We are getting some fantastic weather up here in Scotland and its nice to have a bit of warmth for a change,rather than the cold damp and windy days we get most of the year.
But the river Clyde is very low and needs a clean out,there is a lot of weed growing in places where it used to be nice and clear,its getting that bad that fishing subsurface is near on impossible.
I fished yesterday with a team of spiders plus a nymph on the point to give my casts a bit of direction.
The nymph was just getting clogged up with weed,even the spiders had to be cleared nearly every cast.
I managed one wee brownie on the point nymph,but no takes on the spiders,so I decided to change to the dry after slogging my way down river for two hours.
Plenty of fish were rising but not for me,in fact I only managed to rise one fish to my fly in the last hour or so fishing,with no hook up.
Anyway lets hope we get some downpours soon.
The other day I went down the Clyde to test out my "new eye" after my cataract operation and so far so good, I can now see my little fly bobbing down at the far bank-great! but had a blank in the 2 hours I was there.
I did wear my shorts and plimsoles,surprisingly I didn't get bitten and it was nice and cool standing in the water but if I should decide to do it again I must sort out some suitable footwear as the plimsoles have no grip. I nearly went "ass over tit" a couple of times.
Going to give it another go tomorrow,I don't think it will be any better, but I will try.
I am missing my daughter and grandchildren,should I go back to Canada?
maybe next week?for a month? decisions-decisions.
Probably come out the pub one night,go on the comp, and book it.
I will come back in a couple of weeks when hopefully we have had some rain.
Flymanpete
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
A change in the weather-Summers here?
The weather has changed somewhat, up here in Scotland,it is now about 10 degrees warmer and the winds have died down to just a little breeze,so its down to Wolfclyde for another go at the trout.
I have changed my attire to my summer wading vest no sleeves just bare arms hoping for a bit of nice sun for a change.
Pity I couldn't wear my short ( I hate chest waders-you get too hot) but I remember last time.
I nearly got bitten to death-too many flying biting machines up here in Scotland.
Rod wise I had decided to use my 10ft #3,thinking that I would start off nymphing at long range using a klink as indicator and 2 or even maybe 3 small beaded nymphs,ptn,s and grh,s.
The water this time of the year would be low and clear so it would be best to keep my distance.
I did intend to go downstream but as I couldn't see any anglers fishing the spots by the bridge I thought I would give them a quick once over then get a move on.
Starting off upstream of a run that usually produces the odd fish I progressed down, fan casting to try and winkle out a fish.
After going down some fifty yards I was into a nice trout of about a pound but after doing its usual acrobatics it slipped the hook.
No more takes were forthcoming and I had noticed the odd fish rising so I quickly changed to a single emerger which I hoped would match the flies coming down stream ( I am still raw at fly identification. "some more read ups required" I thought)
Anyway after covering a few rises and straining to see the fly most of the time, I had nearly given up hope, when suddenly out of the blue wham!! a trout nailed the fly and after a short fight I brought a lovely wee browny to hand.
It must have been just under the pound,lovely colours,a strong fish for its size,a swish of its tail and away it went.
Well that was it no more fish,I hadn't moved very far again,next time I must go a bit further than the bridge,but nevertheless I enjoyed the little session.
Some time in the future,when I cant manage to get out fishing I can sit back and think of the days I enjoyed at Wolfclyde Bridge.
I have changed my attire to my summer wading vest no sleeves just bare arms hoping for a bit of nice sun for a change.
Pity I couldn't wear my short ( I hate chest waders-you get too hot) but I remember last time.
I nearly got bitten to death-too many flying biting machines up here in Scotland.
Rod wise I had decided to use my 10ft #3,thinking that I would start off nymphing at long range using a klink as indicator and 2 or even maybe 3 small beaded nymphs,ptn,s and grh,s.
The water this time of the year would be low and clear so it would be best to keep my distance.
I did intend to go downstream but as I couldn't see any anglers fishing the spots by the bridge I thought I would give them a quick once over then get a move on.
Starting off upstream of a run that usually produces the odd fish I progressed down, fan casting to try and winkle out a fish.
After going down some fifty yards I was into a nice trout of about a pound but after doing its usual acrobatics it slipped the hook.
No more takes were forthcoming and I had noticed the odd fish rising so I quickly changed to a single emerger which I hoped would match the flies coming down stream ( I am still raw at fly identification. "some more read ups required" I thought)
Anyway after covering a few rises and straining to see the fly most of the time, I had nearly given up hope, when suddenly out of the blue wham!! a trout nailed the fly and after a short fight I brought a lovely wee browny to hand.
It must have been just under the pound,lovely colours,a strong fish for its size,a swish of its tail and away it went.
Well that was it no more fish,I hadn't moved very far again,next time I must go a bit further than the bridge,but nevertheless I enjoyed the little session.
Some time in the future,when I cant manage to get out fishing I can sit back and think of the days I enjoyed at Wolfclyde Bridge.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Back on the Clyde for a couple of hours.
Although I hadn't fully recovered from my trip back from Canada I decided to give it a go anyway,so it was down to Wolfclyde Bridge for an hour or two.
Didn't get there till two-ish in the afternoon ,it looked like someone had crashed into the wall by the bridge as there were workman replacing some stones just at the crossroads, however I managed to park in my usual spot easily.
There were a half dozen cars parked, but on looking up and down river I couldn't see anyone.
It was a bit cold and miserable so I decided not to go very far and after tackling up I headed just down stream to the pillars to start fishing upstream towards the bridge.
I had decided to fish my 8ft #3 rod set up with the duo (a klinkhammer on a short dropper to act as an indicator and a p.t.n 3ft down on the point).
The idea was to fish a close line upstream,retrieving line back as the flies came towards me and be on the look out for the start of a hatch,making a quick change-over to the dry if fish started rising.
After about half an our fishing I took my first little brown followed straight after by an even smaller grayling.
I continued up and under the bridge stopping a while to watch a fellow angler fishing downstream towards me.
I thought that as he got to me he might stop for a chat but he turned,packed in and went to his car.
Not the talkative one I suppose.
I continued upstream from the bridge,I had now added a g.r.h dropper half way up from the point fly,as I thought that this may increase my chances of a catch,but after another couple of hours fishing I only had one other fish, which felt like a good one,after lot of splashing the hook slipped out.
I did change to the dry a couple of times to try and tempt the odd rise but nothing doing.
It wasn't a very nice day and I wasn't top of form,but at least I went out.
As I walked back I was rewarded by the sight of a magnificent osprey ( a female I would think, by its large size)coming down stream,stopping and hovering for a while over the water before continuing on its way.
"Hope it has more success than me" I thought, before chucking my gear into the car and going on my way back to Edinburgh.
Didn't get there till two-ish in the afternoon ,it looked like someone had crashed into the wall by the bridge as there were workman replacing some stones just at the crossroads, however I managed to park in my usual spot easily.
There were a half dozen cars parked, but on looking up and down river I couldn't see anyone.
It was a bit cold and miserable so I decided not to go very far and after tackling up I headed just down stream to the pillars to start fishing upstream towards the bridge.
I had decided to fish my 8ft #3 rod set up with the duo (a klinkhammer on a short dropper to act as an indicator and a p.t.n 3ft down on the point).
The idea was to fish a close line upstream,retrieving line back as the flies came towards me and be on the look out for the start of a hatch,making a quick change-over to the dry if fish started rising.
After about half an our fishing I took my first little brown followed straight after by an even smaller grayling.
I continued up and under the bridge stopping a while to watch a fellow angler fishing downstream towards me.
I thought that as he got to me he might stop for a chat but he turned,packed in and went to his car.
Not the talkative one I suppose.
I continued upstream from the bridge,I had now added a g.r.h dropper half way up from the point fly,as I thought that this may increase my chances of a catch,but after another couple of hours fishing I only had one other fish, which felt like a good one,after lot of splashing the hook slipped out.
I did change to the dry a couple of times to try and tempt the odd rise but nothing doing.
It wasn't a very nice day and I wasn't top of form,but at least I went out.
As I walked back I was rewarded by the sight of a magnificent osprey ( a female I would think, by its large size)coming down stream,stopping and hovering for a while over the water before continuing on its way.
"Hope it has more success than me" I thought, before chucking my gear into the car and going on my way back to Edinburgh.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Back from Canada with a little story
Well I'm back from my 2 weeks holiday in Canada, got a dose of the lurgy
(Ive been coughing and splurting since I got back, too many people packed into a plane and all them germs flying around its no wonder you catch something--and jet lag doesn't help either)
But I had a great time.
No river fly fishing where I was,right down South,go across the Detroit river and you are in the USA,
just big lakes filled with perch, pike walleye etc.
I was based on the banks of Lake St Clare at the mouth of Belle River an ideal place for just casting your line sitting back and relaxing in the sun waiting for things to happen.
Its not too hot this time of the year,mid twenties and with a bar just up the track from where I was fishing,nice ice cold beer-what could be better.
I bought a little rod and reel and took my 5 year old grandson fishing for the very first time and he loved it.That got me thinking about the first time I went fishing,my grandad took me-here is my little story.
I think I was still in a pushchair when my grandad first took me down to one of the many small lochs that are dotted around Edinburgh.
We would go there to feed the ducks,I'm not sure how the fishing came about,it must have been by seeing other children doing it I would think.
A bamboo cane with a net on the end and a jam jar to put the fish in, that was the usual method to catch sticklebacks.
Not for me,my grandad showed me the proper way-with a worm and fishing rod.
My set -up consisted of a short section of cane as the rod, a length of thread tied on the end for the line
On the end of the thread he would tie on a little safety pin and then impale a nice juicy worm
(no hooks needed) dangle it in the water to entice the fishies to grab hold of the end of the worm and try and quickly whip them out the water into the jam jar.
Some of the sticklebacks let go and fell back in the water but with a little bit of luck you could get a nice few swimming around in your jar.
I think I wanted to take them home to show my mum but my grandad made me put them back.
He said "they will only die if we keep them in the jam jar for too long and they are to wee to eat,so we will put them back- maybe we can catch them again next time".
That's where it all began for me.
They say that every picture tells a story-well this one certainly does
62 years after my grandad took me fishing. I introduce my grandson-his first ever fishing trip and his first ever fish. A fisher is born? I hope so.
So that's it,end of holiday for this year,back to my favourite Clyde-wonder how it is fishing?
Do you think I enjoyed myself?
(Ive been coughing and splurting since I got back, too many people packed into a plane and all them germs flying around its no wonder you catch something--and jet lag doesn't help either)
But I had a great time.
No river fly fishing where I was,right down South,go across the Detroit river and you are in the USA,
just big lakes filled with perch, pike walleye etc.
I was based on the banks of Lake St Clare at the mouth of Belle River an ideal place for just casting your line sitting back and relaxing in the sun waiting for things to happen.
Its not too hot this time of the year,mid twenties and with a bar just up the track from where I was fishing,nice ice cold beer-what could be better.
I bought a little rod and reel and took my 5 year old grandson fishing for the very first time and he loved it.That got me thinking about the first time I went fishing,my grandad took me-here is my little story.
I think I was still in a pushchair when my grandad first took me down to one of the many small lochs that are dotted around Edinburgh.
We would go there to feed the ducks,I'm not sure how the fishing came about,it must have been by seeing other children doing it I would think.
A bamboo cane with a net on the end and a jam jar to put the fish in, that was the usual method to catch sticklebacks.
Not for me,my grandad showed me the proper way-with a worm and fishing rod.
My set -up consisted of a short section of cane as the rod, a length of thread tied on the end for the line
On the end of the thread he would tie on a little safety pin and then impale a nice juicy worm
(no hooks needed) dangle it in the water to entice the fishies to grab hold of the end of the worm and try and quickly whip them out the water into the jam jar.
Some of the sticklebacks let go and fell back in the water but with a little bit of luck you could get a nice few swimming around in your jar.
I think I wanted to take them home to show my mum but my grandad made me put them back.
He said "they will only die if we keep them in the jam jar for too long and they are to wee to eat,so we will put them back- maybe we can catch them again next time".
That's where it all began for me.
They say that every picture tells a story-well this one certainly does
62 years after my grandad took me fishing. I introduce my grandson-his first ever fishing trip and his first ever fish. A fisher is born? I hope so.
So that's it,end of holiday for this year,back to my favourite Clyde-wonder how it is fishing?
Do you think I enjoyed myself?
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Off to Canada
I didn't get as much fishing in as I hoped to before my trip to Canada.
I was going to try and get out today but it would be too much of a rush as I have washing to do bags to pack-that sort of thing.
Also off course, make sure I have everything-passport money etc.
So its off to Canada via Dublin to pick my daughters mum up-hope everything goes well-fingers crossed.
Im hoping to take my grandson out fishing on the banks of the Belle River,so all success or lack of it will be on my next post.
See you in a couple of weeks.
I was going to try and get out today but it would be too much of a rush as I have washing to do bags to pack-that sort of thing.
Also off course, make sure I have everything-passport money etc.
So its off to Canada via Dublin to pick my daughters mum up-hope everything goes well-fingers crossed.
Im hoping to take my grandson out fishing on the banks of the Belle River,so all success or lack of it will be on my next post.
See you in a couple of weeks.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Mid April.
We had a bit of a flush out last week which gave the river a well needed refreshment.
The trout have been very active with hatches of large dark olives and march browns ( been reading up on fly life--very interesting) around 1-00 to 3-00pm.
Plenty of rising fish but sometimes hard to tempt on the dry fly.
I had a couple the other day-no problem-hooked well in the mouth but yesterday out of the dozen or so I managed to fool into taking my fly, I only hooked one and that caught outside the mouth.
Getting more fish on the nymphs but losing a lot of them-some good ones at that.
Still, its nice to be active with the river fishing well,I thoroughly enjoy it.
I don't seem to get very far from the bridge,its not down to laziness,I just seem to find the action there and the time soon goes by.
At the start of the season I vowed that I would get a move on up/down the river--try different spots but it never works out that way--what the hell I enjoy it.
Talking about bridges-Wolfclyde--my watercolour is ready to pick up.so I must get it framed and hang it pride of place on my living room wall. When I am too old to get out fishing I can sit back, look at it, and dream.
I am away next week to Canada via Waterford and Dublin. I have to pick up an old acquaintance and take her over to see our daughter. I hope all goes well.
I will probably have another two or three days fishing, then get ready packing etc.
No fishy pics on this post,but a nice painting of a bridge.
Wolfclyde Bridge on a Spring day painted by Andrew Lyon
The trout have been very active with hatches of large dark olives and march browns ( been reading up on fly life--very interesting) around 1-00 to 3-00pm.
Plenty of rising fish but sometimes hard to tempt on the dry fly.
I had a couple the other day-no problem-hooked well in the mouth but yesterday out of the dozen or so I managed to fool into taking my fly, I only hooked one and that caught outside the mouth.
Getting more fish on the nymphs but losing a lot of them-some good ones at that.
Still, its nice to be active with the river fishing well,I thoroughly enjoy it.
I don't seem to get very far from the bridge,its not down to laziness,I just seem to find the action there and the time soon goes by.
At the start of the season I vowed that I would get a move on up/down the river--try different spots but it never works out that way--what the hell I enjoy it.
Talking about bridges-Wolfclyde--my watercolour is ready to pick up.so I must get it framed and hang it pride of place on my living room wall. When I am too old to get out fishing I can sit back, look at it, and dream.
I am away next week to Canada via Waterford and Dublin. I have to pick up an old acquaintance and take her over to see our daughter. I hope all goes well.
I will probably have another two or three days fishing, then get ready packing etc.
No fishy pics on this post,but a nice painting of a bridge.
Wolfclyde Bridge on a Spring day painted by Andrew Lyon
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Last week of March
Well the good weather has continued,we still have blue skies and light winds,unusual for Scotland at this time of the year (any time of the year up here) I am making the best of it while it lasts.
However, the river levels are getting a bit low so some rain is needed to give it a good flush out.
So for the final week of March I ventured out twice and had mixed fortunes. The first day I failed to catch--well I did hook two good fish,one was a grayling and the other a trout,but they slipped the hook before I could bring them to hand ( catch and release at a distance,they call it)
Both were in shallow fast water,a place that I wouldn't normally cast a line, but thinking about it now the reason why they were there could have been because there is more oxygen in the faster water--
I was saying that the river was running low.
I then missed a day and went out again, this time with better results.
I thought that I would do an afternoon session so arrived at the river about 3pm thinking that there may be some fly life on the water with rising trout here and there, but no-not a thing-the river looked a bit dead.
Walked up and downstream but couldn't see any rises to cast my dry fly to so opted to fish nymphs again.
Tried the fast water bit again and soon hooked a nice brown trout of about 11", a couple more jabs but nothing else.
After an hour or so I could see the odd fish rising so I quickly changed to the dry and had a take first cast,but no hook up resulted.
Tried chucking the dry fly at other rising fish but that was it,no more offers.
Back on the nymphs and soon had a very nice trout of about 1lb and a bit.
It gave me a good fight for its size-I don't think the photo does it justice-it was far chubbier and more beautifully coloured, not really shown on the picture below.
The end of an enjoyable afternoon at Wolfclyde Bridge on the last week of March
2 nice brown trout--I am happy with that.
However, the river levels are getting a bit low so some rain is needed to give it a good flush out.
So for the final week of March I ventured out twice and had mixed fortunes. The first day I failed to catch--well I did hook two good fish,one was a grayling and the other a trout,but they slipped the hook before I could bring them to hand ( catch and release at a distance,they call it)
Both were in shallow fast water,a place that I wouldn't normally cast a line, but thinking about it now the reason why they were there could have been because there is more oxygen in the faster water--
I was saying that the river was running low.
I then missed a day and went out again, this time with better results.
I thought that I would do an afternoon session so arrived at the river about 3pm thinking that there may be some fly life on the water with rising trout here and there, but no-not a thing-the river looked a bit dead.
Walked up and downstream but couldn't see any rises to cast my dry fly to so opted to fish nymphs again.
Tried the fast water bit again and soon hooked a nice brown trout of about 11", a couple more jabs but nothing else.
After an hour or so I could see the odd fish rising so I quickly changed to the dry and had a take first cast,but no hook up resulted.
Tried chucking the dry fly at other rising fish but that was it,no more offers.
Back on the nymphs and soon had a very nice trout of about 1lb and a bit.
It gave me a good fight for its size-I don't think the photo does it justice-it was far chubbier and more beautifully coloured, not really shown on the picture below.
The end of an enjoyable afternoon at Wolfclyde Bridge on the last week of March
2 nice brown trout--I am happy with that.
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