Arrived at the river around 1130 – the day is windy with a few clouds in the sky – when the wind dies down it is warm. The Kelvin has a nice green tinge and is low; there has been no rain for a few days. I wangled a trout using the duo, the trout took within a few feet of where I was standing – at this point I had not seen a rise or a fly. However I was buoyed with enthusiasm as I knew people had caught yesterday.
I walked up the river eventually ending up standing under a bridge listening to the people going by above me.
The park is busy today, not just with the usual joggers, dog walkers, pleasure walkers and young lovers but with anglers as well. I must have seen at least a dozen – I met one chap who I knew through this site and from a forum – he was pulling two kids along with him – admirable I thought!
Seeing as how no trout were rising I played around with my recently tied deer hair emergers, in the past the ones I have tied have not floated properly however these ones float perfectly – in fact they look shit hot in the water.
I mess about for a while and eventually notice a hatch at around 1330 – lots of large dark olives – the trout do not seem interested. There is the odd gloop and splosh but no consistent rising trout. I phone a friend who must have brought me luck as using a particularly tricky downstream cast I hook a nice trout – I feel the thump and the trout twists and turns and then is off.
I head home at around 1530 – only two trout caught however an enjoyable day to be casting a fly. I wonder how other people faired today?
A pleasure to read your blog as usual! Ive not lived in Glasgow long, new to river fishing and have only ever fished the stretch by the vet school as its close to home! Fancied a ramble today though, took out my map and headed further up stream around the Balmore Rd. Not the nicest stretch of the Kelvin I’d say and didnt seem very fishy. Maybe head further upstream tomorrow in search of a nice stoney bit with less quicksand! : )
Thanks for commenting Robbie!
There is plenty of trout up that way although not many riffles and runs until Torrance (I think) I know a lot of the guys that fish for Salmon love those stretches but it is not very good fly water.
Cheers Alistair. I was at the stretch by Millichen Rd and did more ‘exploring’ than fishing. A nice day for it though with plenty of wildlife about. I had actually picked out Torrance Rd as my next area to check out, might do that 2m. As yet my first river brownie eludes me…. its a steep learning curve!
Alistair – when you fish the due do you tie your dropper onto the hook of the dry (is that the new Zealand dropper?) or onto the line? what was the wet/nymph you caught your first fish on? Glad you caught a couple, yesterday was magic 🙂
Robbie – A lovely (and interesting) walk is to take the train to Milngavie and then walk back along the Allander and then the Kelvin. It takes a few hours but is worth it for what you will discover!
Andy – yup, you tie the dropper onto the bend of the dry (otherwise known as a new zealand dropper). The nymph was just a generic gold head tied with some olive rabbit skin. You going out again tommorow?
Nice one, must do that some day then. Don’t know if ill stay local or drive further out tomorrow. Trying to find new spots eats into the ol fishing time so ill see what the weather brings and decide then. Have a good one if you’re going out yourself. Cheers
hiya see ur fishing is looking ok well i have learn to fly fish know lol still not that good but getting there lol did u see ma salmon on ma bebo :L:L:L:L:L:L 9lb and a half lol lol was a buzz best day of ma life yeha all the best and good luck tight lines
I seen your salmon Nikki – a fantastic looking fish – a good bar of silver – I reckon that must be the first Salmon of the year from the river – have you heard of any more?
Wow nice Salmon ….Exactly what river did it come from ???????
Oh sorry – Nikki fishes the Kelvin – and does very well !
Hi, I am gonna be out and about on the Kelvin this evening around the Kelvin Bridge / Great Western Road area.. I’m not fishing today but my boyfriend will be. Does anyone have any tips or advice regarding that area? Great site and blog.. Debs..
p.s.. feel free to have a look at my new website.. http://www.reelbacking.com
When was this salmon caught?Thats no mean feat!-i’ve not even seen one yet this year-have you any idea what it was caught on Alistair-also how would i be able to see it?Any info greatly appreciate-charlie dunn.
Alistair, what length of dropper do you tie onto the hook with the New Zealand style. Do you use the dry as a bite indicator or do you get trout on the dryfly as well. Never heard of this method before but willing to try anything. (within reason). Hoping to get on the River here on monday, have to walk past everyday and have seen fish moving all week so hopefully a good day ahead.
Alistair – thanks for the info, I was going to try that technique on friday but didn’t have to in the end because the trout were taking dries really nicely. Not fishing today (sunday) but might head out tomorrow am before work. It might be a little cold and not sure if the fish are active early in they day this early in the season but who knows?
Debbie – hope your boyfriend does well although I reckon this east wind will be putting the fish down for the next few days, it is a lovely bit of water down that end although it can be a bit busy- keep your head down and dont look anyone in the eye or they may start a conversation 😉
For the love of God turn the music off on your site – damn near gave me a heart attack 😉
Charlie – it was caught a few days ago on the 14th……
I believe Nikki and her partner fish bait..
If you scroll up to her name in the comments you can click through to her site – her photo section includes a lot of pictures of the trout and salmon she catches.
Dave – the dropper should be around a foot, really depends on the water you are fishing. My pal who uses it all the time swears he gets lots of trout on the dry because of the trailing nymph. Personally I dont like it as it is horrible to cast.
Andy – yup one trout on the dry is worth ten on the nymph 😉
Had a great day on the Kelvin, stayed local and had 2 trout on drys. Missed a few too, great fun. There was a guy bait fishing down stream from me who picked one up too….. they were hungry today : )
Yegads – just goes to show you I suppose, I reckoned the trout would not be playing ball again today what with that cold wind – I reckon I am going to try somewhere I know about tommorow 🙂
Hi, was out on the Kelvin today with my partner Debbie.. Had two on a nymph just up from the old mill. Hopefully will get out for an eveing during the week..
Nikki.. what a lovely fish!
Yup-i have met this young lady and her partner,they bait fish from the bridge at partick-a set line rig with maggots is their norm-i have saw them catch a few nice trout in the past,up to about 3 pounds and they saw me get a novice angler into his first salmon last year-a nice grilse of about 7 pounds-they must have decided to try the worm-and had a cracking result!
thanks all for comment on my fish it was a good catch but i had to hand the rod over to my partner i could not do it any longer lol lol what a fight and thanks alistair good luck to every1 and tight lines all the best hyha yeha
SALMON lol
lovely fish nikki you lucky wee dooda good for you pal see you soon as you know im doing my best to stick to the fly at the moment ‘