Getting towards the end of the trout season

I was surprised that my favourite fishing spot on the Clyde wasn't mobbed today.
We had good weather, light winds and the river was just settling down after a bit of flood.
Where were all the anglers?--perhaps down river trying to catch a salmon?
 I dint care, I nearly had the river to myself.
Saw two other anglers in the distance but never had a chance to chat to them.
The conditions were ideal for fishing the trio,the breeze was up and across stream,which made it easy to present the flies.
My resulting catch was 6 trout and one grayling.
The trout, pictured above, was round about the pound mark and it showed its acrobatic abilities before coming to the net.
I lost quite a few fish,they just "shook the hook" as they say.
I use barbless,as I don't kill any fish from the Clyde- it makes it easy to release them.
Yes-It was nice to be out on the river today..
I had a couple of days fishing on my syndicate pond last week.
It was enjoyable but catching stocked fish just seems different to me.
Nevertheless I like a nice rainbow trout for my tea and I was fortunate enough to catch a couple, which were quickly chapped.
So its nearly the end of the trout season-only a couple of weeks to go.
I am going to make the best of the time left and get down to the river as much as I can.
This has been my best year trout fishing-- mind you! Ive only been at it 3 years so there is a lot to learn.
When will I catch a "biggie?"
 Ive caught a 5lb+ brown trout from my pond.
But to get one from the Clyde would be totally different.
Maybe next year?

September on the Clyde

The weather has been bad up here in Scotland,we have received the end of hurricane Katia after its 3,000 mile journey across the Atlantic it still produced 70 miles per hour winds.

Anyway today was a lovely day no winds-no rain and the river in top notch condition-a good day for fishing.
I was surprised that there wasn't more anglers around,taking advantage of the lull in the weather ( things are forecast to change tomorrow) there was a guy from Liverpool up here on a weeks holiday and I briefly saw one other chap,I don't think he staid long.
I walked downstream some 400 yards to a pool that in the past had produced fish at this time of the year.
I decided to fish 3 beaded nymphs under a braided sight indicator ( french nymphing I think its called)

Dropped a couple of grayling in the first six casts and then soon after managed to capture this small one for my photo.

Fished on at the same pool for another hour,hooking an acrobatic trout,he definitely didn't want to be caught---but here he is,not big but he was strong.
I continued fishing at different spots up to the bridge and beyond catching the odd little trout and grayling,finally calling it a day at around 5pm.
I had fished for about 6 hours, it may not have been my most productive day out.
But ,what a lovely place to be ,on a September day, on the banks of the Clyde.
I hope I have many more. 

A couple of hours at Wolfclyde.

Its the 10th of September and  the year is going fast, not long now until the end of the trout season.
I better make the best of it and get out on every opportunity I can.
Its a Saturday and the weather forecast is giving wind and rain for the following week.
I decided to go to the Clyde.
The river levels were up a bit so I opted for Wolfclyde, its easier to fish when the river is high.
I got there about 11-30 in the morning to find no cars parked.
" That's strange"I thought, there are usually at least a couple there on a Saturday.
" Its not Sunday is it "checked my phone to get the date "no definitely Saturday"
There's no fishing on Lamington Water on a Sunday.
Got my self all set up,deciding to opt for a simple set up.
3 weighted nymphs under a pimp indicator and fish it short to try and eliminate the effects of the blustery wind.
I walked up stream to the start of a long steady run and carefully  managed to get into the water to start fishing.
I soon found out that it was going to be very difficult in getting control of my setup as the wind was blowing hard downstream.
I persevered and soon had one little 8" brownie in my hands,losing another one shortly after.
Things then went dead for the rest of the run.
I noticed that three fellow anglers had now turned up,they were standing under the bridge for shelter as it had now started raining.
I had a chat with them for a little while,they had only been there for half an hour and had already decided to call it a day.
"Should I do the same" I thought, as this was going to be my last outing for a while
 "lets give it another go" So I went back up river to the spot I had started at earlier.
Once again I entered the water to find that the river had risen by about 6".
Lost one wee grayling on the first cast.then soon after my pimp shot under and I could feel something solid struggling at the end of the line.
Got it up on the surface to see it was another grayling but this time bigger
 "maybe about a pound"I thought--"worth getting a shot of it "
As I was standing in the river with the water up above my knees I decided that a photo of it in the water as I was about to scoop it into my hand, would be good.
So no net would be needed.
Fish on, with my camera in hand, I gradually drew the fish across the surface towards me.
It must have been a shy fish and didn't want to be photographed because it flicked its head,removing the barbless hook.   Away it went.
Sometimes these things happen,I should have used my net and not messed about getting my camera ready.I could have netted it, got it on the bank and then got a shot. " Never mind" I thought." try and get another one"
Well I didn't.
Fished down for another 20 yards with no more offers.
To then discover that the river had risen about another 12".
So I made a rapid exit from the river- My days fishing was over.
I looked up river and looked down river, I was alone-no more anglers had turned up.
 I was alone except for the few sheep and an inquisitive half dozen cows, with their eyes locked on me "I wonder what they were thinking."
Back to the car and home for an early tea.
I had only been there for about 3 hours but I caught a couple of fish.
 Sorry no photos to put on my blog---you know why.