A reunion in the highlands!
10/08/13 A reunion…
It had been a long time since I had wet a line with one of my best friends from back home, who incidentally is one of the main reasons that I started out trying to catch fish in the first place. Jamie, who now lives up in Aberdeen, had come over for a few days fishing and general catching up. We had been out the evening before catching trout and finnock from the boat but now it was salmon loch style fishing for real. The day started out pretty well with a lovely breeze coming down past the narrows (where all the salmon have to pass) and over the drop off. We carefully got the boat into position and got the flies in the water. As usual the hours of banter and crack soon mounted and we realised that the salmon might not be in a playing mood. Just as I was deciding to change over to trout flies we both got the shock of the day shooting through our spines as a huge swirl came behind my Kate McLaren muddler. It’s one of those moments that gets the senses turned up to critical level and all the old jokes and tales became redundant in an anticipation of what could unfold. I’d love to say that we got another rise but sadly that was the only action from the salmon all day.
We changed over to trout flies and Jamie soon had a nice fish on (this secret weapon of mine usually sorts them out!). I was then also into a fish at the same time. Double hook-up! This was more like it! My fish was quickly dealt with and released whilst Jamie played a much better fish to the net. A fine trout just under a pound lay in the net and posed for a quick shot. We went on until 18:00 catching trout and finnock and returned happy after a most enjoyable day afloat.
11/08/13
Myself, Jamie and my very good friend George fished from the bank at another venue that I had only fished once way back in the 90’s. George had assured us that some better fish were on the cards so we soon found ourselves up to our waists wading and casting over the shelf. Some of the fish that were showing further out were certainly in the size range that we all dream of. Funny how they always seem to stay there, just out of casting range, displaying themselves isn’t it?
Both Jamie and George started to catch fish on a variety of flies leaving me behind to take some photos. It was one of those days when I just couldn’t do anything right. You name it, it happened to me. The cries of laughter could be heard all around the loch but persistence, as they say, pays off.
Suddenly the hare’s ear sedgehog on my cast was annihilated and I was shouting to George for the net, as this was “the one”! Steady, strong runs away from me indicated that it was one worth waiting for. Agonisingly slowly the fish came towards the net when George let out a huge cry of…..laughter. A half-pound trout with the lie wrapped around its tail soon came into view spiralling backwards towards the waiting net. What a demon I am, eh???
Jamie left in the afternoon to drive back down to Aberdeen and both myself and George thoroughly enjoyed his companionship over the two days. Fishing with friends is such an integral part of our pastime. You may not catch as much as when you're on your own but the memories of fish, fun and friendship far outlast any trophy or photo on your living room wall.
