31st December 2025 – Year-End Edition
What a way to close out 2025. The fishing has been steady and consistent as we head into the New Year, with most rods seeing four to six fish, a few into double figures, and good fish movement throughout the day. The twelve-rod limit is doing exactly what it should — keeping pressure low and conditions right.
The water is clear with a proper winter tinge, the ground is crisp, and there’s been plenty of fish on the move including surface activity around midday. If you’re looking to clear the head after Hogmanay, it’s a good time to be out.
Summary
Rod average: 6 fish per session
Average size: 3.5 lb
Best fish: To 8 lb
Best windows: Mid-morning through early afternoon; surface activity around midday
Conditions: Clear water with winter tinge, crisp ground, fish moving well
Top tactics: Orange/pink eggs under bung at 3 ft, white squirmy worms, pink Nomads, orange zonkers, white shammies
Ice update: Wind and ducks keeping water mostly ice-free; low altitude near the estuary helps
Stocking: Chunky rainbows and browns arriving in the New Year
Angler Highlights
Scott Pozzi (National Bank Champion) – 16 fish: 1 brown, 15 bows including one just shy of 8 lb. Five on Diawl Bachs, the rest under the bung with various bugs.
Ryan Jordan (Erskine) – 16 in 5 hours including a lovely 4 lb brown and a chunky rainbow. White squirmy worm about 16 inches under the bung.
Ross Pirie – 11 returned on a mix of everything: lures on intermediate, green egg under bung, black egg under bung, orange snake.
“Every change of fly brought a fish.”
Tom Hemmings – 8 on a pink Nomad.
“Just been here today and honestly that was one of the best days fishing I’ve had in such a long time. Definitely coming back!”
Rick Wilkie – Around 20 fish over 3 days using various tactics; orange and pink eggs at 3 ft under the bung particularly effective. Great to see Rick back out.
Alan Smith – 7 returned on a solid session.
Jack Gray (Ledcrieff Manager) – 6 to the net, dropped the same. Four on an orange zonker, two on a white shammy, including a brown around 7 lb.
Lee Chisholm – 4 landed, 6 lost. Plenty of strong takes throughout.
Darren Barcik – 1 landed, 9 dropped – frustrating but enjoyable. At least his hands stayed warm.
Standout Tactics
Under the bung: Orange and pink eggs at 3 ft depth – dominant method this week. White squirmy worms also producing.
Pulled patterns: Orange zonkers, white shammies, and pink Nomads on intermediates.
Sub-surface: Diawl Bachs fished slowly – Scott Pozzi took 5 on them.
Versatility: Ross Pirie’s approach says it all – keep changing until you crack the code. There have been a few blanks, but those willing to adapt are catching.
Weather and Conditions (31 Dec – 5 Jan)
A cold spell ahead with bright, frosty conditions. Strong northwesterly winds early in the week easing towards the weekend. Wintry showers possible Thursday and Friday. Pressure building from Saturday – classic high-pressure winter fishing conditions.
Wed 31 Dec: 6°C / 2°C – Overcast, showers pm. Sunrise 08:47, Sunset 15:43. Pressure 1035–1011 hPa.
Thu 1 Jan: 3°C / -1°C – Sunny, strong NW wind. Sunrise 08:47, Sunset 15:45. Pressure 1010–1004 hPa.
Fri 2 Jan: 2°C / -1°C – Sunny, wintry showers. Sunrise 08:46, Sunset 15:46. Pressure 1004–1007 hPa.
Sat 3 Jan: 2°C / -2°C – Sunny, calmer. Sunrise 08:46, Sunset 15:47. Pressure 1007–1016 hPa.
Sun 4 Jan: 2°C / -2°C – Sunny intervals. Sunrise 08:45, Sunset 15:49. Pressure 1016–1020 hPa.
Mon 5 Jan: 4°C / -1°C – Sunny intervals. Sunrise 08:45, Sunset 15:50. Pressure 1020–1023 hPa.
Rising pressure from Saturday typically brings more settled conditions and improved feeding activity.
Ice Notice
The wind and ducks have kept the water pretty much ice-free, other than a few patches that will not cause any issues. Wormit sits at low altitude and not far from the Tay estuary, which helps keep the ice at bay when higher waters freeze.
We will continue monitoring daily. If you book and it freezes, you can keep your booking in the system for another day or request a refund. I will be checking the cameras each morning and posting ice updates on Facebook.
Please check before travelling if you are coming from a distance. If Wormit freezes, it is highly likely other fisheries in the area will too – many did last night.
You can book immediately in advance using the QR code in the car park, or simply turn up and fish.
2025: A Year in Review
2025 has been a resounding success. The hybrid model we have applied – limited day tickets alongside corporate and experience days, plus two rest days per week – has made this a genuinely sustainable venture.
This, coupled with the online booking system, non-intrusive weed management manipulating photosynthesis to control growth, ongoing bank maintenance, and habitat restoration, has made Wormit not only a great place to fish but a proper community of like-minded anglers who appreciate a challenge and enjoy the unique atmosphere we offer.
We will never be a back-to-back fishery where you can’t freely wander. The plan is long-term sustainability. In many ways, running a fishery is a balancing act – much like tuning an engine. It is all about subtle shifts and tweaks to ensure the right marketing is balanced with a healthy, managed stocking policy and properly costed permits.
Simplicity is key. Ease of booking is key. Low overheads are key. Quality – not only of the fishing itself but of the overall look and feel – is critical.
The high-ticket corporate days that make this project viable require pristine presentation. Obviously in winter and autumn maintaining banks can be harder, which is when we get works done. But come spring and summer, when things bloom and the grass is freshly cut, I believe – and others have said – that in Scotland you would be hard pushed to find a fishery so quiet, beautiful, and pristine. To me, that is as important as the fishing itself.
Anglers from Near and Far
This year we welcomed anglers from as far away as Japan, California, Australia, France, Geneva, Italy, and New Zealand – alongside our regulars travelling from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Stirling, right down to Gauldry and Balmerino. The reputation is spreading, and that is down to every angler who has shared their experience.
Memberships and Pricing
Memberships did not take off as I was hoping, so I may remove that scheme or rebalance it with a reduced price-per-visit option to make it more budget-friendly. You have to try these things and adjust accordingly – again, fine-tuning that engine.
Good news: I am holding summer prices at £29.50 for 2026 – now live for advance booking. These prices kick in from 1st April. Fish dawn til dusk, come and go as you please. One ticket, one day, one angler. Keeps it simple for everyone. Kill ticket bolt-ons available.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Bigger fish, consistent and managed stocking. BBQs, competitions, open days, and charity days. Enhanced digital media and marketing. Consistent improvements around the fishery. New Salmo Fly Fishers team for 2026 competitive fishing.
Gift vouchers and group bookings have been strong over the festive period, and we are starting to see the spring and summer diary fill – which is encouraging.
Opening and Reminders
Holiday Period: Open right through until 5th January – no closure over Hogmanay. Book online or simply turn up and fish.
From 6th January: Back to usual Wednesday to Sunday opening, with Monday and Tuesday rest days.
Winter Pricing: £26.50 Catch and Release (1 Oct – 31 Mar), dawn to dusk.
Rod Limit: 12 maximum – keeping pressure low and conditions right.
Corporate and Group Bookings: Available 7 days. Experience days, team building, private hire.
Bookings
Phone: 07727 360428
And Finally…
So, from a warm office here in Dundee with two bouncy black Labradors staring at me for walkies, that is me signing out.
Wherever you will be at midnight tonight, I would like to wish you all the very best for the year and season ahead. Your custom has been greatly appreciated, and rest assured we will continue to innovate and try new and interesting things at Wormit – and with Salmo Scotland and the new team we have assembled for 2026 competitive fishing.
Tight lines, stay safe, and –
Lang may yer lum reek!
Slàinte
Greig Thomson
Wormit Trout Fishery | Salmo Fishings Ltd
