North Third Fishery (updated April 2015)
Please note North Third Trout Fishery, following two years of maintenance work on the dam wall by Scottish water, which resulted in closure of the fishery, it has decided to close down. For the time being the loch no longer operates as a trout fishery. If this changes I will update it here, so please treat the information below as for interest only as the fishery is no longer operational.
North Third no longer operates as a Commercial Fishery. The owner I understand auctioned off all the boats and outboards. I have no knowledge of it ever being offered for sale as a going concern.
I note there is actually a boat house on the bank near the farmhouse/rental cottages, which I do not recall previously. It may be that the lease holder continues to offer fishing on the loch under the rental tterms of his holiday cottages. Certainly the description reads like that might be the case.
I am aware of casual anglers going to fish and camp there, especially in the summer at weekends. As far as I know the leaseholder either allows it or turns a blind eye. I really do not know, but I can say it isn’t stocked so anything you catch now would be wild.
If the situation re. North Third ever changes I will of course post something on the site.
Its a very popular fishery amongst anglers and is quite a large stretch of water.
Facilities:
None
Size: 120acres
Access Road:
Locked
Public Transport:
None- best you could do is hire a taxi from Stirling, the water is about 4 miles from the Bannockburn road and about 6 miles from Stirling City Centre.
Species: Brown Trout and Perch
Contact: 07767 831 197
Notable Rules: Request from leaseholder
Details
North Third is a now disused public water supply reservoir of some 120 acres or therabouts.
Personal Opinion
I have fished North Third a few times and I have to say my initial impressions were not good. Partly due to the weather on the day- it was pretty grim, and partly due to the behaviour of other anglers. On my visit there were a number of anglers who I would guess are regulars. Their fishing tactics were at best unsporting and at worst possibly illegal. The tactic being employed was to cast a sinking line in with a short leader and a booby on the end and simply leave it. They even set up rod rests with sticks from the branches of a tree. I think I seen them cast about 6 times all day and they caught about 6 fish between standing chatting and drinking tea. I am really not sure where the fly fishing is in this. From my point of view the disappointing thing was the lack of anyone policing the venue. I suspect this is the norm as I doubt these anglers would have stood fishing as they did if they thought there was any risk of being challenged.
Also there were a number of anglers with spinning rods secreted below the bank, sometimes in the water. Whether they were bait fishing for trout or Perch as was suggested by one when I asked him, I cannot say but I have my own thought on the matter.
My more recent visit though was much more favourable and I have to say if you can get there for the 16:30-22:30 shift, its really quite a bargain, at £18 foa one rod boat ( and you can take a junior angler long for free) with a 10 bag imit for the boat, out in a boat its a very pleasant fishery, the boats are clean tidy and well maintained and George the owner is a very helpful chap.
If bank fishing you have to have waders, there is an awful lot of weed near the shore and you will neither reach the clear water or have a hassle free visit if you try to cast from the bank in my opinion. There is a spot about two thirds along the west bank where there is sort of promintory with trees behind, this area offered direct access to deep water and had little or no weed. Beyond this you get close to the dam wall where you can wade quite far out and I would guess deep water lies beyond.
Value for money:
Catch and Release Policy:
Website:
Details on the location can be found at http://ospreyhideaways.co.uk/home
I fish North Third whenever I can and it is my favourite fishery in the area. I always Bank Fish, and in my years fishing I have never seen anyone using the semi-illegal methods mentioned. I try to avoid busy periods and I never feel crowed. As we know in Scotland the weather can be variable, but that’s how it goes. As for bag I have never reached the 10 limit, but I guess that’s down to me! The real plus in the environment with stunning views. 9/10
Yeah its a nice Fishery- I went two times last season and fished from a boat both times. I narrowly missed a blank on my first outing catching a fish right at the end of my session and I felt did OK considering the conditions on my second outing there considering it was cold. Was unlucky not to get more- one came off right at the end- on the last day of the season. Luckiest fish in the loch I reckon. Its probably a place I would fish more often- as its no distance from me here, but the session times tend to put me off as getting the most out an evening session means being there for 16:30 which is no good with a normal day job. Never had any luck on a dry fly there though I have to say even when the conditions would suggest otherwise- like you say- must be down to me. Thanks for your comments.
Yes, I agree, for some reason Dry fly is rarely productive; however going deep is equally not always a solution. My best days are usually fishing a nymph just sub surface with a floating line, adjusting the depth with the leader length and retrieve rate. Weed can be a problem in the mid-season. The best fishing is usually in the margins where the fish feed on bussers and other invertebrates. I never do will in lures, but other people use them with success. I tend to be a bit of a traditionalist, using traditional Scottish patterns.
Interesting observations. On the last day of the season it was very cold and fish were hiding but just below the surface was where I picked up fish, or in the shallower end down toward the weedy corner area opposite the boat moorings. But like you say most anglers seem to use Lures, which while I will do it, I don’t prefer it, I really love my dry fly. I have picked up fish on the back edge between the dam and the big island on wets and nymphs, but they are usually smaller browns. Do you wade in the summer- I wondered if it was productive if the water was warmer. George suggested to me the fish head for the deep area in from the dam when it heats up- certainly seems very deep when I run a Di7 through it last year.
Unfortunately the fishery is closed for the 20012/13 session due to works on the dam causing the water levels to be drastically reduced . I for one hope that it will reopen soon
Yeah that’s sort of correct. As I understand it, the loch is closed for 2012 Season and in fact, as far as I can see the work is not yet started as the water levels still look normal. George must be spitting feathers! I don’t believe at this point in time that the fishery will be closed in 2013. Keep an eye on the North Third Website for up to date information. Link on this site in the fisheries sidebar block.
I started my fishing adventurs at North Third and find it a great place to fish. George even gave me a free lesson and its my favourite place to fish. I love fishing from the boat and have had a few sucesses over the visits last year. I really do hope they open for 2013.
I see no reason why it should not open unless the mtce work takes longer than anticipated. George must be spitting feathers. I have not been up for a few weeks but beleive they were getting ready to start the works. George could’ve had 2/3rds of the season open.
Sadly it appears that the Fishery is closed for good and that George has retired. As far as I am aware he has not found anyone to take it on.
Was he trying to find anyone to take it on? Never heard it was for sale?
I don’t know but I am surprised that he is allowing it to close. I don’t move in the circles that would know!
Likewise but usually when a well known fishery is up for sale it’s up for a while so you find out. I only live ten minutes away and never seen a sign up or heard any mention. Plus the time to start looking for a buyer was maybe in the summer while he was maybe thinking what to do. Would struggle to sell it now as he has put all the boats and engines up for sale.
Was a beautiful fishery fished it every sunday for 8 years sadly missed had many great days there