Weekly Summary
Margins, methodical fishing, and steady winter conditions kept the sport consistent. Wormit has fished extremely well between Wednesday and Monday — albeit a bit tougher over the weekend — but with fish holding all over and feeding confidently throughout the water, some exceptional catches were had. Clarity has continued to improve and we are now 90% gin clear, with water levels pretty much stabilised. The most consistent success has come from anglers covering the whole water, rather than simply staying in the one area all day.
- Rod average: 7.2 fish per rod across all sessions.
- Key depth: 3–5 ft. Fish are up and down the water column throughout the day.
- Best windows: Mornings and late afternoons. Early afternoon can quieten, but it has still produced for anglers staying disciplined.
- Where the fish are: All over — but as always at this time of year, the burn mouth and the lagoon fish well. That said, they get hit the hardest.
- Bank conditions: Water levels have left soft margins and puddled ground in places. Wellies are essential.
Catch Highlights
- Darren McPherson — 27 fish on his first visit, then back again for another 11. Thirty-eight fish across two sessions — proof that when the loch is covered properly, the sport is there in volume.
- Scott Pozzi — 21 fish (Monday). Nine on Diawl Bachs and twelve on bloodworm under the bung at 46 inches, with a second rod set at 3 ft on a midge tip. Fish came from all around the loch, with the hot spot around the island and up at the burn.
- Archie Bathgate — 15 fish. Strong bag, consistent session throughout.
- Criss Kirk — 12 fish. Solid return across settled conditions.
- Callum Parr — 11 fish. Another strong bag from fishing close and staying systematic.
- Darren McPherson Jr — 10 fish. A fine return alongside his dad — the McPherson family clearly know their way around Wormit.
- Alan Smith — 8 fish. A dependable return from a well-fished session.
- Fred McDonald — 5 landed, 3 lost on damsel. A solid return on a quieter day, proving the fish were still there for those willing to work for them.
- James Lang — 3 landed, 3 lost. Fish were present and taking, but it was a day that demanded concentration and clean hook-ups.
Best Tactics and Flies
Continue to fish the margins first and fish them properly. Do not ignore what is happening within one to two rod lengths of the bank. Fish can be tight to cover, likely feeding on snails, worms, and general invertebrates.
1. Bloodworm and eggs under the bung (2–4 ft down)
This has been one of the most consistent tactics of the week.
- Depth: Start at 2–3 ft, adjust up to 3–4 ft if you see fish moving but not committing.
- Flies: Pink eggs, orange eggs, peach eggs, darker eggs, eggworms (including mojito), plus a bloodworm — well worth a try.
- Method: Short line, cast, let it sink 20–30 seconds, then step and repeat and work your way out.
2. Fast glass with snakes and apps
- Top patterns: Black snake (hothead if you like), olive apps, black bunny leech.
- Depth: Again, 2–3 ft is the sweet spot.
- Retrieve: Steady and controlled — do not rip it back. Trail it over weed beds and along cover, with pauses to trigger the take. Vary between figure of eight and rolly polly.
3. Washing line with Diawl Bachs, buzzers and cormorants — work the 2–3 ft depth range when you see activity
When fish are moving and you want a cleaner, more natural presentation:
- Typical set-up: FAB on the point, cormorant on a dropper, Diawl Bach on a dropper, and swap to buzzers when fish show higher.
- Tip: Hang the flies at the end of the retrieve. Those extra seconds pick up fish that follow.
Stocking and Water Management
Water level has stabilised again after a brief lift. The coloured water has cleared and is exactly where we want it for this time of year.
Grounds: Banks remain soft in places due to water level movement. Wellies are essential if you want full access round the loch.
Angler Reminders
- Peg rotation is now formalised and non-negotiable: 6 fish or 90 minutes per peg, whichever comes first. Move on and miss the next peg. No side-by-side fishing when mixed rods are present. This is how we protect fairness and keep the loch fishing properly.
- Report issues immediately: If you see the rule being ignored, contact me straight away. We will deal with it quickly and calmly. The fishery only works when the water is shared properly.
- Litter and discarded nylon: More cut line has been found on the banks. This is unacceptable. Use the bins at the gate and car park, or take it home. Cameras operate on site and are active.
- Fish care: Barbless or debarbed hooks only. Handle fish wet, unhook quickly, and return promptly. Photos in the net preferred.
- Rules must be read before fishing: Full fishery rules.
Weather Forecast (Wed 25 Feb – Sun 01 Mar)
Wormit, Fife. Temperatures and conditions for the Newport-on-Tay area; pressure in hPa.
- Wed 25 Feb: High 12 °C / Low 8 °C — light rain at times. Pressure ~1007 hPa. Sunrise 07:16 / Sunset 17:40.
- Thu 26 Feb: High 11 °C / Low 6 °C — showers and brighter spells. Pressure ~1002 hPa. Sunrise 07:14 / Sunset 17:42.
- Fri 27 Feb: High 10 °C / Low 2 °C — cloudy with spells of rain possible. Pressure ~1007 hPa. Sunrise 07:11 / Sunset 17:44.
- Sat 28 Feb: High 8 °C / Low 5 °C — changeable with rain at times. Pressure ~1015 hPa. Sunrise 07:09 / Sunset 17:46.
- Sun 01 Mar: High 11 °C / Low 7 °C — cloudy with rain possible. Pressure ~1008 hPa. Sunrise 07:06 / Sunset 17:48.
Pressure read: A bit of movement through the period. Keep a bung rod and a snake set-up ready, and fish the margins first regardless. Extra daylight now noticeable — sunset past 17:40 and climbing — making the last hour increasingly productive.
Owner’s Advice
Fish the edges first. Do not over-cast. Keep your flies in 2–3 ft and within one to two rod lengths until you have proved the fish are further out. Move regularly, cover water properly, and do not rush retrieves.
If you see fish moving, switch to buzzers or Diawl Bachs and slow down. If you want dependable winter results, a three rod set-up covers all bases: an indicator rod fishing eggs and bloodworm, a washing line set-up on a 3 ft midge tip, and snakes on a fast glass.
Bookings
Sport is strong and will continue to build as we move into spring. Spaces available midweek and weekend — the extra daylight is making a real difference.
Day permits must be booked online.
Book your rod online here
Full fishery rules (must read): wormitfishery.co.uk/fishery-rules
Dawn to dusk fishing, limited to 12 rods — the way it should be.
Tight lines,
Greig — Wormit Trout Fishery
