First week of the season eh?

by Alistair

Loads of people are going on about this being the first week of the season – it does not look like it to me to be honest – I mean it is bloody freezing out there, well not freezing like -15 however a pretty chilly 8-10 degrees – and it has only been like that for a few days – we need a good consistent spell of mild weather to see any kind of action – saying that I am perfectly willing to be out-fished by anyone willing to put the time in.

Anyway – I have been getting my fishy fix in other ways:

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I popped along to the annual Glasgow Angling Centre opening day last week and ran into none other than long time reader and fishing presenter Paul Young:

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A true gent of the angling world (unlike John Wilson who blanked me last year) – this time we promised to meet up and have a fish (we have been threatening this for years now)

Browsing around the offers I noticed a rather good deal on powerbait – 2 for 1-  the chap from Fulling Mill gave me funny looks for this photo:

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Speaking of dodgy shit – I was wandering up an isle when I ran into The River Kelvin Angling Association Secretary Paul Reid idly fingering a gaff:

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I jest, I jest – it was a set up – I made him hold the gaff just for the picture – just in case anyone takes it seriously out there.  We actually hunted around the shop to get a picture of him with some  rod rests however they were either not on sale or they were sold out!

Instead we went for a wander out to the casting area and then to the canal and enjoyed some of those loops…

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That wee casting area is growing on me actually..

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I met finally and spoke for a while to Steve Cooper of Cookshill Fly Tying and this is where things get a bit spooky – totally unknown to me someone was taking my picture.

I look good from behind...

That is right – Hillend Dabbler thought he would dish out some of my own medicine by snapping a photo of me and posting it in the forum. I suppose it is slightly less spooky than when my now fishing buddy Campbell sent me an email before he was my fishing buddy that stated “I was behind you in the queue in Ikea”

I also watched Davie McPhail tye up some of his flies:

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All in all it was the usual extravaganza that the GAC put on looking forward to the next one already – I managed to get through the whole day without not spending a penny – at the time that seemed good however now I realise I have no tapered leaders or tippet so am pretty screwed.

Ah well!

6 thoughts on “First week of the season eh?”

  1. Good evening Alastair. Be rest assured I did not deliberately take the pic of you it was later when I was photoshopping my pics that I noticed someone who I thought might be you at the right hand side of the pic.
    I’m a sucker for these open day thingys. I went to Stoke last November for the fly tying fair. It was ace. The GAC is also enjoyable but free. The information and instruction from the Ayrshire fly tyer is incredible. I have learned so much from this guy by meeting him at GAC on three occassions not to mention his outstanding you tube channel.

  2. Hi Alistair, (scotty9 here!) It’s a cold start this year all right, been walking past the river a few times a week and spent a solid 2 weeks on the river each day practising spey casts for my instructor assessment – yet to see a fish! Could be a while yet! Hoping for some fishing soon mind, haven’t fished since October!

    GAC’s opening day was surprisingly pleasant, I only popped in to buy a couple of leaders but ended up having a chat with Bruce Sandison, very nice fellow and a great boook I should add!

  5. Canny believe anybody can go to GAC and not buy something!!!!!!!!!

    Next one is 25th/26th September I believe.

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