Today after work I was still being bugged by the river that has taunted me over the last couple of days. Consequently instead of heading home I headed straight there to try and catch the end of the large dark olive hatch. I got there and found a couple of trout rising which quite frankly ignored my fly. This river has a reputation for needing long leaders and spooky casts and obviously I was not cutting the mustard. I jumped between two trout, whereas the other day they were not spooked by my kids throwing stones at them today they were spooked by the gentle ripple of my wading.
I moved up the river and decided that at least I knew that this river cleared quickly after a downfall of rain. As I walked I spotted the occasional rising trout in the glass like water and spooked them all with the first cast. Things were not going well, I even switched flies a few times as well as lengthening my leader a couple of feet. I even used a thingymajig to float a nymph through some pools without any takers.
I found myself at an interesting little pool I had attacked with a wooly bugger yesterday, lots of twisty currents with a trout rising at the far side just in front of the bush. I had a few casts and just as usual the trout ignored my fly and disappeared like all the rest.
I cast again and a trout took my fly, my rod was bent for a moment and and I took a few steps backwards as I had too much loose line out and then the trout was gone. I cursed loudly as quite frankly I thought that this was my trout of the day. It felt like a good trout as well.
Another trout was rising and I tried again, this time the trout took the fly and I quickly rose the rod and the trout went bananas jumping out the water. It ran around the pool and nearly dived under a ledge. The pool went from a gentle slope to a ledge and then around 8-10 feet deep.
Finally the trout came to my net (thank goodness I had brought it) and I quickly unhooked it for a photo on top of the net.
It was then followed fairly quickly by number 2
And then fairly quickly number three put in an appearance…
The last trout was a tiny dimple on the surface and then the same when it took my fly.
I am glad I went back today as I kinda feel as if this is now going to my “other” local river that I fish regularly. I can just imagine summer nights up in this place – total midge hell!
Thats a beautiful trout in the net on the first photo. Looks a cracking river, nice size!
Thanks Alan 🙂
Nice pics alistair , nice to see some trout caught from highland waters at this time of the year.
I know that river…..
Nice size trout mate. Either they are getting bigger, or you bought a smaller net. Overall nice job.
Hey Colin, I am glad we are getting a proper spring this year! By the way can you mail me as Alex wants to contact you after you met him last season!
Nice one Joe 😉
Funny you should say that Chuck as I am after a new net, I have had that one for far too long as I think the moths have got to it!
I quite fancy one of those new rubber trout nets which seem all the rage just now!
My 40th is coming up I may start making hints to the family! 🙂
lovely trout mate.Off to Rannoch for the weekend on Friday,hopefully catch a few like that!
Sounds great Andy! Let us know how you get on!
Lovely fish Alistair. Catching fish and photographing them at the same time eh. Getting the hang of this multi tasking lark now lol.
Beautiful trout, and in good nick too for the time of year. The 3rd one looks like it’s maxilla is missing?
Alistair,As your other local River,that has got to be the Fruin.Looks absolutely beautifull and not a shopping cart in sight.I was surprised with the size of those trout,as in my time,most highland rivers did not have the food chain to encourage such growth.Enjoy the new house,season and waters.
Alas, you are wrong although the Fruin is on my radar 🙂
Please tell me where this is Alistair.Just a mail on rc47@live.de.Its not that i can just nip over from Frankfurt and flog the river to death just before you get there.Its cracking me up trying to figure out where this could be within striking distance of Hellensborough. 🙁
Douglas water?
Nope 🙂