Fishing – clean up volunteers wanted

The first clean up in The Almond near Mid Calder organised by the Forth Rivers Trust removed hundreds of items in 90 minutes.

They included food and drink containers, plastic bags, panty liners, and wet wipes.

Amy Fergusson, the volunteer co-ordinator, indicated that the items came from locals disposing of litter in the streets which ended up in storm drains or putting items down the toilet.

The work, she added, will benefit anglers and the Edinburgh-based organisation are looking for volunteers to continue the work.

They can work individually or as part of a team to collect rubbish near the Almondell and Calderwood Country Park.

Meanwhile, ospreys have been sited at Harlaw and Threipmuir reservoirs near Balerno.

Malleny Angling Club officials believe they are feeding prior to migration and Robert Ross, chairman, said: “It is easy fishing conditions for them afforded by the low water level.”

Meanwhile, despite the low water – several walkers have been stuck in the mud taking a shortcut – anglers are still catching.

Fish are continuing to rise in The Tweed at Manors and Cardrona with the fast water the best areas to produce.

Grayling are reported to be in good condition and suspending a small nymph from a dry fly can bring success.

In Edinburgh, you still have until September 30 to fish the Water of Leith. Permits are free.

Elsewhere, Dave Pellow pipped Chris Bolton with a haul of 25lbs 6oz at Orchill near Dunblane in the latst round of the league for anglers in the Edinburgh and Lothians Coarse Angling Club. Bolton landed a bag of 24lbs 6oz.

Drizzle was not forecast and the prevalence of tiny roach and gudgeon made it difficult to connect with the better carp and chub.

The win means Pellow now leads the league with the seventh and final round to go at Orchill on September 16.