So last week one of the Kelvin fishers (Alex) asked me if I wanted to go and do a bit of Stockie bashing. Seeing as how it must be done a couple of times a season? (At least that is what I have decided on now) I agreed and the day was set for yesterday which was Monday. I had checked the weather in advance and it was for gales and rain. Alex was far more optimistic than me – Ach it’ll be fine a bit of wind will be good for the fish.
So I got my stuff together and got the train into Glasgow Central with all the commuters received some funny looks as I was wearing my chest waders! Alex was sporting a rather large black eye which meant I did not recognise him at the station for around 10 minutes and then we were on our way…
Our venue was Harelaw fishery
Harelaw is a large, shallow reservoir, extending to 102 acres, including four and a half miles of mature, good wading banks, 4 dam walls and three islands. An averaging depth of 5-9 feet, ensures that fish can be found virtually anywhere on the fishery. Harelaw’s moorland setting is also home to a variety of birds and wildlife.
Needless to say it sounds great, it would have been great to if it hadn’t been blowing a gale and pissing down with rain. Or rather it was a great day out, it was the actual fishing that was bad, we did everything right (like casting and retrieving with pink zonkers) but the fish were dour and unresponsive. Alex managed one at 2lb a nice fully finned rainbow, oh and a nice brownie while I got 2 perch.
Big waves, pouring rain, the sound of a blob hitting you full force in the back….priceless.
That’s what good memories are made of we kept telling each other. Another memory was when I took charge of the engine and ran as aground causing the engine to bugger up. We then had to row back up the loch to get a new one.
The day was good for stories and laughs (if we didnt laugh we would have cried)!! which just goes to show you that even on absolutely miserable days you can still have some enjoyment! You dont need fish to enjoy a days fishing (but it helps)
On the way home we saw some rather nice toads and frogs.
Aah the joys of stockie bashing! You definitely got the hang of the “chuck & duck, then rip it back at the speed of light” traditional method of zonker fishing. You just can’t beat that satisying feeling as a size 4/0 pink zonker tied with an ounce of lead goes “thonk” on the back of your head at 70mph!!!!!!
Great day out & absolutely unforgettable!
You two are crazy! …or maybe Alex is just a bad influence??
“The day was good for stories and laughs (if we didnt laugh we would have cried)!! which just goes to show you that even on absolutely miserable days you can still have some enjoyment! You dont need fish to enjoy a days fishing (but it helps)”
Hope you at least had a flask of single malt aboard. 🙂