So.... Euan
and I had a day out on a 'loch near Inverness' yesterday, a water we have fished before but this time from the end we were not familiar with.
Conditions were perfect when we started and I do mean
perfect, with a nice SW wind just the right amount of sun, it was warm and there were flies hatching.
The trout thought it was perfect too and Euan was quickly into a nice trout:
It was a wee beauty, lovely markings:
Not that the trout were being shy, We hit the loch just right and yours truly was in amongst some nice trout quickly:
They fought like tigers, both our 10ft #4wts (Helios for me, an Access for Euan) bent nicely and often into some belting hard running trout which went far better than their size suggested. The markings on the fish were beautiful, stunning late season colours:
Lunchtime came around quickly and the usual leisurely lunch on the shore gave way to an urge to get back out on the water again. The forecast rain seemed to be missing us but, from our location up in the hills, the heavy clouds could be seen skirting around so we knew it was only a matter of time before the heavens opened. Fortunately, the fishing gods were still smiling on us and sport continued with plenty of trout between 8oz and 1lb with the very occasional tiddler thrown in.
Still the trout came, and perfect they were too:
But then the forecast rain arrived - thankfully later than expected with us - the wind changed direction 180 degrees and picked up. Boy did it piss down
Still, didn't seem to put the fish off which continued to hammer into our flies.
At this point Euan connected with easily the 'fish of the day' which was on for all too brief a time. I watched it roll over and take his bob fly. Easily 2lb+ it wasn't the only good fish we saw which bodes well for a return trip next year.
Anyway, at this point the rain eased and so did the wind. Now normally when the wind dies so does the fishing. Not so this day, the trout continued to rise so we gently sculled around until we found them and they still came willingly to pulled wets in a flat calm. Nice
We were both in our element, and Euan was a happy bunny as I believe this pic shows:
And to be honest, I wasn't all that unhappy either:
By the back of 6pm it was getting a might autumnal with a chill creeping in and the trout, finally, reluctant to take flies. So we beat a retreat to the shore.
I have no idea how many trout we caught - a lot. Actually, more than a lot. The fishing was epic, I don't think we had a single drift when we didn't connect with, land, move or see trout. Brilliant fun.
Great day, and a lovely way to start winding down the trout season. We'll be back there next year I think
H
