Fishing in Scotland

Wild Alaskan Salmon

2012-02-11T21:55:00.000Z

I picked up some sustainably caught wild Alaskan salmon the other week and thought I'd share this recipe which works equally well with any fish.

Take a bit of tinfoil, spread some olive oil and place your fish on the foil.

Season with salt, pepper and dill.

Add some sliced onions, garlic if required, leeks or fennel or similar veg and a few slices of lemon with a knob of butter ( optional ).

Depending on the size of your tinfoil, fold in half or place another sheet on top.

Seal by folding the edges 2 or 3 times leaving one end open.

Pour in some white wine ( optional ) and seal the end by folding again.

Fire it in the oven at 190 F for 20-25 mins

Bring to the table and serve with veggies such as potatos, carrots, broccoli or a nice salad.

The juice can be thickened by using some cornflour to for a sauce if so desired.

Enjoy !

Beneath the Black Water - Jon Berry

2012-01-16T22:49:00.000Z

I was looking for some reading over the closed season and was reminded of a book I had seen in the summer titled Beneath the Black Water.

I think what caught my attention regarding this book was the rider that said " The search for an ancient Fish " together with the cover photograph which was to my mind obviously taken in Scotland.

On having a flick through the book during the summer, my suspicions were confirmed and I had stumbled upon a book by an author who's passion was ferox trout. Jon's passion or obsession seems to have been fired in much the same way as many a ferox angler. The stories of ancient ugly " cannibal " trout and the stuffed fish you find in the glass display boxes of northern hotels which most certainly bely this myth.

This book for me was more than a simple angling tome which can oft be devoid of human interest concentrating far too much on the piscatory of fishing. The book I felt was more a story of a journey both personal and piscatorial and you definately get a feel for the man behind the angler as well as being placed firmly on the bank or in the boat as the case may be.

Perhaps this may not be a book for purist fly anglers as the modus operandii in the pursuit salmo ferox is more often than not trolling but then again, maybe it is, as it's pretty good read which should appeal to those anglers who simply enjoy a good old fashioned fishing yarn.

Ferox '85

2011-12-22T00:37:00.002Z

Here's a couple of videos from the influential Ferox '85 group.

Founding members of the group were Ron Greer and Alistair "Aya" Thorne, both scientists at the Freshwater Fisheries Laboratory in Pitlochry, Perthshire. Their quest was the elusive Ferox Trout.

It was an episode of Hooked on Fishing by Paul Young,

http://youtu.be/Uh7tYjoofeQ

also once a member of the scientific team at Pitlochry which inspired my interest in the search for Scottish Ferox Trout, which is as Ron Greer describes in his book " Ferox trout and Arctic Charr "

can be, " a brain numbing, bum-numbing fishless eternity. Those who will survive will be relatively few and will thoroughly deserve their fish. "

How wonderful it is that the Ferox '85 group continues their quest into the 21st century !

The Wild Fishing Forum

2011-12-19T00:08:00.000Z

Wild fishers doin' what they do best !

Fish On - Corrib Bhoys !

2011-12-17T01:20:00.000Z

Fantastic montage of ferox pictures from " The Corrib "

Fish On - Austria

2011-12-10T13:28:00.001Z

Christof Menz with a magnificent Hucho Hucho / Taimen from Austria

Endrick Floods !

2011-12-03T23:56:00.002Z

Here's some pictures from the river Endrick which feeds Loch Lomond in high water this week !

Photographs courtesy of Malcolm Prestcott

And here is a photo of the same beat in late summer with medium water

With Malcolm fishing just below and left of the tree to right of centre

The rain we have been having in Scotland this week seems to be on a biblical scale.

Fish on ! - November grayling

2011-11-26T19:10:00.000Z

What a stunning grayling from Richard at the Wild Fishing Forum !

Well done that man !

Cap'n Fishy

2011-11-19T23:30:00.002Z

I came across a link to this site which I thought was very good !

http://www.capnfishy.co.uk/index.htm

Colin is a wealth of information on close up photography too so if you need some advice he is the man to ask !

Stuart Adamson

2011-11-05T14:48:00.000Z

Bridge over Troubled Waters

2011-11-05T11:45:00.000Z

2011-10-15T14:02:00.003+01:00

2011-10-15T13:58:00.001+01:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97g2phDXMM0

I came to believe - I guess this says it all !

2011-06-05T11:33:00.003+01:00

Fish On! - Friday 27th May 2011

2011-05-27T19:07:00.000+01:00

Here are some recent photos of a few lovely river trout

And some cracking fish from Orkney

Permissions obtained for all photographs.

If you've got a picture you'd like posted in Fish On then please get in touch.

Angler Drowns - River South Esk

2011-05-27T18:17:00.000+01:00

Sad to hear a 74 year old angler fell into and drowned in the River South Esk near Forfar Angus yesterday. His body was recovered from the river by rescuers 3 hours after the tragic accident took place. Condoloences to his family.

What I'm watching - Deadliest Catch - Troubled waters for F/V Cornelia Marie

2011-05-22T23:57:00.004+01:00

Deadliest catch, which concentrates on the exploits of several crab fishing boats on the Bering sea is back with a new series and 2 new skippers filming their catches for the 2010 season.

I didn't know how it would fare without Captain Phil Harris and from what I've seen so far catches on the Cornelia Marie have been disappointing leading to friction between the Harris boys and new skipper Derrick Ray who is a long standing family friend. It looks as though trouble is brewing for Jake Harris though

and it seems as though there are other changes afoot as while I was trying to find out whether F/V Cornelia Marie is up for sale it would appear it has a new Captain for the 2011 season in Tony Lara ?

Don't have time to follow this through at the moment but I will chase it up tomorrow.

Facebook link for the Cornelia Marie
Cornelia Marie website

River Clyde Fishing Forum

2011-05-22T18:53:00.000+01:00

This forum was brought to my attention a few weeks back and I decided to have a look as the river Clyde is not too far from me.

I think you have to register to view the topics and are encouraged to make 10 posts before you can view fishing reports but it seems like a very good forum with lots of info on on the river Clyde and other places as well.

Here's a link and I'd highly recommend it to anyone who's thinking about fishing there so it's a big thumbs up from me.

I'd appreciate if any of the forum guys read this if they could include a link to here on the links section of the forum.

Viewers From Iran ?

2011-05-21T20:04:00.001+01:00

I see there seem to be some regular viewers from Iran

which I thouught was interesting. It would be nice if you could leave a comment to this post and let us know what you find interesting about the blog.

I thought it could possibly be ex pat scots working in the oil industry but it would be great if we do have some Iranian national viewers ?

I know very little about fishing in Iran aside from the fact that there are some very early neolithic finds from the countries coast. Astoundingly, I was searching google for some info on fishing in Iran and came across this guys blog which looks very good. I haven't had a cgance to read through it yet but the current article is about a guy called Amir Salehi, an Iranian fly fisher. Must make a point of having a read later on.

Friday night montage - In honour of Robson Green !

2011-05-21T02:54:00.006+01:00

Go on ya mad Geordie

Fisherman convicted of Murder !

2011-05-20T22:30:00.000+01:00

It would appear that Malcolm Webster,

the man convicted of Murder at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday was the son of a Detective Chief Superintendent, at one point keen fisherman and according to the Daily Mail, former treasurer of the Oban and Lorne angling club.

It just goes to show it takes all sorts.

I'm sure Mr. Webster will appeal his conviction in due course and the outcome of said anticipated appeal will no doubt be very interesting.

Robson Green is Back !

2011-05-20T22:13:00.003+01:00

This is the post from Thursday 12th May Blogger Lost on Friday 13th

That's right folks Robson Green aka " Robbo " , the angler who caused more controversy on a certain Fly Fishing Forum than a bear in a bee hive is back tonight with six new episodes of Extreme Fishing with Robson Green.

Robson, that cheeky Geordie with an invigorating presentation style hits the small screen again tonight, Thursday 12th May, 2011 so get down to the supermarket, buy yourself some tinnies, kick back and get ready for a roller coaster of a fishing trip.

In this new series, Robson goes where the guide books don't to discover how people in some of the remotest spots on the planet land their daily catch. From a tiny island in the mid-Atlantic to the wastelands of eastern Russia via the Argentinean wilderness, Robson hooks up with some of the most isolated fishermen, catching the most amazing fish.

The new series starts tonight on Channel 5 at 9 p.m. Don't forget to set the DVD recorder if you're going to be out !

Please, Please, Please tell me what you think of Robson and leave a comment. Love him or hate him what are your views on Extreme Fishing with Robson Green ?

Best comment as chosen by my daughter gets six hand tied fishing flies as a prize. They are all very effective custom patterns I've tied and use myself !

Robson Green Strikes Again - Patagonia !

2011-05-20T00:50:00.001+01:00

Extreme fishing - The ends of the Earth !

Robson struck with avengance in this episode starting out with some spear fishing in Ascenscion Island.

Then he was off to Chilean Patagonia in search of the King Chinook salmon. He didn't disappoint, hooking up with a 40lb King which he lost at the bank. What a TWAT ! No probs he could always blame his guide Patrick - as you do :-).

Anyway he tried some float tubing for Patagonian rainbows blanking as only a Geordie can before heading to another location where from his expedition was blockaded by fuel protestors.

It was not all in vain though as Patrick his trusted guide hooked him into a Chinook which he landed for around 36lbs.

Where next and where else but Tierra Del Fuego , the Island of Fire for King crab and fishing out of Ushuaia , " fin del mundo " ( end of the world) Robson was on King crab which wouldn't have looked out of place on the recently departed Captain Phil Harris' boat the Cornelia Marie on the Bearing sea.

Kwality. Definately looking forward to the next episode.

Robson, " You da ' man " in a gay, Geordie singer type way.

Nice one Robbo, cannae wait for the next installment :-) !!!!

Superinjunction get's partially Shredded !

2011-05-19T23:20:00.002+01:00

More of a current affairs post than fishing post this one but it would appear a super injunction relating to a certain Banker who would allegedly appear to have been getting it off while we were all getting ripped off has been partially lifted.

I wonder who they're all talking about in the news again ?

Can't see why it would have been in the public interest to allow this superinjunction to continue when the person in questions mind allegedly appears not to have been on the the job in hand or was it ? .

2011-05-15T02:37:00.004+01:00

The Scots Guards

2011-05-14T01:04:00.002+01:00

" Nemo me impune lacessit "

Fish On ! - Friday 13th May 2011

2011-05-14T00:20:00.000+01:00

A cracking wild trout !

Blogger It just isn't good enough

2011-05-13T23:54:00.000+01:00

How can this happen and |Blogger / Google what are you doing about it ?

My last post is missing. Blogger have you no back-up system ?

Shocking. Absolutely shocking !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Robson Green is Back !

2011-05-13T20:16:00.001+01:00

Blogger seem to have lost my Robson Green post but his new show is back on channel 5 Thursdays, 9 P.M

Robson, if you wanna go fishing with me I'd love to go fishing with you.

Extreme Fishing with Robson Green is back.

He is the Man !

Graham Speirs - Neil Lennon ?

2011-05-13T18:18:00.003+01:00

Right, I don't really like to post stuff about the " OLD FIRM " living in central Scotland as I do and I have no real allegiances either way not really being a football man.

I have just seen Graham Speirs' comments on Scottish Television.

Graham, WTF does the Papal visit have to do with what's going on with the Celtic manager at the moment ?

You've lost me on this one Graham !

Blogger - Friday the 13th and missing posts !

2011-05-13T18:02:00.001+01:00

Well done blogger after nearly 17 hours of the service being down, you have almost managed to reinstate service as normal.

When are you going to reinstore the missing posts ????????????

How can this happen ?

My faith in the service has been severely damaged !

We, the blogging community need an explanation as to what has gone wrong :-(

Fishing in Scotland - Please leave a comment or Request !

2011-05-11T11:19:00.001+01:00

Here at Fishing in Scotland I sometimes get a bit bored with own my musings and ramblings and am always happy to hear what people have to say about what I have to say.

So, if you've any views about any of the postings on this blog please leave a comment. Or, if there is a cause, subject even a favourite B&B or Hotel you would like me to mention on the blog please get in touch using the contact us form at the bottom of the page.

Canoeist found dead off the Island of Eigg !

2011-05-10T23:54:00.003+01:00

More sad news. The body of a canoeist was recovered from the sea off Eigg around 5 p.m. on Sunday after being spotted by day trippers aboard the vessel Mary Doune. It is believed there were attempts made to revive the man at the scene but he was announced dead on arrival after his body was taken to the Belford Hospital in Fort William.

No further details are available at present but police say there are no suspicious circumstances. A full report on the matter will be submitted to the procurator Fiscal.

In an another unrelated incident, two canoeists have been rescued from loch Ness just off of Urqhuart Castle today. Apparently both were suffering from varying degrees of hypothermia and have been taken to Raigmore hospital Inverness.

One had been rescued from the water by a private vessel and was transferred to an RNLI boat, the other person was rescued from the shoreline. Apparently conditions were difficult with a swell of about 1.5 meters running.

These incidents are stark reminders of the dangers of coastal and inland waterways in Scotland and no doubt there will be more of them as we move from spring into summer.

If people are going out on these waters, they should take local advice, carry the right equipment and have some self rescue training. Above all they should be aware of how dangerous inland and coastal waters can be and how quickly conditions can change.

I remember once, windsurfing off of the coast of Scotland not far from Arisaig in the sound of Sleat. Thinking back I must have been crazy. It was a lovely day but with it's fierce tides I wouldn't have stopped till I was half way to America had I got into trouble. At least I had my wetsuit on and my sailboard for company had the worst come to the worst. Aye, right !

Loch Etive - Missing Fisherman !

2011-05-10T07:39:00.001+01:00

Sad news from Sunday. The body of Kevin Gallacher, 33, from Uddingston who had been missing since 30th April when the boat he was in with his four companions capsized on Loch Etive has been found. His companions were able to swim to shore to raise the alarm when the 15' fishing boat overturned.

Condolences to his family.

Mississippi Floods !

2011-05-09T22:42:00.002+01:00

I picked up some reports at the weekend that Memphis was at risk of flooding but didn't really follow it up. On seeing the ITV news tonight it seems the scale of the disaster is immense with Mississippi river levels 48 feet above normal.

The images on tv were quite stunning if that is the right word for it with the army blowing up levees in Cairo Illinois to protect the town at the sacrifice of 130 000 acres of farmland to divert and release water. Around New Orleans they have deployed 2 flood diversion systems to try and divert water in Lake Pontchartrain.

Apparently it is the worst flooding since the " Great flood of 1927 "

and the river is running over three miles wide having broken a levee at the weekend to submerge an airfield. The flood waters still have 1000 miles to go before they reach the Gulf of Mexico and further devastation is expected. Apparently 12% of the oil refineries in America are threatened by this flood which would have a major impact on availability if peoples worst fears were realised

The floods are being blamed on high snowfall in Minnesota over the winter which is now melting coupled with recent severe rainfall.

The Guardian Newspaper had this to say about how climate change is affecting large areas of the U.S.A.

"It's kind of a hydrological perfect storm," said Chris Vaccaro, a spokesman at the national weather service headquarters in Washington. Forecasters had been predicting flooding since last November because of a combination of heavy snowfall in midwestern states such as Minnesota, the source of the Mississippi, and severe rain storms further south.

"It's too much precipitation in too short of a time and in the wrong places," Vaccaro said. "It is the confluence of vast amounts of precipitation in terms of melting snowfall and rain, and then also the rain-swollen Ohio river flowing into the already swollen Mississippi."

American scientists have been warning for years that climate change is influencing extreme weather events. A US government report in 2009 predicted an increase in the number and severity of extreme weather events – heavy snows and rainfall in the mid-west and droughts in the south-west – due to climate change.

North Dakota and Minnesota have seen record flooding for each of the last three years. Meanwhile, southern parts of the US, from Texas to New Mexico and California, are reporting intense droughts this year.

The areas along the Mississippi have seen a marked increase in floods over the last 20 years, said Peter Gleick, president of the Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment and Security, who briefed Congress on the flooding on Monday.

"All along the river, the Mississippi is reaching unprecedented flood levels," Gleick said. "We are now moving into a situation where all weather and storm events are, to some degree, influenced by human-induced climate change. The links between climate change and extreme events can not be ignored."

In the case of the Mississippi, however, the flood risks are compounded by bad city planning and a century of trying to squeeze rivers into tighter spaces through the levee system.

"Since 1993, we have seen huge numbers of new homes and business built on the flood plain despite recommendations never to do that again," said Gleick. "I think what we are seeing along the Mississippi is all of those things: climate change, bad planning, bad development and inappropriate levees."

Here is a short video which showing the extent of the flooding

I also found this from a bit of a self styled climate change Guru. The guy really seems to take it all very seriously as you can see from his presentation.

Highland Cathedral !

2011-05-09T05:13:00.004+01:00

Political Saltire !

2011-05-07T19:46:00.004+01:00

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A wee bit of political satire at the expense of Scottish first minister Alex Salmond, Nick Clegg leader of the Lib Dems, Annabel Goldie leader of the Scottish tories, Lembit Opik deposed Lib Dem member of parliament, Kenneth MacAskill Scottish justice secretary and Iain Gray soon to be former Scottish labour leader.

Nicola Sturgeon, Wendy Alexander and Shrek make an appearance too !

Enjoy !

" Enlist my Bonnie Laddie 'an come awa' wae me "

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Fish On ! - Friday 6th May 2011

2011-05-06T22:54:00.001+01:00

What a Whumper !

A lovely Scottish river brown trout which could very well have been taken from an NZ river - Quality and well done to the angler.

Lovely trout, absolutely stunning !

Scottish Election Results

2011-05-06T20:29:00.002+01:00

The SNP has won by a majority and Ian Gray, the labour leader has resigned. Personally I couldn't give a flying **** but maybe labour will bin their idiotic carry a knife and go to jail policy which was an affront to every workman who uses sharp tools, angler, outdoorsman and anyone else who reasonably and without intention of harm wanted to carry a knife beyond their front door.

If one good thing comes from this I hope the S.N.P. finally does something about salmon farms and at the very least compells the farm owners to work with river owners and fishing associations to improve the returning stocks of wild salmon. The fishery managers on the river Lochy near Spean Bridge have shown there is hope. Fish farms won't go away, there's too much money involved, so lets see the example of the Lochy put into practice on more sea loch's and river systems around the West coast.

"Enlist my Bonnie Laddie an' come awa' wae me"

I could go on but I won't - Rant over !

Caravan Accommodation Island of Orkney

2011-05-05T15:50:00.001+01:00

Here's a link for excellent caravan accommodation on the Island of Orkney which is close to loch's Harray and Boardhouse with Swannay, Hundland and Stenness within easy reach too making it ideal for a fishing trip to the island.

The Caravan

A days catch

If you're taking the family there's plenty for them to see and do at the beaches, archaeological sites or even shopping in Kirkwall while you wet a line.

All further information required on the caravan such as prices, location etc., is contained on the pages in the link.

Salmon Policy - River Lochy, Fort William

2011-05-05T09:10:00.000+01:00

I watched a gaelic programme on STV on Monday night called Turas A' Bhradain which dealt with the collapse of salmon stocks on the river Lochy and subsequent attempts by the fishery manager and owners to rejuvenate them.

I can't remember the actual figures but I'm sure catches in double figures were quoted for the early nineties with catches for recent years now into several thousands again with quite a few double figure fish now being caught every year lately. What struck me most was the way the fish farm owners were assisting in the recovery of salmon stocks on the river.

Richard Allen with a 21lb bar of silver 16th July 2010

The presenter and fisheries manager spoke at some length as to how this was being done and basically they had been able to reach an agreement where all the farms were treating their stocks for sea lice at the same time, helping to manage the problem in Loch Lihnne, into which the Lochy runs. They also discussed how all of the farms were being allowed to lie fallow at the same time and how they were even allowing hatchery smolts to grow on in fish farm pens before being released to the wild.

With the revenue involved in Scottish fish farming of salmon being huge, it has to be accepted that they are not going to go away but could the programme on the Lochy be the way forward for the rejuvenation of all once prolific west coast of Scotland salmon rivers and systems ?

Antonine Wall - Cumbernauld

2011-05-04T23:51:00.001+01:00

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Seeing as one thing we've been able to rely on for the last few weeks is the weather, I decided to take my eight year old for her first long distance cycle ride.

We hadn't made any definite plans for a route but the plan was to head to the Forth and Clyde canal at Craigmarloch and then decide where to go from there. We initially intended to maybe retrace our tracks and head home that way but things turned out a wee bit differently.

So, at 7.15 p.m. we left Carrickstone and headed over the hill down through Dullatur. We went under the Glasgow - Edinburgh railway line and past the route of what remains of the Antonine Wall which was the furthest and most northerly boundary of the Roman Empire. The security that the wall gave from hostile tribes to the north probably allowed the foundations of the settlements which eventually became Cumbernauld the name of which comes from the Scots Gaelic comar nan allt, meaning the meeting of the waters as, geographically, from its high point in the Scottish central belt burns (streams) flow west to the River Clyde and east to the River Forth.

Antonine Wall

The Antonine Wall is a stone and turf fortification built by the Romans across what is now the Central Belt of Scotland, between the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Clyde. Representing the northernmost frontier barrier of the Roman Empire, it spanned approximately 39 miles (63 km) and was about ten feet (3 m) high and fifteen feet (5 m) wide. Security was bolstered by a deep ditch on the north side. The barrier was the second of two "great walls" created by the Romans in Caledonia. Its ruins are less evident than the better known Hadrian's Wall to the south.

Construction began in AD 142 at the order of Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius, and took about twelve years to complete. Pressure from the Caledonians may have led Antoninus to send the empire's troops farther north. The wall was protected by sixteen forts with a number of small fortlets between them; troop movement was facilitated by a road linking all the sites known as the Military Way. The soldiers who built the wall commemorated the construction and their struggles with the Caledonians in a number of decorative slabs, twenty of which still survive. Despite this auspicious start the wall was abandoned after only twenty years, and the garrisons relocated back to Hadrian's Wall. In 208 Emperor Septimius Severus re-established legions at the wall and ordered repairs; this has led to the wall being referred to as the Severan Wall. However, the occupation ended only a few years later, and the wall was never fortified again. Most of the wall and its associated fortifications have been destroyed over time, but some remains are still visible. Many of these have come under the care of Historic Scotland and the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.

Abandonment

The wall was abandoned after only twenty years, when the Roman legions withdrew to Hadrian's Wall in AD 162 (although there is evidence to suggest that they left the wall in AD 158/60, its reliability is unclear), and over time reached an accommodation with the Brythonic tribes of the area who they fostered as the buffer states which would later become "The Old North". After a series of attacks in AD 197, Emperor Septimius Severus arrived in Scotland in AD 208 to secure the frontier, and repaired parts of the wall. Although this re-occupation only lasted a few years, the wall is sometimes referred to by later Roman historians as the Severan Wall. This led to later scholars like Bede mistaking references to the Antonine Wall for ones to Hadrian's Wall.

Nothing much remains of the wall any more apart from a noticeable ditch and mound at some points

and the remains of a fort at Barrhill above Kilsyth

but it was really strange travelling along the remains especially at that time of night when you could imagine the long gone Roman soldiers lighting the watch fires and getting ready for their eveing post.

So, we headed down the hill to Craigmarloch basin on the Forth and Clyde canal and decided to head east along the towpath to the bridge at Wyndford. We had a wee snack and I had a chat with a guy who was doing some fishing at the bridge having caught a couple of wee perch using floated worms.

From here, we headed up the raod which seemed to be closed for some reason till we came to the back of Wardpark North Industrial estate and were able to pick up a path again along the Antonine wall and behind Cumbernauld airfield till we came to Weterwood golf course which was designed by Severiano Ballesteros.
Then we followed the golf paths to behind the Westerwood hotel and into the residential development of Wetserwood which is part of Cumbernauld before heading home to Carrickstone.

The round trip took about 2 hours and the section along the Antonine wall behind the airfield was new to me. I wouldn't recommend this route after prolonged rain but it was pretty enjoyable in the gloaming of the almost summer spring evening made even more so by the company of my wee daughter who never complained once.

What a wee star !

Sad Day - Fisherman missing on loch Etive !

2011-05-02T16:56:00.001+01:00

The latest news on the fisherman missing on loch Etive is that the search has now been called off completely. The missing angler 33 year old Kevin Gallacher from Uddingston, Lanarkshire was on his first fishing trip when his boat capsized after being hit by freak waves on loch Etive north east of Oban, Argyll.

The other four anglers in the party were able to swim to the shoreline and raise the alarm when the boat overturned at about 4.30pm on Saturday.

Clyde Coastguard followed up extensive sea and air searches on Saturday with more searches along the shore of Loch Etive yesterday but failed to find him. An RAF helicopter and a Strathclyde Police helicopter were also involved.

Fisherman Missing after boat capsizes on Loch Etive !

2011-05-01T21:01:00.004+01:00

The search for a fisherman who was missing after his party of five's boat overturned on Loch Etive on Saturday has now been called off but as far as I understand it will be resumed in the morning. Apparently the parties boat overturned and whereas four of the group were able to swim to shore, one is now missing. Loch Etive is one of Scotland's many deep sea lochs with steep sided mountains on each side.

There doesn't appear to be any further details available at the moment but this is another stark reminder of the danger's of Scotland's big loch's.

In another unrelated incident, four people, 2 fishermen and 2 walkers had a very lucky escape when their cut stern canoe capsized on loch Quoich. Luckily they were able to use the upturned vessel for floatation while swimming approximately 250 yds back to shore.

Strange Charr ?

2011-04-30T23:15:00.002+01:00

This is a very strange looking Charr taken by a fly angler on a black fly with a sunburst tail from Girlsta on Shetland.

permissions obtained

Apparently the loch holds a sub species of charr which fit's the description of this fish. It would be very interesting if any of our fishery scientists could leave some comments as to their views.

I've never seen a Charr like this anywhere !

Fish On ! - Friday 29th April

2011-04-29T23:03:00.001+01:00

Another Lovely troot this week from one of the wildfishing guys.

permissions obtained

Quality !

The Royal Wedding !

2011-04-29T22:05:00.003+01:00

It would be wrong to let the day pass without mention of the Royal wedding.

Today, William, Arthur, Philip, Louis Windsor of Wales married Catherine, Elizabeth Middleton. They seem like a decent couple so I feel it's only right to wish them goodwill and happiness in their married life !

It was great to see they hadn't lost their affinity with the common people by invirting the likes of the Beckham's and Mr. and Mrs. Shingadia ( shop owners from Kate's hometown village ) to join them in celebration of their union.

Paul Young and the Royal Family

Oh, the irony !

Hurrah and goodwill to the happy couple !

Upper Avon Angling Association

2011-04-28T00:18:00.004+01:00

I had a mail a couple of days ago from Alan Scott of the upper Avon Angling Association drawing my attention to their site and what they offer.

It's a great site and a cracking looking bit of water.

Here are a few words about the river Avon taken directly from the site.

River Avon

Eight miles of pristine, upland, stone fed river, fishing for both Brown Trout & Grayling – the river gushes over rocks & waterfalls as well as running gently through meadows –in the beautiful rolling countryside of Avondale.

The Upper Avon Angling Association do supplement the wild fish stock with fish from the Associations own hatchery & rearing ponds with Brown Trout of 1lb to 3lb (all the fish stocked are bred only from locally obtained Trout therefore maintaining the genetic integrity of the local trout).

The association holds the rights to fish for Trout & Grayling upstream from 100 metres below Browns Brigg to the south west of Strathaven on the B743 (Muirkirk Road) – upstream to the source. Our anglers are now able to fish on the south bank of the Avon upstream of Craig Bridge on the Sandford Road – this area is shared with the anglers of the Avon Angling Club.

PLEASE NOTE – There is currently no sustainable Migratory Fishery Upstream of Ferniegair a mile or so upstream of Hamilton on the River Avon.

The Association are keen to encourage anglers to join & enjoy fishing the Upper Avon & at only £10.00 per season it has to be the best value for money ticket in the country considering the efforts & work the club put into improving the experience for the angler – which is more than merely stocking the Avon.

For the serious fly angler the river provides excellent but challenging fishing – “Clyde Dressed” Flies both dry & wet are the answer during the day with various sedges & large night flies work in the evenings.

PLEASE NOTE – The Kypeside Rifle Club use land above Glengavel Bridge on the Glengavel Water. Anglers are advised to fish downstream.

A great spot for Trout on the Avon Water

And here are some more words about Glengavel Reservoir, another of their permitted waters, again taken directly from the site.

Glengavel Reservoir

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MUIRKIRK ROAD will be open tommorow (Wednesday 27th of April) morning – there will be access to the Reservoir by car from Strathaven once again.

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The Upper Avon Angling Association has Fly Fishing available on Dungavel (Glengavel ) Reservoir which is approx 4 miles from Strathaven on the B743 (Muirkirk Road) the Reservoir is situated on the right hand side of the main road about a mile past the old Dungavel Prison.

Dungavel (Glengavel )Reservoir is a local beauty spot – is abundant in wild life & in character is like a Highland Hill Loch – The Upper Avon Angling Association do supplement the wild fish stock with fish from the Associations own hatchery & rearing ponds with Brown Trout of 1lb to 3lb (all the fish stocked are bred only from locally obtained Trout therefore maintaining the genetic integrity of the local trout).

Typical of any Hill Loch Type of water you need to expect to walk for your fishing over all sorts of ground – so come prepared.

We do have the Scottish “Midge” so come prepared with your “Avon Skin So Soft” which seems to be the best repellent – however due to the position of the water there is nearly always a wind or a breeze which keeps them at bay.

PLEASE NOTE: It is now a condition of your permit that you sign in the book complete with your membership number when you commence fishing at Glengavel – this is so we can monitor how many anglers are on the water. We have implemented this as an anti poaching & Health & Safety measure.

Give Dungavel (Glengavel )a try it can give you a wonderful day out in the wilderness & it is only 10 minutes from Strathaven.

The fishing can vary from challenging to quite easy depending on the weather conditions as the reservoir sits at approx 900ft above sea level. The most successful methods are using traditional loch flies e.g. Peter Ross – Wickhams Fancy – Bibio – Invicta – Dunkeld – Dung Fly – Mini Muddlers etc. Most locals use a cast of 2 or 3 though more modern techniques work as well – you can expect to catch several of the local Brownies which tend to run to 3 to the 1lb with a couple of stocked fish as well & if you very fortunate one of the bigger local “Ferox” which for most of the year are to be found 30ft down in the water – however every once in a while they will pop their noses up to take a fly – in recent years fish of 8lb plus have been caught & one local angler managed 2 of over 3lbs in 2 casts at the end of an evening.

One of our best known anglers afloat at Glengavel

Lovely site and lovely looking waters with excellent permit prices for what's on offer !!!

Fish On! - Friday 22nd April 2011

2011-04-22T23:35:00.001+01:00

Shetland Island Brown Trout.

permissions obtained

A lovely wild brown trout from the Shetland islands in Scotland caught on a " Firetail " Pennell.

Some early season river flies

2011-04-21T21:57:00.001+01:00

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Here are a few early season flies I tied up and used for fishing last week. They're not actually intended to represent any particular emerging species but more to be used as general patterns when there is a hatch of small Olives, March Browns or even Caddis flies on the water.

This is a small size 16 Olive Mayfly / Caddis emerger representation

This is the same pattern in a 14

And this is a size 14 March Brown / Caddis emerger representation.

The abdomen is kept slim by using 8/0 tying thread for the body with the rib being formed by colouring same thread with a permanent marker bfore winding back up to the thorax area.

What I'm Watching - Top Dogs, Adventures in War, Sea and Ice

2011-04-20T23:38:00.003+01:00

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This was a three part mini docu series I caught on the Eden channel featuring three iconic adventurers

newsman John Simpson,

polar explorer Ranulph Fiennes,

solo yachtsman Robin Knox-Johnston

I think it was originally available on BBC so may be available on the BBC I Player if you want to view it there.

Sorry, couldn't get an embed so please click the link to view an extract from the series.

John Simpson's frostbite

Anyway, veteran reporter Simpson, round the world yachtsman Johnston and artic explorer Fiennes embarked on three trips to their " comfort zone " taking the other two veterans with them.

Part one was centred with Simpson making a visit to the Tora Bora region of Afghanistan, part two went round Cape horn in a yacht with Johnston and part three involved a four day man hauling trek in Arctic Canada with Fiennes.

To write a full report on the documentaries would be too complicated but suffice to say I was able to see what these guys had to endure to become what they are, which is no doubt as the series title implies " Top Dogs " in their chosen fields of expertise.

In each episode it was interesting to see how at least one of the party was more than a bit out of his element and actually despite a modicum of " True Grit " fearful of the situation they had been put into.

Afghanistan was Simpson's area of expertise having impartially reported on events in the Tora Bora for years and while Fiennes coped well, no doubt due to his military Special Forces background, Johnston was less than comfortable at the fact that in order to travel there, the party had to leave their camera van and travel in heavily armed military vehicles with the chance of attack at any time.

Cape Horn was Johnston's element and while remarkably Simpson coped well rounding the Horn in not quite roaring 40's but sea's which would have brought a tear to many a man's eye, Fiennes was incapacitated with sea sickness. It was interesting to see how they cured a skinned lamb at the back of the boat in the Southern oceans salt spray before barbecuing it for dinner. I was amazed to learn Johnston had circumnavigated the globe in a yacht aged only 30 and donated his prize money for winning the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race to the family of Donald Crowhurst who commited suicide during his failed attempt. Only ten people entered this race and of three who looked likely to complete it, Crowhurst being one, after 7 yachtsmen dropped out, Johnston was the worthy victor.

The Arctic leg of the documentaries was led by Fiennes, a renowned arctic explorer but yet again one of the " Dogs " was out of his comfort zone. This time however, it was Simpson having contracted mild frostbite in his fingers. Johnston, despite being almost seventy and seeing no point in manhauling pult's across the frozen wastes managed to complete the challenge.

I was thoroughly fascinated by each of these documentaries and would highly recommend them for watching even though they were 1st aired in 2009 if you can still get access to them.

I believe despite being shown from time to time on Sky, they are available to buy on DVD.

A river that never sleeps

2011-04-17T02:56:00.001+01:00

Met up with Billy who had kindly agreed to pick me up and we headed for the river. It was a wee bit cold but dry and things looked promising.

We arrived in the Glen for about 10a.m. and picked up a couple of tickets for the beat before deciding to have a look further up the glen where we paid for another couple of tickets for another beat. No big deal at £12.50 for the day and a good few miles of river.

Had a bite to eat before getting organised

and we headed onto the river which was a wee bit cold in the downstream wind but the sun was coming out and the fishing wasn’t unpleasant. I headed to a pool below the bridge and Billy headed up stream.

I spent about an hour in the first pool using a bead head nymph and Endrick spider with no luck as the river was quite high and no doubt quite cold due to snow melt being released from the dam. As I moved down, I disturbed a mamma Mallard sitting on a lovely clutch of nine eggs.

Decided it was best to let her get back to her nest so headed quite a bit upstream to find Billy who’d had a few pulls but nothing to the bank. We fished back down the river to the car but conditions weren’t easy in the heavy flow and an awkward wind which made casting at likely spots difficult.

Around 3 o’clock we decided to make use of our permits for the lower beat and found a likely looking pool

with some rising trout showing in a more sheltered spot. I took the near bank and was quickly into a wee fish about 6 - 8 ounces on one of my new olive flees with a flashback ptn fished NZ style but he was off before I could get him to the bank ****.

Another few casts and there was a wee boil at the surface flee and fish on ! I never saw him but would have said he was a better troot maybe weighing in around ¾ lb as he put a decent wee bend in the rod. In my haste to bring him to the bank and avoid a blank I probably played him too hard and pulled the hook. Double **** ! The fish went down after this and I decided to move to another glassy glide where I could see fish moving and was rewarded with my first of the season. Blank off.

Took a quick photo of the wee fellow

and sent him on his way. I’m not 100% sure but would have said he was a wee salmon parr. No bad eh ! First fish of the season and it’s a salmon, well almost LOL.

So, time is marching on and it’s getting colder. Billy has moved downstream having had another couple of wee hits but nothing to the bank and we decide another ½ hour or so should do us.

I headed back to the top pool and took the far bank with one of my wee size 16 March brown emerger’s on the top dropper and a flashback ptn on the point but as I was having definite presentation problems doing things this way and rather than re-tie my cast I decided to have a few last throws on the near bank where hopefully casting with the wind would stop my flees ending up in the water like a pile of spaghetti.

Last cast of the day and I’m proud to be able to present this fine normal sized bandy troot in evidence of our labours which took the ptn on the point.

Great day, fantastic scenery and excellent company. You really couldn’t ask for anything more.

Fish on ! - Friday 15th April 2011

2011-04-15T23:58:00.001+01:00

A lovely wild Scottish brown trout from Argyll, Scotland.

Going back

Splendid !

What I'm Watching - Dual Survival

2011-04-11T22:20:00.001+01:00

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Dual survival was a new series for UK discovery this year and as I'm quite interested in bush craft and survival techniques thought I would tune in.

Basically it's about 2 guys. Dave Canterbury , an ex army special reactions team scout and sniper, professional hunter and survival instructor who runs the Pathfinder wilderness School in southeast Ohio . The other guy is Cody Lundin who is a bit of a self styled minimalist free spirit having left home to board a greyhound bus, go " on the road " and join a radical hippie commune near Mexico. He now runs an aboriginal living skills school in Arizona. To be honest, of the two presenters, Cody Lundin seems to be the more interesting as you are fascinated by his weird ways such as deciding to walk barefoot nearly everywhere he goes.

So, onto the programme. In my opinion, the programme follows what seems to be a set format typical of those that are on Tv these days, the main difference being that obviously there are two survivors of whatever scenario Dave and Cody are presented with and they have to make there way to civilisation in order to obtain self rescue. One week they'll be in the mountains moving on snow and ice, the next they'll be in the Baja Chaparral of Mexico and may be in a coastal survival situation for their next challenge.

The show is pretty interesting but you can't help feeling the way Cody has to cover almost all terrain barefoot is a bit unnecessary. One thing that does strike you about Cody is his amazing ability to create fire in almost every situation. There are even times when he succeeds where Dave fails. There's no doubt that he is a bit of a wizard with two sticks and some tinder.

You do get to see some pretty interesting techniques in the show but sometimes it does seem a bit contrived. Maybe we're just getting used to the fact of a snake or lizard appearing at just the right time as we have been overexposed from watching other survival programmes and I suppose there are only so many times we can be stunned to see someone eat a live scorpion. Maybe we've just been spoiled by our own high qualty survivalists like Bear Grylls and Ray Mears.

The show is on tonight at 9 p.m. on the discovery channel and even though this blog is about fishing in Scotland, I'll still be watching as I find most of these survival programmes pretty fascinating and would recommend it to others for some interesting viewing

Who knows, come 2012 we may all need some of these skills just to get by.

Friday Night Montage - Roll With It !

2011-04-09T00:52:00.020+01:00

Fish On ! - Friday 8th April 2011

2011-04-08T23:59:00.003+01:00

Some lovely wild Scottish river trout from those elitist Wildfisher's

permissions obtained

Joe's troot.

permissions obtained

A cracking fish from Brian.

Banton Loch

2011-04-08T00:26:00.000+01:00

I took a walk round Banton Loch today after the rain stopped to see if there was any point of wetting a line and took these photo's.

KFPA Notice

View from where the old boathouse used to be

This photo is a bit unfair as there isn't rubbish all around the loch but there were a fair amount of empty cans and Buckie bottles.

View from the bottom end.

The battle of Kilsyth memorial at the outtake for the Lade.

This water must have one of the greatest unexploited potentials in central Scotland if folk could just get together and bring the place into the 21st century. I'm not intending this post to be a go at the Kilsyth Fish Protection Association but surely it's time this water was returned to it's former glory with a boathouse and some decent bailiffing. I spoke to a guy and his young companion ( I assume it was his son )who were float fishing with powerbait and I'm not against this type of fishing but if just a wee start was made there could be room for fly fishers and bait fishers alike.

There's a general location map for Banton Loch on this site

Early Season Flies

2011-04-07T16:03:00.002+01:00

I note some folk have been looking for advice on the blog re. early season flies for rivers and lochs. Rivers isn't my speciality but I'm hoping to post some pics this evening of four flies which would be of use on either rivers or lochs.

Folk should keep in mind that early season, the fish tend to be deeper but it would appear some folk are starting to have success with dries. What's catching depends on where you are and how the weather is but it's always good to have a look and see if there are flies on the surface which may be an indication that the dries are on.

I don't have time to do the info on flies at the moment but here's a lovely early season scottish brown trout which was taken in a hatch of small March Brown's.

Permissions Obtained

March Brown

Permissions obtained

Lovely Trout

IslayBlog.com

2011-04-06T14:36:00.002+01:00

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I was having a look at some blogs that have a mention regarding fishinscotland.co.uk i.e. this site you're now reading and hit on this site IslayBlog which is a blog all about Islay started back in 2006. The guy who runs the site is called Armin Grewe who, although not being an Islay resident is a regular visitor and enjoys blogging about the Island. His site is a wealth of information on the Island and island life and well worth a look if you're thinking of heading there.

What I'm Watching

2011-04-05T21:34:00.001+01:00

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Swords - Life on the Line

Well the second series of Discovery Channel's Swords: Life on the Line has just come to an end and it was a pretty good watch.

Centred around longline fishing for swordfish on the Grand Banks of the Newfoundland coast the series follows several fishing boats such as the Big Eye, Frances Anne, Eagle Eye II and Bjorn II.

Following a similar format to the succesful Deadliest Catch series, camera's follow the fishermen as they battle the elements and fate to follow longline fishermen as they chase giant swordfish for the world's markets. Laying up to 40 miles of baited fishing line at a time the fishermen attempt to catch swordfish following the gulf stream as it meets with the cold labrador current lifting nutrients to the surface making this one of the richest fishing grounds in the world.

The series was partly inspired by the book " The Perfect Storm " which followed the fated Andrea Gail, Billy Tyne her Captain and her crew on their final fateful voyage as they battled the Perfect Storm of 1991 on their way back from the Flemish Cap to their hometown of Gloucester, Mass. One of the characters actually portrayed in the film The Perfect Storm, Linda Greenlaw, Captains the boat Bjorn II in the series.

I watched this series with mixed feelings as it's quite gruesome to see massive swordfish, sharks and bluefin tuna being brutally gafffed and hauled onto the swordboats but they do their best as far as conservation goes by using circle hooks, observing strict seasons, quota's and minimum size limits imposed to help protect the fisheries.

The Captains and crews are only doing a job which is demanded by world markets. If we want to eat fish then we need fishermen and they need to make a living.

Spicy Thai Fish Cakes

2011-04-02T16:24:00.004+01:00

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This is a simple recipe for fish cakes which is good for when you have cooked too much fish or just simply fancy some fish cakes.

Any fish or even a combination of fish can be used but this recipe uses rainbow trout and makes about four to six fish cakes. The quantities are approximate and ingredients can be varied to use whatever you have to hand at the time. What I try to do is put in an equal amount of fish to an equal amount of mashed potato and carrot or whatever else you're using as a main ingredient.

Ingredients
750g filleted boneless cooked trout.
pinch salt
good grind of pepper
1-2 red or green chillies or one of each sliced finely
2-3 spring onions chopped finely
1-2 cloves finely chopped garlic
fresh coriander or parsley
750g boiled mashed potato and carrot ( approx 75% potato - 25% carrot )
Plain flour for dusting

Method
Break up the fish and put all the ingredients in a bowl. Mix together well. Form into palm sized balls, squeeze down into 15mm thick patties, dust all round with flour and lay aside for cooking. Do the same with the rest of the mix.

Pour enough oil into a large pan for shallow frying. Bring the pan to temperature and fry the fish cakes for approximately 5 minutes each side turning occasionally to avoid burning.

Turn out onto some kitchen roll and serve with a rice dish of choice, some fresh green salad, light soy sauce/wasabi and sweet chilli sauce for dipping.

Enjoy.

Friday Night Montage - Avalon

2011-04-02T03:10:00.012+01:00

Fish On ! - Friday 1st April 2011

2011-04-01T11:42:00.005+01:00

O.k. here are this week's fish.

1st place this week goes to a beautifully marked wild Scottish river trout who even had a very apt name.

Photo permissions obtained.

Secondly, we have this, which is a 26lb 12 oz Landlocked Atlantic Salmon and was caught by a guy called Tom Aufiero at Torch Lake, Michigan.

Photo, Matt Supinsky.

Tom, a 54 year old Indiana heart surgeon, caught the fish last October and I've no idea why this new IGFA All- Tackle world record for wild landlocked Atlantic salmon has taken so long to reach the news, but there you have it.

Full details of Tom's catch are available in this article by Howard Meyerson of the Grand Rapids Press.

If you have a photo of a wild fish you'd like included here or know of an article about a noteworthy wild specimen then use the contact us form bottom left and we'll publish you're pic here. Remember, it doesn't have to be a walloper to get published as long as it's wild and it's bonny, it's in, Fish On !

Too good to miss !

2011-04-01T10:45:00.000+01:00

Check out this great MSN video: Watch goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni score his 100th goal

Islay Part III - The Loch Gorm Experience

2011-03-30T20:57:00.003+01:00

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This is a report from Friday 23rd July 2010, I just never got round to posting it.

Well, after the mystery of Loch Uigeadail and with holiday time running out I had one last must fish location on Islay which was Loch Gorm. I had heard tales of and seen pictures of the lovely fish which were to be had from the water and my reconnaissance trip on Wednesday had only served to wet my appetite. Would I manage to catch one of the fabled Loch Gorm big fish ?

This being a family holiday, the girls had to come first and we had booked a pony trek for them. To say the weather was fair again would have been an understatement as the sun was splitting the sky. Excellent I thought to myself, even if it's not a great day for the troot's at least the wee one's have fair weather for their Trek.

The trek was booked for 11a.m. and after breakfast we left the cottage and headed for ballivicar farm which is a well run set-up about 1.5 miles from Port Ellen. We rounded the bend and drove up the farm road to be met by the owner and the two girls who helped run things, one of whom I'm sure was called Shona Isla and the other girl's name I forget but I think she'll forgive me as although not shy and retiring she was the kind of lassie who had a modest shyness despite her attractiveness.

The kids were out of the car before we could stop them and couldn't wait to meet their ponies who were to be Rosy and Dancer.

The kids were delighted and as they saddled up, the eldest on Dancer, I realised I'd left the camera in the cottage and had to head back to get it hoping to be able to enjoy the trek with them. Well island distances always seem to take longer than you would think and by the time I got back the girls and their mum were heading back up the farm track. Scunnered, I managed a couple of quick shot's of the wee ones before they dismounted. To be honest, I don't think they even noticed dad was gone.

Oh, well trek over and family business attended to it was now time to return to the cottage, grab a quick bite of lunch and get to the important stuff, fishing. I packed the gear I had carefully sorted the night before which included a selection of flies, four fishing lines, floating, slow intermediate, fast intermediate and sinker. I hadn't really expected to use the sinker but not knowing the loch thought it better to cover all bases. I did of course include the all essential pieces, wet weather gear ~~and map~~ etc,. To say my load wasn't a light one would be an understatement at the very least but I was going to be fishing from a boat and the burden wasn't going to be mine so I'm sure I must've slipped in a spare tyre or two going by the weight of my boat bag. I made sure I had the camera though because there was no way I was going to be short of photaes and even less chance I was going to come back for any forgotten essentials.

So, towards the famous Loch Gorm I headed. Home of rumoured brown trout leviathan's of the deep and possibly even a Salmon or sea trout. I arrived around 1p.m. which for many folk would be a late start but is more to my liking as I've always found late afternoon and evening sessions to be quite productive. I've heard of the dawn rise but have never seen it and have always reckonned wild brown trout go off for a large part of the day anyway. Whereas fishing the back shift they seem to come on around four O'clock and the fishing merely improves into the gloaming and before dark. http://scotlandinthegloaming.blogspot.com/

When I arrived, I got the low down from Jim at Ballinaby farm and headed down to the boat bay to find I was the only one there.

The sun had started to lose it's glare a bit and there was some cloud cover coming in which gave me a feeling of optimism. I got the gear out of the car and made the 100m trek from the car park to the boats surprised to find that they and the engines were all new. Great stuff I thought and composed a wee picture before I set on my way.

The box of flies in the photo is all I took for my day out and have been making a concerted effort to reduce the amount of flies I take with me when fishing as invariably only a dozen or so at most seem to get a swim. More often than not it's the same patterns too and I really don't see the point in carrying several hundred flies when you have use for only a few. Wild loch fishing in my opinion has more to do with experience and confidence in the patterns you're using than it has to do with having a full metal jacket in your waistcoat.

Anyway, I set out. The loch is about 1.5 miles in length by 1.25 miles at it's widest point and I really didn't have a clue where the hotspot's were. So, I headed to where I reckonned the river ran out of the loch. I think in my haste the only thing I had forgotten to bring with me was the O.S. map which is never a good idea when fishing a new water. Luckily however Loch Gorm is not like some of the larger mainland lochs such as Lomond, Awe or Ness as the whole of the water can be surveyed by eye in good visibility. The only disadvantage in not having a map is having to recce the finer details of the topography. Which is in fact never a bad thing as it may lead you to hitting hot spots you might otherwise miss.

So, I headed up past Eilan nan Uan ( island of the lamb - I think ) to where the little river Saligo, which is typical of Island outflows, leaves the loch. My thoughts had been to sit in the lee of the mild westerly which was blowing in from the sea and maybe cast a fly around the reed beds which were in abundance. To my horror though I found that quite a distance from the seaward end of the loch, the water became quite shallow and there was no way the boat could get to where I wanted. I therefor arranged my cast of flies for a drift and set off northwards down past Eilan nan Uan. About three casts along and I was into fish number one. A nice wee 1/2 - 3/4lb fish which took my sodier palmer on the point fished just under the water on my Pitsford Pirate floating line.

I brought him to the boat removed the fly and continued down past the length of the island where it was pretty much a fish every second cast in the light breeze until I came to it's end as the sun came out and the breeze died off. After 3 to the boat which were returned, the fish had stopped taking. The bright sunshine no doubt a factor. With nothing else for it, I stopped for a spot of lunch as you do when you're in the the doldrums in such magnificent scenery and enjoyed the views to the north where the island of Jura, it's Paps and the Cuillin of Skye were visible in the distance.

Well, when I got back to fishing it was that time between 2 and 4 p.m. I've always found to quite slow. Any fish taken during this period is in my experience always a bonus and unfortunately there were no bonuses for me to be had. I drifted in the light wind down to the north west end of the loch with not much luck. Again as I came towards shore the loch shallowed quite noticeably to the point of being unfishable by boat, a feature which seemed to prevail at all points in the loch. The bottom of the loch was sandy here in stark contrast to the rockiness of the west end. Only to be expected I suppose as the prevailing westerlies would no doubt carry finer particles with the current towards this end.

I spent some time at this end of the loch hoping to pick up a fish or two in the shallows but I had no luck. Starting to lose hope and thinking the action was over, I motored to another part of the loch and to my surprise just as that dark oiliness took the water when the sun begins to sink in the sky, fish, and larger one's than those I had taken previously started moving at the top of the water. This was the first I had seen anything move all day and decided upon a change of flies. I decided to opt for a sunburst Kate on the bob, muddler Zulu on the dropper and flashback haresear on the point. Again within a few casts and after moving to this which seems to be the main fish producing area of the loch I was into fish again.

I don't rush my fishing and luckily or more by design than luck, the troots kept coming at a leisurely pace. They were all around the same 10 - 12 oz mark and bonny wee fish. They didn't seem particular in which flies they were taking obviously greedy for a gubfull of anything they could grab in the height of summer before the cold winds of winter made an early return to the Machair.

So, more than happy with my lot thus far, maybe around 7 p.m. as the sun continued to set in the west, the fish seemed to go down and I decided on another move. I motored into a very strange bay which was almost damned 1 ft below the water with large rocks save for a passage the width of a boat which I rowed as opposed to motored through. Again the water became shallow very suddenly and with no fish showing and the light fading I decided to head back round to the good spot where I could cast a few more lines.

On reaching the area, I again decided on a change of flies for something I'd been hoping to use since the winter. Going for a brown Matuka on the point and the muddler on the dropper, I changed the top fly for something special and rather than the leisurely retrieve I'd been using all day, began casting and pulling as I was blown in the strengthening evening breeze in the direction of Sky and Jura parallel to the shore. Not so much a strip as a long methodical pull moving the flies through the water at some speed just as you do.

And, that's when it happened. The rod bent double, the line broke above the bob fly I had tied on, 8lb mono leader snapped like 2lb fluoro. Fish gone, cast gone, flees gone and F****** temper gone. The air turned blue in a sort of curse yourself, the fish, the line the boat and anything else you could think of way. Talk about scunnered, all day, all day just for that one take and the B****** broke me .

Anyway, no matter ( aye that'll be right ) chin up and sally forth old bean my bloody Ar**. Did I say I was scunnered, I was gutted. It couldn't have been the bottom as the lower half of my line was 6 and four pound fluoro and it was clean off at the eight. Such is life.

Well, I knew unless I could pull a miracle from the depths, my fortune for the day was to be ample sized pan fish but I could live with it I suppose. I wouldn't be a fisherman if I couldn't. It was time to start heading home as dusk was failing and the darkness was coming in with the time approaching around 9 p.m. Undefeated, I quickly knocked a new cast together and made my way across the loch casting as I went . When I reached the other side before berthing the boat I had a couple of final casts and would you believe a wee 5 inch troot launched itself from the water as I pulled my ombudsman fly for a re-cast and actually took it mid air. I put the wee fellow back and made that my last cast. Maybe I'll meet up with him another day when he's bigger.

With the light nearly gone I tied up the boat, took this photae of some troot's which had taken the fly to deep to be returned and made my way home to the cottage for a couple of beers and a wee Laphroaig for a nightcap. Loch Gorm experience and holiday almost over, I was a happy man.

( Epilogue - On cleaning the troot's I'd kept for the table it was very strange to find there seemed to be two different types of troot in the loch. One's which came from near the island which had a paler flesh and obviously predated on insect life with trout from the other part of the loch which had distinct red spots, pink flesh what seemed to be a different gizzard structure and were full of wee snails - were these relations of the fabled Gilaroo ? )

Still to wet a line

2011-03-29T23:01:00.000+01:00

I toyed with the idea of wetting a line today and heading to my local river which is the Carron near Falkirk. When I say toyed, it didn't take much to put me off and the chill in the morning air was enough.

There's a saying which I actually thought was Scot's in origin which goes " Ne'er cast a clout till May is out " ( actually turns out it's English probably pre 17th century ). I also thought it was fishing related meaning don't cast a line till May. Well it turns out I was wrong on both accounts as it means don't get rid of the winter woolens till May arrives.

Anyway, you get the picture, I reckonned it was a bit too cold for the troots today so I gave it a miss and worked on the Bunny Lodge instead. I'll explain with pictures in a future blog.

So, no troot reports, no troots and that's about all there is to say. Hopefully I'll have a report by the end of the week.

Server Error

2011-03-29T17:23:00.001+01:00

The sever has been down for about four days but is now fixed after constantly hassling my service provider. I'm still unable to publish on fishinscotland.co.uk so am having to do so on blogger but this should be rectified shortly.

Bonny Scotland

2011-03-28T19:31:00.000+01:00

.
.
I was having a look at some stuff on the web tonight and noticed this nice wee you tube montage

It's Here !

2011-03-27T12:21:00.003+01:00

Well, it actually arrived last Sunday but today we moved onto British Summer Time or BST and the clocks went forward one hour.

What am I talking about ? Spring of course. The vernal equinox or spring equinox took place at 7:21 p.m. ET last Sunday, March 20, 2011 here in the Northern Hemisphere. This Sunday it feels a bit more like it as we will have an hours more daylight time in the evening.

I'm not going to go into the technicalities of the vernal equinox but a good place for details about it is included in this article from National Geographic.

Anyway, back onto what is happening today and British summer time. What does it mean ? British Summer Time (BST) is the civil time during the summer months in the United Kingdom during which the clocks are advanced from Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) by one hour. The British Summer Time period begins on the last Sunday of March and ends on the last Sunday of October. Though initially popular after its introduction in 1916, the practice now divides opinion. It was first established by the Summer Time Act of 1916, after a campaign by builder William Willett. His original proposal was to move the clocks forward by 80 minutes, in 20-minute weekly steps on Sunday in April and by the reverse procedure in September. At this time BST began on 21 May and ended on 1 October. From what I understand BST has only been deviated from a couple of times and during the second world war we were on double BST. A full article on the matter is here at Wikipedia .

So, what does it mean for us anglers, pretty much nothing I suppose as you could've varied your fishing times to take advantage of the extending daylight hours accordingly. However, it will mean that for folk who have to adhere to a standard working week ( which is actually pretty abnormal these days ) they'll be able to get an extra hours fishing in during the week unless they're night fishermen which is an art all in itself.

What will it mean for me ? Hopefully some nice troots as we get into those balmy summer's evenings when the broonies love to chase the fly life at the top of the water.

Let's wait and see.

They Killed Him

2011-03-26T01:05:00.021Z

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“In times of tyranny and injustice, when unjust law oppresses the people, the outlaw takes his place in history.”

Robin Hood.............

Feeling a bit down tonight, so I thought I'd play some soul music for true fishermen.

This is one of my favourites

I guess you just can't keep a good man down...Even if he is in the Jailhouse

And now we have the " Soggy Bottom Boys "

This montage wouldn,t be complete without " The Man in Black ".......

Fish On ! - Friday 25th March 2011

2011-03-25T12:48:00.005Z

I'm going to start a new section of the blog which will concentrate on pictures of fish from around the world caught in the preceeding week this evening so please watch this space.

If you have a fishy picture you'd like posted, please use the contact us form or leave a comment with the url location for the photo and it'll be added to the Friday night gallery.

No personal or location information need be given unless you want this info published but at the very least the country of catching will be required.

E-mail addresses won't be published but blog addresses will, if requested.

Ok here's no.1 check this fella out from the great lakes

Imagine float tubing with this fella swimming about underneath you. Never mind him swimming about can you imagine hooking into this while tubing !

Hardy Vintage Tackle For Sale

2011-03-24T21:18:00.003Z

One of the guys at the WILD FISHING FORUM has some Vintage Hardy Rods and Reels for sale at the right price. Here are some pictures. If you are interested in this equipment please submit your bid using the contact us form and we will forward it to the seller for his approval.

Hardy 335cm 7/8# 3pc fly rod, A1 condition still has all end plugs.

Hardy 260 cm 8lb spinning rod, again in A1 condition.

Bruce and Walker Hexagraph Rod, 10' 7-9# Reservoir, A1 condition.

Hardy Marquis #7 reel with spare spool and unknown lines.

Hardy Viscount, with origional pouch and box.

Hit Counter

2011-03-24T16:22:00.000Z

In case anyone is wondering why the blog counter keeps changing style. It's because they're external counter's which aren't quite compatible with blogger and are going down due to a large amount of traffic over recent days. I suppose it's good in that at least people are finding the blog interesting. I'll get a secure counter later on to stop the problem occurring as it just seems to have started happening in the last few days .

Konnichiwa Japan

2011-03-24T13:30:00.001Z

For our Japanese viewers, we're hoping to do a wee Tenkara article so please keep looking in.

Fishing in Scotland: Ferox

2011-03-24T07:06:00.000Z

Fishing in Scotland: Ferox

Worldwide Audience

2011-03-24T04:40:00.000Z

Hi Folks,

I've been neglecting the blog for a wee while but have been having a look at the view stat's and would just like to say thank you very much to all the viewers we have as it appears there is a worldwide audience with folk as far away as India who log in for a look.

Thanks for watching.

Mako Sharks

2011-03-24T03:43:00.001Z

I've been watching " Swords, Life on The line" tonight and saw them bring aboard a big Mako Shark. The commentator said it was the only shark they can sell.

I'm gonna have to find out why tomorrow unless anyone can give me an answer first.

The Urban Flyfisher

2011-03-24T03:34:00.001Z

Ok, I've just logged onto Alastairs blog to get this message from my security provider

"The page you are trying to access has been identified as a known exploit, phishing, or social engineering web site and therefore has been blocked for your safety. Without protection, such as that in the *****************, your computer is at risk of being compromised, corrupted or having your identity stolen. Please follow one of the suggestions below to continue. "

Now, I have his blog listed in the blogroll but wouldn't have considered his site to be used for phishing. He may be a prolific blogger but that's about as far as it goes.
I'll contact him regarding this tomorrow.

New Season

2011-03-15T22:57:00.007Z

Well, the Brown Trout fishing season 2011 begins today. I haven't been out today as I was re-fitting a Chinese restaurant but I'll get there.

Don't have any particular plans but will be quite happy hitting a couple of new loch's and meeting some new folk

I'm still working on the Islay trip part 3 and have a write up to do for a Wild Fishing Forum trip we made last year but I'd kindof lost my Mojo for a bit there. Anyway tight lines to all for this year and let's get ready to rumble.

DON 't Ya Want Me Baby ?

True Grit 2010

2011-03-02T23:10:00.001Z

Well I'd two choices tonight, one was watch the Old Firm game and the other was go to see the re-make of True Grit.

From what I hear I took the better option and went to the movies.

I'd give the film a 9/10 rating based purely on the fact it didn't quite have the rawness of the original but Jeff Bridges as " Rooster " Cogburn played his part well as did Matt Damon as Texas Ranger LaBoeuf and Hailee Steinfeld as " Little Sister " Mattie Ross. I think it helps if you've seen the original as you can draw comparisons on how Jeff Bridges measures up to " The Duke " AKA John Wayne but if you haven't I don't think it makes much difference. Even the good lady thought the film was quite good and that's saying something.

I think the success of this movie will be down to the fact that it's a good story.

Will Jeff Bridges get an Oscar nomination for his part ? He may well, will he win one ? It's highly possible.

Would I recommend that you see this film, definitely.

Damn good movie in my opinion and a well done re-make.

Anyone else seen it ?

Islay Trip Part II

2010-08-16T02:20:00.001+01:00

Islay Trip Part II

Wednesday 21st July 2010

When I woke on Wednesday morning and had a look out of the window, I was glad the Kinnabus trip had been done yesterday. It was a real pea souper of a day in fact it seemed as though we’d woken in a cloud.

Nothing else for it I guess when the weather is bad on Islay and you’re a fair weather fisherman like myself than to go on a distillery tour. Last time we’d been to the Island we had done the Laphroaig ( Lah - Froy – Aig ) distillery tour and without going into the technicalities of peated malt whiskies, it’s the most heavily peated and flavoured of them all so we headed for Bowmore and the Distillery of the same name.

We arrived in the main town of the Island around 12 noon so decided on some lunch in the Lochside hotel as we’d done on our lazy day on Monday.

( I forgot to to a blurb about Monday, our first day of the trip but nothing much happened.. We had a lzy day, lunched at the lochside hotel which is quite reasonable with excellent food and the kids played on the shores of Loch Indaal which is overlooked by the hotel while we had a couple of drinks before doing some sightseeing sorry shopping ).

Anyway once it was time for our tour of the distellery we duly arrived, had our tour and tasting and that was that. As far as the Bowmore whisky goes and I’m not a big whisky drinker, it wasn’t really to my taste having a deeply smokey flavour in my opinion. Other folk will no doubt swear by the brand but my favourite is probably Laphroaig. A bit too medicinal for some but once the taste has been acquired it’s hard to find a superior malt in my view anyway.

Tour over and tasting done, we did some more shopping and then took a run up to loch Gorm for a bit of a Recce.

On finding the loch I realised there is a good road which encircles the water entirely so I decided to do the round trip just to check out launching etc,. About half way up the South East side of the loch there’s a track which I decided to follow and lo’ and behold, there at the bottom of the road were the boats. I jumped oot the car for a better look, there’s a bit of a blow going and just as I get to the wee jetty type bit, I see’s this guy sitting in his boat tied up to one of the others and I just had to do the how’s it going thing.

So, the exchange went thus:

“ How’s it going “

“ Eh upp, not too well actually, ( Must’ve been from Yorkshire ), where did you come from “

“ Bowmore, how what’s up “

“ Ran out of petrol and I can’t row back across the water “

“ Where did you get your boat ? “

“ At the farm over the other side “

“ Well we’re going round there, do you want me to give the guy the heads up “

“ Would you ? “

“ Aye , no probs have a nice day “

With that we bade farewell, ( Oh I think I’d asked him how he got on and he replied 8 to the boat with four kept ) and I drove round to Jim McHarry’s farm via a quick look into Saligo bay.

I let Jim know what the score was, I’m sure he muttered something which I didn’t quite hear and he said he’d get the lad sorted.

He passed us further down the loch as I stopped for a few photaes and that was that. Day over and into the Maharani in Port Ellen for a curry.

This part of the day I really regret but after the curry, the weather brightened a bit and I decided to take the kids to the pier at Port Ellen for some crab fishing. We’d bought some hand lines at the spar down the road but there was a wee problem with the heating and we didn’t get away as early as planned. Anyway, when I did get down to the pier at Ardbeg instead of Pt. Ellen ( P,E,) myself and the girls had a great time using limpet’s off the rocks to catch wee coalies. We nearly had some crabs and a Cuckoo QWrasse too ! What I regret however is not having the camera, so nae photaes which is a total bummer !!!

Thursday 22nd July 2010

The beach, the lighthouse and the mystery of loch Uigeadail

Today was a beach day again so we drove round to the beach at Kilnaughton bay on the way up to the Oa. Weather was fantastic again and it’s a great wee suntrap. My wife and the kids were in their element with me sneaking off with a handline to the lighthouse.

The same method was used as the previous day with limpets to catch a wee rock cod type thingy and that’s about all there is to tell.

Not quite right enough because there is the story of the mystery of Loch Uigeadail.

After dinner, I decided to go in search of the mysterious loch Uigeadail. Provider of the waters of the famous Ardbeg whisky and as such I suppose the veritable Water OF Life or Uisge Beatha itself ?

I got the map out, reckonned the hills on Islay were only small so I should just about do the 6km trek in an hour. Looked like there was a path on the map so I set out around 7.30 with fly rod duly packed. Breakfast was definitely on the cards and this fisherman wasn’t coming back empty handed.

To cut a long story short, I headed up the track at the back of the cottage to the bottom of the rise which has Airigh nam Beist on it’s top. Branched left and headed up over the rise but I guess where I went wrong is I stayed out of the trees because I ain’t no hero( it was dusk man ) . I kept going up looking always for the wee loch which is Loch Larnan but it was nowhere to be seen. Oh well onwards und upwards even more. Still no sign of water.

I saw a path to the left of me heading up to a bhealach which must’ve led to Cnoc Crun na Maoil ( Hill ) so I headed up. Now I ain’t to keen on Island hills as the exposure can be quite freaky and here’s me wandering about on top of this thing thinking I’m off my head here. To make it worse my contact lens prescription has just been changed and I cannae see distances properly especially in the fading light.
So, I come to the top of this hill and I see what I now know to be Loch Larnan.for definite.

Right I thinks at the time and undeterred I head further into the hills but I’m thinking do any of these lochs still exist because there are a lot of areas which look like they’ve been drained to fill other waters. You can’t blame the distilleries really as water can be a problem during the summer months.

Anyway like I said, to try and keep this short I wandered about in the hills for about an hour and a half. Could I find Loch Uigeadail, not a sniff except for streams which disappeared into head height bracken or just disappeared up the side of a steep escarpment. Obviously coming from somewhere but I couldn’t find the source.

I had to turn for home as it was really starting to get dark now and I could hear strange noises just as I headed past the ruined plague village of Solum.

Apparantly a sailor returned from a voyage bringing back a mysterious plague which wiped out his entire village.

At one point, a bit above Airigh Nam Beist I ended up in the middle of a loch covered with sphagnum moss. I made a step or two before realising I was actually floating, made a runner for it and found myself in an island in the middle. Everywhere I stepped it moved. Man, the contents of my stomach were turning to water. Any way I though the worst that can happen is I’ll drown and I reckoned it would be a better fate than meeting the spirit’s of Solam so made a run for it.and I got out, just and no more.

It really was getting dark now and I beat a double quick retreat over the hill at Airigh nam Beist ,

Which is a ruined sheiling

and down the rise. Past the cattle as it was really getting dark with all sort’s of wildlife such as deer, owls and rabbit’s etc,. moving all around me. I never ran at any point but if it wasn’t for the fact I was sweating like a stick of old Nitro-glycerine, I’d have been across that last field quicker that Ben Johnstone on speed.

So, I got home. I never found Loch Uigeadail – the water of life and I never caught a troot.

Moral of the story, Island’s with wee hills and indistinct landmarks are a nightmare to navigate. Especially when time is limited and the dark of night is fast approaching.

Tips for future reference, take someone with you who knows where they’re going.

TO BE CONTINUED…………..

Islay Trip 19th - 26th July 2010

2010-07-27T23:10:00.005+01:00

A week past on Sunday we embarked on our annual summer holidays. In the past we have often headed off to the sun on some last minute jaunt to places such as Cyprus and Turkey. This year however, being fed up with the constantly increasing resort prices, reductions in standards and in some cases bad attitudes, we decided to stay a bit closer to home and headed to the Hebridean Isle of Islay.

The Scottish Hebrides comprise a widespread archipelago off the West coast of Scotland and Islay, the most southern of the island group is known by Islanders as the Queen of the Hebrides. The resident population comprises around 3,200 people and it is sometimes referred to as the whisky Isle with there being 8 working malt whisky distilleries on the island itself.

The Hebrides are recorded as being first settled around 6500BC with the first recorded writings on the islands being made by Roman historians around AD77. Very little is known about the Hebrides until the 6th century arrival of St. Columba who brought Christianity to the Islands and founded several churches after founding the still working Monastery and Abbey on the island of Iona. Iona Abbey has always been as popular a destination for Christian pilgrims as it is today.

In the 8th century the Hebrides came under Norwegian control until the battle of Largs on 2 October 1263 where King Haakon IV of Norway’s depleted taskforce together with their Manx allies under charge of Magnus III of the Isle Man gained only a minor tactical victory against Alexander III King of Scots forces. In December of the same year however, Haakon died while resting his campaign in Kirkwall Orkney and his son Magnus the Lawmaker sought peace with the Scots in the Treaty of Perth in 1266. The Hebrides were effectively leased to the Scots after this treaty for a payment of 4000 Marks and an annual payment of 100 marks. This Treaty was to be short lived however as the Scots defeated the Manx and last Norse King at the battle of Ronaldsay in 1275 where they gained sovereignty of the Isle of Man, Shetland, Orkney and The Hebrides. In time the Hebrides were governed by the Lords of the Isles who ruled from Finlaggan on Islay under the Kings of Scotland and Eventually England.

Islay can be reached by sea and air with commercial sailings by Caledonian Macbrayne from Kennacraig in Kintyre and charter flights from various airports on the British mainland.

Much more information on Islay can be found on this website Islay Ultimate Online Guide - Isle of Islay Queen of the Hebrides

Our choice of transportation was to be by car and the Ferry M.V. Caledonian Macbrayne, Isle of Arran from Kennacraig on the Kintyre peninsula to Port Ellen on Islay. The crossing takes about two hours and the island can be travelled end to end in a car in less than an hour.

M.V. Caledonian Macbrayne - Isle of Arran

So, at 18 30 hours approximately on Sunday18 July 2010 we arrived at Port Ellen.

Arriving at Port Ellen

We drove off the ferry and headed to our cottage. The cottage was a lovely wee three bed semi detached affair which had just been freshened up. It had splendid views out over the sound of Islay to the Mull of Kintyre.

Part 1

Tuesday 20th July 2010

Today, we woke to splendid weather not the kind for fishing but the ideal kind of weather for a day at the beach. So, after lunch, we got the kids organised and headed up the road to Claggain Bay almost at the end of the road on what would be the East coast of the Island.

Claggain Bay

The weather was tremendous with hardly a clound in the sky and the kids were more than happy playing with the pebbles and sand while having a wee paddle. For me, it was an ideal opportunity to break out the spinning rod and have a wee blast at the mouth of the river Claggain. The river rises in Gleann leòras on the slopes of Beinn Bheigier which seems to be one of the highest mountains on Islay before tumbling into the sea in a small cataract which is only about 10 feet wide. I duly mounted a Norwegian style lance lure donned the Merrells and headed for the mouth of the river. I had quite a few casts for about half an hour having waded knee deep in the pleasantly frigid waters of the sound of Islay with no luck but it was good to have a cast all the same. In hindsight, I may have done better with the fly rod in the wee pool behind the shingle spit but unless I go back will never know. This was more of an opportunistic blast at a cast than one by design and I wasn’t disappointed in the least not to have bagged a fish but was just content to spend a few hours in such a lovely location.

On realising I had nearly drowned my mobile phone in the deep pockets of my cargo shorts, I decided it was time to amble back down the beach from whence I had come and was pleasantly surprised to find my family ambling in my direction too. Great minds and all that !

The Kids

We spent about another hour at the bay and I had a pleasant chat with another visitor who was keen on birdwatching. He offered me a look through his spotting lens and binoculars at a couple of Red Throated and Black throated divers and also a couple of Loon’s that were enjoying the sunshine. We were treated, to the “song of the Loon’s”which is apparently quite a rare occurrence in the middle of the day. We bade our farewells and myself and the family headed back to the cottage for tea.

Loch Kinnabus

After dropping my wife and the kids off for their tea around 4 p.m., I made up some sandwiches and decided to head to loch Kinnabus which was most definitely on the hit list. I packed my fly rod and waders, weedling my flies down to just a single box consisting mainly wets, .Bibio, Soldier Palmer, Jersey Herd, Zulu Muddler, Turks Tarantula etc,. and another of dries, I dispensed with the fishing bag and packed all my stuff into my waistcoat deciding to travel light. The journey to Loch Kinnabus is about 20 minutes from our cottage and it lies on the Oa Peninsula.

Loch Kinnabus

When I arrived, the weather was still bright but not too bright with a decent wee breeze. There was a chap from Englandshire at the car park who had just come off the water with his daughter. On having a blether it transpired he’d been fishing someflies off of a bubble float to make things a bit easier for his daughter. He’d had a couple of hook ups but had brought nothing to the net. I suggested he might have better luck in the future if he was to put the bubble float at the end of the line and tie flies from droppers attached between the rod tip and float. Not that I would advocate this style of fishing myself but there’s no point in fishing a method if you’re not going to do it right.

Anyway, reel on, flies on and I’m tackled up. I didn’t really see any point in messing about so I headed for the South West corner of the loch, (passing a dead Sheep en-route)

Poor Sheep

where a burn runs in and was onto a fish almost immediately.

Wee Troot

He had gone for the ombudsman which was on the point and for a wee fellow gave a good account of himself before he was brought to task. Things carried on like this for almost ¾ of an hour with almost a fish a cast, none of which were bigger than 7 ounces.

More of the same.

I don’t know whther it was the change of fly when I put on a Turk’s Tarantula dressed on a no. 2 hook that did it or whether is was a change in wind direction but the fish turned off as quickly as they turned on. I had another few casts and headed back in the direction of the car park. I passed a local and had a few words with him but he didn’t seem the socialble type so I left him to it and returned to the car.

At the going down and the setting of the sun.

20 mins later, I was back in Port Ellen. I was feeling a bit peckish so decided to go back to the Indian restaurant which goes by the name of the Maharani. This place doesn’t really look anything but I got a veg Pakora and we returned a couple of nights later for a take away and it must be one of the best curries I’ve ever had. Who would’ve thunk that a curry house on Islay would be as good as it was. It’s a bit unconventional in it’s approach and a wee bit café like but one of the locals described it thus “ this place is wild, but the food is spot on ! “.

It’s a bit like Islay itself I reckon.

TO BE CONTINUED

A Wee Loch Revisited

2010-06-01T22:59:00.003+01:00

Last Tuesday June 1st, I decided I’d had enough of no fishing for broonies and headed up to the wee loch on a pleasant summers evening around 7 p.m.

There were a few cars in the car park but not too many and there were a couple of anglers on the water. Last season I’d fished the loch a couple of times with a couple of total blanks and a night where we were plagued by perch but hey ho undeterred I was determined to get my first broonie of the season and preferably a wildy if any were about.

I tackled up in the clubhouse which had obviously been spring cleaned and opted for three flies I’d tied up over the winter.

The top dropper or bob hosted a size 10 claret dabbler, the middle dropper had a nice wee trout nymph apparently deadly according to Fishtales from the Wild Fishing Forum and an ombudsman on the point.

The cast was about twelve feet long and the last two flies were spaced at 2ft intervals from the point. Leader material was fluorocarbon 8, 6, 4 and the chosen fly line was a no. 8 Pitsford Pirate floater.

Once tackled up I headed to the new jetty and it was a joy not to have to row out for a boat with number 6 boat being tied up and ready for use. I hadn’t brought my outboard so oars were to be the chosen method of propulsion.

I cast out with none too high expectations but you’ve got to be in it to win it so set up a drift in the north westerly breeze and began a fishin’. Drifts were across and towards the eastern shore of the loch. I was quickly but not too quickly close to shore. No luck on this drift so I set about realigning the boat for another in the light breeze.

I must have made about six drifts each time coming very close to shore for the last couple of casts without success. I spoke to a fellow shore angler who had one fish landed and he advised of luck in the shore region. A bit further along, I passed a boat angler and he said I was headed in the right direction as he’d had six fish to the boat all released and had dropped another three.

Well one thing was for sure there must be fish to be had it was just that I was not having any luck not even a touch. I persevered again with no luck and as the sun was now dropping below the hills in the background I decided to go for a slightly different tactic. Keeping my leader set up with my original three flies, I changed my main line to a Di3.

I had another few casts with no success on slow and slightly quicker retrieves but again no luck. One last change of tactics I thought and I let the flies go static for about thirty seconds and whaddye know. The line went tight and the rod started bouncing. Fish on I thought as I tightened into what I thought was probably a nice wee broonie. Then ensued a somewhat protracted fight on my 7/8 rod which had a very good bend in it by this point.

I saw a lovely broonie around 1 ¼ pounds splash lively in the water as I brought him to the boat but as soon as he saw me he was off with what seemed like the energy of a fish three times his size and a nice bend in the rod to match. I let him run, took in line and then he went off again as I tried to bring him to the boat. O.k. methinks time to get the wee chap to the net but he had other ideas.

Each time I tried to bring him to my Sharpe’s Seaforth landing net he seemed to steam off with the energy of a fish which would have been thrice his size and that’s when the penny dropped ! Each time I tried netting the fish, the line seemed to go in the other direction from what it should and therein lay the clue. I reckoned I had a 2 fish hook up but there was yet another surprise.

I eventually got the fish to the net and the two fish hook up theory was confirmed as one of his pals was two feet below him in the water. Hooking two fish on the one line single handedly is no easy task but three is even harder and I had a three fish hook up. Never when fishing for game fish have I had this happen and I was more taken aback than anything. Unluckily or luckily for fish no. 3, he managed to break from the point of the leader and I was eventually able to bring fish number 2 to the boat.

With both fish in the boat, I had time for a closer inspection and was a bit disappointed to find blue spots on each of there bellies. Yes the blue spot of the fish world which denotes stockies. Lovely wee hard fighting stockies right enough but not the wildies I’d been hoping for. I decided that as these were the first fish I had taken from this wee loch then they would be for the pot and any others would be returned.

I retied my cast and began again with quite a few fish to the boat all released bar one. The wee chap again around 1 ¼ pounds was totally gut hooked on the loch nymph I was using so my two for the pot became three. It seemed any of my three flies were fair game for the fish this evening and as the light began to fade I headed in around 10.30 p.m.

Mr. Perch made an appearance too !

The chap I’d spoken to earlier in the other boat was coming in too and we chatted about how extra ordinary the fishing had been this evening with both of us having similar success even though his was better than mine.

We helped each other sort out our boats and headed home in the fading light with a night to remember.

Drumbowie Loch

2010-05-01T21:59:00.005+01:00

Well today was the first of May 2010 and I had an invitation to fish Drumbowie loch with a friend who is a member.

The lease on Drumbowie has been held by the current club since 1952. The 35 acre water is located a short distance to the northwest of the Bonnybridge / Denny area , with a number of accessible boats. Bank fishing is also available. The reservoir is stocked through-out the year with hard fighting brown and rainbow trout.

I had a bit of a fuzzy head from last night so waited till it cleared before heading up. I made my apologies to my friend for being a bit late and we tackled up in the more than ample boatshed / members lodge. Initially we went for boat no.4 but decided to opt for no.2 as it seemed a better bet.

There was a bit of a blow going when we headed out and it was a wee bit overcast. Ideal.

Had a few cast in the middle of the loch but nothing was happening so we headed for a wee bay about half way down. Anchored up and then tied on a new flee couple of casts and bang, this hard fighting four pounder was on the hit list.

Messed about trying to sink my " WET " flies which wouldn't sink and then lost a fish due to trying to take a photae while it was still in the water.

Retied my cast and another fish lost which broke the leader then took another around two pounds which came to the boat.

My friend went onto the snatchers and took a lovely bow around three pounds before we headed for home.

The wind had blown up a bit more and we had a hell of a time rowing so had to beach the boat and call for assistance.

What a cracking water Drumbowie is and the hard fighting fish are no myth.

My only regret is failing to hook up with one of the broonies which reside here.

Well done to the committee regarding this water.

Fishinscotland. :-)

Golden Olive Bumble

2010-04-02T22:50:00.003+01:00

As we've been experiencing some pretty unseasonal weather here in Scotland, snow, blocked roads, sleet and frost I've indulged myself in tying some Golden Olive Bumbles for when the weather warms up.

Hook: B170 size 10
Thread: 8/0 Light Olive Uni Thread
Tail: Golden Pheasant Topping
Body: Irish Golden Olive Seals Fur ( Artifly )
Rib: Golden Oval
Body Hackles: Golden Olive Cock Saddle Hackle ( Artifly ) and Natural Brown chinese cock neck
Head hackle: Blue Jay ( Half Stripped )

I've been wanting to tie this fly for some time and was inspired by Ronnie MacKenzie's excellent brown trout at 11lb 10oz.

For me it's a cracking looking fly and I seem drawn to the Irish style with Dabbler patterns a favourite too.

Hopefully I'll have a troot picture to compliment this at some point later in the season.

Bruce Sandison - Rivers and Lochs of Scotland

2010-03-23T22:22:00.006Z

Well, this is my first book review and the fact that it is to be about a book by such an esteemed author as Bruce Sandison should speak volumes in itself.

The book Rivers and Lochs of Scotland is a definitive and absolute factual compendium of information for any angler who lives in or wishes to visit Scotland for some " wild or not so wild fishing ". It is an update of Bruce's previous book of the same title and has been hailed by many as the " Bible " for fishing in Scotland.

I could waffle on and wax lyrical about this book but feel the best way to give the prospective wild fishing angler in Scotland a grasp of this book is to provide a couple of extracts from the foreword to the book as written by Michael Wigan.

" There are some subjects that dedicated writers make their own. Mention trout lochs in Scotland and the name of Bruce Sandison jumps to mind. It is his precinct completely. "

" This book will not be superseded. And if you catch more fish on the west shore when Bruce said the east was best, if you successfully fish the loch clockwise instead of widdershins as he suggested, remember: nothing stays the same. Fish surprise. Even that fishless loch could one day be stocked.

So if one day you are wading the shore of some faraway loch and you find fishing towards you a tall, hatless, weather-beaten man projecting line like an arrow into the wind, pass by on the landward side, and tip your bonnet to our long-time guardian of the wild waters. "

So, should you require a definitive guide to fishing in Scotland with loch and river information, which flies to use, where to get permits or local information on your chosen location, look no further than Rivers and Lochs of Scotland by Bruce Sandison.

In his own words and introduction to the book, Bruce thanks everyone who has helped in some part in it's production and cites: " riparian owners, angling clubs and associations, individual anglers and Fred Carrie's excellent Wild Fishing Scotland site at http://www.wild-fishing-scotland.co.uk/ where he again thanks the members of the Wild Fishing Scotland forum for their support and unfailing courtesy "

About the Author: Bruce Sandison is a highly respected writer, journalist and author of various books, including the definitive anglers' guide, The Rivers and Lochs of Scotland. He has contributed to most angling magazines over the years and his work has also appeared in a wide range of UK newspapers and journals, and on BBC radio and television.

Tight Lines.

Fishinscotland

Aquatic "wolf" that lives on from the Ice Age

2010-03-10T23:03:00.018Z

Back in 2009, I was priveledged to be asked by Bruce Sandison if he could use a photograph of mine in his recently re-released and fully updated book Rivers and Lochs of Scotland.

I was delighted that Bruce asked this of me and gladly gave him proofs of the pictures of the trout we caught on a highland loch in August last year.

The book was subsequently sent to the publishers including a picture of our trout and further to this Bruce also asked that he could use the photograph in an article for the Inverness Courier on Friday 30th october 2009. Again I was delighted for the picture to be published and have finally got around to posting the article here with the kind permission of Bruce.

Unfortunately the article is in two sections at the moment but I hope to resolve this shortly. Due to the small text as a result of the article being scanned, I've done a transcript below.

I hope you enjoy Bruce's insight into fishing for ferox trout in the highlands of Scotland.

TRANSCRIPT

Ferox - The Aquatic Wolf From The Ice Age

One fine summer day a few years ago my wife Ann and I were fishing Loch Laidon for brown trout. This dramatic loch lies at the heart of Scotland where it silver-ribbons Rannoch Moor for five-and-half narrow miles. Off Eilean Iubhair, 'the island of the yew tree', the boat bobbed gently over the waves in an accommodating breeze. Small trout rose to my flies, Black Pennell, March Brown and Silver Butcher. My fishing partner and I were well content, at peace with the world and all that it contained.

A moment later we were becalmed. The wind fell and fish stopped rising. Not a dimple stippled the mirror-like surface. Resigned, but content just to be there, we reeled in and opened a flask of coffee. A suicidal bluebottle buzzed impotently on the water a few yards from the boat. As I watched it struggle for flight, from out of the depths, in slow motion, a huge trout appeared and leisurely head-and-tailed over the doomed insect.

I turned to my companion, pointing, lost for words. Ann had seen the fish. We gaped in synchronised amazement. The rise seemed to go on forever, first the great head, then a vast, broad dark back, dorsal fin and adipose fin and finally the upper section of a sail sized tail. The trout was in no hurry and gave us plenty of time to exmine it in intimate detail. When speech returned, we said, simultaneously, " did you see that " and estimeted the weight of the fish to have been in excess of 10lb.

Ferox trout have survived in Scottish lochs for more than 10,000 years. They are special because they have retained their genetic integrity. Until recently, little was known about their lifestyle and habits other than the fact that they appear to subsist virtually entirely upon Arctic charr; although, as voracious hunters, ferox seem quite happy to snap up other morsels that come their way, including the odd unfortunate bluebottle.

however, artic charr are the preferred diet and the number of ferox in any given loch depends upon the health of the locla charr population. The size of ferox is also governed by the size of the prey species. Ferox eat fish which are generally one third of their own length. Therefore, if the charr population consists of small fish, this will restrict the ultimate size of the ferox which feed upon them. The ideal scenario for ferox is to live in a loch with a large population of modest-sized fish, like Loch Laidon. In such circumstance, ferox grow rapidly and can attain weights of up to and over 20lb in the space of six years.

The reason more is known about ferox today is largely due the activities of the ferox '85 Group, formed by fishery scientists such as Andy Walker, Alistair Thorne, Ron Greer and others.

They have devoted much of their energy and time to the study of these great fish and over the years built up an invaluable data bank of information on Scottish ferox.

And they are following in illustrious footsteps. Charles St. John (1809-56) recalls. " I was crossing Loch Ness alone one evening with my rod at the stern of the boat, with my trolling tackle trailing behind. Suddenly a large trout sized it and before I could do anything but take hold of my rod he had run out eighty yards of line and bent my stiff trolling rod like a willow. "

In 1880, Sir John Colquhoun of Luss noted: "The largest feroxes taken in Scotland, not even excepting Loch Awe, have been taken out of Loch Rannoch.... At Loch Rannoch, in twenty-eight years, three of twenty-three, twenty-two and twenty pounds' weight have been taken."

Catching ferox is a lot harder than writing about catching them. Ron Greer describes the experience thus " No matter how good you become, or how often you try, you are never going to catch massive numbers of fish. In the process you will alternatively approach hypothermia, heat stroke exhaustion, desiccationand drowning. So if your pleasure comes from catvhing hoards of tame rrainbows ...my advice to you regarding ferox angling is - don't even start. My favourite summary is that it will feel like a brain numbing, bum-numbing fishless eternity. Those who will survive will be relatively few and will thoroughly deserve their fish. "

The best places to break both your heart and your tackle in pursuit of ferox are the same today as they were in the days of Osgood MacKenzie, Charles St John and Sir John Colquhoun. Happily, they are readily accessible and, mostly, boats are available for hire. In the Southern Highlands, consider a visit to lochs Lomond, Awe, Tay, Rannoch, Laidon, Garry and Laggan. Further north, try your luck on lochs Ness, Lochy, Arkaig, Garry, Quoich, Morar, Sionascaig, Loyal and Calder. Crossing the fingers will also help mightily.

All that now remains to be done is to construct that glass case for above the mantelpiece. When you do so, think big. Given dedication to duty, perseverance, sheer cussedness, determination and grit, you could, one day, fill it with the fish of your angling dreams, the Aquatic 'Wolf' from the Ice Age, Scotland's most noble freshwater fish. In pursuit of it you will be linked to the birth of all life forms in the land I love, fish, fowl and flora, animal and human.

Ferox Trout, by Ron Greer, published by Swan Hill Press, 1995 (ISBN: 1 85310 486 8)

About the Author: Bruce Sandison is a highly respected writer, journalist and author of various books, including the definitive anglers' guide, The Rivers and Lochs of Scotland. He has contributed to most angling magazines over the years and his work has also appeared in a wide range of UK newspapers and journals, and on BBC radio and television.

Tight lines to all for the new season.

Fishinscotland.

A Tale of Two Flies

2009-11-09T21:45:00.008Z

For my birthday this year, I got a set of Letraset fly tying pens. The big plan was to cut down on other materials thus reducing the amount of materials I have to buy when tying a new pattern. So, what was the first thing I did when I got the pens?Simples, I toddled down to the G.A.C. and bought two white deer hair patches. I now have three. The mind boggles ???

So, what to tie. Well I've had my eye on deer hair fry for a while so set to doing a copy of one from the fly tying bible by Peter Gathercole. On the blurb it says "Although not an easy pattern to tie, if the correct materials are mastered first, the deer-hair fry is well within the skill level of most tyers."

Well Peter, you weren't far wrong, I set about my version of your fry fly and it didn't quite turn out like the one in the picture. Having said that I think I quite like it. I should probably have used a slightly longer hook but reckonned a size 8 longshank would be ok. Maybe the addition of the four rubber legs didn't make things any easier but I think the added action these will impart when the fly floats on the surface should provide for interesting results. I particularly like the Mirage eyes but had to use epoxy in addition to the self adhesive backing. The fly is supposed to float on it's side with the hook point down in the water and I'm not sure whether thiswill be the case but I can't wait for a nice trout to try nailing it when I can see what happens. The tying of this fly took me about an hour but if it proves succesful then I guess the effort will be worth it.

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

Well, I'm not a diehard flyfisher and like to try other methods so got to thinking about Rapala's and devon minnows. In fact the natural minnow was in the forefront of my mind when I came up with this little fellow.

I think that traditionally fry patterns are supposed to be floating or at least fish in the top layers of the water. Who knows I might be wrong ?

Anyway with this in mind I decided to think outside the box a bit. I took a number six low water double Salmon hook from my box and straightened out the eye to stop it lifting on the retrieve. Tied in some white Marabou with a bit of flashabou. And, wait for it, because this is the good part, I leaded the hook. As if this wasn't enough, I then added a set of dumbell eyes.

My thinking behind this ( and it will no doubt have some more traditional fly fishers phoning me with claims of heresy, but hey, I can handle it )is unless you hadn't guessed that the fly will sink as soon as it hits the water and can then be fished at pretty much any depth accurately.

One of the most effective techniques when fishing diving minnows, spinners, flies or whatever is to search the depths and cover the water by casting in a fan pattern while constantly being on the move. I reckon that a fly of this type on a line with maybe a ten foot sinking tip might do a bit of damage. I can only wait and see I suppose but I know what kind of damage an Abu Krill can do in a stock pond.

I suppose there's nothing particularly ground breaking in what I've done here but I'll let you know how DON'S DEEP DIVER does the next time I'm out.

I'm now thinking red head with a black body for the next one.

It's amazing what you can turn out with some white deer hair and a pack of letraset pens these days.

Me an Angler - OOH! Suits you sir.

2009-09-16T21:52:00.010+01:00

Well here at fishinscotland.co.uk, I don't get a chance to get out fishing as much as I'd like these days which means I don't have any reports to write up. Even though this site is titled Fishing in Scotland, it doesn't mean I have to write exclusively about that so on seeing a recent article about Paul Whitehouse being a very keen angler I've decided to do wee article about other celebrity anglers with some helpful and witty comments about what they're famous for from the the folk at the Wild Fishing Forum. So, if you see an article about celebrity anglers in one of the magazines soon you'll know the idea was nicked from me here at fishinscotland.co.uk., only kidding.

The stars after Marco Pierre White are all courtesy of the wild fishing forum guys so thanks and I'm assuming it's o.k. to use quotes as I said I would when I posted the thread ( there is some very slight editing to keep the format consistent ). If anyone would rather the comments were removed, please let me know. If everyone wants the comments removed then I'm gubbed. Some are less charitable than others but I don't think there's any malice intended so I've copied them too.

Here's the list so far.

Paul Whitehouse - t.v. presenter probably best known for the fast show.

Billy Connolly - comic - never met him.

Mick Brown - angling presenter - met him at G.A.C.

Eric Clapton - musician, AKA God or slowhand - never met him.

Marco Pierre White - chef, entrepreneur AKA " The Great White " ( probably made that up himself ) - would love to meet the guy.

Fiona Armstrong - " one time ITN presenter - never met"

Ian Botham - "one time saviour of English cricket - once almost knocked down on one of his charity walks on the A698 near Wooler [he waved back ]"

Jane Seymour - "the bond girl not the third wife of Henry VIII - nope never met but I have seen Live and Let Die (great theme tune crap movie)"

Jeremy Paxman - "tip top journalist (Did you threaten to overrule him?) - not exactly met him but stood next to him at the security gate at Heathrow once"

Chris Tarrant - "TV personality who peaked with Tiswas and career been on the slide ever since - never met and frankly would cross the street to avoid"

Jackie Charlton - "star of Revie era Leeds United - met several times as a star struck bairn (and somewhere in the depths of my loft I have his autograph along with the likes of Billy Bremner, Peter Lorimer, Johnny Giles, Eddie Gray, Trevor Cherry, Norman Hunter, Allan Clarke, Mick Jones, Paul Reaney, Joe Jordan et al) in a time when footballers lived in normal houses, in normal streets and were approachable!"

Timothy Dalton - "I met him on the Tummel once. I was already chatting to him when I started to think there was something familiar about him...then I realised I was talking to James Bond."

Rodger Dawltry - "Who vocalist, was a keen angler who I seem to remember even had his own stockie bashery."

Paul Gascoigne AKA Gazza - "was a regular on a stocked fishery (Howwood) just outside Glasgow when he played for Glasgow Rangers. All that money and still fishing stocky basheries... now there's a sobering thought!"

"Did Gazza ever have a sobering thought? Come to think of it did he ever have a thought?"

David Duval - "the US gowfer. Was filmed fishing the water features at the US Open one year- in clear breach of club rules. If that was over here there would be wee man in a blazer with a thin, neatly trimmed moustache to move him on. 'I dinnae care who ye are son, there's nae fushin on this golf course!'"

Paul Young - "Met him at Durness. Was not impressed by his attitude.
Nick Hancock, had a few pints with him at Scourie hotel. Nice bloke who openly admits he is not an expert."

Robson Green - "never met him."

"Ehhh. Who is Paul Whitehouse? Who is Nick Hancock? Who is Mick Brown?
Maybe I should stay in more."

Phil Cool - "met him once he wasnt that funny,but he was up for the seatrout fishing"

"Erm... not that funny? The man wisnae at his work! Come to think of it, he wisnae funny at his work either."

David Bowie - "Not a fisherman (that I'm aware of) but while fishing the WoL in the 80's, David Bowie stopped and chatted to me for a good twenty minutes. He was astounded you could catch trout in the heart of the city. He was staying in the Dragonara (as it ws called then) Hotel before playing a gig at Murrayfield. He seemed very interested in the idea of fooling fish on a wee bundle of feather and hair."

"Very, very cool"

Chris Tarrant and Jim Davidson - "used to Carp fish years back,Davidson went more into keeping Koi and stopped fishing,last I heard(lost touch with the Carp crew some time ago).Roger Daltreys' into fish breeding,his fish are much sought after,I hear he's a bit of a fanatic."

Aly Bain - "(met him, fed a watered him too)
Paul "Loch Awe, Loch Awe - More like loch F"ck Awe" Young....fished with him"

...Who can remember Bernard Cribbins and Gareth (Welsh Pike record) Edwards on the 'Fishing Race' back in the seventies??

I've also managed to fish with Christopher Ecclestone - I'll see if I can find a photo."

"I do.... with the prize, a golden maggot"

Allan Liddle - "Fished with him a few times"

Sir Michael Hordern - "I spent several hours with him on the Wiltshire Avon but only found out who he was months later. "

Dean Andrews - "plays DS Ray Carling in Life on Mars.Went on a grayling weekend a year or so back and he was on it too. Nice bloke but didn't recognise him at all, even though I watched the series. Only realised who it was after we got back. Funny bit was during a bit of banter me and my mate Mark (both hard-core Londoners) taking the piss out of his 'tash and how all northern blokes had no fashion sense and were stuck in the 70s.

Think he actually posts on the other forum."

Henry Winkler - "the Fonz, he was in Scotland recently promoting his new book, he is an avid trout fly fisher."

So there you go. I'm keen to hear any other stories so if you've got one leave a comment and I'll add it.

If you read between the lines there really are some quality comments from folk who really know what fishing is about.

Ferox

2009-08-18T23:29:00.024+01:00

Yesterday, we left Cumbernauld for the North West Highlands. Our quest, most definately Ferox Trout. I don't claim to be an expert on Ferox or how to catch them but must have learned a bit over the years. So, we went hunting for " the Aquatic wolf from the ice age " with the resolution to catch one of these beautiful specimens which are not, as is the common myth, " ugly trout ".

Over 30 years ago, my father caught one of these beauties on another loch in the North West highlands. The fish was around five pounds in weight and at that time we did not know it as a Ferox taking it only to be a large brown trout which must have changed to a fish diet at some point in it's life cycle.

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It was a lovely and well marked fish and regrettably we " chapped it on the head ". In those days this was the norm and the fish was kept for the table. These days, we'll still keep smaller trout but would encourage anyone catching large Ferox to return them. In some way, it's my view, trout which have lived long enough to reach maturity deserve the chance to live another few years and possibly pass their gene's onto the next generation of Ferox. I suppose this makes a case for not taking any trout for the table whatsoever and advocating 100% catch and release. My answer to this would be, 100% Catch and release is a relatively new concept, Ferox have been thriving for thousands of years.

Anyway, what do I know. Back to the trip and the fishing. We travelled up through Fort William to arrive at our camp site for 10 p.m. the light was just beginning to fade and although having been here many years ago we were unable to get a good reminder of how the loch lay before the last fingers of light lifted from the glen and we were plunged into an oily blackness with only the faint glow of what remained of the " Simmer Dim " for a roof.

My father had opted to sleep in the boat and I had brought the tent but really don't like putting one up in the dark so as it was only for one night, decided to sleep in the fourtrack. There was a bit of a breeze but when the wind dropped, the midgies came out and when I say they came out, they came out in force. I organised my gear for the morning as best I could by a small fire of charcoal lit to provide some smoke in order to keep the midgies away.

When camping we normally take charcoal or buy bags of wood rather than going all Ray Mears and hacking down trees. The charcoal doesn't cost much and the logs can be had for around £3.75 at most garages up North. It's a small price to pay for leaving as little trace behind as possible, keeping the landowners happy and ensuring future access. As I sat by the fire that evening, I had a good feeling. I'd been watching the weather and waiting for my window of opportunity. I don't get much of a chance to get out Ferox fishing these days and it was in fact eighteen months since my last trip so I was very hopeful that my research, preparation purchases and planning would bear fruit. However around 1 a.m. as I sat by the fire, the wind changed from a warm westerly to an East wind. Damn, I thought and then pondered that all may not be lost. Maybe if the East wind puts smaller trout which normally feed on insects and flies lower in the water column then the big guys and gals might come out to play. How right I was.

Next morning, after a Lorne sausage or two, cooked over the open fire we broke camp. Replaced the turf where the fire had been set and got the boat hitched up before descending the steep road to the launch site. We were here at this remote highland loch with no fish cages and very little in the way of visitors but the problem was we were not alone. The midgies had decided to turn up for the day too. Hastily, we got the gear in the boat and with me being 1st mate I did the wading as the old man as usual was Captain.

We launched and got as far from shore as quickly as possible. We could have been forgiven for thinking there were trout rising all over this part of the loch as it was completely sheltered from the East Wind and a flat calm prevailed allowing us to see the small bubbles of methane gas which rise from the depths and can look like rising trout from a distance.

We were on our way. For anyone who's not worked it out yet, trolling was to be the order of the day. It's a very effective method of catching Ferox and when you way it out, cost for catch it's probably a bit bonkers by the time you've bought all of your gear and paid for your petrol and launching fees. When you also consider the time which goes into catching memorable fish there's no doubt many of the guys who follow this branch of the sport with a passion could only be described as dedicated. It should be noted that without the Wild fishing forum
http://www.wild-fishing-scotland.co.uk/smf/index.php and the other forum it would have taken so much longer to get to this point in my angling career and I extend my thanks to all who have helped.

However, let's get the lines out shall we. I'm not keen on down riggers at the start of the day and prefer to get flat lining as quickly as possible. My preferred set up is two side rods port and starboard of at least ten feet ideally twelve and if you can get them, fourteen foot salmon rods with the old style rings. I use floating or shallow running lures on the side rods and then two poker rods of about eight feet with deeper running lures on them. I like to keep things simple and having tried all of the fancy divers and planers prefer to get down deeper if necessary by clipping a small weight to the swivel above the lure. With the down riggers I usually get these working, if I can be bothered one at a time. This means there are always three lines in the water giving optimum opportunity. I've used dead baits but as was proved today they are not essential. Our boat is of the planing hull type giving a good stable fishing platform and it's a sea going boat more than capable of handling nearly anything the Scottish weather can throw at us. We've got a forty horse engine which is very quiet on the troll and a 2.5 h.p. kicker in case the main engine packs in. The boat is fitted with a depth sounder / fish finder which helps in keeping the down rigger canon balls off the bottom and shows but does not catch fish.

FISHING

Well, I've waffled on a bit to get to the main point of the story which is fishing. We headed out into the open loch and were seeing fish pretty quickly on the fish finder. Undoubtedly some of which were Ferox Trout. As far as we're aware there are no Pike in here and if someone was to introduce them it would be shocking.

What were we to expect today ? Weather, fair or foul ? Fish, no fish ? Who knows, it's fishing in Scotland and only the big guy upstairs knows what he's going to give you for your day. Nothing is guaranteed but " God loves a trier " or so they tell me.

Whirr, my Abu ambassadeur sounded the alarm and it was fish on! We got the other lines in and brought the fish to the boat. Disappointingly it was only a small fish of around three quarters of a pound so we chapped it on the head for the table. We'd brought small Rainbows if we were going to troll dead baits because Broon Troots are too good for bait methinks. Trolling or spinning is o.k. but one of the disadvantages is the fact that the lures and heavier rods can kill the fight and sport you would get if you were fly fishing which is another angle of mine. The fight of a small or not so small Broonie on the light tackle of fly gear is hard to beat and has to be tried to be understood. Fly fishing is a great branch of angling and those who think it's only for toff's should have a go. You can't beat the fight from a strong fish on a light rod.

Anyway here we go again, lines out and troll on. I couldn't believe this, half past ten and the rod is kicking again but this time it's one of the poker rods with a deep running lure on and man it's kicking. Now, this poker rod is a light boat rod but to get it kicking it needs a decent fish. My old man keeps going and I'm telling him to cut the engines and get these other rods in while I'm keeping light pressure on the fish. He's got the other rods in and I can feel the bump, bump ,bump of a big fish sounding against the pressure of the reel. We've got twenty pound line on so I'm not worried about the line breaking but I'm worried about pulling the hook. At this point I'm thinking it's maybe three or four pounds.

The fish is coming in pretty quickly and easy now and I'm thinking maybe it's not so big after all. Then I see it's back and tail and it sees me.

Jeezus, I think, then SPLASH !, it breaks the surface. I'm saying to my dad did you see that and he's like no, I'm like, this is massive, it's a big fish. He's laughing and saying listen to you, you've been watching too much Paul Young and I'm like, this is a big fish it's a really big fish. He's still laughing then the fish breaks the surface again. Geez that's some size he says. Let it run if it wants to, don't pull too hard. I tell him to get the camera and he manages a couple of shots before the fish is ready for the net.

It comes in pretty easily at the end obviously having been determined not to get to the boat. We net it and bring it aboard. Taking the details we need quickly.

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I'm really concerned for the fish and want to get it back in the water a.s.a.p. as we don't have a live well. Unhooking is a quick affair and we manage one shot before the fish is returned to the loch.

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It's obviously used a lot of energy in the fight and takes a good five minutes to recover properly before it gives a good couple of kicks before breaking free and sounding home.

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Me and the old man shake hands on a job well done and the only thing we have to remind us of this beautiful specimen out of the water is one photograph but it's enough and the feeling of achievement and satisfaction from seeing a belter like that, all 15lbs 10ozs ( length 34" Girth 19" ) of totally wild Scottish Ferox trout, swim away is hard to convey in words.

Well, how do you follow that ? Simple, try for another. We fished all day in fairly reasonable on a kind of trying to rain sort day with another couple of Troot around the pound mark for the pot and a couple returned.

We had lunch on the boat which consisted of chicken curry with rice prepared on my faithfull and battle weary Trangia washed down with a few slugs of Mr. and Mrs. Barr's finest Irn Bru.

We had one more fish in the afternoon before heading for the lochside and the waiting midgies who had sent out messengers to announce our return in order that their mates could arrive in hoardes to greet us, B*******.

On the way home I had a fish supper at The Bill and we headed down through Bridge of Orchy, Tyndrum, Crianlarich etc., where again at Glen Ogle there was another accident. This time a car had left the road at the bottom and ended up down a steep drop. The cops and ambulance had beat us to it and a mobile crane was in the process of lifting the vehicle back onto the road. I hope the folk that were taken to hospital were o.k.

Now, when's the next time I can get away fishing.

Loch Dochart and a nightmare on Loch Ba

2009-08-09T22:45:00.012+01:00

Loch Dochart

Last night for some strange reason, I decided to get the Canadian out and head up to Loch Dochart. The weather was fair and I got finished a bit early but not early enough for Loch Ba so Dochart seemed a good compromise. I'd fished Dochart before but only for about half an hour with a spinning rod and felt I had to return as I've always fancied my chances.

Well, I got to the Loch at about 6 p.m. and the weather was still fair but there was that coldness in the air which made me think my chances weren't too good. I was using a roving permit.

Anyway, when I arrived there were two chaps in a motorised boat but I could see they weren't having much luck. Undeterred, I set afloat and quite encouraginly got a rise on my second cast to a very large stimulator pattern. That however was as good as it gets and apart from a pleasant night's fishing and having a chat with a chap from Englandshire there's not really much more to add.

On the way home, I pulled into the car park on Loch Luibnaig at the mouth of the Lenny and was astonished how many people were camping there and how well organised they all seemed to be. I don't know if they were all fishing but you'd have thought it was a caravan club site it was so well tidied.

The Loch was like a sheet of glass.

Nightmare on Loch Ba

Today ( which is now yesterday ), I finished work early enough to be able to catch the last two hours of light at Loch Ba.

When I left Cumbernauld, rain was coming in from the West, I think, but I could see that glimmer of light over the Campsies so reconned it would be O.K. As I drove along the motorway at the back of banknock however I wasn't so sure because the rain was coming down in sheets heavier than I have ever seen before. More than once I thought about turning back but the need to wet a line on the moor was a stronger pull than the one to just give up. As I cleared the Forth area however, the weather improved so much so that I seemed to have cleared the rain belt completely.

Driving up through Lochearnhead, Tyndrum and bridge of Orchy, things were looking good and it seemed as though the torrential rain had been isolated to the Kelvin valley.

At 6 p.m. I arrived at Loch Ba.

There was however something wrong. That coldness which had been in the air last night was still there and there were foreboding clouds covering Stob Ghabhar and the Black mount.

Many years ago I read of the black mount and the upper couloir of Stob Ghabhar in Alastair Borthwicks inspiring compendium of short stories, " Always a little further " http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/alastair-borthwick-548865.html it was in fact this book which inspired me to take up mountaineering and possibly to opt out for a couple of years in some way trying to replicate the proletariat movement of the thirties where I hitched the length and breadth of Scotland embarking on " adventures " and " escapades " which took my mind off the girl I was trying to forget at the time but somehow, probably never will.

Anyway, I digress, something about Rannoch moor and the Black Mount inspires loneliness in the soul I have always felt. Whether in the company of others or in solitary exploit, whether on the summit of Stob Ghabhar in a blizzard with triple cornices of pure and unblemished snow or on Rannoch mooor itself on a warm summer's day. This particular evening, I felt particularly lonely and isolated. Maybe it was the low pressure in the atmosphere which is the harbinger of an impending down pour, maybe it was just something entirely less or more complicated completely, who knows ? Something was wrong though and even before I wet a line I could tell I was going to have my work cut out for me if I was going to have any hope of catching at all.

The nightmare or adventure began when I put the Canadian in on the West side of Ba Bridge.

I paddled down the river or more scraped my way over the massive rocks which line the bottom. As I gained the Loch, no fish were moving and the water looked dark and cold. Had I not known the waters were only a matter of a few feet deep, I could have been forgiven for thinking them to be over a hundred. So different this loch was from the one I had fished last year with troots and fly life in abundance. It was dark, it was cold it was lifeless.

The wind caught the canoe and I was drifting faster than I could retrieve. Where did this wind come from I asked myself ? There was no wind when I arrived. Then I remembered. I had come fishing to one of the most easily accessible, inhospitable places in Scotland. I was in the heart of the wilderness, a place where the weather can change from fair to foul in minutes I was in the middle of Rannoch Moor a throwback to just after the last ice age a place where they had to " float " the railway across it.

Ach well, too late to go back, I was committed now. I cast my flies time and again, my drift was fast, I needed an anchor. Luckily, I had one. I shipped the galvanised steel bottom grappler over the side of the canoe just between a couple of islands. Problem solved I thought, now to catch a fish or two. The problems however were not solved and were only just beginning. I had a couple of casts and all seemed well but they were not. The skies darkened, the wind increased and I started drifting again. This is no use I thought. I need to find some cover. I'll pull the anchor in then paddle for a lee lie at the back of the island. The anchor wouldn't move, it was stuck fast. Must paddle upwind I thought, to dislodge it. I couldn't get upwind on the short tether before being blown back down wind. This is desperate I'm thinking to myself. I going to have to let out the full length of anchor rope and paddle for shore. If only it had been so easy. Just three feet from dry land I ran out of rope. I'm gubbed here I thought. I'll need to cut the rope. Somewhere, somehow however I seemed to get the extra few feet I needed and beached on a couple of rocks. I pulled on the anchor but it was stuck fast. I pulled again and again and eventually it came free or had it broken ? I was sure it was broken until it snagged again and then once more before I was able to pull it free from the aquatic Japanese knot weed type stuff which covers the bottom of the loch.

I recomposed myself , had a breather and then went to set out once more but my entire leader was gone. Feck, I thought what next. I tied a new leader of 8, 6, 4 lb fluorocarbon and set afloat once again. I got to the back of the island and had a couple of casts with not a touch of a fish before the rain came on. This is a waste of time methinks, I'm going home. But the loch had other ideas. Unwilling to let me escape it's clutches, the weed took hold of my leader. I'm not losing another 3 flies here I thought to myself and tried to extricate them from the living plant life of the bottom of the loch. I got one fly free but them the other one snagged, I got it free and the other two snagged again. This went on for about five minutes with me having to paddle upwind and try to get untangled before I drifted down again.

Eventually, I was free from the alien clutches of the weed and headed for the Boathouse. I took a picture of the rain as it swept through and down from the Corrie where the river Ba rises. It was on for the evening and the only thing I could now hope was that I could get back up the river and into the van before it came down as it had near Stirling.

I scraped, bumped and paddled my way back to Ba bridge. I dragged the Canadian up the bank, hauled it to the roadside and ran across the road between a break in the traffic.

The rain was in full swing now and I was reminded why Rannoch Moor is the wettest place in Britain receiving almost ten feet of rain a year. The last time I'd seen it this bad was when I did the west Highland way with the girl I'm always trying to forget and we found ourselves waking in a puddle. The rain cleared that morning but we made the tramp across the Black Mount with sodden clothes and gear. I swear it was at that time the girl resolved to leave me, maybe it was because I laughed when she was jumping up and down and crying. Maybe I should have asked her to marry me ?

It was chucking it down and I was soaked, the exertion made me cough as though I thought I was going pass out or maybe just lie down and give it all up there and then. The antibiotics the doc' had given me for my cough the week before were taking longer to work than usual, maybe I had given myself pneumonia, what a stupid thing I had done with my day but how was I supposed to know the rain would come on the way it did.

I got the canoe on the roof of the van and just as I was about to leave, two other guys arrived with a Canadian canoe too !

They had been fishing on Ba as well. We blethered, they told me they'd been at it all day without any luck also. They advised me of another Loch which may be worth a bash, we parted company.

I left and headed down through Glen Orchy where the million pound race track starts. The skies were clearing as I summited above Tyndrum. I drove on down to Crianlarich and I toyed with the idea of wetting a line at Loch Luibnaig.

When I headed past the Lix Toll and began my way down Glen Ogle a motorist coming in the opposite direction flashed his lights. Cops, I thought, at Lochearnhead. They caught me there once before. I was however very wrong. Rounding a bend I saw there were cars which had pulled up, then I noticed a dead lamb at the side of the road with the contents of it's stomach, chewed grass, spilled where it had been struck. Strange, why is there such a fuss about a dead lamb i.e. four cars stopped. Then I saw a biker at the side of the road with people gathering round him. Then I realised, there were three bikers and only two bikes. It looked like the guy had struck the lamb with the bike and the bike had ended up off the road at the bottom of the glen. I passed an ambulance and Police car as I drove down through the pass of Lenny.

I stopped at the bottom end of Loch Luibnaig again but there was nothing moving at all. The low pressure had put the fish down here as was the case on Ba.

I drove home as the darkness fell.

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Endrick Tonight

2009-08-07T22:19:00.006+01:00

I've been fed up not getting out fishing of late and had hoped to journey down the Clyde today with one of the guys from FFF but have had a bad case of the Lurgie again so thought it was best not to make any plans.

Tonight however my spirits were lifted a by the good weather, seems as though the summer is back for a bit, and I decided I had to get out fishing. The big question was where to go.

I didn't fancy a fishery and thought about Loch Ba as a friend was heading up there for the weekend but by the time I got organised it was a bit of a no-brainer so I plumped for the Endrick. Now that's not supposed to make The Endrick water sound like a second best to Ba, it's just that I knew there wouldn't be much water and therefore not much chance of a Salmon or Sea Trout. So I thought o.k I'll give Drumtain a bash, once through for migratories and then once through for Troots.

So around 7 p.m. I arrived on a lovely August evening. I tackled up with a cascade Ally's and an Endrick spider on the dropper just as I was shown by an old fellow up there last year. Apparently the spacing from the point to the dropper should be the distance from your nose to an outstretched arm if that makes any sense. ( I know what I mean ).

Well, once through the beat it was, meeting Joe on his way back from a fishless evening. We blethered for a bit and I told him how I'd nearly not renewed my " Big Ticket " this year. I really need to get the boat out on the Loch and maybe even have a bash on the Leven but it's where to fish that's always the question. Maybe I could try the Fruin before the season's out but I wouldn't even know where to start.

Nae luck for the migrtories so I headed back up the beat, tried to have a blether wae the Coo's but they were more interested in chewin' the cud so popped on a wee black dry with a goldhead flashback haresear on the point.

Wee fish were in abundance and one or two had a lunge at my dry but as I worked my way down through the pool. Lady luck was not with me this evening and I blanked.

Ho Hum it's a lovely stretch of the river to fish and I suppose I could've found worse ways to spend a Friday evening. I think it's going to be one of those seasons. How I regret not wetting a line on the Shin when I was up earlier this year.

Oh Aye, forgot to mention I saw 2 of those mental guys with parafoils I think you call them as well as fans on their backs - crazy stuff - and a hot air balloon headed for Fintry.

Happy days.

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No Fishing

2009-07-20T22:59:00.004+01:00

Well, I guess this is more of a rant than a blog entry.

Over the last couple of months it's been very difficult to get out due to work and family commitments.

Of my last two outings, I've had very little of interest to post so haven't really posted. I suppose an outing I had on a wee loch about six weeks ago would have made good reading apart from the fact that I was scunnered at hauling in Perch after Perch after Perch all below the half pound mark with not even a hit from anything remotely resembling a trout. This was not right and in fact very wrong as my boat partner had nothing but perch either. What more can I say.

On Sunday I had planned to fish a very good local water with some lads from one of the more well known fishing forums and had intended to do a good write up with photaes, stories of fish lost and caught but it was all cancelled due to high winds on the water in question.

At the moment I am feeling mainly and most severely scunnered.

For anyone from overseas that means I am not a happy camper.

Rant over.

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Harelaw Dam

2009-05-13T22:52:00.008+01:00

Myself and Chris C went up to Harelaw Dam today to meet our pal Alex Cairnie. Alex is the fishery owner and was our host for the day. A very fine host he is too.

The weather on the way up to the Dam was very sunny with a fair blow going so we knew it would be a bit choppy when we got there. This however was not a deterrent as any decent angler knows that a bit of wind when you're fishing can produce some of the best conditions with hammering takes.

After spending some time putting the world to rights over this and that with Alex we tackled up and headed out in one of the two Coulham boats Alex has on the water. I think he has about eight fully functional boats a the moment which to be honest for a water the size of Harelaw makes sure you don't get any of the usual boat etiquette crap with tubes who don't know how to handle boats i.e. move onto your drift in front of you etc,.( Ahem :-))

Anyway, back to the fishing. I as usual was on the engine with Chris getting a free Ghillie for the day. We headed for the shore opposite the lodge and I set us up on our drift. I opted not to use the drogue and the Coulham boat performed very well. Giving a long slow drift in maybe a force three wind. The drift in these boats is unusual as they seem to slide down and across instead of the usual. You've got to hand it to these Irish bhoys, they know how to build boats.

Well, my chosen line for the day was a fast glass, fifteen foot leader and three fly cast. Hothead black dancer on the point, one of Brians sparkley dabblers on the dropper and my Black Dabbler on the bob. First drift through the markers and I had a take. Drifted to shore set us up again and just as we came through the markers again, Bang ! fish on.

It took the Black dancer if you want me to tie you some up please leave a comment.

These Harelaw Bows can fair scarp and I actually though it was a Broonie I had on. Chris did the honours with a photae while I played it and it was brought to the net after about 5 mins. Did I say these Harelaw Bows can fair scrap ?

Finished the drift, set us up again and I'm sure it was about the fourth drift that I got another. I played it well and brought it to the boat for a few photaes by Chris and then messed about again trying to get another but it got off.

This one took the Sparkly Dabbler. Really gotta tie some more of these up.

Anyway shot a photae of a coulple of Canada Geese ( apparently they're vermin Alex, big wink ). Headed for lunch where we had some of the pie mans finest - they really are very good. He makes good pies.

We went back out and covered more of the Loch but things had went pretty quiet so no more fish. To be honest in an East wind I was actually very lucky with two very regular and experienced locals only managing SIX between them.

Resorted to a bit of ornithological photography and got some very nice shots of the resident Canada Geese, goslings in tow.

Another great day at Harelaw and there's nae flooer's in this report.

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Highlander Forces 44 Rucksack

2009-05-10T21:00:00.007+01:00

This is a first of gear revues I'll be doing on equipment I've chosen for fishing and walking. On many occasions the equipment will not be the most expensive gear available but will be the best I can find within my budget.

I choose my equipment for functionality, looks and durability and reckon my choices are pretty good. Then again I would do.

The Highlander Forces 44 Rucksack which I purchased from " The Rod and Gun Shop " in Fort William cost around £35 and I selected the DPM / Camouflage model as I intend to use it for fishing and walking in remote places and didn't want some thing that would be more suited to a scene from K2. I've had loads of fancy poser rucksacks in the past but as I get a bit older am getting a bit more conservation. I don't mind being seen but I don't specifically have to be seen.

This is the manufacturer's specification on the rucksack and they're designed for comfort, durability, reliability, functionality and versatility.

FORCES 44 Rucksack
Available Colours: Camo (NRT44C)or Olive (NRT44)

Duraflex branded buckles and clips.
10 gauge self repair zips.
Shock cord top system.
XTP900 fabric for greater durability
Draw cord snow closure.
Ice axe loop.
Airmesh funnel back system.
Lid compartment.
2x2 litre side pockets.
Chest strap.
Waterproof transit case.
Utility chain.
Accessory D-rings.
Padded waist strap.
44 litre capacity.

For £35 this specification really did tick all of the boxes for me and some. Some folk may think a 44 litre rucksack is too big for day trips but I'm a firm believer in the fact that you can always carry a larger sack half full but you can't carry more than the capacity in a smaller sack. An argument against this may be that you'll be tempted to carry more than you need. To folk who would say this I would tend to agree but when wild walking or fishing in Scotland I'd always want to use a sack which could carry fishing gear together with a full set of waterproofs, thermals and enough food for a night out in the open.

My first use of the Rucksack was in the North West Highlands where I walked into a Loch around the area of Corrour. The walk in was approximately 1 hr and the walk out approximately 1hr 20 mins the distance is approximately 4km and according to the map there is about 300 ft of descent on the walk in but it did look like it was considerably more.

If I was to rate this bit of kit I reckon it would easily meet modern military standards with the only proviso that the side pockets are not detachable. From me it gets at least 9/10 for doing what it's supposed to do.

The ventilated and sculptured back together with all of the other features make it a " Ronseal " in other words it does exactly what it says on the tin and has features you would expect from a sack at twice the price.

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A Weekend in Lochaber

2009-04-16T23:35:00.011+01:00

Well it was the kids Easter break and we had decided to go to Fort William which seems to be where we end up every Easter these days.

Ben Nevis - The Evil Mountain in Gaelic I believe.

I had hoped to get away early but after I had attended to work matters it was the usual late afternoon departure. The weather was good all the way up the road and we were hoping against the odds for a whole weekend of fair weather. Arriving at the site, the accommodation was in it’s usual good order and the view over the Loch was excellent.

To be able to wake to that every morning would be a dream of mine but for the meantime, I’ll just have to settle for a view over the Campsies.

Saturday was a day for the shops and we headed into town on what turned out to be another lovely day after going for a walk along the banks of the Nevis at the visitor centre. On the way in we noticed the Nevis Bank Hotel was closed and boarded up which came as quite a shock but on heading into town it turned out there was another hotel closed at the West end with a further six shops up for lease and a vacant lot where McTavishes kitchen used to stand.

Depressing signs of the times and we found the shops to be really quiet too. Folk were out and about but no-one seemed to be spending. I was really surprised to see a town like Fort William in such a poor looking state. Hopefully with the pound being so weak they should get a boost in the Summer.

I made a lovely seafood Risotto for tea which was washed down with a very enjoyable Chardonnay and took the kids for a walk to the outdoor play area which they really enjoyed.

Sunday was Easter Sunday and was an even better day than the last two. The kids painted and rolled their eggs and we decided to watch some boats go through the locks at Bannavie.

After this we went for a walk to one of our favourite places. I’ve been going to this place for about twenty years now and never get bored with it.

The Team

I don’t know whether it’s just that we pick good days to visit but the sun always seems to shine in the Glen. I had the perfunctory crossing of the wire bridge to do

and the kids had their first wobble at the start. Maybe next year for the eldest. Dinner was at the Loch Iall restaurant which for an Easter Sunday was remarkably quiet.

Going on a mission ?

Monday arrived and it was my day for going fishing. I had packed my forces 44 rucksack

( review to come ) the previous evening and made my plans for a Loch I’ve fished before but never fished from the West end so packed the lot including chesties and wore wading boots for the walk in. I found out later that this was to be a big mistake. I won’t bore anyone with details of the way in or the journey to my chosen spot other than to say that when I arrived and started the walk in, I realised it was going to take a lot longer than I had expected.

First point of call for a photo stop was Corrour Summit

which never having been here before, I didn’t realise it was actually higher than Rannoch. I’ve always meant to walk from here to Glen Nevis and hope to maybe even get round to this later in the year.

The going was good for the walk in and consisted mainly of made up tracks but there was a hell of a descent

to where I was going and I couldn’t help thinking that it was going to take longer to get back than it did to get there.

When I got to the Loch side and the end of the track, I was amazed to find a guy sunbathing who was later joined by his wife and son.

Finally we come to the fishing. I had brought a fly rod with me but decided to leave it at the billet because this is a big sheet of water and I knew the water would be cold and the fish would be lying deep due to the altitude so, spinning and worming were to be the order of the day.

I thought I’d have a crack with the Rapala’s and lures first as I reckoned it would give me something to do until lunchtime. The waders were a waste of time as the water level was high and the banks drop off quickly to deep water. I know this is a Hydro Loch but the fluctuations in level are immense and you never know what you’re going to get next. This was the highest I’d seen it but won’t even bother with waders next time I’m up. I had a blast for about an hour before losing a ten quid Rapala with no hits so knocked it on the head for a bit at that point and had some lunch.

After le déjeuner I gave the worming a go for a bit with no luck whether floating or ledgered and decided to head for what looked like shallower water in order to try for fish which may have moved into the margins in search of early season food. I walked towards the top end of the loch and found one of the natural inlets which again seemed to be very deep right from the bank. I can only assume that because of the level fluctuations the burn has been able to carve a very deep channel. I made a personal note to come back here in the summer months if I could find out what the water level will be like before hand.

I was trying a storm minnow pattern. If this wasn’t working nothing would. The Loch is enormous when it is high and I guess finding the fish is probably the hardest task as they are definitely in there.

Around six O’clock and after working my way back down to my starting point, I stuck on a couple of worms and broke for dinner. Minestrone soup, pasta in a tomato sauce and a can of tennents to wash it all down – most excellent, followed with a double decker for dessert.

I tried the wee bay to the East of me with the Storm Minnow after dinner but no luck here either. I’m sure I saw a fish move though but it didn’t move onto my lure. There was a bit of a South East wind so that’s my excuse. One last cast around 7.25p.m. and it was time to disembark and disengage. I packed the gear, shouldered the rucksack and headed for home on the uphill part of my journey. Walk in time is about an hour and walk out time is about an hour and twenty minutes.

I learned a valuable lesson on the way out even if you think you’ve seen it all, always keep your camera to hand. After topping a wee rise I came across a group of the Lairds finest Red Deer but by the time I got the camera out they were indistinguishable. Oh to have been carrying a .303.

I managed a pint of Cider before heading on my return journey and at £3.00 it was sore on the pocket but a welcome libation none the less.

A great day out fishless or otherwise and as Arnie said “ I’ll be back “ .

A Wee Loch, 25/3/2009

2009-03-25T23:53:00.008Z

The weather yesterday, Tuesday was wild. We had planned to fish a wee Loch but things weren't looking too good however when the dawn broke, the sun was splitting the sky and things were looking promising.

My boat partner and I had made some " mibbees aye mibbees naw plans " so when he called to say he was up for it, I had to concur and after attending to some work plans dug, out the Yamaha four stroke mustered the fishing gear and met him at his house before setting on our way.

As we climbed the winding roads to this wee but very nice club water, the wind blustered around us and it was a bit touch and go but on arriving and chatting with the club secretary Ian in the clubhouse it was decided to brave the elements and go for it.

After getting the boat organised, big lures and one of Brians sparkly dabblers were decided as the order of the day and the fishing began. Fast intermediates were tried first but the catch reports from previous days were not so good on this water which mainly fishes in the Summer months. We did however persevere.

The blustering wind made drifts fast without a drogue. A good idea would have maybe been an anchor but it had been left at home. This however did not hamper our eager attempts for some fish on this Brownie only water possibly soon to change with the introduction of Rainbows in order to extend the season.

Cast after cast, retrieve after retrieve there were no takes and we searched a lot of the water with me using a Di 8 towards the end in order to try and tempt a fish from the depths but all was to no avail on this pleasant although cold in the wind sunny day. On returning to shore, we spoke with the Secretary and Chairman of the association again who were most amiable chaps and I although not a member and a guest of my fishing partner was made to feel most welcome.

All in all an enjoyable day regardless of the no fish situation and we even saw a couple of diver type birds which ARE in the centre of the picture but I didn't have my zoom lens with me.

Thanks for the invite Chris.

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Burnhouse Lochan 7th March 2009

2009-03-10T19:50:00.021Z

Well today was the day for a trip to Burnhouse Lochan with some folk from Fly Forums.

Burnhouse is situated just off the A80 about 2 miles from Cumbernauld and is actually quite a pleasant, if a bit barren, wee fishery. I think there was originally a burn which was dammed in order to create the Lochan which is interesting as it means there is a head of small wild brown Trout. Always a favourite of mine no matter where I'm fishing.

Anyway, back to the fishing. The fishery was open from 8a.m. I believe and I've no doubt the usual diehards were rattling on the door of the lodge at 7.45. There's no chance of that with me and I got there about 11.30 a.m. on a totally dreich Saturday morning. It wasn't raining at this point but it was quite windy and very overcast - rain was a certainty.

After tackling up it was about 12 noon and I went for a wee walk up to the Lodge where I bumped into 3lb Grayling A.K.A. Jim. It was the first time I'd met Jim even though I've spoken to him several times on the forum so we exchanged pleasantries and I went for a walk along the bank to talk to Neil and Chris A.K.A. Cumbrian Chris ( who had organised the day ) an exiled Cumbrian butcher now resident in sunny Banknock.

Anyway after a chat I returned to the fishing lodge as the pies were on the go and they were washed down with some of Shanksi's 8% proof cask beer. It was strong stuff there is no doubt about that. It kind of reminded me of a Fowler's wee heavy.

Well after lunch, I headed for the East shore of the fishery and gave it a bash but it was a bit cold and wet and windy. O.k. I could've worn waders but I didn't opting for Denim stylee Boyakasha for the day. Innit'

I had a few casts and nothing was doing so I headed for the West bank and a couple of the guys who were doing pretty well anyway allowed me to slot in between their pegs. There was no peg hogging at all which was good. After a change to a Black Dart, I had a wee Broonie around three quarters of a pound and it's just as well 3lber was next to me as he reminded me it was next week before I could chap it on the head. Crying shame too, pan sized Broonies are good eating.

I persevered for about an hour with the floating line and decided to go with a fast glass intermediate and get the lures really working so this I did and I was into a wee stockie within a couple of minutes. I landed it, chapped it on the head and pretty soon after was into what seemed a better fish but it threw the hook quite a distance into the Loch. After that I kind of got fed up and headed back to the fishing lodge where I had a piece of Auldjo's chocolate cognac cake and it was excellent and so well laced there must've been a full bottle in it.

Things were fast coming to an end and after a blether with Shanksi, McAllister, BTF, Hot to Trot, most of the other attendees and Whitegoatie, a lad who had driven all the way from Stamford but had been lucky enough to bag up, it was time to call it quits on a pleasant but dreich Scottish day fishing with some great folk.

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Orchill Trout Fishery

2009-01-24T21:59:00.005Z

Well, where do you go fishing in Scotland in the middle of winter when it's supposed to rain according to the weather forecast?

The answer's simple or it should be - Orchill Trout Fishery.

Myself and Chris The Para had been debating where to go for a bit of fishing today and after mulling over Piking or Fishery options, we binned the idea of Lomond for Piking as we reckoned it would be too cold and exposed. Instead, at Chris's suggestion we headed for Orchill Trout Fishery just outside Auchterarder. As it turned out his idea was inspired and we had a cracking few hours at this small but very pleasant water.

After chatting with a couple of guys in the car park, Chris was first on the water and by the time I had tackled up and joined him on the adjacent peg, I barely managed a couple of casts before he was into his first fish. I bagged the photo below while he was fighting the fish and it's probably just as well because straight after this shot was taken, his new and hardly used Grey's G - Tech rod snapped at the top ferrule. This resulted in trying to land the fish by hand lining but the fish got too close to the fishing platform legs where it managed to throw the hook as we couldn't get the net to it. I didn't take a shot of Chris as it wouldn't be fair to publish pictures of a grown man crying ( only kidding ) but he was not a happy man to say the least.

Anyway, Chris got sorted with a spare rod and just before lunchtime as a heavy shower came on he was two up and I, after losing a couple, just managed to get one in around the three pound mark while the tatties and stew were getting warmed in me new Swedish Army Trangia. The fish gave a really good account of itself stripping line several times before it met it's maker.

So, we then adjourned to the fishing bothy for some Bramble and nettle tea together with some of tesco's finest steak and kidley stew, dumplings and new potatties - Lovely. The bothy was really tidy and it gave me a chance to put the new Trangia through it's paces and I must say I was very impressed with how it performed. I 've had a standard Trangia for about 20 years but I liked the fact that this one comes with a self contained fuel bottle so cutting down on bulk for short trips.

Well, comestibles scoffed it was back to the fishing and Chris was into a fish again almost straight away. That was his limit and he headed for the C & R section of the fishery with me promising to bag up in half an hour. All of his fish were caught on nymphs which just shows you don't have to use lures to catch Rainbows.

True to my word and thanks to the faithful Black Hothead Dancer, I lost a couple and landed a couple within about 25 minutes and just before the rain came on again quite heavily. I had a chat with a couple of lads in the cabin until the rain went off and that as they say is that.

Regarding Orchill, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it for a bit of stockie bashing in a very nice setting if that's what you're after.

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A bit of a Spin

2008-12-21T21:17:00.009Z

We're into the Xmas holidays again and there was really nothing for it but to break out a rod or two today to try and blow the winter cobwebs away. I didn't set out until after 2 P.M. so didn't get too complicated with my set up, opting for my Diawa Regal lure special rod and Ukuma Razor reel carrying 4lb line and some wee spinners with red tassels on the hook as Perch were to be my quarry.

Now in case you're wondering, red feathers on Perch lures are a good idea because Perch will nip at the tails of their prey until they're disabled and then move in for the kill. The red feathers simulate the tail of a prey fish so the perch may have nipped at them a couple of times before taking the lure proper. The best method for the retrieve is to bring the lure in as slowly as you dare or even stop retrieving every now and again with maybe a bit of a jerk here and there. Don't forget a swivel on the line when spinning to prevent line kink.

Now where to go was the question on a short winters day with the light already beginning to fade. It had to be close at hand so I opted for a couple of still waters close to home that I'd never fished before but had heard held Pike, Perch, Roach, Rudd, Tench and Carp.

Venue 1

It was blowing a hooly this afternoon so I went to a small still water which is maybe about four or five acres in size but has good access which would mean I could get the wind behind my back and get a decent cast out. This pond / Loch really is a nice little venue and I'm looking forward to the Spring and Summer when I can get the match gear out and really have a good bash with some particles and Maggots. I'd never been here until earlier this year or even realised it existed until some guys at the canal put me onto it. It's a well maintained public water and the fact it has a head of fish is a definite bonus. Anyway, time was short so I only spent about half an hour here. There were fish moving close in which I take must have been small pike or perch going by the water they were displacing while chasing what I take must have been fry. I had no luck though so decided to move onto a larger Loch in the area which is reputed to hold fish as well.

Venue 2

This second venue is a larger amenity loch about 1km in length and 300m wide. I was at the West end which has good access as the westerlies would have made the East End a nightmare. The Swans, Ducks, Moorhens, Geese and various other wild foul were out in force and this really is a pleasant place to come fishing to even on a wild and windy day. It's a shame more housing is being built here but I do envy the folk who have a view of the water from their windows. Shame about the pylons but I guess we gotta get power one way or another. Apparently there is a section of the Loch which is sectioned off as a nature reserve and it's nice to see the local authority making good use of land.

I had about half an hour here too and spoke to a guy walking his dog who does a bit of fishing on the water who told me that he does well with Roach in the Spring but I'm going to have a shot at dead bating for Pike over the holidays and if the water warms up a bit I'll have a blast with the match gear too.

No luck here with the spinners either even though there were predatory fish moving in the margins. Not a wasted day however and some good reconnaissance work done for the future - let's see what happens. :-)

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