[Rob Brownfield]

I discovered a fantastic product up at Ullapool last year called Stop Bite. Does what it says on the tin!

http://www.stopbite.com/

Does not smell too bad and it is totally natural.

Well worth the £5.99

[Derek Roxborough]

Up to the mid 70's the old inn was a temperance pub and then it became a mini market before it became a old fashioned traditional pub  easgach 1

[Ben Dixon]

If you can get it Avon "skin so soft" works and some of the stores over there do sell it. Once again DO NOT get it on your fly line or flies.

Only works if you want to look like a leper at the end of the week and smell like an old woman Euan.  I know it works for some but not for me.

Only thing I've tried that actually works, is not toxic and does not trash fishing gear is the Life Systems all natural kiddies insect repellent.  Comes in a small silver pump spray, needs to be reapplied every three hours or so and stings a bit if you get it too near your lips, eyes or up your nose.  Was available from Blacks, about £8.00 a bottle and I got through one and a bit last time I was away for a week.

Cheers

Ben

[Noel Kelly]

Up to the mid 70's the old inn was a temperance pub and then it became a mini market before it became a old fashioned traditional pub  easgach 1

A temperance pub I have a feeling you aren't joking though ???

[Andy Finlay]

You should be OK up to June for Midges but with the way the winter has been they may be a bit early this year if it stays mild.

I'm no expert on flies but I've had some fun on very small klinks when things have been quite calm, definately go with Peters recomendation for DHS.

I also tried an Orange blob just for a change, nearly got thrown out the boat by my fishing partner though, bloody traditionalists

[Ben Dixon]

I also tried an Orange blob just for a change, nearly got thrown out the boat by my fishing partner though, bloody traditionalists

Orange blobs rock, particularly the ones with rubber legs!

Ben

[Euan Innes]

Orange blobs rock, particularly the ones with rubber legs!

Ben

Are those the same ones you put on Claret Bumbles? 

What the hell, whatever works! 

 

[TimTheFlier]

As promised, here's a quick summary of the trip:

Fished the wild hill lochs around Gairloch on the West Coast of Scotland.  The weather was cold and showery but there were also some occasional sunny spells.  Water temp was around 8 deg.

Not sure whether the success rate was down to poor technique or the weather conditions but managed 7 "broonies" over the four days which I was very happy with.

The "claret bumble" was the most effective seconded by my own variation on a bibio pattern: palmered olive hackles, Brown hen hackle at the head and a yellow goose biot tail (picture to follow).



For anyone who hasn't tried this type of fishing I strongly recommend it - it wasn't about the number or size of fish, merely the wild and totally natural experience of it.



Tightlines
TtF

[Iain Goolager]

really liking the photo's Tim 

result!

Iain

[Dutchfly]

Excellent Tim, thanks for posting!

We're flying to Inverness next Tuesday, I'll post a report also.

Jeroen

[Euan Innes]

Way to go Tim! 
I knew you'd love that area and the troot. For me a drifting boat and three flies is the nirvana of fly fishing.
The slap of the water on the hull, the cry of the curlew, the slurp of a troot taking the fly, the craftsmanship of proper boat management, the SCENERY and the gentle horse riding like roll of the waves is tranquillity and perfection in one.
Damn roll on Assynt!
Great photos and great troot. Glad you enjoyed it!

 

[Derek Roxborough]

see you are up at a favourite local loch, next year the laird is restricting it for paying guests, easgach 1

[TimTheFlier]

Indeed, although I believe it is likely to be a little more imminent than that.  We met the Laird who informed us that we were likely to be the last paying guests.

Apparently he's doing a good job of upsetting the locals over management of the estate (according to the few we had the pleasure of contact with whilst there) - I would've thought a local community such as that one, would require a little more delicacy and diplomacy - ah well, what do I know, I'm a mere mortal that pays for his fishing.

Take the opportunity today fellow fishers, it may not be possible tomorrow.

Regards & tightlines as always
Tim

[Derek Roxborough]

He's already Taken the river off our angling club, by the way who charged you for fishing the M*** loch or did you just buy a hill loch ticket?, I was over at another lochan over the hill from the M*** loch this afternoon, managed more than a dozen , but then I live there,, there are another 22 lochs that the club leases but the new Laird thinks he's going to make the estate pay , something his old man couldnt do, but then the new laird is a country member    easgach1

[TimTheFlier]

Easgach1,

My mate arranged all the permits, however I believe the ones for M*** loch were bought in the local petrol station (on behalf of the club?).

Originally it did not include M*** loch, but when we met the Laird, he kindly offered us to fish the M*** loch as the last public guests, as he was intending to return it to his own use - so I guess he's not all bad - could just do with trying to integrate with the locals rather than stir them up.

We also managed another 2 of the lochs up there (a small kidney shaped loch next to M*** and the large one beyond that if you kept walking) although blanked in both of them.

When we went back to the petrol station the following day for permits and boat key for Loch T***, we were told that the Laird had come down demanding to know who sold us the permits and if we came back to just return our money !

I think you live in a wonderful part of the world with some excellent wild fishing on your doorstep.  Having discovered the delights, I can assure you I shall be returning.

If you're ever over on the East Coast, PM me and I'll be happy to show you some of our local rivers if you're not already familiar.

Tim

[Derek Roxborough]

The man takes a lot on himself, He cant just go round doing things like that,we have had meetings with him  but he has this " it's mine "mentallity,  he is also hoping to magically revive Loch Maree,but thats his privilege,easgach 1