COARSE FISHING IN THE SOUTH WEST 
- by Ken Barlow

Many of the coarse anglers in the central belt of Scotland seem to have forgotten that there is some excellent fishing to be had in the South West. Ken Barlow, of the Palakona Guest House, knows the area very well and here takes us on a tour of the waters down his way ......

Despite the impression given by recent Angling Times articles, Coarse fishing in Scotland is not confined to the central region of Glasgow and Edinburgh. Many coarse anglers from England, Scotland and even abroad have learned over the years that for quality and choice there is really only one part of Scotland to head for - the south west !

Largely unaffected by industrial pollution and enjoying a mild climate, Dumfries and Galloway has proved to be a receptive region for the development of coarse fisheries, much to the chagrin, it has to be said, of many local game anglers. Geographically the region has lent itself to influence from the north of England towns and cities just a short drive away. During the English close season a trip to Loch Ken or the Castle Loch at Maben was within easy striking distance. As motorways were built and car ownership increased throughout the 60's and 70's more and more visitors explored the attractions of the south west bringing their desire for coarse fishing with them. Some came and stayed to develop coarse fisheries to meet the needs of the aforementioned visitors. Others came, fished, often for pike, and returned home having tipped surplus live baits into whichever loch they had been fishing. This deplorable practise led to the spread of coarse fish throughout the region but at the same time set up the bad feeling which exists today between the game and coarse fishing fraternities.

The factors briefly mentioned above may well explain the development of coarse fisheries and the concurrent stocking of non-native species in south west Scotland but there is one intriguing exception.

Thriving Tench

For some reason, and this region is not alone in this regard, there are waters in which tench have thrived since a time well before any influences of coarse anglers. With the exception of the usual pike, perch and eels, I can think of no other coarse species which can be said to indigenous to the still waters of Dumfries & Galloway. Scottish tench may not grow to the size of their English and Irish counterparts but lack none of their fighting abilities. They have adapted well to increased levels of acidified water and seem to spawn far more successfully than say bream or carp. I've even heard of them showing in large numbers in areas as far north and east as Dundee.

Now I have a theory as to how tench were able to establish themselves and survive the effects of the usual culling to extermination by game anglers. The landed Victorians went through a mid-19th century period when it was all the rage to landscape the gardens of the estate and to include, in the manner of Capability Brown ornamental gardens including fish ponds. One possibility is that tench were stocked into these waters as a deliberate policy to help in keeping these estate lakes clean. Well known as bottom feeders it may be that the Victorians included tench in their waters not for sport or beauty but rather for purely functional purposes.

As we know, tench can tolerate very low levels of diffused oxygen. They prosper in neglected muddy pools which any self respecting game angler would treat with contempt. This being the case they would not be perceived as a threat to trout or salmon stocks and would largely be ignored in their silty abodes. It is well established that sometimes neglect and mother nature combine to create an ideal environment for fish to thrive. One indicator that my theory may have some validity is that three of the four waters in Dumfries & Galloway which have been known to hold tench for as long as locals can recall are all private, man-made waters set in the grounds of private estates.

As I indicated in the introduction there are a large number of coarse waters in the region, (although only a limited amount of river fishing) the interests of brevity mean that I cannot cover all of them in this particular piece. I will therefore concentrate on the waters I know particularly well. These lie in the west of the region, generally within a twenty miles radius of Newton Stewart.

CRAIGHLAW FISHERIES

Consisting of five coarse waters, winter river fishing for pike and a brown trout pool. Operated from the Palakona Guest House where a bait and tackle shop also exists, guests and customers are offered accommodation, bait, tackle and permits including local knowledge all on a one stop basis. The waters are :-

Craighlaw Loch

Set in the grounds of a private estate this Victorian creation has to be one of the most picturesque waters in Scotland if not the UK. With a boat-house, oak built bridges, an island, rhododendrons and banks of beautiful lilies it looks the part and, given the right conditions, can provide fabulous sport as well. Over the years there have been various stockings of carp, bream, crucians, roach, rudd and perch including a 1996 stocking of 80+ 3lb Carp. But it is undoubtedly for its tench fishing for which it is best known. Like most local waters it has a tea-stain colour but is very clear, as a result sunny weather can kill sport stone dead, even the roach seem to vanish. But fished dawn and dusk over a bed of hemp, corn and crumb, or on overcast but warm days and it can be a fish a chuck! The tench run to 7lb 2oz, (an unclaimed Scottish record) while a mirror carp of 26lb 9oz was caught 5 years ago. All baits score - corn, maggot, boilies and bread - but I would advise anglers to avoid worms in the evening unless you enjoy catching eels all night.

There are 28 dry-stone pegs, a car park and good access for disabled anglers. Day tickets must be purchased in advance from Palakona Bait Supply/Tackle shop or as guests at the guest house.

Glendarroch loch

Sister water to the above Craighlaw Loch and just across the road. Glendarroch is a shallow, gin clear, estate water holding a large head of roach, rudd and perch. tench, carp and some bream have been introduced over the years to provide variety.

Again low levels of light is the key to success on this water. If you must fish it on clear sunny days, fish at a distance hard up to the lily and weed beds. Use only a little groundbait and concentrate on the deeper (approximately 5ft) swims on the far side. However, once the summer sun goes down expect action from the superbly marked rudd and the increasing number of tench which currently go to about 3lb. There are 13 pegs, car parking and reasonable access for disabled anglers. Day tickets as per Craighlaw Loch.

Culscadden farm pond

This tiny water holds some big surprises! Situated a couple of hundred yards from the sea it has a good head of roach averaging ¾lb. The rudd too are good quality as are the perch, while the tench go to 3lb. It has been stocked with carp, crucians and a few bream in recent years. In addition an as yet unidentified fish has been encountered frequently in recent years but with no-one being able to land or even identify it! Some maintain it is merely a large eel while others believe it to be a survivor from a stocking of 5 mirror carp introduced in 1988 at 7lb. Whatever it turns out to be it is extremely crafty, never picking up bait on sturdy tackle, preferring to smash up fine lines instead! There are 3 comfortable roadside pegs and another 4 around the pond. Parking at the side of the loch. Day tickets, as for all Craighlaw Fisheries' Waters, must be purchased in advance from the Palakona Bait and Tackle shop or as guests in guest house.

Barnbarroch Loch

Once the premier water for coarse anglers in Wigtownshire. It had been sadly neglected for many years until Craighlaw Fisheries assumed the lease in March 1995. Since then a massive, and surprisingly successful weed clearance programme has been undertaken. With new platforms and most of the loch re-opened to fishing it is beginning to reveal some of its secrets with rudd and bream both to 2lb having been landed so far. It is best known however as being a 'bits' water. For example, 4 anglers recently had 189 fish for 12lb! Although 12lb - 15lb bags are not uncommon to matchmen who know their stuff.

Fine line techniques work best for the perch, hybrids roach and rudd. The pegs on the far side seem to be more consistent. Car parking is limited but reasonable and there are, so far, 11 pegs reclaimed. Day tickets as for Craighlaw Loch, or from nearby Whaup Hotel.

Whitefield Loch

A large pike loch of some 60 acres or so and well known for large perch. Craighlaw Fisheries are gradually introducing new species to offer greater diversity but with such high levels of predation it is a long term process. perch to 2lb 12oz have been caught on rod and line this year whilst a sample netting last year produced one of 4lb 2oz.

Usual ledgering tactics work well but paternoster rigs also seem very effective. Very small sand eels and very large lobworms appear to work equally well, particularly fished at a long distance into deep water. Large plugs have accounted for excellent Perch recently.

This open loch surrounded by mature mixed woodland and with sudden ledges and drop-offs to 25ft is very reminiscent of many Irish loughs. If anyone has any, a few thousand bream to donate just to complete the picture, we would be very grateful.

Day tickets again as for all Craighlaw Fisheries Waters, in advance from the Bait and Tackle shop or as guests. The Cock Inn at Auchenmalg also sells tickets.

River Bladnoch

This famous salmon river has certain beats open to pike anglers through the winter months (November-March inclusive). A 21lb 6oz pike was landed recently, and returned, although mid doubles are more frequently encountered. Ledgered dead baits seem quite effective, live baits and spinning is strictly forbidden. Large numbers of perch frequent the river some of them reaching specimen size.

Anglers should always check availability before travelling. Tickets again from Palakona Bait Supplies in advance only.

CRAIGHLAW FISHERIES ASSOCIATED WATERS

Loch Heron

Twenty seven acres and best known for its head of pike. As coarse angling has flourished in Wigtownshire so this water has been developed to retain popularity. There are 45 platformed pegs with good access. pike to 26lb have been caught recently and Craighlaw Fisheries have been influential in conjunction with the managers of the water, Galloway Country Sports, in a stocking programme that has seen pike between 12lb and 21lb introduced recently.

The main feed fish and best alternative quarry are roach, rudd and perch, with bream beginning to make themselves known. Some carp and tench have been introduced with a view to the future. Boat hire is available in advance, Day tickets in advance from Palakona or on bank.

Loch Ronald

A large water of some 100 acres plus. Ronald is immediately adjacent to Heron. Stocked heavily with roach there is a fair number of good size trout also. The pike are sometimes harder to locate than on Heron but can be bigger. A favourite haunt is in the drop-off just in front of the boat slipway although vaning or ballooning is often required to reach the exact spot. Boat hire available in advance, day tickets available as for Heron.

Monreith Loch

Also known as The White Loch of Myrton. Just beginning to flourish again after some serious incidents of farm pollution in the 1980s, Monreith has long had a justifiable reputation for pike fishing. Best in recent years is 21lb 8oz, and in late 1995 two guests claimed 42 Pike in 3 days including 19 in one day. Only a few were doubles but ... who cares ! As the roach and rudd stocks slowly recover so should the pike. Access for vehicles and car parking has been improved lately, whilst a country walk has recently been built along with platforms for the disabled.

Not surprisingly given the size of the natural prey, small silver baits are the best bait on this water, natural sprat, coarse fish and or silver barb, etc. Day tickets from Palakona as before or at Monreith House.

OTHER LOCAL WATERS

Spectacle Lochs

Two small but picturesque waters set in Penninghame Forest just outside Newton Stewart. Quite a well known water but often flatters to deceive. A large head of mainly small pike and good size perch are the main quarry. However - recent years has seen the capture in increasing numbers of roach, rudd and hybrids, some of them to 2½lbs. It can however be an infuriating water in common with other local waters because of its inconsistency. I once witnessed an angler take 64lb of roach and perch whilst his mate fishing less than 15 yards away actually blanked!

Tench are present but not in large numbers, if you get one it will be a bonus. There is good access to the smaller of the two waters where a picnic table and car park exists. A rather poorly located platform for disabled anglers also exists. This water is managed, [just,] by the Forestry Commission and day tickets must be obtained from the keeper's cottage, Glenrazie Lodge just down the road.

Garwackie Loch

Part of the same system as Spectacle and Eldrig. Garwackie is essentially a fun spot for some perch bashing or jack catching. As with Spectacle a low double will be a good fish. Access is less easy than Spectacle and I and our guests have enjoyed best pike sport off the Cliff which indicates the drop-off. Day tickets as for Spectacle.

Loch Eldrig

The last of the Penninghame Forest lochs and the one perhaps worst affected by high acid levels. There is nevertheless a fair head of pike with the best that I have heard of being 17lb 6oz. Access is down a long forestry track to car parking near the loch. Day tickets from Glenrazie Lodge again. Do note that the far bank Eldrig is private.

Torwood House Hotel

This country hotel located outside Glenluce has two coarse pools within the grounds and Loch Dernagler for pike a few miles away. The pools in the grounds hold tench, roach, rudd, bream and carp. A tench of 6lb 14oz was landed recently. Access and car parking is good, day tickets available from reception.

Newton Farm Pond

A small lochan situated within sight of the A75. This water holds large numbers of roach, rudd and perch, with some tench, progeny of Craighlaw, to provide interest. Pike are also present, some reaching 9lb. Access is across a small field from the farmhouse from which day tickets can be purchased.

Cairnhouse Farm and Drum Rae Lochs

Two small waters run by the local coarse angling association. These have been stocked heavily with a wide variety of fish more with a view to the future than immediate gain. However the weight gain of the carp suggests that we may not have too long to wait. Even the chub seem to have taken to the waters well. Membership is open to all on a yearly basis but day tickets are only available for Drum Rae to regulars of good reputation. If coarse anglers have caravans in the area it may be worth thinking about joining the association(?) For details contact the secretary at Palakona Bait Supplies.

As I mentioned earlier, brevity is of the essence in this feature and I have therefore excluded certain waters which it could be said are not coarse fisheries but rather are waters with coarse fish in them. Clatteringshaws and Loch Maberry are good examples of these.

Some Local Advice

Much of what follows applies everywhere in the UK although I have tried to emphasise those things which are perhaps more important on local waters than elsewhere.

Many local waters are crystal clear which, whilst having some obvious benefits does also mean that, in clear sunny/bright conditions fishing can be very tricky indeed. This is particularly true when clarity is combined with shallow water so typical of many local waters. The use of canal black or similar can help but in truth, if the day turns out to be clear, bright and sunny, the fishing is likely to be hard work! In such conditions, if you must fish, eg. a match, I would suggest that you head for a loch with deep water or one that is over-stocked such as Barnbarroch. In reality however fishing dawn and dusk on such days is essential, particularly if you are after carp, tench and bream.

I have never understood the inflexible approach adopted by visiting match anglers, they insist on fishing 10am to 4.00pm come what may! Some of our regular match squads who are visiting on pleasure trips have learned to adapt to conditions and sometimes a 'split shift' match is arranged whereby they fish from dawn to mid-morning then back in for breakfast, a quick nap, visit to the bookies/pub/shops, etc, before returning to the venue for the second half of the match from say three hours before dark. I recall one such match being won with over 80lb of fish, mainly tench. I also recall a normal time match being won with 1lb 2oz!

If you are able to pre-feed a swim it is best to do so. No fish enjoy having crumb or corn, etc, showered down around their heads and into their gills. Far better to have a carpet of bait in place for them to move on to. Guests of our guest house, and only our guests, can rake swims, under advice, on our waters and this is a tremendous advantage. Immediately upon finishing raking scatter plenty of your proposed hook-baits in the swim and allow the sediment you've stirred up to settle back lightly covering the free offerings. This appears more natural to the fish and keeps them, particularly tench, in the swim much longer as they root around finding the goodies.

Have a wide variety of baits available. There is nothing worse than finding the angler next to you bagging up on say mini-boilies, the very bait you happen to have omitted from your list. Here again local advice can help in your preparations. Palakona Bait and Tackle shop has a good idea as to what is catching and where.

Do be quiet! I've seen swims emptied of carp in seconds by one clumsy angler dropping his tackle with a heavy thud. Similarly quite how some anglers hope to catch fish whilst making the noise they do is beyond me.

Come prepared for midges! They really can be an absolute menace and can ruin any angler's enjoyment. Find a midge repellent that suits your particular body chemistry and make sure you bring it with you. We have also learned to use midge nets as added protection, the ones we stock are made by a local hill walker and are made of ultra fine material which keeps out all but the most determined midge.

Another word of advice. The shallow clear waters around these parts react quickly to temperature changes and rainfall. If the temperature remains in single figures then forget good fishing, if it goes over 22°C the same applies. However if I'm confident of an overcast, drizzly day with a mild westerly and air temperatures around the 16°C - 18°C mark I'll sit out all day on a pre-fed swim on virtually any of the waters here in Wigtownshire and district.

Finally, I hope that this article will help tempt you to try some of the waters of south west Scotland, contrary as they may sometimes be they are well worth persevering with. For some readers it will be just a day trip, for others it will mean a week-end away but hopefully for all anglers it will provide different experiences and new learning opportunities.

Good Luck and Tight Lines.