanley AC found out when he hooked and successfully returned a fish he estimated to be 3- 4 lbs.

Featuring amongst those who did well were Mr. Huggins senior and junior who weighed in 3 fish for 6lbs also having a cracking day were regular anglers Messers Eadie and Campbell who successfully returned 14 fish for the boat to their trusty Buzzer – Diawl Bach derivatives. On Wednesday Mr Veitch practising for his club outing on Sunday weighed in six for 13lbs and most of these were caught at the Gap, also doing well was Mr Johnson's boat. On the club front Stanley AC 66 fish for 142lbs 9oz and a further 20 returned for 6 boats, Kingfisher 20 AC 37 fish for 98lbs 8oz including a 6lb 4oz rainbow for 6 boats, Catch22 AC 18 fish for 41lb for 5 boats and finally Aberdour AC 47 fish for 106lbs 15oz including an 8lb 4oz rainbow for 9 boats.

The forthcoming BBC's 5 day forecast is looking better than last week. With most days showing cloud with sunny spells temperatures in the low teens and light to moderate SW- SSW winds. The barometric pressure is likely to remain pretty stable at around 1020 mb.

As predicted the weather was warm with sunny spells and really rather nice for the start of April with average temperatures from 8-15'C. This created some fantastic fishing conditions which was proven by angler's returns. Line choice has dramatically changed with most anglers resorting to floating or midge tip lines and moved away from mini lures to a mixture of small Nymphs, Buzzers and the Diawl Bach rather than the slime line / fast glass lines they were using. Water temperature is now at 8.5'C and clarity has risen a little from the .5m to 1.5m as on Sunday it was quite blustery again

The fish are still well spread out with fish being caught from the dead tree at Osprey point, down past the lilies and along the reeds to Pike point and cottage bay. Other good areas are the gap, the shelf and reed end. There are a lot of new named areas on Butterstone so if you don't know the area there is a new map on the Butterstone website.

There have been a good selection of different sized fish off over the past week with fish ranging from 2lbs through to 6lbs and also due to the cold winter and the length of time the loch was frozen there have also been far more overwintered fish being weighed in due to the cormorants being unable to clobber them!

Doing well last week were Messrs. Eadie and Campbell who successfully returned 20 to their Diawl Bach derivatives, D Clark of Kinross also had a cracking day on Wednesday returning 10, Mr McTurk returning after a long winter had his usual 6 fish weighing in at 12lb 12oz mostly caught up between osprey point and the lilies and Mr. Ross also had a great day on Friday weighing in 12 for 27lb 8oz. Messrs. Gibson and Smeaton of Cupar Angus weighed in 12 fish for 26lb 8oz. On the club front - on Wednesday Dundee Westend AC weighed in 69 fish for 139lbs 1oz for 9 boats, Perth RASC AC had 48 fish for 112lbs 10oz and returned a further 25 fish for 5 boats, Balbeggie AC 63 fish for 136lb 14oz for 8 boats Tulliebole AC 31 fish for 64lbs 13oz, for 6 boats, Leslie & Llanilar AC 31 fish for 63lb 11oz for 5 boats and finally St Mungo's AC 34 fish for 78lb 11oz for 9 boats including an 4lb 11oz rainbow.

The forthcoming BBC's 5 day forecast is not looking quite as good as the past week with wet and windy conditions forecast for most of the week. It is predicted that Tuesday will see the worse of the winds. Temperatures are due to be as low as 8'C and only just creeping into double figures at 11'C

Due to a problem with a couple of clubs bookings there are 7 boats available on this Saturday and a further 14 boats availeble on Sunday.

Yet again with the changeable conditions fishing over the past week has been harder than last. Line choice has been changeable with anglers earlier in the week using intermediates and as the weather warmed up towards the Sunday out came the floating lines. Again fly choice has been changeable with the early part of the week being mini lures and small nymphs i.e. yellow dancer, white cat, black n green, cormorants then Sunday out came the buzzers and diawl bach’s. Water temperature is now at 8.5’C and clarity is still around 1.5m
The fish are still well spread out with fish being caught from the dead tree at Osprey point, down past the lilies and along the reeds to Pike point and cottage bay. Other good areas are the gap, the shelf round to reed end. There are a lot of new named areas on Butterstone so if you don’t know the area there is a new map on the Butterstone website.
There have been a good selection of different sized fish off over the past week with fish ranging from 2.2lbs through to 6lbs sadly the cracking over wintered fish are now becoming fewer and far between in anglers catches.
A Few anglers that did well over the week were: Monday saw Mr Lees in pretty awkward conditions weigh in 4 fish for 8lb 6oz, as usual Tuesday regulars Messers Eadie and Campbell successfully returned 15 to there trusty Diawl Bach derivatives, Wednesday saw Mr Naysmith weigh in 5 fish for 10 lbs. and Friday Messers Gibson and Smeaton 8 fish for 21lbs including a cracker 3lbs fish. On the club front on Wednesday Perth Anglers weighed in 18 fish for 40lbs for 6 boats, Bank o Scotland East AC had 24 fish for 54lb 2oz for 5 boats, Carronbridge AC 25 fish for 67lbs for 7 boats, Leslie & Glenrothes AC 59 fish for 158lb 3oz and returned a further 29 fish.
The forthcoming BBC’s 5 day forecast is yet again showing less favourable conditions. With most days being predicted as cold and overcast. Temperatures are due to be around 8-9’C and the wind is due to increase as the week progresses to around 20mph on Friday. Barometric pressure looks to be stable at around 1015mb

With conditions proving substantially better than forecasted fishing this past week has been really good with evening rises being prolific. Predominant lines were floating with fly choice being Small nymphs and buzzers. Intermediates and mini lures the likes of cormorants, white cat, black & green, yellow dancer were also used but not to the same success. Towards the tail end of the week the sunny conditions made the middle of the day quite testing for anglers but fish were still being taken. Average temperature was around 15’C with predominant winds being South-South Westerly. Water temperature is now 12’C on the surface ranging to 10.7’C at 3M down and clarity is now 2M.
The fish are still well spread out but the best areas at the moment would be the shelf, lochend bay and three trees. The gap and cottage bay are also producing good no’s of fish.
This week has seen a good average size of fish of around 1kg mark for the older generation that is roughly 2.2lbs. There has also been another good selection of overwintered fish weighed in.
A Few anglers that did well over the week were: Mr McTurk of Edinburgh 6 fish for 15lbs 6oz, Messers Smeaton and Gibson of two days weighed in 21 fish for 51lb 10oz and returned a further 6 fish to their trusty Damsel Nymph, Messers Eadie & Campbell returned 12 fish to their diawl bach derivatives, A Young of Luncarty managed 6 fish for 14lb 8oz and a further 4 were returned. On the Club front Scotsman AC 16 fish for 31lb 10oz for 3 boats, Linden AC 34 fish for 76lb 4oz. for 5 boats, Tap shop AC weighed in 12 fish for 27lb 10 oz and returned 11 for 2 boats, Stanley AC 42 fish for 94lb 8oz and 5 returned for 7 boats, Perth Ex-Service AC 14 fish for 32 lb 8oz for 6 boats, and Edinburgh Post Office AC 30 fish for 62lb 3oz for 8 boats.
This weeks 5 day forecast is to start bright and cloud over with rain showers in the middle of the week, with moderate winds around 12mph from South Westerly direction Barometric Pressure will range from 1012mb – 1022mb.

Over the past week weather conditions have been poor with heavy rainfall and some blustery squalls blowing through. Line usage has been mixed again with floating/midge tip line being used predominantly but the intermediate was also producing good numbers of fish. Again fly choice was varied with some anglers using small traditionals like the Diawl Bach and Buzzers to good effect but others pulling mini lures also produced good returns. With the sudden closure of the Lake of Menteith, Butterstone was asked to hold two of the SANA National prelims on Tuesday and Thursday. Derek Marklow of Change AC won the Tuesday heat with Gus Armour of Loanhead & District winning the Thursday heat. Fishing was tough but it was great to see boats drifting about the loch rather than all boats anchored up in one area over a shoal of fish. Water conditions are still excellent with water temperature at 11'C down to 3m and water clarity down marginally at 1.5m due to the wind on Sunday stirring the sediment up.

Due to the national heats boats were unable to anchor this week so it has been quite hard to determine where the best areas have been, but a drift down the reed beds from Pike Point to Lily Bay I would think would be one and the other being a drift from the hole at the old picnic site to Lunan Bay would be another.

Last week has seen a small rise in the average size being just over the 2.2lb mark another good week for larger fish with 6 fish being weighed in ranging from 4lbs to 10lb 10oz.

Featuring amongst the anglers who did well last week were S Boag & I Birtch who whilst practicing for the National managed 8 for 19lb 12, D Marklow also practicing for the National 6 for 17lbs, M. Smith 5 fish for 13lbs, A Burns 5 fish for 12lbs and Mr Williamson 5 fish for 12lb 6oz. Messrs. Thom and Thomson, had 12 fish for 32lbs 12oz including an 8lb 1oz rainbow and the Winn brothers took 12 fish for 26lbs.

On the Club front Sana Tuesday heat had 97 fish for 220lbs 2oz + 21 returned for 18 boats, Lothian & Borders Police 60 fish for 148 lb 14 oz for 14 boats, Sana Thursday heat 87 fish for 152lb 3oz + 22 returned for 10 boats, IBM Freshwater AC 90 fish for 220lb 8oz for inc a rainbow at 6lb 13oz and another rainbow at 8lb 7oz for 9boats. Cupar AC 41 fish for 94lb 1oz with 33 returned for 5 boats, Burleigh AC 27 fish for 59lb 9oz for 3 boats and finally Farmers AC 16 fish for 43lb 10 oz inc a rainbow of 9lb 5oz for 6 boats.

This weeks 5 day forecast is predominantly rain with moderate winds increasing to around 23mph on Thursday temperatures around 12‘C and Barometric pressure falling from1007mb to 996mb.

Hi Aide,

The fishing was great last Sat, the fish are excellent and gave a great account of themselves.
Our Club members caught all over the Loch and had a great day. Can't wait to get back up again.

Derek K

Thanks for that Derek it makes it all worth while when you get some positive feedback.

Report for this week follows.

With yet another wet and windy week causing extremely difficult fishing conditions Butterstone remains to produce fantastic numbers of fish for the anglers' pleasure. Predominant line choice remains a midge tip or floating line, with anglers only resorting to a slow glass or slime line in total exasperation due to the wind. Fly choice also remains pretty constant with fish coming to small dark traditionals, black nymphs and Diawl Bach's and Buzzers. Also taking fish are the Yellow Dancer, Damsel Nymph and an assortment of Blobs. Water temperature is now at 13.1'C on the surface and 11.9'C at 3m down and the clarity is at an amazing 2M even after the windy conditions. Oxygen saturation is at 11.8mg/l Butterstone's charitable Summer League has now commenced with Dave Winn winning the 1st round and Jim Mackie winning the heaviest fish so far with a fish of 6lb 4oz. There are still places and plenty of rounds left so if you fancy your chances and enjoy a fun relaxed competition come on down Tuesday evening’s 5:30pm start.

Last week's top area on the loch would be from burn mouth/Lunan bay down to the old picnic area. But the whole loch is fishing well and most areas are producing good numbers of hard fighting fish.

It has been another good week for larger fish with weights ranging from 3lb 8oz through to a cracking 8lb 8oz. Also featuring in this week's returns are some lovely brownies averaging around 1lb 8oz – 1lb 12oz. A Few anglers that did well over the week were: Mr Smith who weighed in 5 fish for 10lb 12oz Messrs. Borthwick managed 8 fish for 20 lbs 4oz, Mr Szulc had 5 fish for 12lbs. Regulars Alex and Ian weighed in 12 fish for a cracking 29lbs and also doing well were Messrs. Gibson and McKenzie who over the week whilst on a fishing holiday managed 32 fish for a whopping 77lb 14oz and in addition they returned a further 7 fish. On the Club front Dunfermline Artisans 37 fish for 87lb 10 for 5 boats, Fife Constabulary 36 fish for 87lb 13 for 4 boats, Perth Anglers 32 fish for 78lb 11oz for 5 boats, ABC&D managed 59 for 103lb 14 for 6 boats, Rainbow Warriors 55 fish for 110lb 11oz including a cracking 8lb 8oz rainbow for 7 boats.

This week's 5 day forecast looks set to be a lovely sunny week with moderate to high easterly winds and pressure is to fall slightly from 1031mb to 1014mb as the week progresses. Not the best for fishing but after the past couple of weeks of wind and rain it will be a blessing.

This past week of bright sunshine and an East- North Easterly wind made fishing conditions at Butterstone a tad harder than previous weeks by putting the fish deeper than they have been. The loch still produced fish but not to the same extent as previous weeks. Recommended line was an intermediate with mini lures, Blobs and the likes, or a midge tip with extremely small dark flies size 14-16's such as the Diawl Bach, Buzzers, small Nymphs and traditionals. After the sun and cold wind winds of the past week water temp is now at 12.4'C and clarity is down to 1.25m.

The past week's best areas would be from the bones down to reed end, past Burn mouth and Lunan bay fishing your flies almost into the reeds and tempting the fish out. A lot of fish were lost due to them running straight for the reeds and breaking anglers - alternatively fish were tempted to the fly especially on Friday at the shelf and up to the Gap, past the North shore and three trees.

It has been another good week for larger fish and the brownies stocked earlier in the month are now coming on strong and featuring in anglers returns they are averaging around 1lb 8oz to 1lb 12oz.

On Monday Messrs. Christie & Gill weighed in 6 fish for a total weight 24lbs including 2 large fish weighing in at 8lbs 8oz and 6lb 8oz, Messrs. Campbell and Clark managed 17 to the boat all successfully returned, Mr McTurk also managed 4 fish for 9lb 2oz, Messrs. Smeaton and Gibson 5 fish for 13lbs and Mr Keith had two boats out on Friday and weighed in 19 fish for 45lbs

The weeks 5 day forecast is back to the wet weather of a couple of weeks ago, wind is low to moderate ranging between 7 to 12mph predominately from the South West with average temperatures being around 13'C

The forecasted miserable conditions for the week never materialised, there was the odd down poor but nothing too dramatic. The loch went back to previous weeks fishing top of the water in the surface film. Recommended line is again back to floaters and midge tips with a mixture of small traditionals like the Kate McLaren, Green/Red Holographic Diawl Bach’s, Olive and black Buzzers, small Snatchers, Bibio and the Olive Snatcher. The evenings have been somewhat cooler putting the fish slightly lower in the water causing anglers to go down that little bit more and having to resort to mini lures, Boobies and Blobs. Water temperature is 14’C on the surface with oxygen levels at 11mg/L to 13.5’C and 11.6mg/L at 3M down and clarity is still pretty good at 1.75 M.

The past week’s best area remains from the bones/ top bay down to the old picnic area and into the south east shore just beyond the buoys. Burn Mouth and Lunan bay are good especially if you fish your flies almost into the reeds and tempting the fish out. On Saturday morning first thing before the boats went saw the most incredible rise out in the deeps but when the boats got out there was not a fish to be seen.

A few anglers that did well over the week were B Simmons bag 5 for 11lb1oz, Tuesday Messrs. Preston and Whyte 10 fish for 19lb 8oz, Mr McTurk of Edinburgh 6 fish for 13lb 4oz and Messrs. Eadie and Campbell 15 fish returned. On Wednesday Mr Taylor and Maurice took 9 fish for 19lb 13oz and S Malcolm of Bankfoot 6 fish for 17 lbs. On the club front Butterstone League 30 fish for 69lb 11oz for 4 boats, Perth Civil Service AC 43 fish for 96lbs for 6 boats, Balbeggie AC 67 fish for 148lb 5oz for 8 boats, IBM Freshwater AC 53 fish for 116lb2oz for 8 boats, CSSA Rosyth 45 fish for 102 lb 15oz, East Kilbride 33 fish for 74lb 13oz and finally Catch 22 AC 19 fish for 45lb 1oz.

The weeks 5 day predicted forecast (not always spot on) is predominately light rain with sunny intervals moderate winds with an average of around 14mph generally from the South West area with average temperatures being around 14’C

Yet again the predicted forecast of light rain was wrong and the Blazing Sun was fantastic for those sunbathing but not for fishing. Even though the Sun shone the loch surprisingly remained to fish well with good returns being placed in the book. That is until Sunday when the fish switched off from around mid morning up until 7:30 pm. Line choice was interestingly still floaters and midge tips with a mixture of small traditionals Kate McLaren and the likes, Green/Red Holographic Diawl Bach's, Olive and black Buzzers and wee Snatchers the likes of Bibio or Olive Snatcher. With the weekend seeing anglers move to intermediate line and fishing slightly deeper, they were predominantly still using smaller flies, with a cormorant or a blob on the tail as an attractor. The evenings remain to be still very cool this is now not putting the fish down so much but they are proving harder to tempt. Water temperature has rocketed from 14'C to 20'C on the surface with oxygen levels at 11mg/L to 16.5'C and 12.6mg/L at 3M down and clarity has dropped to its lowest for the year at 1.25 M.

The past weeks best area remains from the bones/ top bay down to the old pick nick area and into the south east shore just beyond the buoys, past Burn mouth and Lunan bay fishing your flies almost into the reeds and tempting the fish out.

A Few anglers that did well over the week were: Mr McTurk on Monday managed a great back of fish weighing in 6 fish for 20 lbs including a rainbow of 7lb 12oz, also doing well was Mr Gray all the way from Otterburn in Northumberland managed over two days fishing 12 fish for 27lb 8oz, Messers Gibson and Smeaton of Couper Angus over two days fishing weighed in 20 fish for a total weight of 47lb 6oz, Robin Eadie and Dave Clark of Kinross returned an impressive 19 fish in very sunny conditions .On the Club Front Butterstone League 43 fish for 90lb for 4 ½ boats, Auchterarder AC weighed in 26 fish for 63lb 10oz for 4 boats, Ciba AC 26 fish for 62 lbs for 4 ½ boats, Perth RASC managed 22 fish for 53lbs 1oz for 5 boats, Perth City Sports AC 10 fish for 25lb 8oz for 3 boats, Bank of Scotland West AC 31 fish for 78lb 3oz for 6 boats. And Finally the Czech World fly fishing Team 36 fish all bar 1 returned safely for 3 boats.

The weeks 5 day predicted forecast mixed conditions of light rain and Sunny intervals if anything like last week bring a wide brimmed hat and plenty of sun block. Temperatures are a high of 19'C and a low of 11'C, Wind predominantly from the NE and averaging around 7mph.