We had fifteen members fishing this outing, and what an outing it was. The weather was nice for a summer’s day, bright blue sky, with some fluffy clouds and a light west wind. The water was clear, but nothing was hatching. Fishing the dog days is never easy but the only member to figure out how to catch on the loch that obviously had plenty very high quality fish – was Trevor Gibson. Trevor had the wit and the patience to plonk down his anchor, put on a ghost tip line and a fifteen-foot cast with a team of buzzers and a diawl bach, then wait, and wait, until everything sank, then a very slow figure of eight just to keep in touch with the flies. He finished top rod – by a mile – with seven fish. We also got another poke in the eye – Anthony Walker, a guest of David Bertram – a chap who is very new to fishing – pulled out two fish. To save any embarrassment I will not say how much the rest of us got, but in all cases, it was one or two less than Anthony.
Nevertheless, I had a good day. No fish, but I was fishing with John Levy, and we were both convinced that the fish were close to the top. After all, we could see fish moving. As we both thought this, it reinforced our (incorrect) opinion. Even as I watched Trevor casting out, waiting, and waiting until everything sank then hooking up and pulling out another fish, I still would not accept that the fish were quite deep. Then, when the penny finally dropped, I still would not change, but persisted with dries. I changed my flies to see if I could tempt one of the rising fish – two swirls but no hook up. Will I ever learn? I think no is the answer. John L had even worse luck than I did – he eventually did lift into a very good fish that immediately swam under the boat and wrapped the cast around the anchor rope. As John and I had been discussing lots of things from opposite points of view I thought it wise to say nothing for a few minutes, but he was very philosophical about it, so we immediately got back to the arguing – important things like should we or should we not put on a yellow dancer – should we stay in the same spot or should we move. We never resolved these issues.
The Club’s fifteen anglers finished up with thirteen fish. A rod average of 0.87
Then when we were finished and were standing in the car park filling in cards with zeros, Dougie Skedd arrived to fish the evening session. He had one quick look at the water and then gave us chapter and verse on how he intended to fish – a ghost tip line – a fifteen foot leader – and a team of buzzers, he even described the very slow retrieve and how to react to the different types of take. I will remember what he said and if I can then remember not to be so pig headed – I will try this method under similar conditions.
So now, I am looking forward to Frandy on the 17th – it will be much better then – overcast, light west wind and lots of rising fish. Can hardly wait – but will go to Butterstone on the 13th for some practice.
