Coarse anglers at Drumtassie Match Lake near Blackridge in West Lothian experienced a promising start despite occasional trout interference. The venue, converted from a former trout lake, draws praise for its potential, with ongoing efforts to manage the trout numbers.
Lake Features and Setup
The Match Lake offers 21 permanent platforms, with room for four more pegs and two islands. Depths vary: the right side reaches 9-10 feet at 11 meters in the middle pegs and 6-7 feet nearby, while the left side features shallows from under 2.5 feet to 6 feet.
“Everyone appreciates the potential of Drumtassie Match Lake, especially with the planned stocking programme,” noted Lawrie, highlighting the site’s maturing appeal for competitive fishing.
First Match Results
The East Lothian Coarse Angling Club (ELCAC) hosted the inaugural Summer League match, drawing 17 anglers across four sections. Winning weights exceeded past seasons, surpassing 21lb from 2024 and 32lb from 2025, with all sections topping double figures.
Section A
Newcomer Alexander Kerr dominated with 21lb 14oz on maggots. Lawrie placed second at 7lb 9oz, Roz Cassidy third with 3lb 6oz of small carp, and Simon Clynshaw fourth at 1lb 14oz.
Section B
Mark Gleave topped the section and finished third overall with 32lb using expanders and micros. Club chairman Darrin Ferguson caught 18lb 13oz on maggot and dumbbells. Will Martin (6lb 5oz) and Shug Smith (5lb 6oz) followed.
Section C
Andy Roberts claimed victory with an impressive 56lb 3oz on pellets and expanders in 4 feet of water. Joshua Lloyd secured second overall at 46lb 12oz, with Bartek Kolowski third (13lb 1oz) and Jimmy Jones fourth (10lb 7oz).
Section D
Last year’s ladies champion Heather Lauriston led with 6lb 12oz on maggot at 13 meters. Stewart Ritchie (3lb 14oz) and Gordon McKay (2lb 9oz) placed next.
Club Outlook and Upcoming Events
ELCAC boasts 23 members, including honorary lifetime members Geoff Lowe and Bill Hamilton. The Summer League spans 10 matches, dropping four worst scores, plus Knockout Cup, Pairs, and Rod and Reel events. Anglers anticipate Round 2 on May 16, kicking off the Knockout Cup, and welcome new faces like Kerr, Robert Bartusik, and Bartek Kolowski.
Separately, the Edinburgh Angling Centre at Granton hosts a Loop Tackle weekend on May 9-10, featuring new gear inspections, casting demos by a world champion, tuition, accuracy contests, and a raffle benefiting the Tweed Foundation to promote fishing for all ages.
