Once the afternoon looked as if it was heating up some I got the boys into their warm coats and headed along to the Kelvin. I had heard stories of trout in some rivers still responding to olives even though it was snowing and wanted to see if I was being premature in dismissing the river and fishing it until the temp creeps up next weekend.
It looked pretty fine.
Every now and again the sun would come out and I would feel it on my face, likewise every now and again the wind would pick up and my hands would be freezing. The boys would look a bit grumpy as well. I decided that if I was going to spot a rising trout it was going to be today, I had a sneaky feeling I would see one (or possibly two)
I set the boys at every opportunity to looking for olives and rising trout…
Annoyingly they kept on throwing stones and sticks into the water which eventually became infectious as I began to throw stones at the water as well – it was actually one helluva lot more fun than what you might think.
We walked a bit up the river and I gazed and spots that I just knew would hold trout..
Eventually we stopped off at what used to be one of my favorite pools on the river. People like to think that this pool was always fished however it really was not. back in the day on the bridge every weekend would find a new burnt out car on it and the whole area was just a little bit dodgy. If you have a look at the “Urban Fly Fishing on the Kelvin” site you will see a picture of a car on the bridge, it really was a common sight.
Now the pool is pestered by dog walkers (and those horrible dog walking agencies) however you used to not see many folk around even 10 years ago.
This last pool was where I decided to leave the river as quite frankly if it was going to have happened i would have seen it. I was walking slow enough and studying each pool for so long that I would not have missed a trout. I was slightly disappointed however in the grand scheme of things I know “it” is on the way.
We walked up and came up against my arch nemesis – the Highland Cow
I took the opportunity to introduce them to the boys as I put on my best manly attitude – I don’t want them thinking their father is some kind of pansy that is scared of cows!
As we walked down the road the sun was still shining and I could still feel that change that was in the air. Maybe Spring is actually finally here, I know we can still have snow however I feel as if we have not only turned a corner but are now fair powering up towards something.
There was a sporadic hatch of flees further down stream at about 2.30, but sadly no rising trout!!
First photo of river is good spot for some nice trout but can be tricky wading and trying to land a dry fly on them can be hard going.
Highland cow has put me in the mood for some toffee.
The wee man putting you to shame Alistair he must be the Highland cow whisperer.
Hey Stephen, I assume they were olives? Depending on how far downstream I usually find the temps are one or two degrees more than where I was as it runs through high built up areas.
Jim, hmmmmm toffee!
why dont youget the long rod out with a stick float and worm find the fish and return them they be there when you go back next week when it heats up god willing get them on the montana and mayfly nymph and coooz no like either grey tounge and black eye !!!!
I think you are right. I detect a subtle shift in the air which tells me things are on the mend. And I mowed the lawn yesterday afternoon – now that’s gotta mean something!!
Dave, I would rather get them on the fly!
Matt, it is weird the amount of good sunlight we have been getting without the warmth to go with it!