Fishing The Fly Scotland
Index => Rivers & Lochs => Topic started by: Mike Barrio on 12/02/2021 at 11:00
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Fingers crossed for a good season ..... Enjoy :z16
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Some grue :z7
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Looking a bit bigger this morning
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Any place I can get the river temperature online? I was hoping it was on the SEPA site but alas, nope.
I have a thermometer on the way, but it would be interesting to see if the temperature was available electronically somewhere.
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So after a couple of weeks of fruitlessly dredging the bottom and getting bored pretty quickly, things changed into rod and line testing for extreme conditions. Heavens be praised the fish have finally started looking up over the weekend. So all is right with the world again.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-300321091617.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6464)
March browns and LDO’s have been coming off in short spurts from 11 through to 4 and each spurt has , if you have been in the right place brought a few fish to the top. The MBs seem to be favourite just now.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-300321091738.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6465)
Some good sized finnock in amongst them
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-300321091818.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6466)
The windows of rising fish have been about 20-30mins so if you spot one be sure to be ready . My best so far was this devil who was hugging the near bank in 12” of water and his tail was breaking the surface each time he took a fly
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-300321092001.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6467)
Not huge numbers but decent size fish in good condition and all on the dry
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-300321092145.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6468)
A happily balanced Sandy :z12
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Great stuff Sandy :z16
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Nice Sandy :z16
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Good effort Sandy
Eddie :z18
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Good times Sandy.
I snuck out yesterday PM, saw an occasional MB, and not a single olive. Two one-off rises early afternoon. Covered both, pricked one, landed one (at 2lb, so a happy me). Saw a flattish, slick pocket surrounded by faster water; looked worth a cast, so ran a CDC emerger over it a few times and pulled up a few trout around the 1lb mark. Like Sandy said, trout are looking up more and more, and were for me willing to come up for a dry.
i of course forgot to charge my fishing camera over the winter, so no pics
cheers all
iain
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I caught a nice window at the weekend and had a proper Red letter couple of hours. Water temp 9 Degrees certainly helped.
One of the best fishing experiences i've ever had. March browns hatching and after 30mins of the fish rising and missing the naturals they suddenly decided they were food.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-080421161908.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6475)
Some cracking fish
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-080421162117.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6476)
All on the Dry CDC spider, tweeked to be a march brown.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-080421162419.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6477)
Realy pleased i got the new 24" Hoop net made during the winter :shock
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-080421162514.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6478)
Then the weather changed and ive been decorating until today, when i nipped out for a couple of hours and found some shelter.
Had to resort to the nymph but managed a couple of nice ones even though the water temperature is back to 5 degrees.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-080421162725.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6479)
Dropped another big one too, but i fancy it was Kelt as it looked pretty silver in the water.
heres hoping the water temp creeps back up for next week.
Sandy
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Great stuff :z16
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Thanks for the add Mike.
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Welcome to the forum Stevie :z16
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Excellent stuff Sandy and good to see regular surface feeding fish now.
Good hatches now on Deveron but like the Don it took a while to get going.
Spey just beginning to show signs of life now.
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Had a some fun in the sun this afternoon with Colin and some dinosaurs
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-140421174748.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6506)
Was test driving a new toy, i finished at the weekend and it is rather a lot of fun
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-140421174906.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6507)
Cracking hatch from about 1pm onwards brought quite a few fish to the surface to nail MB's and LDO's great fun with a 3wt.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-140421174952.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6508)
Colin finally got off the mark and did it in style on the dry with a fine Seatrout kelt in great condition.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-140421175058.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6509)
flurries of flies kept going until about 3, this guy looked like he had been in the wars, but put up a great scrap
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-140421175144.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6510)
All temps on the up, i reckon it could be a great weekend. :z18
Sandy
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Certainly hope so Sandy.
Interesting the damage on the last fish, i got one almost identical damage but on the other side. Some marks on the less damaged flank so something's grabbed it.
Same place on the fish as yours; maybe an otter although these are my favourite guys so don't grudge them a few troots :)
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Allan
This one had more marks the same on the other side. Looked like they healed a good time ago. They were basically white patches without colour scales.
I’ve had quite a few fish with damage like this already this season. I’ve been thinking perhaps cormorant escapees at a younger age as the clamp marks go straight up and down on either side, like it’s been hit from above with a serrated pair of scissors
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I had ~3lb trout last week on Don with similar marks and locations, also think was cormorant as there was one flying around, as parkhill area
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On fishing the Don last week I saw an Osprey take a fish from just downstream of me, then be chased and hounded by crows until it dropped the fish in the field opposite. Quite a sight!
All adds to the day on the river, :-)
Steven
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Didn't see any Osprey's today, but I did encounter some trout. Never expected too much from the day, but I was pleasantly surprised. I stuck to my plan of fishing only Clyde Style Wet flies cast upstream, and connected with 5 fish and landed 3, with a nice 2lb fish weighed in the net.
Good suggested casts on page 33 of Robert C. Sharps book, :wink
I'm a very happy person!
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/907-170421193853.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6515)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/907-170421194024.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6516)
Steven
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Great stuff Steven :z18
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Excellent Steven, well Done.
Eddie
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Great stuff Steven 👍
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Well done Steven,
I’m finding it hard going but early this evening, I was delighted to connect with this long slim fella.
Awesome to witness the fight in the water clarity.
Had a few pull’s later at the tail of a streamer nearer sunset.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-170421225559.jpeg)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-170421230045.jpeg)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-170421230319.jpeg)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-170421230436.jpeg)
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Just magic Stevie!, its great to be out, :z4
Steven
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It’s been a long while what with pandemics and work etc. But finally managed a few good days back on the river.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/10804-200421143000.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6524)
Amazing fight again on the #4
:z18
Geoff
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Oh forgot to add. It was released to fight another day nine the wiser :z16
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/10804-200421143431.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6525)
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Nice fish, well done Geoff.
Eddie
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Cracker Geoff :z16
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Yep, nice one Geoff :z16
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A couple of days worth of Dry fly fish
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-240421191540.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6540)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-240421191613.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6541)
Large dark olives the main fly on the go
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-240421191650.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6542)
One of the prettiest fish so far this year, the photo doesn’t do it justice. Proportions were perfect, spots delicate and the fins tipped white
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-240421191805.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6543)
The smolts are in on the act too
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-240421191848.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6544)
Water temp is 12 degrees and the fish are going off like rockets
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-240421192131.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6547)
All in all a lot of fun with the 3wt
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-240421192023.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6546)
Sandy
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Nice,
Looks like a lot of fun. Been too busy to get to the Don so far, need to do something about that shortly.
Nice pics,
Eddie
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Great stuff Sandy, hoping to get out on the river this week too >)
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i'm on Monymusk Beat 3 on Wednesday if anybody fancies joining me for the banter
Steven
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(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/11612-260421094810.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6550)
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Great stuff Filip ..... early season fish, lean and mean >)
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Lovely fish Filip. I see you go for my choice of trout net. The large Scierra net is excellent. Had no issues swallowing a salmon I caught last year and will easily deal with double figure trout too....A great net at a great price....
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:z18
Lovely fish Filip. I see you go for my choice of trout net. The large Scierra net is excellent. Had no issues swallowing a salmon I caught last year and will easily deal with double figure trout too....A great net at a great price....
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A lovely day today on the River in good company with Mr Nelson.
Not very many rising fish, however did see a few rises around where I connected with this fella.......(still not sure if it was the same fish, :z8). This is my personal best wild fish ever both River and Loch. Apologies for the fish on the bank picture, I really was pretty excited.......... :X1, I was very lucky to have landed him as at one point the line wrapped round my leg...., (don't ask).....But my 'river dance' worked *smiley-yippee*
3lb, ~18inches
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/907-280421212401.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6556)
The Clyde Style patterns are still working well, :-)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/907-280421212456.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6557)
Steven
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Well done Steven, bonnie fish :z16
:z18
Jim
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Great stuff Steven ..... nice one :z16
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Well done Steven, nice troot
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Well done Steven on your PB, bonnie fish.
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Thanks gents, :-)
We are really very spoiled with the fishing and places we have on our doorstep up here.
Steven
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Micheal Flatley would have been proud
*smiley-yippee*
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Thought i'd managed to connect with a very elusive Spring salmon yesterday but was pleasantly surprised to net this big Brownie.
For some time i was convinced that i was playing a Salmon in the peat stained water.
Wish it had been on the dry fly.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/857-010521114259.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6562)
Duncan
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Cracker Duncan *smiley-smile*
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Belter!
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Cracking Fish Duncan *smiley-yippee*
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So today was an interesting one :z16
I thought id try and miss the rain before it arrived, the fish were rising already to steady hatch of LDO's But the black sky was looming.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-020521173906.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6566)
Just after this we retreated to the hut and Gassed about the last few days and how the hatches have been on and off, but some nice and varied fish had been had
From Classic Don Browns
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-020521174034.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6567)
To Distinctly blue ones
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-020521174113.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6568)
And lots of pretty little Smolts, some to good sizes
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-020521174211.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6569)
We were watching a feeding fish that never stopped for the whole 45min downpour, when the rain eased he still didnt stop and was quite obliging
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-020521174358.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6570)
And still the LDO's keep coming
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-020521174427.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6571)
And the fish kept rising, for about an hour and half it was some of the very best sport of the season so far
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-020521174521.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6572)
Definitely well worth sitting out the rain and chatting :z18
Sandy
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Just shows that it is worth giving it a go, despite the weather. Well done Sandy :z16
Spring feels like winter this year *smiley-shocking* at least it does today anyway.
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10" of cold additional water, Strong Tea colour but dropping.
There was a good smorgasboard of flies about though.
Plenty LDO's as there has been for weeks
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-060521193523.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6577)
And finally confirmed Olive Uprights (i managed to catch a few)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-060521193622.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6578)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-060521193654.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6579)
I even saw my first Hawthorns of the year
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-060521193729.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6580)
Seemed it was the one, that the fish that were feeding in the blackwater had a fancy for. looks like the start of the best weeks of the year *smiley-yippee*
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-060521193843.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6581)
Plenty big chunky dries to chuck at willing trout :z16
Sandy
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Don District Salmon Fishery Board
River Don Monthly Report April 2021
https://riverdon.org/2021/05/11/river-don-monthly-report/
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Don was runnning a bit dark for the dries today, but the Ury was clearing nicely.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-140521170948.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6586)
A good walk up the water with my 3wt glass and a dry, had me stopping regularly to target a rising fish, mostly fairly modest but extremely pretty
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-140521171052.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6587)
With the occasional better one, picking off the sporadic Olive uprights.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-140521171140.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6588)
Around 3pm there was a proper hatch and a good rise and lots of fun
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-140521171237.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6589)
So yet again , the wee river provided me a huge amount of fun on a day when i was struggling on the Don. some good fish too
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-140521171355.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6590)
Sandy
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Well done Sandy :z18
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Great sport Sandy!
We wont go into what happened to me today..........suffice to say I am now 2-0 down to a particular specimen.......and this is the second week of extra time!
Steven
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Nice fish Sandy .
Some Bonny red spots in that first one :z16
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Nice Sandy, Ury fish are bonny.
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Well done Sandy.
Great to see the Ury getting fished.
Duncan
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Cracking day on the Don in great company >)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2-150521211146.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6595)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2-150521211233.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6596)
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We'll need to meet up for a day on the Don soon Mike, :-)
I've had an emotional two days........pure torment actually......tempted three very good fish to the fly, hooked, played and eventually lost...... *smiley-unhappy*......but I now where they live!! :z4
Had a good wee day today fishing a new stretch of water, funny kind of day where I was, the hatches were very sporadic and short spells of 10-15mins, I had great fun fishing my usual wee Clyde Styles, note the front row.....(tied by Peter McCallum no less).......pity to get them wet to be honest!
Anyhoo, landed a good few brownies over two days, great sport, I love the colours on the wee fella, :-)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/907-150521213147.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6597)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/907-150521213306.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6598)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/907-150521213400.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6599)
Steven
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Great stuff Steven :z16
What size Clyde Style flies?
I was dropping fish today as well :z8
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Hi Mike,
They're all size 14s, pretty much my go to size, :-)
There is one particular trout that has haunted my dreams for all last week.......and will be doing the same next week!!
Steven
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It's good to have dreams *smiley-smile*
14s have usually done best for me too.
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Hi Mike,
They're all size 14s, pretty much my go to size, :-)
There is one particular trout that has haunted my dreams for all last week.......and will be doing the same next week!!
Steven
Don’t give up on that dream Steve, I had the same fish haunting me from last season and tried countless times to get it. The problem was there’s no upstream approach, so countless stealthy downstream attempts were made, fading light, darkness, rain cover the lot, wet, dry, nymph & streamer, with only one cautious pull on a streamer to show for it.
Out trying for a salmon earlier this week the conditions just before the recent spate were in my favour, tea tinged water, & fired up fish.
First cast was perfect and swung into his last known location and on retrieve I felt a hit and thought aaaargghhh that was my chance. Then second cast swung in to the exact same spot and on retrieve saw an almighty bow wave follow and a very firm grab.
5 minutes later a 5lb bar of gold was admired and having never left the water, safely returned to his lair to contemplate.
My only regret is that it was on a small single hooked silver spoon while out salmon fishing and he unfortunately shares the spot where I’ve had my biggest salmon.
I hadn’t succeeded previously with the fly and stealthy approaches.
Knowing this is a fly related forum and that’s the main reason I’m here but don’t want to offend anyone by posting a fish that my ever improving flyfishing skills didn’t deserve.
It leaves me with a question of have you guys experienced one that just won’t take your fly based offerings?
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Steve,
Ah, well....see this particular trout has taken my fly offerings twice........but he's a wiley old fox and threw the hook the first time and snapped, (or bit) the line clean of at the fly the second time.....
We'll see if he is still where I left him after the river returns to condition.
Steven
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*smiley-wink*
Sounds like you’ve got his number, good luck :z16
It’ll bother me that I never got mine on the fly but feel that my skills don’t quite match my quarry yet.
Something to strive for :)
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Out for a couple of evening hours for the first time this season last night, plenty of fly life and a few fish rising >)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2-310521103251.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6624)
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well after the hiatus due to the Rain and then the river level, i finally managed a few evening out this week
Yellow mays, Uprights and their spinners seem to be quite prolific, but the Sedges seem to be the focus for the fish.
An early evening riser proved to be an unusual colour for a Don fish, with strong orange fins and a very dark look.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-130621102723.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6660)
A late afternoon fish proved to be more usual but they were few and far between during the day, if you were searching with dries
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-130621102913.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6661)
however it was the late evenings when they started to feed, a fairly tight window of 1015-1130pm depending on when the wind dropped. and the sedge could scuttle across the surface. the week turned into a series of lost fish for me, but some very hard fighting strong smaller ones kept me entertained, with one slightly better exception
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-130621103129.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6662)
last night though, the fishing gods were through with taking the Piss and despite getting snapped twice, we found a line of good fish all tucked up, under a far bank that were sipping the sedges as they past, every fish was bigger than the rise suggested and smaller than what the ensuing fight promised. But some superb sport was had to Size 14 Dry sedges.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-130621103423.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6663)
So now i feel like my Mojo is back, just in time for work tomorrow :z6
Sandy
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Great stuff Sandy, I had a feeling it might pick up last night, as the wind dropped earlier ... and it just felt right :z16
Cheers
Mike
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Lovely Sandy, :-)
I just hope i'm allowed out that late this week, :-)
Steven
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Nice wee outing last night after work .
A good mixed hatch and the sedges arrived at about 2200, didn't last long though. Caught a nice couple trout to the 3/4lb mark, nothing big showing where i was :z8, but great and very satisfying to have consistently caught fish on another Clyde pattern.
The Marled Corncrake, stated in John Reids book.....'Associated with June evenings and well into July'....its true!,
Apologies no pictures, my phone went in the drink last week.....waiting on a replacement.
Steven
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Great stuff Steven :z16
I'll maybe give some Clyde style flies a swim next time I'm out .....................
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Nice wee outing last night after work .
A good mixed hatch and the sedges arrived at about 2200, didn't last long though. Caught a nice couple trout to the 3/4lb mark, nothing big showing where i was :z8, but great and very satisfying to have consistently caught fish on another Clyde pattern.
The Marled Corncrake, stated in John Reids book.....'Associated with June evenings and well into July'....its true!,
Apologies no pictures, my phone went in the drink last week.....waiting on a replacement.
Steven
Steven, I knew John Reid very well when I lived down south, was member of a fly tying club he set up. Many happy memories and learned a lot from him.
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Gavin,
Great stuff, i have become fascinated by the history and the style of these wee flees.
We are all familiar with the North Country Spider, etc, however far less is said about the Clyde Style.
Steven
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Christened my Freestone rod in style tonight, netted at least seven trout in the 1-2 lb range >)
But it was also a really frustrating night, I can't remember the last time that I was wading in amongst so many big trout. Don't know if they were Brownies or Sea Trout, but I was surrounded by rising fish for half an hour, maybe an hour, and the ones that I caught were by far the smallest *smiley-shocking* ..... the kind of night that you dream about.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2-240621010055.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6689)
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Well done Mike - your new rod got well and truly christened then.
You don't get many evenings like that and the conditions must have been just right with good trout rising all around.
Last night appeared to get quite chilly and thundery but you obviously found the right spot - when it's like that you wonder where these fish are the rest of the time - brilliant !!!!!!
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Great evening on the river last night in good company :z16
Netted a few Brownies, a couple of cracking Sea Trout and lost a bigger one that I was struggling to get in the net ..... all on the Sedge >)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2-270621111524.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6693)
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It was a superb night *smiley-yippee*
A few nice ones for me too, no serious lumps like MrB but an average of over the 2lb mark, for over a dozen fish on the dry is an awesome night in anyones books.
One of them was very silvery too.I'll let the photos tell the story of a special evening.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-270621123855.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6698)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-270621123742.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6696)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-270621123807.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6697)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-270621123939.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6699)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-270621124002.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6700)
Sandy
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Well done Mr B and Mr N !
Great to hear that there are some decent sea trout in the Don...
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Guys, great fish both of you, looks like a great nights fishing.
Eddie
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Great stuff guys.
Hopefully a sign that the seatrout are back in good numbers after a few very poor years.
Duncan
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My turn last night :z16
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-280621085105.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6701)
Dry Sedges again and there were quite a few chasing them Duncan :z18
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Nice one Sandy :z16
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A bloody nuisance when your chasing browns :X1
First world problems :X2
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Nice seatrout Sandy.
Duncan
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Where I went last night the bigger swirls proved to be the bigger browns I was looking for.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-290621100303.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6703)
Same size 14 sedge doing the business and it’s still in one piece >)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-290621100411.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6704)
The bigger of the pair decided to sit on the shallows like Jaws so I grabbed a couple of photos before he took off
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-290621100513.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6705)
Proving to be an awesome week *smiley-yippee*
Sandy
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Mike! , Sandy!
Wow is all I can say........that there is the stuff of dreams.
I better get out for a wee cast one night soon on that 6wt glass rod for the sea-trout. Cinnamon Golds are already on my mind.....
Steven
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Some cracking fish there gents :z16
To echo the recent reports, I too have had some exceptional sport the last few weeks.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-300621023414.jpeg)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-300621023641.jpeg)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-300621031057.jpeg)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-300621034944.jpeg)
A few serious lunkers putting my recently purchased #5 GT90 from mike to the test, I’m absolutely loving it *smiley-wink*
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-300621023917.jpeg)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-300621031257.jpeg)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-300621024046.jpeg)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-300621033353.jpeg)
Including this silver beauty on monday at midnight. My first seatrout of the season and biggest, I’m absolutely delighted.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-300621024212.jpeg)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-300621024243.jpeg)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-300621031345.jpeg)
Out again last night in very changeable conditions between 9pm-12am and after starting to think I know what I’m doing, got a serious back to reality check, not a touch.
(Apologies for the quick out of the water pics but these two were my biggest so far and didn’t want to risk the loss of the fish before a pic, all nursed gently and returned strong to fight another day)
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Nice fish Stevie, some belters in there.
Eddie
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Great stuff Stevie >)
Yes, last night was a totally different evening!
Cheers
Mike
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Brilliant stuff Stevie :z16
And yes last night was a reality check, the change in temp, and air pressure had a lot to answer for. Keeps it all real .
Sandy
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A selection of crackers there Stevie.
Duncan
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Thanks chaps, :z16
Normality has returned but as mentioned, it keeps it real.
Few caught on a greenwells glory wet last night while waiting on sedges that never came.
Measured the water temp at 17 degrees, needing a good top up to cool & freshen things up.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-010721161947.jpeg)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-010721153242.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6752)
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Nice buttery fish *smiley-smile*
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Been a funny week with the changeable weather.
The fish seem to have been off kilter and only the smaller ones showing
But I have managed a few most evenings up to around this stamp
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-090721094517.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6761)
Which are good fun, in hard fighting summer conditions on light gear.
Yesterday seemed to stabilise again and I had a couple to the streamer in the afternoon but the evening rise was just excellent and I spent the evening in great company watching and waiting and it paid off with a great session and some lovely fish topped off with this one
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-090721094753.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6762)
This stable front seems to be here for a couple of days so fingers crossed we get a couple more good evenings before the rain comes back
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-090721094956.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6763)
Sandy
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Great stuff Sandy :z16
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Air temp seems to be the key at the moment
I went out friday night and it was noticeably coler than thursday. A lot less decent fish showing and those that did were not consistent.
Saturday however, was a different ball game, much warmer and had that mugginess that preceeds some rain (which it did at 11pm)
i went out early to try a streamer and see if i could induce some aggression, it worked, but not quite the way i wanted *smiley-funny*
Never fails to amaze me how aggresive and greedy these little predators can be
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-110721094408.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6773)
That was the only action the streamer saw, so it was back to waiting for the rise to start, which it did around half 10. The fish werent so keen to take the 14 Sedge and after a while i had Marbled sedges landing on me, so i switched up to the 12 and started to get some attention. it was good fun and i was rewarded with another bonny fish, in very striking colours with lovely big spots.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-110721094603.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6774)
I missed an even better one, twice, not sure if it was drag or fly size, but i know where he is, so next weekend............................ *smiley-wink*
Sandy
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Great stuff Sandy, put in the hours - catch the fish :z14
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Some crackers there Sandy, hoping for a couple this week myself.
Interesting looking streamer the wee fella took, is it a named fly or your own creation?
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Hello,
I had a lovely evening last night, out with a plan to target Sea Trout. I tied up a fly from the 'Gloaming' section of Robert C. Sharps Clyde Style book called the Magpie Tail.
From years ago, I also remember having success with a Cinnamon Gold during sedge hatches, so with that in mind, a size 14 went on the dropper. I then lazily fished down and across for a change.
A very sparse hatch of sedge appeared at 2250, during this I caught a few of good wee half pound brown trout, including a double hook up which was entertaining, :-).........saw two Sea Trout splashing about.....
Then at 2320, I connected with my quarry......a cracker of a 2lb SeaTrout which gave a great account of itself, (great on a glass rod), landed and safely returned. Very satisfying to execute a plan.... ;-)
No fish photos I'm afraid......but I do have a picture of the Magpie Tail.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/907-130721110551.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6775)
Steven
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Great stuff Steven ..... and a nice looking fly *smiley-smile*
Cheers
Mike
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Mike,
Cheers Mike, night fishing is not my favourite thing, I hate Bats you see.....
On the plus side, on the way home I seen a Pine Marten, good time to be out in the countryside.
Steven
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Nice stuff Mr Kidd :z16
Stevie, the streamer in the fishes mouth is a Martins Minnow. Probably the best streamer I use on the river :z16
Sandy
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Sandy,
I have a thought to try some streamers this year, out again Friday night so might give them a blast.
P.S. The Dusty 6wt is just ace!
Steven :z16
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Cheers for the info Sandy, I’ll hunt it down and give it a try.
That magpie tail looks a stunning fly too Steve and I’d happily fish that with confidence.
A light attempt earlier tonight resulted in what I thought to be a pull from a 1/2lb’er but on lifting the rod turned out to be an almighty fish on my streamer with a big surface splash & then off.
I’m assuming it was a hefty seatrout but will scout the spot again in the hope it was a big brownie revealing his lair.
Other than a small but bonnie 3/4lb’er later on a greenwells spider and a few pulls, it was pretty hard going. As soon as I thought the sedges were making an appearance the wind picked up and changed direction, killing any late evening surface activity.
My thought is that the water temperature has the fish in an extra sluggish condition and I don’t want to cause them any additional stress or harm.
Not that I stress too many :) .
I also saw today that loch venechar had postponed fishing for a few weeks due to low water levels and high water temperatures of 18 degrees and after reading 17 myself last week, can only assume our river is nearing that.
Any thoughts on a water temperature you guys would consider not fishing?
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Hi Stevie
My personal feelings on this are usually I wouldn’t fish in daytime when the water temp gets over 18degrees but evening are still fair game as the layers cool later on and the fish move into shallower water so are on cooler water, if the temp hits 20 I stop altogether.
The light rain we are getting has dropped the water temp back a decent bit, I was measuring 15-16 over the weekend and cooler at night, which is great and hopefully continues. A couple of years back the river sat at over 20 for 3-4 weeks during the summer and I missed going out but when you catch a fish that’s really warm to the hand it just doesn’t feel right and makes you feel rotten for causing it such stress.
So here’s to some regular showers to keep the temp where we want it, 16 deg is about perfect for evening sedges :z18
Sandy
Ps I get some huge takes on the streamers but very rarely manage to hook up any big fish. I still get most of them on the dry, at least I can hook and land them *smiley-tongue-out*
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Sandy,
That makes a lot of sense to me and was pretty much my thinking too. Avoiding the daytime highs and hoping for some drop in the evening to gee them up.
Although it seems we’re in for a scorcher the rest of this week :X1
Hoping to get a bit of sedge action yet but usually dabble away before hand with wets, nymphs and small streamers like gold head damsel nymphs.
One observation from me on those was that the short hooks result in plenty attacks but much less hook ups and cutting the tail a bit worked wonders.
Obviously with the tail being a big part of the attraction, I now source them with longer shank hooks, which seems to be the balance of the two.
Here’s to the sweet 16 :z18
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A very big Salmon......
More about that soon, once I've stopped shaking.
Steven
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Hi,
So.....not for the first time I decided to try something completely different on the river. I'd been watching videos on streamer fishing and thought it would be a great tactic for big brownies, so off i went........4wt glass rod, Skagit line set up and a size 8 black and white minnow type pattern with big ugly eyes......dirty fishing I thought, *smiley-lol*
Well the night ended with an 18lb Salmon, which I attempted to tail a few times, (trout net useless), eventually getting the fish beached and safely unhooked. It was in perfect condition, bright silver and had most probably came up the river when the water rose on Wed / Thurs. I held the fish a good 5-10 mins and it swam away strong.
One of those surreal moments on the river. I never slept a wink Friday night after.
Believe it or not that was my first Salmon.
Steven
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Great stuff Steven >)
The Don is like that, I've had more than a few encounters over the years, on #14 dries, Sedges, and I think the most memorable was one around 18lb on a wee Black Pennell.
Cheers
Mike
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Excellent, well done Steven. I fished hard on the Dee on Friday and Saturday with normal salmon fly tackle and caught the sun total of zero😂
That must have been a great scrap 👍👍
Eddie :z14
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Great stuff Steven
If your starting streamer fishing I'd suggest a bigger net !
The scierra trout net can swallow monsters ( its 38cmx50cmx55cm). Ive had 3 of them now and wont look at anything else.
Ive used for for double figure 'bows and salmon.....
I take it that you tried to take a picture of your salmon with an iphone then ???
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Well done Steven :z16
I’ll bet that was amazing on that rod/line combo. I’ve had a few tourists on streamers, lots of fun 🤩
Sandy
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I take it that you tried to take a picture of your salmon with an iphone then ???
Second time that has happened to me this year James........the damn thing gets wet or something and won't let a picture be taken or it might be the dark / flash, who knows... :z8........worked first time flash an all when i got back to the car!....
Anyway it made me think, why we catch fish?.....is it for a trophy photo to share on Instagram? or to etch in the memory selfishly?.......this one was way too good for Instagram I tell myself...., so the latter applies.......only the River Knows, :-)
Steven
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That must have been a great scrap 👍👍
It was fairly calm actually, more a strong pull here and there,no real violence.......made me wind the drag on though a couple of times and fear for my surgeons loop attached to my brand new skagit head / tip........ *smiley-shocking*
Steven
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One of those surreal moments on the river. I never slept a wink Friday night after.
Believe it or not that was my first Salmon.
Steven
Congratulations on your first salmon Steven, certainly one you’ll never forget and what a way to do it *smiley-wink*
I can only imagine what an 18lb’er felt like on a #4.
:z14
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I wonder if the low light and gentle pressure meant it didn't really know what was happening.
I had a 20lb + croc on a #10 single hander at Arduncart and it fought like an angry cat. My arm ached for about 2 days afterwards...
It was fairly calm actually, more a strong pull here and there,no real violence.......made me wind the drag on though a couple of times and fear for my surgeons loop attached to my brand new skagit head / tip........ *smiley-shocking*
Steven
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Finally got out this morning after a 2 week Hiatus due to weather and work.
Not quite as pretty as the last early morning a fortnight ago, when the river looked like this
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-160821155528.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6838)
And the world was fresh and ready to begin
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-160821155720.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6839)
That morning and this morning fished in similar ways though, with lots of wee brownies to the nymph and even the odd reasonable one to the Dry
this one was an interesting colour for a Don fish.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-160821155838.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6840)
I picked my way through pockets and riffles and had a great time, best of the morning today was a lovely finnock.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-160821160014.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6841)
Just nice to be out again after the wee break.
Sandy
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Great stuff Sandy :z16
What was the water height and clarity like today? I'm guessing the temperature is down quite a bit.
Cheers
Mike
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The water is a lovely height, running at 14/15 degrees and is the colour of weak tea. Ideal conditions :z16
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After blanking on Monday when I limited myself to dries and couldn’t find any decent rising fish, today I took the nymph line as well and worked a PTN through some of the runs.
Well rewarded with a good number of lovely conditioned wee fish , they don’t get much prettier
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-260821180209.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6852)
This was the average stamp for the afternoon not all as compliant for the camera
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-260821180314.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6853)
Had a moment where I was walking past a section I usually walk past and my gut said get in the river and run the nymph through the far side.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-260821180432.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6854)
Worth listening to that gut, best one of the month.
So lots of fun and a nice way to spend the afternoon >)
Sandy
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Bonnie fish Sandy,
Similar sizes to the ones I’ve been encountering lately, although I did manage one or two of a better size earlier in this dour month of august.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-270821004756.jpeg)
Fly fishings been minimal as I managed to snap my fairly cheap but loved 5wt scierra srx v2 rod a few weeks back on both mid sections.
With a bit of a height increase in the river, I opted for using my 7wt for heavier brownie type stuff and light spinning in pursuit of silver until I found a replacement.
Some success around 10lb and a 5lb loss in the silver department alas on spinner and a real surprise on the 7wt *smiley-shocking*
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-270821003457.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6855)
I found a scierra hmx 9’ 5wt and thought it likely to be suitably similar enough to the srx, so grabbed it but on trying it out tonight discovered that although very pleasant to cast, it’s super delicate and not the sturdy all rounder the SRX is.
If anyone happens to have a 9’ #5 SRX available, I’d happily jump through hoops to buy it.
On another note, if anyone happened to see someone in what might’ve looked like distress with a 13ft double hander just below the kintore bridge, being more of a risk to wild fowl than the fish, do not worry, that too was me.
Practicing :X2
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Is that a gudgeon????
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Is that a gudgeon????
I believe so :z8
Bonnie little fella was very lightly hooked just under the gill plate while retrieving a gold head nymph.
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if we are right then someone has popped an invasive species into the don.....suppose at least the big trout will like them !
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There’s been gudgeon in the river for as long as I can remember, not often you see them though. Very pretty wee fish.
Technically I believe minnows are an invasive species too.
When I was a kid we used to catch perch fairly regularly, I’ve not seen one of them for well over 30 years
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Great to the see a wee gudgeon again.
There used to be huge shoals of them on the Inverurie water when I was a kid in the 70's.
I always assumed that the goosanders had wiped them out.
Like Sandy,I remember taking perch as well but not for very many years.
There was also a good stock of pike on the Kemnay water but i don't know if there are any there nowadays.
Duncan
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I'd never heard off or seem gudgeon in the Don. When I fished the kemnay water I heard that people used to catch perch in a deep pool that has a massive eddy like area. I also heard of pike caught on the manar beat but never say one personally
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I have a soft spot for the humble gudgeon. It was the main fish that I caught, as a boy on the Trent in Nottingham. When I moved to Staffordshire many years ago the gudgeon were plentiful in the local rivers and canals. They are now gone! Various predators are given the blame - goosanders, zander and crayfish. The local canal has become a 'predator' water with pike, perch and zander being the target fish.
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Terry,
I was saddened to read what you had to say about the gudgeon on the River Trent in Nottingham. I too as a boy used to fish the Trent at Clifton Grove and Beeston Weir and the humble gudgeon was a keepnet filler and yet, as you say they are now all gone. How sad and is it all down to predators as you suggest?
Since my daughter left the Nottingham Evening Post working as a journalist I haven't been back and living here in Aberdeen for 40 years my fishing is now for salmon and trout though I still have a soft spot for rekindling memories of roach dave and bream on the Trent
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An evening mission to a pleasant part of the don some may recognise.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-170921234342.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6891)
Not much surface action to be seen but a real serene setting.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-170921234446.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6892)
I managed a couple of smolts (strange at this time of year?) & bonnie little brownies on a greenwells wet while awaiting the last hour of light.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-170921234545.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6893)
Realising the southerly wind, low gin clear water and lack of stealth was against me, I decided to fish on into the dark, saving my last light efforts to change leader & put on a wooley bugger which I planned to strip through a deep dark pot.
I’ve tried this pot a few times since getting one big hit there and knowing that it must hold a monster but was tonight the night?
An over hanging tree marks the start and a few upstream casts were made to allow enough line sinking time just under the branches and to commence covering the head of the pot.
Not a thing, so I began gently wading down a shingle bar to just past the tree to continue casting and covering.
Allowing a little more sinking time to reach the depths I then stripped a few feet of line back then felt the rod buckle over and the full thumpy weight of said monster.
Booom! It must be all of 10lb’s, the brownie of my dreams.
The 100,000 casts I’ve made in the hope of connecting with such a magnificent creature and finally I’ve got him on.
Could I be the best angler on the don *smiley-yippee*
Hold on a second, he’s not fighting, no tell tale big brownie head thumps, no reel screaming runs, no airborne leaps?
Then the bitter realisation that it wasn’t him at all and I gently reeled in a 10lb clump of loose ranunculus.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-170921234637.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6894)
Achweel, good practice for when it happens *smiley-wink*
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Great stuff Steve, I like the wee duck resting in the grass :)
As for the weed, we've all been there *smiley-grin*
Cheers
Mike
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Funny you mention the Smolts, Steve, we have had a couple of those in the last couple of weeks too. Very interesting to see what appears to a second batch working their way downstream.
We had a go yesterday again and it was a similar story, had to resort to nymphs to see any fish and then there was nothing over the 10" mark.
All bonny fish though
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-190921101835.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6895)
There was however quite a few fish rising to a rather decent Small Dark olive hatch
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-190921102001.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6896)
Lovely little flies that kept hatching from the 9.30 to 2pm session we fished
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-190921102046.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6897)
We got some interest to emergers, but nothing consistent or of any size. We can play spot the fish in this picture *smiley-funny*
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-190921102152.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6898)
Some rather cool sedges kicking about, but nothing to interest the fish, just the photographer
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-190921102247.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6899)
The sight of a number of decent rising fish is encouraging and hopefully the good couple of weeks that we sometimes get at the end of septmeber is on its way.
Sandy
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Found a couple of better ones this afternoon, while dredging a nymph.
Consecutive casts from the same spot. Both decent size girls, one ready to shed her load and the other already relieved.
Just a couple of inches difference in length but 2lb+ in weight!!! one has more than a hint of coloured Seatrout about her
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-190921174056.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6907)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-190921174117.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6908)
So thats me sorted for the end of the season, anything else is now a bonus *smiley-yippee*
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Quality close ups of the flies there and well done on the twa crackers :z16
Interesting to read of you encountering smolts too and surprised that one of your big un’s had spawned already. Would you say that was uncommon & early?
It raises a few questions for me as I’d always assumed they spawn in late october & november.
Anyway here’s hoping for an excellent last two weeks :z18
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Hi Stevie
We have found over the last few years there are two distinct spawning patterns for the Don fish. The bigger ones seem to run up the river in august and have been seen spawning in mid august to early September, they then drop back and feed voraciously until the end of October, these are the ones you tend to get at the end of September and the ones the salmon guys pick up in October. I have a theory that the seatrout run in July triggers this. These fish are also why we get good conditioned fish from March onwards.
There is another run to spawn in November and these fish are the ones who are in poor condition in March as they didn’t get to feed well after spawning. they feed hard in the spring and are generally the smaller fish.
The same behaviour has been registered on the Deveron too. :z18
Sandy
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Fascinating and insightful stuff as always Sandy :z14
Every aspect of that makes perfect sense when broken down like that.
Now just to encounter one of these big voracious feeders *smiley-wink*
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A wee bit of colour in the river yesterday morning, but by the afternoon it was like a chalkstream again, the water clarity has been amazing this year :)
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Hi Stevie
We have found over the last few years there are two distinct spawning patterns for the Don fish. The bigger ones seem to run up the river in august and have been seen spawning in mid august to early September, they then drop back and feed voraciously until the end of October, these are the ones you tend to get at the end of September and the ones the salmon guys pick up in October. I have a theory that the seatrout run in July triggers this. These fish are also why we get good conditioned fish from March onwards.
There is another run to spawn in November and these fish are the ones who are in poor condition in March as they didn’t get to feed well after spawning. they feed hard in the spring and are generally the smaller fish.
The same behaviour has been registered on the Deveron too. :z18
Sandy
Great post Sandy 👍
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OK ..... who did the rain dance? *smiley-grin*
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This bodes well for the weekend......that's if its stops after today, *smiley-lol* :X1
Looks like a lot of rain this week, shall wait and see.
Steven
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OK ..... who did the rain dance? *smiley-grin*
dunno, but they didn't hold back
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I have big feet, what can I say *smiley-yippee*
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H,
Where were your big feet and the rain dance at Balmakewan?
Eddie
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Looks like the last few trout days might be a write off, with higher water, heavy wind and absolutely baltic.
Not fully disappointed though as my last trout outing saw 3 casts and a nice fish around 2lb and to my surprise another gudgeon :z8 this time taken in backwards by my nephew :X1
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-011021232319.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6944)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-011021232547.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6945)
Chasing silver the last few days and likely here on in but wish I’d had the trout rod as there was plenty fly life and visible risers wed/thurs in the last hour.
Here’s the closest thing I got to a salmon today :X2
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-011021232821.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6946)
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Nice Fish Stevie :z16
I had a few fish this week , but only one needed the net and he wasn’t huge.
Mostly these guys on dries and nymphs
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-031021160500.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6947)
Last of the season on the dry yesterday afternoon
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-031021160550.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6948)
This morning I expected to be washed out, but the sun was shining so I had to go visit a few favourite spots before I hang up the trout rod.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-031021161021.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6952)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-031021160654.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6949)
So I plinked around with a nymph and had some good sport.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-031021160807.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6950)
Spent a lot time staring at the water and rather enjoying it
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-031021160941.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6951)
Just 163 days to go :X1 you never know I might even go and have a deliberate attempt for a tourist :X2
Sandy
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Great stuff Sandy .... nice pics >)
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Sandy,
Lovely shots, :-), not long to wait.....
I think I'll head out Saturday and have a cast for the tourists as well, probably Inverurie as I notice Kintore and Kemnay not on Fishpal in October, :z8
Steven
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Nice pics Sandy :z16
Similar reflective thoughts being had by me on the river bank.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-051021214545.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6957)
I was hoping for one last day at the trout but content with the previous 2lb’er opted to try my luck at a salmon.
Now this will likely be a tad controversial and I considered not posting this here but I reckon you guys will be able to look past the method/madness and appreciate the beauty of a don specimen in striking colours.
Being useless with a double hander and in mental wind conditions, I was spinning using a tasmanian devil with a single black zulu fly trailing an inch behind.
So technically fly fishing but not as we know it :X1
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-051021221809.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6960)
Up a steep bank, I cast upstream of a known rock and swung into the path of this beauty.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-051021224340.jpeg)
I initially thought it was a coloured grilse as it splashed then bombed for weed cover, I then had to slide bear gryll’s style down the bank into a seriously precarious position to net it, sinking into silty mud.
It was surprisingly lightly hooked, kept submerged, photo’d quick and released back strong to fulfill its destiny.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-051021220636.png) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6959)
The photo’s don’t do it justice at all as I was elevated and wary of both sinking further and dropping my phone but could gauge it around 22/24” with the rim of my gye net.
Delighted to have encountered a fine don trout in its fully dolled up and ready for action jacket.
Next post will hopefully be of my first double hand rod caught salmon, perhaps on a black zulu *smiley-wink*
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over the 50 cms mark - what a brute :z16
Never really fished tazzys for Brown Trout, although I have for sea trout on the Ythan. They certainly work ( although i prefer a sutherland *smiley-wink*)
I had my biggest don brownie very near the end of the season on a raplala at the corner at the golf course. It was high water and i was just lifting the rapala out when out of the bankside weeds i say a fish come up and miss it. I too thought coloured salmon and next cast it nailed it. Turns out it was not salmon...
The issue i had was the bank was high, the water was high and i had left my net slightly upstream and there was no way to get to it so i had to 'beach' it on floating rushes. It made me sweat I'll tell you. Twas > 6lb.....
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Hey James,
I bought a few initially for my nephew to try and get him into fishing and they seem to work well. So fly rod being out of action in wild wind conditions, thought I’d give it a go, albeit with a twist as you say *smiley-tongue-out*
It was a real pleasant surprise to finish off whats been a great trout season.
I know that spot at the golf corner well and a good sized fish was caught there yesterday. I’ll send you the photo in pm.
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Giving it my best shot for a salmon before the season ends but there doesn’t seem to be too many about where I am.
The only one encountered was the remaining half of a considerably sized, semi fresh fish, found laying in the bank reeds.
I’ll save showing you the gruesome end but you’ll get the idea of scale from my boot & hand.
Guessing it’s original size around 36” and anywhere between 15 to 20lb.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-281021225417.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=7033)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12475-281021225701.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=7034)
I presume a hefty otter or two are responsible as it was pretty mauled and everything above the dorsal missing but can only imagine how that tussle would go.
A pity it never made it to spawn first but I can’t grudge an otter his breakfast, lunch & supper.
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Hi Stevie
Looks like the tail end of a hen fish to me.
Difficult to tell from the photo,but the fish looks thin round about the vent area suggesting that she may well have spawned.
I hope she did.
Duncan
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Hey Duncan,
I did notice that too and a spent fish would certainly explain it being an easy target for an otter, rather than my original statement of it being semi fresh. Likely lightened up since laying there.
Fulfilled her destiny sits well with me :z16