[Liam Stephen]

Hi Spencie,

Was it you that I spoke to under the metal bridge today, shortly after the heavens opened? Beautiful little fella you got there  

My day was disappointing... Until around 13.50 when on the opposite bank I could see a good number of fish rising in a little back edy (or is it eddie, or am I completely wrong? ) Anyways I tried to cover the risers from the bank I was on but it was hopeless, instant drag! Hmmm decision time, do I stay on this bank or cross over... I scrambled back towards the bridge, leaped the fences and scurried down the steep bank. As I approached the fish I could see a multitude of fly life: MBs, LDOs, Small Olives, Grannom and occasionally the odd Stonefly. There was a good mix of different size fish in this little stretch, the bigger ones were feeding like crazy grabbing any morsel which floated past, the smaller ones were picking off what they could. I opted for a size 12 JT olive, half a dozen casts later my efforts were rewarded with a plump 1/2lber. The JT olive continued to work taking a few more little guys, however it was a hassle to keep afloat. 'Ah bugger it' off it came and on went a highly ginked size 14 CDC n Elk. I spotted a decent-ish rise to the left of a little riffle and cast towards it, nothing. I cast to the same spot again but this time gave it a little tweak, the fly was nailed!!   A beautifully marked,  fat fish leaped clear of the water. He made a good account of himself that's for sure. After some more acrobatics I eventually netted him, size wise... 14 inches, 1.25-1.5lbs? Success!! I headed for home with a big grin on my face  

I will be visiting this spot again that's for sure  

Liam

[spencie]

Liam

I don't know if it was me you spoke to, I was at Upper PH. I did speak to a chap at the car park by the bridge who was salmon fishing and someone who was accross the river who caught a couple of trout as well.

Stuart

[Liam Stephen]

No it wasn't then 

The pic of your fish looked of similar size to the one of the guy I spoke 

Liam

[Iain Cameron]

a good number of fish rising in a little back edy (or is it eddie, or am I completely wrong

Eddy. That's what ya want.

Edy is a Japanese smart card

Eddie is a large comedian with a perm, or a crater in the Elysium quadrangle of Mars at 12.3° north latitude and 217.9° west longitude. It is 89 km in diameter and was named after Lindsay Eddie, a South African astronomer (love Wikipedia)

But spelling aside, nice report and a great fish
Cheers, Iain

[Loxiafan]

I opted for a size 12 JT olive, half a dozen casts later my efforts were rewarded with a plump 1/2lber. The JT olive continued to work taking a few more little guys, however it was a hassle to keep afloat.

Jeez min Size 12 on a JT Olive is B-I-G !  I use 19's and 17's on 103BL's or 18 and 16 if using Grip 11011BL's  My size 17 matched the March Browns where I was today. They can get a bit claggy after catching - I use Frog Fanny (Toads Tush is not as good) to brush on the CDC fibres and it works a treat. CDC Oil clogs the CDC fibres and as I understand it the oil should not be used on CDC feathers  ???

Well done on the fish, must get out your way soon, but doesn't look like it will be next Monday now unfortunately.

Lindsay

[Iain Cameron]

.... CDC Oil clogs the CDC fibres and as I understand it the oil should not be used on CDC feathers  ???

?? Odd.  I've found CDC oil is great for keeping my CDC flies afloat. Hmmm. I try to use as little as possible, and then fluff up the feathers a bit, makes them a bit straggly looking, but in a good fuzzy way. After taking a fish, i dry the fly off on a scrap of rag, and it's good to go again. I think CDC oil is  great stuff, but I'll look out for the clogging now that you've mentioned it?
Cheers, i

[Loxiafan]

Hi Iain,

It was in "Tying Flies The CDC" way. I don't believe everything I read though and did try the oil. I felt it stuck the fbres together but by using kitchen towel I managed to salvage them. The Frogs Fanny dries the fibres and allows them to remain fluffy and work naturally. I know a few of you on here like the Oil so maybe just me ?

L

[Liam Stephen]

Jeez min Size 12 on a JT Olive is B-I-G !  I use 19's and 17's on 103BL's or 18 and 16 if using Grip 11011BL's  My size 17 matched the March Browns where I was today. They can get a bit claggy after catching - I use Frog Fanny (Toads Tush is not as good) to brush on the CDC fibres and it works a treat. CDC Oil clogs the CDC fibres and as I understand it the oil should not be used on CDC feathers  ???

Well done on the fish, must get out your way soon, but doesn't look like it will be next Monday now unfortunately.

Lindsay

My mistake  it looks to be tied on a size 14 SLD, it's not actually a JT olive but it's damned near. The 14 was a perfect match today as far as I was concerned.  Lindsay how do you spot your fly at distance? I was finding it hard picking mine out from the naturals at close range (20ft) today  A size 17 or 19 you say, now that must be tough going? 

Liam

[Loxiafan]

Lindsay how do you spot your fly at distance? I was finding it hard picking mine out from the naturals at close range (20ft) today  A size 17 or 19 you say, now that must be tough going? 

Usually I am using them in smooth glides and creases at around 20-25ft so not too difficult. I try to watch where fly lands and follow it down. On a JT the wings are pointing slightly forward as opposed to up or back on the natural Duns and this helps too. Doesn't seem to bother the fish ! It is truly a fantastic fly, very well designed and more importantly easy to tie ! 

Lindsay

[Liam Stephen]

Similar day to yesterday today. I got off the mark slightly earlier on the JT Olive 16, half a dozen or so fish to 3/4 lbs from two of my favourite little pools. I then crossed over the river and visited what is now my favourite wee riffley glide and the fish were moving in numbers again. I spotted the big boys (what looked like three fish) picking off upwings at the tail of the riffle. I switched to a CDC n Elk for better visibility and cast it over them. The drift was perfect and the fly was taken by a decent fish of just under 2 lbs. Sadly I lost him as he went airborne and I didn't keep enough tension on the line  . I was a little frustrated but I could still see a couple of others rising, I cast into more of less the same spot a few more times and was in again . This one was smaller but still very welcome after a good tussle I got the net under him. He was around 1.25 lbs a stunningly marked fish! He swam off strongly back to the depths. I also saw a nice Sea Trout jump. That was pretty much it folks 

Liam

[Noel Kelly]

Similar day to yesterday today. I got off the mark slightly earlier on the JT Olive 16, half a dozen or so fish to 3/4 lbs from two of my favourite little pools. I then crossed over the river and visited what is now my favourite wee riffley glide and the fish were moving in numbers again. I spotted the big boys (what looked like three fish) picking off upwings at the tail of the riffle. I switched to a CDC n Elk for better visibility and cast it over them. The drift was perfect and the fly was taken by a decent fish of just under 2 lbs. Sadly I lost him as he went airborne and I didn't keep enough tension on the line  . I was a little frustrated but I could still see a couple of others rising, I cast into more of less the same spot a few more times and was in again . This one was smaller but still very welcome after a good tussle I got the net under him. He was around 1.25 lbs a stunningly marked fish! He swam off strongly back to the depths. I also saw a nice Sea Trout jump. That was pretty much it folks 

Liam

Very good to hear there is now some regular sport to be had. You need to start bringing the camera with you Liam

[Matt Henderson]

Agree with that Noel. No pictures = it didn't happen!

[Liam Stephen]

Noel  

I have pics. From this season and last but I can't seem to get them uploaded   I'm gonna pinch my parents camera from now on and hopefully I'll have something worthwhile to show soon  

Any joy tonight?

Liam

[Noel Kelly]

No liam nothing.

[Matt Henderson]

Anybody seen the river today? Is it running clear?

[Liam Stephen]

What!? How the flippin hell is the river up 7 inches?  Bloody weather, hopefully it'll be fishable tomorrow? 

Liam

[Matt Henderson]

Just checked the levels on fishdpal. Don't look great. Oh well Spey casting practise with my left hand up it is!

[Loxiafan]

.....and still rising. Anyone else noticing how it pishes down on a Thursday and Friday just in time to completely blooter the weekend trouting ?  As has been emphasized previously can the wife that is doing the rain dance in order to get the decorating etc done please stop NOW.

I can't speak for you guys but weather and water conds have been so bad this season I have been going out and having a go on day's that I wouldn't normally fish, as relatively speakling they have been the 'best' days    No wonder catch returns are down.

Lindsay

[Ben Dixon]

There are salmon about and a woolly bugger (#4 with orange bead) will pick up trout right next to the bank with 3' on at Kintore providing it is steady or falling and there is minimum 18" visibility.

It was up at Kintore at least 7" on last night at about 8PM, didn't notice the colour, I was driving too quick!

Ben

[Rob Brownfield]

Its looking like Monymusk is going to be in for a shock tomorrow when I turn up with my flies Mught have to take the salmon rods too..just in case.

[Liam Stephen]

Just drove over the bridge at Inverurie and it's not looking too coloured (this was at a glance though) I'm gonna give it a go tomorrow to see  

Liam

[Noel Kelly]

There are salmon about and a woolly bugger (#4 with orange bead) will pick up trout right next to the bank with 3' on at Kintore providing it is steady or falling and there is minimum 18" visibility.

Ben

That's the spirit Ben 

[Matt Henderson]

Once I finish painting the forking lavvy I'm going to grad out for a cast. We'll see how it goes.

Does anybody else find that the mere mention of DIY annoys them!

[Noel Kelly]

Once I finish painting the forking lavvy I'm going to grad out for a cast. We'll see how it goes.

Does anybody else find that the mere mention of DIY annoys them!

Yes! It's bloody never ending round my gaff.

[Liam Stephen]

Can anyone hazard a guess as to what shape the river will be in tomorrow? Obviously it'll be up but will it be clearing? 

Liam