WHEN Lawfield Trout Fishery owner Billy McFerren visited his family in Australia for seven weeks over the festive season he had a number of people who stepped in to keep the fishery running.

This enabled him to relax in the land down under knowing that his business was in safe hands. As a thank you to all of his friends that helped out he decided to put on “Billy's Bash” last Saturday.

I was invited along to this event which was really enjoyable from start to finish. Hot rolls were served from 7.30am when the keenest anglers arrived. After this feast the water was stocked with some of the finest rainbow trout I have ever seen. There were some major lumps put into the water which added a fair amount of spice to the day.

The fishing was outstanding and I managed to land 22 fish including three around 6lbs and a stunning 4lbs blue trout. I was not alone as rods were bending all around the fishery on a regular basis.

Alex Rennie, Graeme McCallum, Archie Blair and indeed all the regulars were either in double figures or very close to it. It was not just the stock fish that turned up as Numerous residents also put in an appearance at the party.

Billy`s wife Liz kept everyone going with hot drinks and snacks during the day and the whole event was rounded off in the late afternoon with a hot meal. Lawfield fishery has been around for over 25 years now and some of the nicest people in angling choose to fish there. Billy has many friends in the fishing world due to his outgoing nature and common sense approach to running a fishery.

Well done to all who stepped up to the plate and helped out during Billy`s absence. These fish that were caught on the day were all released back into the water without harm and they are now waiting on you to turn up and catch them again.

Please remember to email me your photographs of you and your fish catches to john.milne53@gmail.com.

Fishery Tales.

Lawfield Trout Fishery near Kilmacolm. Some fantastic catches were made last week. Notable catches include Malky Muir from Kilbarchan 30, Liz Pringle from Paisley 26, Alex Rennie from Johnstone 25, John Milne from Elderslie 22, Archie Blair from Port Glasgow 16, Tam Smith from Elderslie 16, Jordan Queen from Elderslie 16, Mr Miller from Edinburgh nine, Stevie Kennedy from Erskine nine, Graeme McCallum from Johnstone seven, Craig McNeish three for 6lbs 8oz and four released, Mr Inglis four for 10lbs 4oz, Mr Taylor four for 8lbs 8oz, Mr Fraser four for 9lbs 4oz, Mr McClarty three for 7lbs 2oz, Mr Clement four for 10lbs 5oz, under tuition from John Milne, Jim Telford two and Bob Taylor two. The best flies were CDCs, buzzers, Greenwell's Glory, Kate Maclaren, blobs, Minkie and Damsel. Contact Billy on 01505 874182.

Lake of Menteith. Six feet, water temperature 7C , clarity (Secchi disc) 2.4m.

Water temperature and clarity has remained unchanged during the last week. The bright and breezy weather has stopped it being too easy. Anglers are saying the loch is well stocked but the surface feeders are tricky and it is easier to get them on an intermediate and a lure. Best areas have been Hotel Bay, the Road shore and Lochend. Contact The Lake on 01877 385664.

New Howwood near Paisley. The water has been on top form recently. Notable catches include Colin Crichton 23, Danny Quigley 22, John Alison 19, Derek Hood 18, Stuart Pate 15, Mark Irvine 15, John Kerr 12, John Cranston 10, John Holding 10 and Martin Daily 10. Wullie Young returned an 8lb brown trout. A further 200 fish were caught which included rainbows and blues between 5-7lbs. The best flies were buzzers, damsels, yellow owl, diawl bach and crunchers. Contact Colin on 0777 1690 585.

Loch Fad Isle of Bute. Loch Fad is fishing very well at the moment to both bait and fly. Notable catches include The Dow Lads 43, Lilybank A.C. 30 for 67lbs, John Smith Memorial A.C. 60 for 160lbs, The Albion Boys 57 for 140lbs, W. Smith and Steven Woodford had 69 over a few days,

Keith Baxter 40 and Campbelltown A.C. 6 fish up to 5lbs 6oz. The best flies were black lures, ace of spades, greenpea and the junglecock viva. Contact on Jimmy on 01700 504871

Arran View near Waterside. The fish have been on or very near the top recently so dries and buzzers have did really well. Both ponds have fished well and catches of 20+ fish have not been uncommon. Under tuition from John Milne Davy Gibson 5 and Ian Dunsmore 6. The best flies were black buzzers, olive buzzers and shuttlecock CDC`s. Contact Tommy 07763170779