Sunday 22nd May 2011

The Cygnets met this morning and as usual commenced the session fly tying with Jimmy Miller. Today the Cygnets were tying the "Claret Pennell" which is a variant of the renowned Black Pennell which is a famous wet fly.

"Claret Pennell"

Mr Thomas Anderson, Professional Casting Instructor facilitated some casting instruction with the newer Cygnets on the grass before they started fishing on the Mill Pond. Meanwhile the older Cygnets commenced their morning fishing session on the Mill Pond.  It was not long before the first fish of the session was hooked and landed by Morgan.

The other Cygnets eventually managed to connect with fish in turn.  The Cygnets were assisted by Jimmy Miller, Dave Armour and Jim Allan while on the water. The weather conditions made it extremely difficult for the 11 Cygnets to fish, with the wind blowing hard throughout the whole morning.  The wind was made worse by strong gusts and spells of heavy rain.  It was also a rather cold day - "so much for the summer weather"!!!

The successful Cygnets today were -

Abbi Hutton  - 2 fish

Robert Fyfe  - 2 fish

Thomas Penman  - 1 fish

Morgan McDougall  - 1 fish

William Addison  - 1 fish

Calum Clark  - 1 fish

Jack Gray  - 1 fish

"Well done to all of them"!!!!!!!

Thomas Anderson, Professional Casting Instructor commented "the Cygnets had a very good catch return, when the weather conditions were far from ideal due to the cold and windy day".

As always some of the Cygnets often catch Perch. Today, was no exception. Here is one of the perch that was caught. These fish often add a bit of fun and excitement for the Cygnets when they catch them.  Often the cygnets can catch numerous Perch during their session.

IMPORTANT

SAFETY WARNING

ALL CYGNETS MUST ENSURE THAT

• YOU WEAR A BASEBALL CAP AT ALL TIMES WHEN FISHING
• YOU WEAR EYE PROTECTION AT ALL TIMES WHEN FISHING

• YOU ALWAYS LOOK BEHIND YOU BEFORE YOU ARE ABOUT TO CAST
• YOU MUST BE AWARE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS. I.E. STRONG WIND DIRECTION AND GUSTS

• ONLY WATERSIDE ASSISTANTS TO BE AT THE WATERSIDE DURING SESSION - (PARENTS ETC MUST NOT GO TO WATERSIDE UNLESS IN AN EMERGENCY)

Sunday 8th May 2011 " A Special Day for the Cygnets"

Today was the Cygnets 5th meeting of the season.

The day commenced as normal with fly tying with Jimmy Miller. The Cygnets were shown how to tie an "Elk Hair Caddis".

The weather was dull, overcast with light to heavy rain with sunny intervals throughout the morning.

Cameron tying his fly

Robert concentrating on his fly tying

"Elk Hair Caddis"

Professional casting instructor Thomas Anderson commenced the day with tuition on the grass.

The special part of the day

The Cygnets had a visitor?????????????

Mr Paul Young - Actor, TV fishing presenter and keen passionate Scottish angler

(Champion of Champions 1971, Scottish National Champion 1974 and represented Scotland as a member of the National Trout Fly Fishing Team)

Well known for his TV series "Hooked on Scotland, Hooked on Fishing, Fishing Road Trip USA"

Paul spent time with the Cygnets, chatting with them and giving them "words of wisdom" and encouraging them in the sport of fly fishing.

Cameron retrieving his line

Paul watches Calum cast to a fish

Robert just waiting for a take

Paul gives some advice on his recommendation of fly pattern to Morgan

Paul and Thomas watch the rising fish on the Millpond

Robert with his idol "Paul Young"

Paul gives Abbi some encouragement as the fish start showing around her fly

Cameron & Robert watch on as Paul waits for a take

Morgan, Cameron and Robert with Paul

The Cygnets with Paul in the hut, a bit wet but all smiling. They were all over joyed and really excited that Paul had taken time to come and meet them. There was a real "buzz" around the Swanswater Fishery today with Paul visiting.

A Swanswater rainbow trout caught by Morgan

Robert and Morgan (Jnr Committee) thank Paul for coming to meet them all

Robert's rainbow caught on the Millpond

The successful Cygnets today

Robert Fyfe - 3 fish (2 retained & 1 returned)

Abbi Hutton - 1 fish

Morgan McDougall -1fish

Cameron Smith -1fish

Abbi with the biggest fish of the day - Blue Trout 2lbs 8oz

Paul Young and Swanswater Cygnets Junior Angling Club

"Thank you for coming to see us today Paul. We really enjoyed meeting you. Please come back and see us again soon". The Cygnets

Sunday 24th April 2011

Sunday 24th April 2011 - 4th Cygnets Meeting & Club Outing to Swanswater

Today was the 4th Cygnets meeting of the 2011 season and the first club outing of the season for the more experienced Cygnets to the main Swanswater. It was a pleasant morning, sun was shining, no wind, still a bit cool but did get warm as the day progressed. It was an early start for the Cygnets today.

The less experienced Cygnets started the morning off having casting tuition from Cygnets Professional Casting Instructor Thomas Anderson on the grass, beside the Mill Pond.

Casting Instruction from Professional Casting Instructor Thomas Anderson

"Professional Casting Instructor Thomas Anderson showing the Cygnets how it is done"

After the casting tuition on the grass the Cygnets headed for the Mill Pond, to start fishing.

"Jack with a fish on - Mill Pond"

"Cameron with his first of two fish off the Mill Pond"

The more experienced Cygnets had their first outing of the year today at Swanswater. They were all hoping that today might be the day they hooked into one of Swanswater prized big fish!!!!

The more experienced Cygnets head for Swanswater

"Callum waiting for a take"

"Robert with a fish on - unfortunately, it got off before it could be netted"

"Thomas with a fish on"

"Change of Fly"

 

"Morgan with a fish on"

"William into a fish at the dam wall"

Biggest fish of the day 3.25lbs

The successful Cygnets today were-

Thomas Penman - 3 fish Swanswater

William Addison - 1 fish Swanswater (Biggest fish of the day)

Morgan McDougall -1 fish Swanswater

Cameron Smith - 2 fish Mill Pond

Jack Gray- 1 fish Mill Pond

The most successful fly used today by some of the Cygnets was yet again the "Cats Whisker".

As it was Easter Sunday, each Cygnet was given an Easter egg.

Swanswater Cygnets Junior Angling Club

The next meeting of Cygnets is on Sunday 8th May, start time 09:30am with fly tying with Jimmy Miller before fishing commences. There is a special guest coming along to meet the Cygnets on this day?????????

Cygnets Meet Sunday 10th April

Cygnets had their third meeting of the season today. The day commenced as usual with fly tying with Jimmy Miller. The Cygnets were shown and then tied a "Gold Zulu".

"GOLD ZULU"

After fly tying the Cygnets drew their pegs for the start of the fishing. It was glorious hot, sunny day, which felt like a summers day and not early April.  The older members headed onto the Mill Pond and started fishing, while the newer members were given casting instruction by Tam Anderson, Professional Casting Instructor on the grass before getting a chance to wet a line.

The fishing session commenced at 10:00am and within no time at all Thomas Penman hooked into his first fish of the day which was quickly followed by his second fish and his third which was returned, before the other Cygnets hooked a fish. Abbi Hutton hooked into a fish followed by Robert Fyfe. Thomas by this time had returned a further two fish.

Thomas made a new Cygnets Record for the number of fish caught during the  3 hour session. He caught 10 fish for the three hours fishing (retaining 2 and returned 8) the previous record was by Robert Fyfe who caught 8 fish for his session during 2010.

"Number 10 comes to the net"

The fish appeared to be showing all around the pond, however, the majority of fish seemed to be taken on the far bank above the burn.

Lures seemed to be the order for today, with the Cats Whisker being the pattern that the fish wanted.

The successful Cygnets today were

Thomas Penman 10 fish (retained 2 and returned 8 fish)

Robert Fyfe 5 fish (retained 2 and returned 3 fish)

Abbi Hutton 1 fish

Callum Clark 1 fish

The Cygnets next meeting will take place on Sunday 24th April. This will be the Cygnets first outing of the season. The older Cygnets will be fishing the main Swanswater, while the newer members will be fishing on the Mill Pond, and receiving iinstruction from Tam Anderson, professional instructor.

The older Cygnets are reminded to be at Swanswater Fishery car park by 8am for a sharp start of fishing at 08.30am.

More dates will follow when agreed for the other outings and for the yearly BBQ.

Reminder 

Cygnets as the weather can be unpredictable at times throughout the year, always remember that  you should should wear appropriate amounts of clothing and footwear and always be prepared for any adverse weather such as rain. Always bring a waterproof jacket and/or trousers even though the forecast is for dry weather.

Remember also that with the summer approaching that you should be suitably protected with suncream, you may feel hot and want to remove clothing such as a jumper. Make sure you have a high factor suncream on to prevent any risk of sunburn. When it is hot weather, have regular breaks and have plenty of drinks.

Always wear your baseball cap and eye protection at all times, and Always Look Behind You Before you Cast.

Tight lines to all the Cygnets