[James Laraway]

So yesterday the weather wasn't looking too bad so i thought i would take the opportunity for a wee cast after old Esox. I went to the same loch near aviemore that i tried last year and where i missed a couple of good takes.
Luckily the weather was calm but a little chilly so i headed out in the tube.
Within 10 mins i was in . A fairly gentle take but a great strong fight and a lovely fish in the net.
I would have filmed the fight but the battery was dead on my 'action camera' so i didn't really get any good photos of here as i was scared of dropping my phone overboard !
Only managed about 3 hours of fishing as my feet were getting cold but a good day was had.
She took a 'pike imitation' on a Barrio Predator intermediate line with a free running cone on the leader to get down a bit.

[Mike Barrio]

Nice one James, good to get out and blow away the cobwebs 

[James Laraway]

so this year i joined Dornoch Angling Club for something a bit different.

As the weather was nice on Friday i headed up to fish Loch Lannsaidh which is their stocked loch in the hills about 15 mins from dornoch.

All their lochs look lovely and natural, as did this one



I was fishing from the tube and as i was setting up there were fish moving everywhere ( it had been stocked a couple of weeks ago)

I had great sport and got 14 for my day on a mix of lines , flies and tactics.

If you  are ever in the area you can also get day permits for most of the lochs.

Im looking forward to trying their wild trout lochs too but thought i would start with the 'bows.

One of two of their trout lochs have a reputation for good brownies so looking forward to that ! Also being a member i can get access to Loch Brora also 

[Sandy Nelson]

Looks fantastic 

[Mike Barrio]

Nice one James, sounds awesome 

[James Laraway]

So another new loch for me on saturday, one of Dornoch Angling Clubs wild trout waters.





Although it was not due to rain we seem to be suffering from sea fog at the moment which really cools things down.

Anyway, having struggled to find the loch through forestry roads i came upon it and it was a lovely wee loch amoungst the heather. No wading here as you would sink without trace but the banks were good.

Set up with my #4 glass and started working one bank. About 5 mins in I get one of about 1/2 lb on a gosling style peter ross on point ( size 8 so they are not afraid of big flies !)

I then work my way down and about 20 mins later i get another, more 3/4 to 1lb on a black cormorant, again on the point.

I am seeing a splash, then a pause then a pull so i think they are going for the dropper, missing then taking the point fly.

I fish for about 3 hours and land 4 and miss a few. A good wee trip out considering the weather was a wee bit chilly

The last fish is a right bruiser and smashes the fly on the dropper for once ( black and red muddler). It takes to the air and makes a right thump as it re-enters the water. There is a great bend on the rod and the fight is hard. I think this one is somewhere between 1 1/4 and 1 1/2....unfortunately the photo doesnt show its size or how massively fat it was



I'll be back....