[Iain Goolager]

Hi Matt,

I made the decision last night to fish a pool that I last fished 3 seasons ago and it was a big dissapointment, despite altering fly and leader densities all I could do was remove all of the mossy weed from the tops of the numerous boulders 

So I jumped in the car and headed for spot #2, after that long walk I had a half dozen casts before receiving a call from one of those big metally structures in the sea and it was game abandoned. I did stop off, on the long walk back, to fish a section of deep slow water which was not created for the fly & managed to hook a lively brownie of about 2lb. He wasn't on for long which is good as those are meant to be caught on shorter wooden rods. Nice timely reminder though

Iain

[Liam Stephen]

Iain 

What sort of fly did the brownie take? Is it a common thing to hook one while salmon fishing? 

Liam

[Iain Goolager]

Hi Liam,

It's not uncommon to hook Brownies on Salmon flies. I'm sure I've encountered them every season & had them from around 3/4 lb to about 4lb.
I hate it for a few reasons, primarily I don't like pricking large doubles into them, secondly when Salmon fishing you want every pull or hook up to be with the intended quarry & thirdly you can fish all season for Brownies, matching hatches, being as technical as you can and never get as big a fish. 



not my flies, but for all intents & purposes this is what he took.

Won't be long now.

Iain

[Iain Goolager]

Another Go Pro delight?

Iain

[Barry Robertson]

Looking forward to seeing these clips once i get off this rig!

[Paul Garrigan]

Top stuff Iain.  You must have thought for a bit it was springer after that first run? 

[danbruce]

Cracking clip Iain, heres hoping your next one is a springer.

Cheers

Dan

[Noel Kelly]

Looks like fun Iain. We're you trying to teach it to fly there bit before you landed it?

[Kev Danby]

Fished the Don on at Inverurie on Saturday alas no fish, no water and the wind was a pest. There were a good few people fishing no one had caught, there were a few Kelts moving and one good sized trout coming up on on a regular basis. The Bailiff made an appearance and said a few fresh fish had been taken off the lower beats.

Still it was better than decorating.

 

[Noel Kelly]

one good sized trout coming up on on a regular basis.
 

Now that's what I like to hear

[Iain Goolager]

 Me too Trig 

[Liam Stephen]

Me three guys  

Can't wait for the season to begin   
Liam

[Liam Stephen]

Only 16 more sleeps to go   

As the start of the new season falls on Sunday the 1st of April, fishing the Don is ruled out  . So as I'm desperate to get out on the 1st I was thinking on giving the little River Ury a go. A new river for me, I have had a few guys share some info and tactics  but I'm still a little unsure. Just wondered if anyone fancies showing me the ropes on this stretch of water or just exploring a new bit of water too? 

Cheers
Liam

[Liam Stephen]

Was down the River today trying my luck at a bit of Salmon fishing  . I've only tried it once before so... You can imagine  . Had what I think was a rattle and that was it 

At about 11.25 a few flies started to come off, followed by a few more and a few more. From what I could tell they were defo Large Dark Olives and March Browns. The MBs were huge  . I sat around for a while before wandering down to my favourite pool and the fish were rising  some big boys too by the looks of things. Hatch lasted for around 30mins.

Great to watch, gives me hope for the new season. I'm counting down the days now 

Liam

[Noel Kelly]

Good stuff Liam. Hurry on April!

[Liam Stephen]

Been down the river the past couple of days, its in great shape, perhaps a tiny bit low  but the clarity of the water is immense!! I was able to spot the trout nymphing and track them as they came to the surface today. Lots of fly life to report  LDO and MBs in great numbers along with the occasional ginormous Stonefly. The Brownies have been going bonkers, loads of fish showing including some big ones!   

I can't wait till Monday 

Liam

[danbruce]

Sounds good Liam, will be glad once it's sunday.

Was out today with the Salmon rod for a few hours before work, back to a popular pool out Dyce way. Wasn't going to bother but glad i did now.

Not a springer but my first Salmon, so as you can imagine i am well chuffed.
Managed to beach it but was hard to find a suitable area as the river is so low.
As i keep my phone in a water proof pouch attached to my vest i managed to take a quick photo before i released it. Guessing it was 23"-25", dunno what that would be in lbs?
And to make things even sweeter it was caught on a fly i tied up myself.


Have to say a big thanks to Ben for the casting lesson (will be back up to see you again) and for answering all and any questions i had.
Also Rob and Sandy for advice on Tying up some tube flies that look good in the flow.

Cheers,

Dan

[Iain Goolager]

Dan the man!

Congratulations Dan on hooking into your first Salmon, pity it was a kelt but that's where the pity ends.

A bend in the double hander and on a self tied fly. 

Well done

Iain

[Hamish Young]

Nice start 

H

[Euan Innes]

Nice one Dan!
That will stay with you for a long time. 

 

[Noel Kelly]

That's great Dan you will never forget that one.

[danbruce]

Cheers guys,

Will certainly keep me smiling for a few weeks.

Dan

[Ben Dixon]

Superb Dan 

Ben

[Rob Brownfield]

 

Sweet looking tube! Very similer to some I tied up for a wee trip out tomorrow. Thats my confidence now sky high that they will work.

Congrats.

[Liam Stephen]

Was down the Kintore stretch of the Don today. Arrived at my favourite stretch for 11.55 and waited. About 10 mins later a few MBs started trickling past with some LDOs and small Olives (b.w.o) 

The hatch never really happened though , well not like it previously had on Mon and Tues anyways. A few fish were sporadically showing but again nothing special. There was a fair wind today, perhaps that put them off? I just hope we haven't missed the best of the hatches 

Two days to go!! 

Liam