So a rather delayed start to the season for me so I'm only just opening my 'usual' thread
As I hadn't made it out after the trout at all since the season opening I thought I should get on with it so went out yesterday evening to try a grab a couple of hours - evenings are not really the best at this time of year in the highlands but thought I would give it a go.
Arrived at the loch about 7pm and there were white horses everywhere - it was blowing a hooley! Forget the #4 glass, picked up the #6 carbon
Walked to my usual starting point and what is overhead ? Well it was either a golden eagle or a sea eagle - being harassed by crows and gulls. I think it was the latter as I saw some white on the tail
Anyhoo, no luck at the 1st spot so then headed to a more sheltered bay.
Rigged up with a sparkle tinsel needle tube on the point and a dirty great ( size 6 long shank) zulu on the dropper ( none of this small fly nonsense for me ! )
Quickly a fish splashed at the flies, then 2 casts later did it again. Time to downsize ?
I then switched to a black and red size 10 muddler on the point and a size 10 pink tailed kate ordie on the dropper.
Next cast I'm in. A lovely conditioned fish of about 3/4 lb. I'm off the mark for 2022 - took the muddler
A few cast later, another splash but no contact.
Worked my way along the bank quite often having to remove the flies from my back as the wind was real pain.
I looked off to the side where I had just been - was that a swirl I saw ? Hard to tell due to the waves.
I moved back the 2 m to where I had just been and first cast the line locked up. Get in.....
After a short fight ( its still cold in the hills !) its in the net and my season has officially started
the fly that took the fish ? The PTKO - of course...