Down Lochter way last week there was a considerable easing of the ice, which meant there was plenty of water available to cast your favourite fly.
The most consistent fly of last week (if it can strictly be called one) was the bloodworm in all its now variant forms. In days gone by the humble worm was the prized possession of many a schoolboy, which if you were lucky enough to have access to a rod meant you could look forward to a whole day of unlimited adventure on the nearest burn or if particularly lucky then an actual river. These were the heady days before mobile phones and tablets held you prisoner in your home. Risk and reward were an everyday and accepted part of life and as you trotted your worm downstream in hopefully high or flood receding water then all the better as you knew some big fish would be hugging the sides. You knew worming done properly was an underestimated skill and the hours without reward were soon forgotten when the line suddenly tightened and the fight was on! As your equipment was makeshift and second hand any bounty you were lucky enough to actually land was proudly taken home as an appeasement to your mum for not being home for teatime or indeed daylight. Happy times indeed.
Looking through the returns book there was a considerable amount of anglers happy to be testing their techniques against the mid winter conditions that prevailed. Pete Green from Huntly had 17 fish on the bloodworm which was one better than his partner Karen Gillies who also fished the bloodworm. Paul Ingram from Newmachar tried out the squirmy worm for the first time and he got 9 fish for his day. Simon Ruddiman deftly fished the shammy worm and brought 8 fish to the net and Albert Trail kept the faith by fishing the squirming worm and for his 4-hour session he had 7 fish.
Other notable effort during the week were Steve Corsar and Andy Barrowman who were both in double figures for their sessions, but the flies they so skilfully used remain clouded in secrecy known only to themselves as they were not disclosed in the returns book. Graham Duthie had 15 fish during the course of a 6-hour session on black blobs. Steve Prince changed between buzzers and a hares lug and got 11 fish. Pete Young fish the Muckle Troot all day and got 11 fish on small black lures and Brian Ross fished lures for a change and got 7 nice plump fish for his efforts.
A reminder that the Rabbie Burns Pairs Competition takes place at Lochter, weather permitting, on Sunday the 28th of January, with a 9.30am start. There are plenty of prizes to be won. There is a £20 entry free which includes a hearty haggis, neeps and tatties lunch. There is a limited amount of places still available so to secure your entry call Stuart at the bothy on 01651 872787.
Tight Lines
SP 16/01/18
