Crossing borders.

Last weekend, I had a couple of after work sessions with my mate Ryan. Poor weather conditions had wrecked his fishing plans during the previous week on his days off, so as the weather was nice, off we went. On Saturday, we met up with four other species hunting anglers at St Abbs harbour. Jack, Josh, Cal and Leigh were all up visiting Scotland from down south. Having travelled all around Scotland during their trip, trying to add a few species to their lifelists, they’d done just that, and were visiting St Abbs on their way back south for one last go at adding one or two more. 

When they arrived, I gave them a few pointers on where they could potentially catch butterfish, viviparous blenny, Yarrell’s blenny and tadpole fish. Ryan and I then set about trying to catch a few fish ourselves. Ryan wasn't after anything new, but wanted to add to his tally in a species hunt he's taking part in with some of his other mates. He was after a plaice or a short spined sea scorpion, but the tide was almost fully out and as a result, things were pretty slow. 

A shanny kicked things off for me after a pretty uneventful start.

There were plenty of flounder around, but unfortunately no plaice for Ryan.

A rather chunky long spined sea scorpion I caught. It's short spined cousin evaded capture!

As it got dark, and our headtorches became neccesary, I probably spent more time talking to the visiting species hunters than I spent fishing. Sadly, none of them got any new species, but they'd clearly all had a great time travelling around and fishing various different venues in Scotland. It was good to meet up with Jack again and to meet Cal, Josh and Leigh in person for the first time too, having talked to them all online at various points over the last few years. I'm sure I'll cross paths with them all again in the future, most likely when I head down south for a cross border species raid of my own!

The following evening, Ryan and I went fishing after work again. This time we visited Burntisland Harbour, a venue I've not been to for many years. This mainly due to the installation of an extensive network of fencing, designed to keep the public out. After hearing reports that access to the breakwater and the area near the sailing club was once again possible, and that lots of locals were regularly fishing there, we were pleased to find out that this was indeed the case, via several large holes and missing sections in the security fencing. Our main target for the session was a Yarrell's blenny, but as the tide was fully in, it took us a little time to locate a very specific spot on the bottom, that has for me, produced them more often than not. With several years having passed, I didn't know if the species would still be present, but fish are creatures of habit, and on Ryan's second drop into the deep hole on the bottom, a hungry Yarrell's blenny hit his tiny ragworm bait and was quickly wound up.

Mission accomplished! Ryan was over the moon to catch this Yarrell's blenny.

I may not have been taking part in any competitive species hunts myself, but that didn't mean that I didn't want to catch one too, so I set about plundering the bottom feature myself. After catching a few juvenile cod, poor cod, goldsinny wrasse and corkwing wrasse, something substantially larger picked up my tiny piece of ragworm and pulled my rod tip round as it swam off along the base of the harbour wall, engaging my drag as it realised something wasn't quite right and charged off. Fishing with a tiny hook and very light line, I took my time playing the fish and didn't apply too much pressure. Just enough to slowly raise the fish up through the water column and to steer it away from a set of ladders that could have swam behind to break me off. After a very decent scrap, a large ballan wrasse came to the surface. We had neglected to take a net with us, and I didn't want to risk lifting it up the harbour wall so Ryan scrambled down to the edge of the water to lift it out for me. After it made a few more attempts to swim off, down through the bladderwrack next to where Ryan was waiting, it was finally landed successfully.

What a cracking bonus ballan wrasse! A great fish on very light tackle!

We fished on for a little while longer, to see if I could catch a Yarrell's blenny of my own, but feeling pretty tired, we decided to call it a night and to head off for some tasty fish and chips before driving back to the capital. After a few "last casts" before we did pack up to leave, I caught a small shore rockling.

Not as cool as a Yarrell's blenny, but still pretty cool as far as I'm concerned and a nice species to finish the session with.

So, Ryan and I had a couple of very enjoyable short evening sessions. We really should make more of an effort to do these after work, especially when the weather is nice. This weekend, Ryan and I will be doing a cross border raid of our own, when we head down to Cornwall for five days of species hunting. I'll mainly be focusing my efforts on catching species that I've never caught before in the UK, Ryan will be doing the same and has more potential targets than I do, but he'll also trying to add as many species as he can to his 2026 tally. We'll be meeting up with several other species hunting anglers whilst we are there as well and we're both really looking forward to it!

Tight lines, Scott.

UK butterfly species hunting side quest: Time is running out!

Since deciding to try and hunt down all of the butterfly species of the UK, I've visited the north of England a couple of times and also spent an afternoon wandering around Grafton Wood on my way back from fishing with Ben down in Pembrokeshire. In the process, I've manged to see another seven species of butterfly and photographed six of them. My first brown hairstreak didn't want to be photographed sadly, so I'll need to try again at some point in the future. Here are the half dozen that were more cooperative!..

Top: Brimstone (ENG) . Brown Argus (ENG). Clouded Yellow (WAL).
Bottom: Gatekeeper (ENG). Silver-washed Fritillary (ENG). Wood White (ENG).

So, I've made a pretty good start to this new extended side quest, and I still have a one or two targets I could perhaps track down over the remainder of the summer that emerge in August and September. I'll have to venture all the way to the south coast of England, and also to Northern Ireland if I'm to get them all, and there's no way I'll see all of them this year as I've missed the opportunity to see the majority of the remaining ones. This quest will continue into 2027.

Scott.

Not easily triggered.

Loads of anglers have been a great help to me over the years. I always try and help others when I can as it's always good to give something back to the community. It's also nice when someone tells me that they enjoy reading my fishing related ramblings and if it's helped them get more out of their own fishing then that's even more satisfying. Welsh angler Ben Price is an acomplished match angler and specimen hunter who turned his attention to species hunting a few years ago. Finding this blog and getting in touch with me, he used the information found here and some advise I gave him to make the most of several trip up to Scotland to add to his Angling Trust Species Hunt tally, winning it two years in a row. 

We've kept in touch over the last few years and he recently invited me down to Pembrokshire in Wales to have a go for a couple of species that I've never caught before in the UK. The primary target was a grey triggerfish, but arriving in the evening we headed out to a local beach where we were hoping to catch a sand sole.

To save me taking loads of tackle with me Ben very kindly loaned me some of his.

As the tide flooded, we retreated back up the exposed sand, but things were very slow to begin with. As it got dark, our rod tips eventually registered some interest in our ragworm and mackerel strip baits. Winding in, I felt a little bit of weight and a double shot appeared in the wash. It was a small turbot and a sole, but which species?

Spot the turbot. My first of 2026.

The first sole of the night wouldn't be the last, but sadly they were all Dover sole. Also my first of 2026.

Between us, we had about half a dozen small Dover sole, all in a fairly short period of time. After that, we began to catch a few juvenile bass and strap conger eel. The bass were not a surprise, but I was quite shocked to catch so many conger eels from such a clean sandy beach!

My first bass of the year too. We caught a few!

We caught loads of these little conger eels. They were a bit of a pain to be honest, making a mess of our rigs, but they were another addition to my 2026 tally, so I was happy to tick off yet another species!

After a while, the action dried up and it was pretty late, so we headed back to Ben's house for something to eat before headed off to bed. The following day, we visited another sandy beach in the morning, hoping again to catch a sand sole, but after a coupe of hours, all we'd caught were a few tiny bass, so we decided to move to a totally different venue. Heading to the mouth of Milford Marina, we spent an hour or so targeting mini species on ultra light tackle. In amongst a few species of wrasse, ballan, corkwing and goldsinny, I caught a few tompot blenny and a solitary pouting.

I love catching tompot blenny and this one was my first of the year.

Pouting I'm not so fond of, but again it was my first of the year, so I was pleased to catch this one!

Next, we headed to a mark further up the estuary to spend a few hours in the evening targeting gilthead seabream. After a bit of a hike, we ended up on a small rocky shell covered outcrop and the target species were most obliging. We were fishing with relatively heavy tackle as there was the chance of large specimens, but most of the fish were quite small. It was still a lot of fun and the action was pretty consistent too. We had several dozen fish between the two of us, with Ben managing to catch a couple of larger fish.

You've probably guessed? My first gilthead seabream of the year!

After catching a few on ledgered ragworm, I switched to loading up my hook with fresh whelk. The gilthead loved it!

As did this small ballan wrasse!

Ben with one of the bigger gilthead seabream he caught.

With a very early start the following day, we had a fairly early night and at 4:00 our alarms went off. Meeting up with Ben's dad near Mumbles Pier at 6:00, we got our small inflatable boat set up and got under way. Mumbles Pier is a well known grey triggerfish spot, but has been closed to the public for a couple of years due to structural safety concerns, and this means its two fishing platforms are inaccessible.

Ben borrowed this small inflatable boat and an electric engine from his uncle. Perfect for getting out to the structure under the pier.

We had high expectations, but sadly it wasn't to be. Shortly after we got out to the legs of the pier a spear fisherman arrived, and after going down a couple of times, popped up and told us there were no grey triggerfish present, only juvenile bass and mullet. We stuck it out for a few hours, trying different spot around the base of the pier, but in the end we had to accept that you can't catch what isn't there, and headed back to the slipway.

My second visit to Mumbles Pier in a few years produced the same result sadly. No grey triggerfish.

After returning the boat to Ben's dad, we headed to Rhosilli, where I spent and hour or so wandering around the meadows on the headland looking for a clouded yellow butterfly while Ben did some work on his laptop and chilled out. I'm sure I did see one, but it was pretty hot and it whizzed past at a rapid pace, so I couldn't get a good look at it let alone a photo.

In the evening, we drove north to a deep water rock mark for another go at catching a grey triggerfish. When we arrived, we had a quick stroll along the coastal path to a spot where a couple of clouded yellow butterfly had been spotted the previous day. After a while, I eventually spotted one fluttering past and much to my delight it landed on a flower to feed allowing me to sneak up on it and get a photo.

The clouded yellow was the first UK butterfly species I'd seen for the first time in Wales!

Heading back to the car park, and then west along the clifftop coastal path, Ben and I soon arrived on a comfortable flat platform, set up our rods and began fishing. Sadly, not much was biting further out in the deeper water. Ben had a couple of nibbles, but didn't connect with the culprits. Slightly frustrated with the way the day had gone, and determined not to end the day fishless, I dropped down the side into a weed lined gully and pulled out a ballan wrasse.

Ben holding his rod, waiting paitently for a bite.

A welcome ballan wrasse. Not my first of the year, but it was first and last fish of the day! We called it a day shortly afterwards.

So, I had a great time fishing with Ben, and despite putting an incredible amount of effort into organising the fishing during my trip, I sadly didn't catch a sand sole or a grey triggerfish. I did add a few species to my 2026 tally however and it was great fishing with Ben in a beautiful part of the country. A couple of days ago, Ben caught his first ever a sand sole, so I may have to head down there again to try for one myself. I'll be meeting up with Ben down in Cornwall at the start of September for another go at grey triggerfish. We've got spaces booked on a charter boat out of Newquay that targets them. I'll also be trying for a few other additions to my UK saltwater tally when I'm down there.

Tight lines, Scott.

Scottish butterfly species hunting side quest completed! Extending the hunt!

Last month, I visited Lawers Dam in the Grampian Mountians with my mate Nick, for a day stomping around a boggy hillside hunting for mountain ringlet, a species of butterfly that's only found high up above an altitude of 350m in the Scottish highlands and also down south in the Lake District. Having managed to find the remaining thirty three species of butterfly found in Scotland, the mountain ringlet was the last one I had to see. After a long drive, we spotted one very quickly and my butterfly hunting side quest was complete. I actually managed to see all thirty four this year and having enjoyed myself in the process, I've decided to extend my side quest to include the rest of the UK and have already made a start. Here are the final ten Scottish species as well as my first two new UK butterfly species.

Top row: Chequered Skipper. Dark Green Fritillary. Dingy Skipper. Large Heath.
Middle row: Large Skipper. Marsh Fritillary. Mountain Ringlet. Purple Hairstreak*.
Bottom Row: Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary. White-letter Hairstreak*. High-brown Fritillary (ENG). Marbled White (ENG).

This new extended side quest gives me over two dozen new targets to track down over the remainder of the summer months. I've already seen nine, most of them in the north of England, and a trip down to Cornwall next month might see me add one or two more before the season is over.

Scott.

*These photos were taken by my mate Nick. These two species typically spend most of their time at the top of oak and elm trees so getting a photo with my phone was impossible. While Nick used his camera I was happy enough watching them through a pair of binoculars. That said I'd like to see them up close if possible. Maybe next year. 

Putting two and two together.

Last month, I drove all the way to Taynish National Nature Reserve on the west coast of Scotland to look for the marsh fritillary butterfly. I didn’t see one sadly, so about two weeks later, I returned with my mate Nick for another attempt. Staying overnight, the first day we wandered around the reservse for hours, but didn’t have any luck. After dinner and a pint or two in the Tayvallich Inn that evening, we did a spot of fishing around the village. As well as a few small corkwing wrasse, we caught a load of black goby. As it started to get dark, and the midgies began to appear, we were about to call it a night when I caught a solitary rock goby. Tired from a long day of driving, walking and fishing we headed back to the campsite to get some well earned sleep. 

My first black goby of 2026. One of many!

Also my first rock goby of the year. One of one!

Both up early in the morning, we turned our attention back to finding a marsh fritillary and formulated a plan. After heading to a couple of spots where they’ve been seen in the past,  that sadly didn’t produce one, our third spot looked much more promising. Walking along close to the rocky shoreline, the sun was out and there were a lot of different butterfly species around. After a while we decided to split up to cover more ground. Nick soon called me to say he had spotted our target species, and I quickly made my way over to where he was. Luckily the butterfly didn’t fly off and was very cooperative as we both took a few photos. 

My first ever marsh fritillary! A very pretty species indeed. Only found in Scotland in south Lochaber, Argyll and the Argyll Islands.

It was still fairly early in the day, so as we walked back to Nick’s van we discussed what we wanted to do for the rest of the day. Opting to head home via a stop to look for more butterflies near Oban, we got lucky when a single dark green fritillary flew by and landed in the dense hillside ferns. After chasing it around for a while, we both eventually got a few photos. 

My first dark green fritillary. Much more widespread than the marsh fritillary, it was still great to tick off yet another Scottish butterfly species. 

Before we left, I spotted a second marsh fritillary. I think the hills around Oban are perhaps the best place to see them. Taynish National Nature Reserve is a lovely spot, but it’s quite a walk from the car park down to the bog where they are usually seen. Anyway, it had been a successful trip. I’d added two new butterfly species and two goby species to my 2026 species counts. 

Tight lines, Scott.

Alternating current.

Torness Power Station is coming towards the end of its lifespan. In the next few years it will be decommissioned. I’ve caught a good variety of species from both the area where water is drawn in to cool the reactors and where it returns to the sea in a much hotter condition. The fishing can however be very mixed. Like the water around the station it can be hot or cold! I’ve had a few amazing sessions there, but also some very tough ones! Last month I visited twice and unfortunately the fishing was quite poor. Fortunately I did still manage to catch a few fish!

Long spined sea scorpion can usually be caught as they are usually present all year round and are very easy to tempt with a piece of ragworm.

More of summer species, leopard spotted goby can be caught in good numbers if the conditions are right and you know where to find them.

In kelpy areas, there are plenty of wrasse too, from late spring through summer into early autumn. 

Localised pockets hold small populations of goldsinny wrasse. 

Poor cod numbers seem to be on the increase over recent years. 

Bigger corkwing wrasse, like this darkly coloured male, can also turn up at certain spots. 

The action may be hit or miss down at Torness Power Station, but it’s still a good venue to visit for a quick session. It’ll be interesting to see how the fishing around it changes when it ceases to operate. The species found around the warm water outflow may well disappear, but I’m sure many of the others around the area will still be present. 

Tight lines, Scott.

The Midas touch.

Last month, another of the UK’s globe trotting species hunters came up to Scotland to try to add a few more species to his already impressive tally. Having overtaken my own tally during a recent trip to the US, and closing in on six hundred species at the time, I met up with my mate Donny at St Abbs harbour where he hoped to catch a few “Scottish” species that are much more common up here. I arrived first, and while Donny and his mate Lucas had to wait for a tyre fitter to come and replace a couple of flat tires after Donny hit some raised ironworks on the outskirts of Coldingham, I started fishing and caught a few flatfish. 

There are plenty of flounder in St Abbs Harbour,..

…and the odd plaice as well. They’re a more recent arrival and are turning up at a few venues on the east coast now.

Donny and Lucas eventually appeared and got stuck straight into fishing straight down the side, hoping to catch species like short spined sea scorpion, butterfish, viviparous blenny, Yarrell’s blenny and coalfish. 

Top species hunters Donny and Lucas get to work. The sun was out but it was still quite chilly. Later on the temperature dropped quite abit as some clouds rolled over and Donny admitted that he’d underestimated how cold the Scottish climate would be and had some regret about wearing shorts!

Things were pretty slow, but we all caught a few fish and it was nice to be in their company, talking about species hunting with very passionate anglers who love that particular area of fishing. Donny and Lucas didn’t get any of their targets while I was there, but they were up for a few days and I was sure they’d get a coalfish at the very least!

Before I headed back up to Edinburgh, I caught a few dab,..

…a small ballan wrasse,..

…and a chunky shanny.

Over the next couple of days, and after heading in to Dunbar so that Donny could buy himself a pair of jogging pants to fish a bit more comfortably, they did manage to catch some of their target species. This despite some terrible conditions that restricted their venue options. As I publish this post, Donny is off travelling around Asia for a month. Currently in Malaysia, he caught his 600th species the other day.

Donny Midas with his 600th species. A Midas chiclid! How very apt!

If you want to check out what else he’s been catching head over to hisInstagram or alternatively you can watch some videos covering some of his previous adventures around the world over on his YouTube channel.

Tight lines, Scott.