Decided on fishing the Kelvins big sister/brother as a pass was given at the last minute – it looked like it was going to be good conditions – overcast and windy – so where did it all go wrong?
Well for a start it was cold, and a north easterly wind pushed an area of low pressure over us as we fished (my fancy pants watch I got for my birthday told me this) which pretty much killed any action stone cold dead.
There was rising trout – sporadic ones – the most annoying kind – ones that rise once to something that you cannot see for some unknown reason known only to itself – it rises once and then does nothing but sink back to the bottom of the river and sulk.
There were plenty of birds on the water (swallows, sand martins? I really should buy a book about this shit like Mike has with the trees – sweet idea by the way – I bought the book of trees due to his recommendation – I have rowan trees outside my house, they keep away witches apparently) however they seemed to be taking something so small that spotting what they were was almost impossible. There were also Yellow Mays on the water – drifting along – undisturbed.
As a last ditch attempt at possibly catching a monster we tied on woolly buggers – I fished some choppy water with a ledge that must hold a leviathan – if it did it was having none of it or quite possibly away on its holidays..
Alas – we left empty handed – I later learned that other rivers had faired better with good trout taking surface flies – I have no idea why on the Clyde trout were being beligerant.
Hey Mr.
you can always come down south…and I may let you fish my “club water”….were plenty of big trout rise to huge May flies….. 🙂
I like the new look for the site, and thanks for the plug. Keep up the great work man, it’s my favorite blog.
Emanuele – we are withdrawing your honoury Scothood
Sean – thanks for dropping by – your site is great !!
The trout were certainly in a funny mood that day. Still, a fantastic place to spend a day out.
I feel privileged to have fished the Clyde last week at Lamington and I set out to try the “traditional Clyde style wets and dries”. Blanked on one day and discovered the trout were taking midge pupa in the surface film.
Tight Lines!
Tony
Tony’s last blog post..Bridge at Cross Ford, Clyde, Scotland
Hi Al,
When you mentioned the yellow may flies I just knew that you would see nothing taking them: in umpteen visits to the Clyde I’ve never seen trout taking these yellow mays…apart from pyed or grey wagtails: maybe the trout take the sub imago but as I don’t know what it looks like (maybe somebody can tell me) I cannot make up an imitation to try it out!!!
Cheers
Roddy
Tony – what size midge pupa do youthink they are, I have found this happening too on tuesday and want to put a few in my box for next time! (Colour would be usueful too if you know!
Roddy – I know you can catch Clyde trout on YMD patterns after adrk, but do they know they are YMDs at this point? Who knows.
I would have fished black or dark brown midge pupa in size 18 or 20 if I had had them with me. Or try a small Syl’s midge in 18; peacock herl body and sparse gray partridge hackle.
Tight Lines
Tony