[Iain Stewart]

Cracking start to the 2020 alleviation of lockdown. The usual reprobates One Fin Ed, Fractures Steve and Tiny Euan met (Social distancing application compliant) for some float tubing capers.

The day was bright with a slight breeze, the trouts were compliant at first and then decided for an hour to social distance too. Then happily came back to the wets.



The two tubes in the picture worked well at fish and the range of toys on display would have made Stirling Angling Centre jealous.



Some
Nice troots up to 14” were landed on the 3weight rods. These made for wonderful sport with the more frequent 1/4lbs fish.
I even managed to get the 476 Epic out for some fun Sandy.




Thanks to Hamish for getting me off and running with the tube and Sandy for the EPIC rod.
Traditional wets were the order of the day, Bibio’s, Palmers, Pennels, Katie, Snatchers, PTN and hoppers amongst the patterns on the day.

End of day came at 7:30pm with everyone either knackered, suffering cramps or just plain happy with the world and ready for supper.
Thanks Shandra for another recharge of the fishing soul.

[Mike Barrio]

Great stuff  ....... Sunburn?

[Iain Stewart]

Managed to remember to apply once a day before leaving house so ok, nae sure the rest of the crews. 

[Euan Innes]

I am a touch rosie on the cheeks today but other than that, just fine. I had a long sleeve t shirt on and my replacement Tilley hat. My old one wore out after twenty five years of faithful service and true to their word, Tilley replaced it with a new one.
It was great to be back out in a tube, especially in that heat. No need for thermals under the breathables yesterday 
The troot might not have been large that came to my net but oh my, were they pretty.
Thanks Shandra and thanks lads for a great day out.
Next?

Euan

[Steven Sinclair]

I got burnt 😂

Although I did manage to plug away quite successfully considering I was casting with a fractured wrist and hobbling on a fractured knee 😂

My key success of the trip has to be the drill motor though. Even I was laughing at myself before we took it on the water and quickly realised that it's just as powerful as my trolling motor 😎 I can see it being handy as an emergency motor but we're currently thinking of having another and fitting row lock mounts for powered oars just for a laugh 😂

https://youtu.be/aO-gnGLOJaU

 

Steven

[Eddie Sinclair]

Gents,

Indeed it was a great day out and a fantastic start to phase one of lockdown. I must be getting old, not sure about Iain and Euan but my old legs are a tad stiff and tender today with all that paddling in the tube. Plenty trout and plenty laughs and good to catch up. Roll on the next one.

Eddie 

[Peter McCallum]

Who do you get the permits from these days guys

[Eddie Sinclair]

Peter,

It’s the first farm on the left after you turn off the main road to head up to Shandra. My mate Iain who is also on the forum has the phone details so I will send him a message to post the contact details. The permits and boat house keys were left in a box outside the house and you just put the money in the box.

Eddie

[Iain Stewart]

It has all changed Peter actually.
Rab Pate runs it nowadays (he used to long ago) and stays in the small group of houses beofe you turn left up towards the forest.
His number is  01575 582712 .
If you turn off the main road head up the rough track, stick to the right (you used to go up to the farm on the left), round a couple bends (watch for other traffic), I want to say it is the first road on the right and he is the second house on the right.

Tight lines.