Fishing The Fly Scotland
Index => Rivers & Lochs => Topic started by: Mike Barrio on 23/01/2015 at 18:17
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IAA March To The River Don
Inverurie Angling Association would like to invite all anglers who fish the river to attend their annual March To The River Don on Saturday the 14th of February, to celebrate the opening of the 2015 fishing season :cool:
The March to the river leaves the Kintore Arms Hotel in Inverurie at 9.30 am and will be preceded by tea, coffee and biscuits in the hotel from 8.45 am. Please bring friends and family along.
Some of you may possibly not be aware that 2014 saw the passing of the Reverend Graeme Longmuir. Graeme was a keen angler himself and has blessed the river at many of our opening ceremonies.
I am sure that his absence from this year's event will be felt by all of us!
Best wishes
Mike
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2-230115173057.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2424)
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spot the Mike ! :z4 :z4 :z4
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Won't make it this year , back to Africa on the 12 th. Sorry to hear about the minister, he will be missed. Also that was not a bad drop of Whisky :wink
:z18
Jim
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Should be around for this one Mike with luck and work providing hope to tag along
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2015 Council permit's still not available online are they available in Sloans :z8 :z8.
Nae long noo.
was having a look on fish pal looks like monymusk prices are down a tad at 42 quid plus vat for Salmon although that may be the same as last year. seems good value any way.
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Hi All,
Hoping to catch up with old friends at this , and having a few early season casts ,
Cheers,
Paul
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I'm afraid I'm working again :cry
Hope you all have a great day and bend a few rods :z16
Sandy
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Hi, weather looks not too bad for tomorrow so hope that you can along to the March.
Why not pop down before you pick up your flowers for your better half.
As Mike said above Graeme will be sorely missed this year, Stuart Watson has kindly stepped in this year to do the blessing.
Hope to see you there,
All the best,
Bri.
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Great to meet up with everybody this morning ..... I enjoyed that :z16
I didn't take the camera along, hopefully somebody else will have some pics.
Looks like the council waters will be open for C&R trout fishing on a Sunday this year ...... watch out for confirmation of this on your 2015 permits and their website :wink
Cheers
Mike
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Good to see you and the others as well Mike.
Got a few pics so will post 'em soon as i've got 'em off the camera.
Allan :z16
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Looks like the council waters will be open for C&R trout fishing on a Sunday this year ...... watch out for confirmation of this on your 2015 permits and their website :wink
Cheers
Mike
Indeed an interesting development, I wander if this will include the Council beat at Kintore, If so will cause a little confusion as the AdAA currently doesn't not have this right to fish on Sunday there. ?
Will be looking on with interest on this development.
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Thank to those who turned up today, I really enjoyed it.
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/29-140215165214.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2475)
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I would like to thank Provost Jill Webster, Raymond Bisset and Stuart Watson for their stories, poems and Blessing the River.
Also the Kintore Arms Hotel for their hospitality.
And to our sponsors Glen Garioch Distillery for providing the Whisky, a lovely dram.
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/29-140215170529.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2479)
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Sorry I couldn't make today, first one I've missed since being in Aberdeenshire. I had a rod elsewhere that needed an early start, no joy.
Any reports of salmon in the system?
Cheers
Ben
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Not heard of any salmon being caught yet Ben.
Cheers
Mike
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Hi guys, not long now until we are back on the banks again. I'm away at the moment so missed the opening day. Looks a good turnout and much milder than other years.
Good to hear that the council are opening up Sunday fishing. I can't see it being an issue at Kintore, sure it's different banks to the adaa water anyway pretty much.
Could someone please tell me what beats open on the 15th of March for trout? I may be back for a few days then and would be keen to get out if conditions are suitable.
When does the deveron open?
:z18
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Hey Noel
Glad to hear you're back. I'm not sure about the Don beats but the Deveron opens on the 15th. :z16
Liam
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No it doesn't that's a Sunday Liam although i know of one beat that allows Sunday fishing on the Deveron.
Otherwise it's Monday 16th this year guys
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No it doesn't that's a Sunday Liam although i know of one beat that allows Sunday fishing on the Deveron.
Otherwise it's Monday 16th this year guys
Its already open according to Fishing the Deveron...opened on the 11th.
http://www.fishingthedeveron.co.uk/River_information_2015.htm
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Yes, but I think it was Trout Noel was after and does not open till later,
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Yes, but I think it was Trout Noel was after and does not open till later,
Trout is the 15th of March according to the website...so Sunday
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Well must be something new to me Rob as I've fished this water for years and with one beat exception (and this a very recent experiment) there's no Sunday fishing, trout or otherwise, but will ask the right guys to confirm. Happy days if Sundays are on the menu, if not then Don's not too far away.
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Ice on the rod eyes this morning down at Kintore. A good walk no sign of fish today.
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Well must be something new to me Rob as I've fished this water for years and with one beat exception (and this a very recent experiment) there's no Sunday fishing, trout or otherwise, but will ask the right guys to confirm. Happy days if Sundays are on the menu, if not then Don's not too far away.
Agreed...but the internet NEVER lies ;)
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Any sign of a spring fish yet? River in good shape for it, hoping to get a few hours on Saturday.
Cheers
Ben
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Reports through Somers - a couple of fresh fish earlier last week above Inverurie. A fish or two have been hooked and lost on association water according to one source. Not heard anything for a few days now..... :z16
Tight lines for Saturday Ben!
Liam
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Cheers Liam. Dee has been a little slow the last few days after a decent start in opening week, really hoping for a decent run this year.
Ben
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Fished Kintore on Friday and the Manse this morning still nothing coming through the system & on reports from that Beat of anthing yet
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Fished at Kemnay after work yesterday (Tuesday). This time last year I saw a fair few kelts splashing about and even the odd fresh fish. Yesterday I saw nothing, not a Scooby! The water looked perfect to me, up but running clear, with a nice flow to it.
I gave up at 5.30 when it started to snow on me. :X2
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Fished Kemnay from 1 until 5 on Friday. Terrible wind, although it was down stream off my left shoulder, so castable.
River running high but clear, no touches but at least this time I saw a fish crash out twice, so I know there is at least one there!! Bit depressing really.
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Out doing some casting yesterday with the tournament gear, lovely pleasant morning and flies in the air. Counted one LDO and some small black things, not long now :cool:
Ben
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Small black things catch fish :cool:
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Out on the Don over the weekend, Stoneflies, Midge and a couple of olives seen. Heard but did not see a few trout move, too.
Cheers
Ben
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I've been out a few time as well, starting to see a bit of fly life and also a few trout. Unfortunately also spoke to an old guy who'd taken a large brownie a few weeks ago, said it was 4lbs but someone else who had seen it said it was nearer 8lbs. Does put you off the ADAA a bit as seen quite a few nice fish end up in carrier bags last year as well.
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HI Andy
I hear you and agree :z18 but you can't blame the club, the rules state all brown trout over 18" must be returned, not all the other beat owners on the river even state this. Its very hard to enforce and like most rules relies on individuals following them. So blame the people not the organisation.
The fish, if it was kept, was also taken out of season so also breaking more of the rules of the club , the PO and the national laws, if it was silver then its classed as a crime, just a pity the same doesn't seem to apply to Gold.
We are supposed to live in more enlightened times, but a lot of people still require a bit of re-education to realise that the rules have changed in the last 20 years. Not quite sure how you can do this beyond mentioning it to people. :z8
Sandy
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I've been out a few time as well, starting to see a bit of fly life and also a few trout. Unfortunately also spoke to an old guy who'd taken a large brownie a few weeks ago, said it was 4lbs but someone else who had seen it said it was nearer 8lbs. Does put you off the ADAA a bit as seen quite a few nice fish end up in carrier bags last year as well.
Hi Andy, I know you probably don't have a name, but I would be letting the ADAA committee know. If they are not told, they cannot do anything about it.
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Sandy, I'm not blaming the ADAA but it was ADAA water and therefore a member. Unfortunately over last season and now this there seems to be quite a number of people fishing the ADAA beats who either don't know the rules or chose to ignore them.
Rob, I did say to the guy that it was out of season and the fish should have been returned but usual response, fish swallowed the rapala and nothing else he could do. Unfortunately I did not ask for his name and membership details at the time.
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fish swallowed the rapala
I am guessing he had not converted the Rapala to fit with ADAA rules of only one treble on a lure. I think the rules say that even dead fish must be returned out of season??
A real shame :(
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Quote from: Andyf on Yesterday at 22:27:28 (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=6609.msg57336#msg57336) Does put you off the ADAA a bit as seen quite a few nice fish end up in carrier bags last year as well.
As others have said, the rules are there, and we rely on our members to abide by them. There is an ADAA disciplinary committee, and they have and will take action, such as annulling membership, on breaches of rules. There are watchers and bailiffs, but we also rely on other anglers to keep us informed of rule breaches.
I'm happy to take forward, anonymously, any concerns or noted rule breaches
iain
ps - Our return rate for Brown Trout was 95% last year; see the full catch report doc via http://www.adaa.org.uk/#!catches/cq4e (http://www.adaa.org.uk/#!catches/cq4e)
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Iain, i would be interested in knowing how the figures are established. You are stateing 95% return rate, from where are you getting this figure. I take it this is from the few members who actually log returns. I'm all up for promoting the ADAA but to be honest find numbers like that very optimistic.
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Disgusting behavior chapping a trout out of season :mad :mad. I remember one of martins reports on fishpal last year saying there is still some eegits out there that will chap every thing.
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Iain, i would be interested in knowing how the figures are established. You are stateing 95% return rate, from where are you getting this figure.
hi Andy
I'm catch returns convener for ADAA. Last year, we had 2,268 returns (ie 2,268 fish), with 200 different anglers recording at least one catch.
I summarise the recorded catches; there's a field where the angler records if they kept or released their catch, and I use that to derive the figure. You can see my summary for 2014 in the PDF on the page I linked to in my previous post.
For browns, we had 904 recorded catches, of which 862 (95%) were returned.
cheers
iain
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Walking the dog along the river bank today around 1.15. Finally saw a couple of trout rising, both rose a couple of times before I moved on. Didn't see what they took, but there were a couple of olive duns on the water, and the rises were fairly solid, so I'd suspect that it was LDOs.
... only a couple of weeks to go now!
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It would be a lot easier if everything was just catch & release. Only other option I could see would be tags for all species and for it to be mandatory to carry a scale & tape in the same way as it is to carry a permit.
ADAA do take positive steps to make sure that their members are obeying the rules in my experience but, there are a lot of members and a lot of water and like any organisation or association, there will be a few numb skulls. The majority should not be tarred with that brush and, there are still plenty of butchers fishing on non ADAA waters pretty much unchecked,
As far as big fish go, there is still this misguided nonsense about "cannibal trout" and I still hear it from some who really should know better.
For browns, we had 904 recorded catches, of which 862 (95%) were returned.
I'd be absolutely astonished if that was the real total, Iain, and I'd be very surprised if the locations and weights were accurate in the case of good fish. Not really sure that the current method or channels for recording trout catches really encourage accurate submission of data. It's a little different for migratory fish.
Cheers
Ben
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Human nature dictates that some will not bother with reporting a catch or three so the figures will be about 5 to 10 % higher even without that the figures still show almost 50% increase in trout and a 50% decrease in salmon. Will be interesting to see what this years brings
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Human nature dictates that some will not bother with reporting a catch or three so the figures will be about 5 to 10 % higher even without that the figures still show almost 50% increase in trout and a 50% decrease in salmon. Will be interesting to see what this years brings
Not sure if it has been noted in this years thread yet but please use common sense when reporting catches here or anywhere else.
Everyone likes to read a good fishing report but photos should be cropped to not give away exact locations and pools should not be mentioned.
Cheers
Ben
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Not sure why your quoting my post in reference , subject as nothing to do with your announcement
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My "announcement", was regarding using common sense when reporting catches here or anywhere else. Your post made reference to not people possible not reporting all catches, I know that to be the case and at times, there may be good reason. I'm sorry if you do not see a connection there, I did not realise the need to be more explicit and will be sure to take that into account next time I quote you. You're right about it being interesting to see what comes of this season though.
Cheers
Ben
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Your post made reference to not people possible not reporting all catches, I know that to be the case and at times, there may be good reason.
Which in itself is breaking the club rules and I believe it is a legal requirement to submit catch returns for migratory species......
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Which in itself is breaking the club rules and I believe it is a legal requirement to submit catch returns for migratory species......
Pretty much anywhere in Scotland it's a legal requirement to provide an accurate catch return of wild and migratory salmonids for government records.
To knowingly provide false information on a return is... errrr....... an offence.
I appreciate the topic at hand is emotive, especially when it comes to the Don, but the problem of falsified or 'creative' catch returns is not a uniquely Don issue.
In line with previous years, and as Ben has stated, forum members should ensure that common sense or caution is used when posting updates with regard to where and when you have caught that trophy fish or had a belting day in 2015. It's good to share, but not too much :!
H
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Thanks Hamish :z16
Rob, I was referring to brown trout for which there is not a legal requirement to report catches. Reporting migratory catches is as you rightly state a legal requirement but they are often there one day and gone the next from a particular lie. Brownies not so much.
Cheers
Ben
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Thanks Hamish :z16
Rob, I was referring to brown trout for which there is not a legal requirement to report catches. Reporting migratory catches is as you rightly state a legal requirement but they are often there one day and gone the next from a particular lie. Brownies not so much.
Cheers
Ben
Still against club rules....
1.6 Return of catches
₋ Notification of catch information is obligatory on all members and should take place within 48 hours of all catches being made. It is important that all members adhere to the catch reporting rule. This must be done by telephone, number 01569 731949 or by the computer system. It will be a disciplinary offence not to do so.
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Hi Rob,
Well aware of the rules mate, point I'm making is that it does not always happen and that there is no LEGAL requirement to report :z4
Should catch up for a cast sometime this year.
Cheers
Ben
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Hi guys :z16
We will hopefully enjoy some good fishing again in 2015 and will naturally want to speak about it :cool:
It is great to discuss our good days on the water and to share a few photos ...... but at the same time we will obviously have concerns about naming our favourite river beats, pools and loch locations.
As always, Please use your common sense with this ....... and simply speak about "on the Don near Inverurie", "on the Upper/Middle/Lower River Don", or "a loch near Inverness" for example.
If you would like to know more about a given location mentioned in somebody's post, the question can be asked via the PM Messages system :wink
Best wishes
Mike
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Looks like we might be in for a breezy start this week :z6
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So was anyone daft enough to be out today and if so how daft were the trout :z18
being stuck at work on the first day of the season wasn't as bad as i thought it might be, watching the rain/snow/hail crossing the runway horizontally :z7
Mind you i remember one 1st of April that was particularly excellant for fish in the middle of a rain/snow/hail/windy........:X2
Sandy
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I was daft enough!!
I'm glad I did though..... Pics to follow. :z16
Liam
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As promised. :z16
I started my day with the SSS. Six weight, sink tip and streamer.
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2193-010415203317.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2629)
After a couple of hours and only a rattle I switched to the floating line and waited for the hatch. At 11.30 the flies started to emerge and the trout began to rise. I had a couple of nice trout and a handful of Sea Trout kelts which were good fun and put a nice bend in the rod.
The hatch lasted pretty much all afternoon even in the crap conditions. I saw a nice fish rise in the tail of a productive pool and got into position. After a few failed attempts my fly went where I wanted and up he came!
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2193-010415204043.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2630)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2193-010415204147.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2631)
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(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2193-010415204249.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2633)
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This fish was hooked at 3.25pm and there was still plenty of flies drifting down. Not my usual gear but I was pretty happy with the way the 6wt performed.
All in all a good first day of the trout season! :z16
Liam
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Good man Liam :z16 a fine report and a cracking trout. Hopefully the first of many we see on this thread this year.
Flying back to the UK on Friday evening so hopefully get some sport at the wend.
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You've had a cracking day mate well done
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Great stuff young man. Bonny fish :z16 nice photo's too :z18
Sandy
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nice one Liam - I got out of the car at work around 1.30pm in the driving snow/hail, and it didn't feel so bad not being on the river...
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Well done Liam cracker :z16
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Was out on my favourite little stretch of the river today, was a lovely afternoon to be out after yesterdays weather. Around about mid afternoon things really picked up the river was alive with fish rising.
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/1507-020415215624.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2648)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/1507-020415215710.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2649)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/1507-020415215749.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2650)
3 of the best from today
Simon
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Looks like a fine start to the season :z16, missed it but will be out next week all going well.
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well thats my first foray for the broonies on the Don.
Great hatch and lots of good fishing rising, unfortunatley every big trout was a silver one :X1 and they were pretty big :shock and in great condition and a lot of them in the pools where the brownies should have been.
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-030415163812.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2652)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-030415163859.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2653)
I got 4 seatrout kelts this size (20"+)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-030415163940.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2654)
And a couple of smaller ones, along with a couple of half pound brownies. Only big Brownie i hooked i managed to loose, but hey he was there and he rose :z16
Biggest issue today was getting the fish to pick up my fly amongst the hundreds on the water, i ended up using a Size 10 DHE with the top 1/3 of the wing cut off to make it look less huge on the water and cast better in the breeze.
Looks like its going to be a good start , so fingers crossed it continues :z16
Sandy
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also on Don today and similar story, some good sea trout kelts up to 28 inch and browns between 1lb and 2 lbs all on DHE and parachutes. Good to be back on river.
Sorry no pics
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DItto - picked up a few sea trout kelts, mostly in decent fettle. A few brownies mixed in too, it was a bit of a lottery casting to rising fish whether it was going to be brown or silver. All good though, and some decent hatches to get the fish looking up.
conditions look good for today, tight lines folks
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regarding the rises I noticed that the sea trout were more 'delicate' almost sipping like a grayling
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Great hatch today. Lots of fish feeding steadily from 11:30 til 3. First one I covered turned out to be a beast and broke me, I wasn't expecting it to be anywhere near as big but that's no excuse, opening day rust perhaps maybe a bit of that. Anyway I know where it its hanging out now...
Loads of fish rising, covered a lot hooked a few and landed a few. Best landed today 1.5lbs. Pic in the gallery can't seem to get it on here just now.
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/24-040415194906.jpeg)
( Edit = add photo )
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Evening all,
First post on this forum. I've just moved to Kintore and though i'd share a pic of a brown trout i caught on my first trout trip. Caught on a 5 wt switch rod with an olive intruder streamer. I heard the trout fishing was good before i moved here, but wow it's a great trout river!
(http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r673/wokkafisher2/IMG_0448_zpsidetqwxz.jpg) (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/wokkafisher2/media/IMG_0448_zpsidetqwxz.jpg.html)
(http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r673/wokkafisher2/IMG_0452_zps0d6tjrsx.jpg) (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/wokkafisher2/media/IMG_0452_zps0d6tjrsx.jpg.html)
(http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r673/wokkafisher2/IMG_0453_zpskhoojst0.jpg) (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/wokkafisher2/media/IMG_0453_zpskhoojst0.jpg.html)
(http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r673/wokkafisher2/IMG_0447_zpsgxfseyrm.jpg) (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/wokkafisher2/media/IMG_0447_zpsgxfseyrm.jpg.html)
Have a good Easter.
Wf2
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That's some fish wf and some first post! 29 inches :Shock did you weigh it at all?
Well done :z16
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That's a truly awesome fish! :z16 Any chance of a fly pic? I'm looking to get into streamers in a big way this year and am looking to expand my box.
A fish that size would weigh roughly how much?
Cheers
Liam
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First post on this forum. I've just moved to Kintore and though i'd share a pic of a 29" brown trout i caught on my first trout trip.
first trip? not a bad start, hopefully you'll get into some bigger fish next time... :-)
just kidding, that's a cracking fish, and looks like you handled it very carefully too. nice!
i,
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Great stuff Pete ....... welcome to the forum :z16
Best wishes
Mike
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First but hopefully not the last of 2015 !! A bit of a shy one but a real cracker 23 or 24 inch long which took a size 10 Klink.
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss343/rabbitangler/Don%20Brown%2015-3-29_zpsb1su4pap.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/rabbitangler/media/Don%20Brown%2015-3-29_zpsb1su4pap.jpg.html)
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Stonkers :z14
Pete , at 29" thats a fish of a lifetime, i hope you manage to better it :z16
There seem to be some very big brownies about at the moment :z16
A bit bright today, but one or two rising here and there.
Sandy
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Went out Saturday. Fantastic hatch that lasted from around 1-3pm... had trouble getting the fish to pick out my fly among the naturals as a few others have noted. A few big flies coming down, March Browns or similar?
Had success on a Size 14 DHE, 5 fish in total but two worth mentioning, a 19" sea trout kelt, and a 19" fat brownie which was a beautiful fish and great fight.
Unfortunately I went for a swim with my phone so couldn't get photos. Thought the phone was stuffed but it fired up again today. seems fitting for an Easter Sunday Resurrection!
A good start to the season for all it seems.
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And there was me thinking I had a good start, and I then see the two cracking fish others have caught! Oh well..lol
Saturday saw me get out for a few hours late afternoon. Got to the river about 4 to be told by two salmon anglers that I had just missed a hatch...grrr. Managed to spot a fish hugging the far bank that was rising every now and then. Managed to entice it with a size 16 DHE, lovely Browne weighed at 1lb 9oz.
Headed out Sunday at the same time, again, seemed to have missed the hatch so did a little nymphing. Managed a fish on a gold headed Hares Ear. That one was 1lb 4oz. On the way back to the car, just as it was getting dark I spotted what I thought was a small fish taking "something" off the top about 2 feet from the near bank. Crept up and plonked a DHE on its nose to be met with a very very angry Brownie that went airborne a dozen times before shooting off downstream. That one was 2lb 3oz.
From now on I am going to cast at those tiny dimples that I thought were small fish...
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Was out on Saturday for a wee while, plenty of life on the water and lots of fish rising all over the place. Second cast in and hooked into this beauty.
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/1507-060415074844.jpeg)
Caught a few more all on a DHE.
Simon
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2664)
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looking at all those fish I think I am going to need a bigger rod!!!
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Got on the water bout 11:30 yesterday to a hatch of olives in full swing. Few trout rising. First few offerings were refused but an olive comparadun did the trick. Landed 3 in quick succession all between 1 and 1.5 lbs and then the hatch died and thst was basically it. Despite hanging around for another few hrs I could have gone home at 12:30 quiet happy.
Heading back to work now so no fishing for me for at least a week. Shame, it would be a great week to have off for fishing!
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Had the bairn out today :z16
Every decent fish we covered turned out to be a Seatrout Kelt, still in bonny nick and some decent sizes too.
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-060415163149.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2669)
a few smaller brownies as well but the rise had already started when we arrived at 1130 and there were still fish popping up for the odd march brown at 3 when we left. So a great time to be out on the river
Sandy
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Great stuff Sandy :z16 ...... by the way, "the bairn" is bigger than you :z4
Cheers
Mike
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by the way, "the bairn" is bigger than you :z4
not quite......... although he thinks he is :z4
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It's great to see some photos of leaner early season trout, this gives a nice picture of how our fishing changes throughout the year :z16
Cheers
Mike
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River was quiet last night, no real movement, no real hatch. Quite a cool wind was ruffling the surface and making a 4 weight hard work. Missed a fish on a Klink and Dink rig when searching a piece of water I had seen a fish working on Sunday. Then tried some nymphing but the upstream wind made things hard, so sat on the bank and waited for the wind to drop
Spotted a fish rising to the odd fly so covered it, and missed it! So, another half hour sat watching before it started to rise again. Bingo, another wee 2 pounder. I remember the days when a 2 pounder would be a big fish, these days it seems to be an average lol.
Headed back to the car and had a chuck at what I thought was a good fish 2 foot from the bank...but it turned out to be a hand sized Brownie.
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Some pics from the last 2 days! :z16
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2193-080415191103.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2672)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2193-080415191205.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2673)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2193-080415191304.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2674)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2193-080415191335.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2675)
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Last ones for a while I promise. :z16
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2193-080415191708.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2676)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2193-080415191852.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2677)
I'm off the river for a few days so Tightlines everyone!
Liam
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Nice one Liam, you been enjoying your self way to much 😀😀😀
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Windy today :z6
A pleasant walk with Colin ended with him getting himself off the mark for the season :z18
Well done dude and a bonny fish to boot, 18" and around the 2lb mark according to the net.
(http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh7/skuesapprentice/IMG_5780.jpg) (http://s252.photobucket.com/user/skuesapprentice/media/IMG_5780.jpg.html)
Eventually the hatch started, pretty late after 1pm, the fish i found were hugging banks, both near and far, only 3 spots with a handful of feeding fish. A long walk for not much action.
But they were willing if you managed to cover one :z16 Slim fish today, which is interesting given the condition of the ones over the last couple of weeks. My best of the day was about 17" and bonny colours :z16
(http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh7/skuesapprentice/IMG_5796.jpg) (http://s252.photobucket.com/user/skuesapprentice/media/IMG_5796.jpg.html)
Sandy
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Tricky conditions the day. got 1 thin sea trout kelt and hooked ma self twice :z8 :z8.
Good hatch tho just a pity aboot the wind.
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/11134-130415211800.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2692)
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Just the one sea troot kelt for me on Sunday, missed a fish on dries (schoolboy error) missed two on spiders and one on duo. Very hard day, hardly a rising fish and those that did come up were 'oncers'.
Acht well always next time.
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A wee dander out this afternoon for a couple of hours.
Fished a favourite very technical piece of water, always a big challenge and usually a few big fish about.
Today was no different, not helped by an upstream breeze, but i got a couple when i managed to get the fly to drift drag free.
I seemed to waste the best part of the rise using the wrong fly, Yesterdays Dark DHE is yesterdays news on the Don, today it was Rusty olive Spiders.
Nice hatch of Olive uprights in bursts amongst the LDO's, i fancy the bigger fish were after the uprights. best was between 12 and 1 with fish rising in spots to the uprights through to 3.
Finally one of the better ones was golden and not a Sea-trout kelt :z16
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-160415173234.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2702)
Back to work for a few days now :cry :cry Have fun over the weekend :z16
Sandy
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Aye could only manage another sea trout kelt with razor like teeth :cry :cry, Then i went to assist a fella fishing near by who hooked a belter of a broonie 4lb + i think and safely returned.
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/11134-160415194627.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2703)
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Back to basics yesterday....... I revisited an old favourite method of mine the klink and dink/duo. The flies weren't fancy just a size 12 indicator klink and a size 14 PTN with 2.5ml tung bead. I had a blast best day of the season yet.
A few pics of my best 2 fish.
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2193-160415220414.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2704)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2193-160415220454.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2705)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2193-160415220530.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2706)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2193-160415220604.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2707)
All that remains from a batch of 6 PTNs.
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2193-160415220641.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2708)
Liam
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Well done on the troots Liam, very jealous from Dubai, I am currently sitting in the airport at Accra in Ghana. only another 4 years and I can retire to Scotland and fish happily ever after.
Eddie. :z16 :z16
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Well done on the troots Liam, very jealous from Dubai, I am currently sitting in the airport at Accra in Ghana. only another 4 years and I can retire to Scotland and fish happily ever after.
Eddie. :z16 :z16
In four years time you will be fairly getting on a bit and will require my services for such functions as driving you to the river (you must supply the car) carrying your net (you're a lot shorter than me which in turn means it always gets hung up on bushes) and casting to those difficult risers (I do not feel I need to explain this one).
With this in mind please inform mother that as of 2019 I shall also be retiring of sorts and that you will be financially supporting me (it would all disappear in inheritance tax otherwise).
Your loving son,
Steven.
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Really tough conditions this week.
Few rising fish and even harder to hook, exactly like my trips to the deveron i found the fish had to be struck ultra quick to stand a chance of hooking up and then they were very easy to loose. In fact i didn't manage to get one in all week :X1
I'll blame the bright conditions and the doldrums all the rivers seem to be in. A change in the weather this week might help, might make it worse :X1 we shall see...
Still its good to be brought back down to earth from time to time :z6
Anyone else have any joy?
Sandy
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I've had a great start to the season so far.
Last week the fish were getting a bit trickier to spot and getting spookier too, but i did manage a few nice fish.
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/10804-250415115208.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2732)
A few nice ones like this throughout the week
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/10804-250415115423.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2733)
On thursday i tried my new Sage TXL-f #4 as river is low and trout were getting trickier to catch, not much happened all day until i was heading back to car and spotted a nice rise. I covered it and christened the rod with style. :z16
A really nice 24" trout
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/10804-250415115805.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2734)
All in all a great start to my season, back to work now so wont be back for a few weeks.
cheers
Geoff
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Great stuff Geoff ..... and cracking photos :z16
Best wishes
Mike
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Awesome stuff Geoff :z16
Bonny fish too :z18 i bet it was a whole lot of fun on a 4wt TXL :z12
Sandy
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Hi Sandy. I'm glad it wasn't just me. I fished a lot this week, good day sat and Sunday and then it all got very difficult! Had my first don blank of the season quickly followed by my second! Good flush of rain would be a big help.
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Sunday saw me heading for a Pike fly trip before I realized Cass had my permit in her car...so home, change the 9 weight for a 4 weigh and off I went to the Don.
It was 9 degrees when I left the house, 6 when I got to the river and -1 when I finally got back to the car!!
However, managed a few small fish, including a few Finnock (??) on a Klink and Dink setup before the snow really came down.
At that point I switched to a much underused wet fly cast and down stream swing. I was plabued by small fish around 4-6 inched hammering a spider or a March Brown wet so come 3.30, I had had enough and headed home.
There were tiny pale coloured flies coming off most of the day in very low numbers and before the snow started, the odd fish was rising, but only once or twice. As soon as the wind touched the water, the fish were gone.
At 3pm there was a reasonable hatch of Olives, but by then the snow was hammering down and nothing was moving at all.
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Headed down to the river on Sunday around 1pm, conditions were far from ideal with heavy rain and a strong upstream wind. It was difficult trying to spot a rising fish never mind follow a dry fly on its drift. At 1:30 there were quite a few olive uprights coming off and I tuned into some nice trout on the move.
Shortly after I hooked into this cracker on a size 14 DHE
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/trout_1%202015.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/trout_1%202015.jpg.html)
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/trout_1b%202015.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/trout_1b%202015.jpg.html)
The trout were rising to olive uprights all afternoon and after a few smaller fish I got hold of this one at the tail of the next pool.
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/trout_2%202015.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/trout_2%202015.jpg.html)
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/trout_2b%202015.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/trout_2b%202015.jpg.html)
Had a great afternoon, well worth the effort!
Here are a few more pics from recent trips...
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/trout_3%202015.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/trout_3%202015.jpg.html)
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/trout_3b%202015.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/trout_3b%202015.jpg.html)
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/trout_3c%202015.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/trout_3c%202015.jpg.html)
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/trout_4%202015.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/trout_4%202015.jpg.html)
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/montage_1.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/montage_1.jpg.html)
....its been a great start to the season.
and well done to the rest of you, great stuff!
Cheers
Scott C
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Awesome stuff Scott.
Cracking photo's too, looks like there have been a good number of decent fish getting caught on the dry, superb :z18
Sandy
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Hit the river yesterday afternoon, starting around 12.30. As the wind was howling and the rain teeming, I took a switch rod and streamers.
Within 15 minutes I had a 3 pounder on the bank that took a black Woolly Bugger fished round on a big down stream mend to get the fly side on to any fish laying in the stream.
The rain kept coming as did the hits, but I kept missing them! I think I was getting so cold and wet that I was losing concentration, and could not see a thing thorough steamed up glasses . lol
I made my way to a long, slowish, deep pool and had a swing. BAM! the line tightened and the fish took off down stream. Now, I don't mess about with fish and my drag was set pretty tight, but I was flat rodded on a 7 weight switch. The fish took a whole line and 20 odd yards of backing before I had to clamp up hard to stop it going over the rapids at the end of the pool. The fish turned and started to run back and as I caught up with it, the hook popped out!
I never saw the fish and I suspect it was a salmon because if I believed it was a Brownie, I would still be sitting on the bank weeping!!
I will be back though, just in case :)
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Cheers Sandy
I see you've also had a great start to the season :z16
Scott C
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Great stuff Scott, cracking fish :z16
Aye sandy it was good fun on the TXL, really nice rod. :z18
Geoff
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Hi Scott - some cracking trout and great photos in there. superb
iain
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Cracking day on the river in good company :z16
We had some good hatches for most of the day ( from about 11-ish till about 3-ish ) and saw some very nice trout enjoying them :cool:
I had a few nice fish and broke off on a 'real stonker' :oops ...... but I was net-less, due to the current net going in the bin :z4
Cheers
Mike
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2-130515184647.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2773)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2-130515184736.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2774)
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It was a cracking day to be on the water. :z16
Great fun with a good few pound+ fish rising freely to the olive uprights in the lovely clear water
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-130515192657.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2775)
Some really nice rod benders in amongst them too, i had a few like this today, awesome river :z12
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-130515192801.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2776)
but the best one was taken off skinny water and was nosing the flies, i couldn't tell if it was a big nose or a small fish, so i tried anyway, good idea, first Trophy off the Don for 2015:z16
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-130515194712.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2778)
Great conditions and the fish were in fine fettle, the Netless wonder was good company too, although dropping a monster seems to have invigorated his dryfly addiction and might encourage him to use proper weight nylon :z7
Cheers
Sandy
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the Netless wonder was good company too, although dropping a monster seems to have invigorated his dryfly addiction and might encourage him to use proper weight nylon :z7
:z4 :z4 :z4
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Left work at three to be met with a cold wind so picked up my switch rod and box of streamers and headed for the river. First mistake! The river was heaving with flies and more importantly, fish! Where is the dry fly rod when you need it...at home!
The river was a lot clearer than I thought it would be so mistake number two was picking up the "bright streamer" box!
Anyway, to cut a long story short, if I had the right gear I think I would have had some nice fish but I did manage to fluke one of about a pound and another about a pound and a half on a wooly bugger I found tucked away in a pocket.
What I did find out though is that even a streamer fished fast across fairly shallow water will produce. Both fish came from areas I would not normally bother with, so at least I learned something.
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I'm thinking of giving the Don a go for the first time for browns, staying in Carnoustie the upper river is probably easier for me to get to, any recommendations etc?
Thanks
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Hi Duncan,
In my experience there are some nice trout on all the beats throughout the river system, just take your time and look for rising fish :wink
Best wishes
Mike
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Just back from a few days up above Bellabeg - Good fly life and lots of beautiful Trout - nothing huge although lost a couple of bigger ones. Flies that did the trick were Waterhen Bloa and Deer Hair Emerger. Seemed to be catching the most fish between 2 and 4 pm.
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Hi Duncan
As Mike says any of the beats are good, although early season you are better on the lower/middle river, we are now in the window for the upper river too, so from now on pick where you like.
It may depend where you want to stay, For example if you based yourself in Inverurie then you have easy access to Kintore, Inverurie, Manar, Fetternear and Kemnay water on day tickets. Monymusk is not far away and you can get day tickets for some of the ADAA water.
Wheras if you stay in Strathdon/kildrummy area, you get strathdon, bellabeg, kildrummy, semeil, etc in easy reach.
Loads to choose from, so I think finding where to stay is probably the first port of call :z16
Sandy
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A few more spotties on Saturday evening whilst accompanied by Cass. Yet another cold wind that kept the fish down but managed 3 smallish fish on DHE's.
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Had a very quick session on the river last night, as it seemed mild after a warm afternoon. First evening session of 2015. Got onto river about 7.15, a couple of fish rising here and there.
One sporadically rising to occasional uprights with a small splash; another steadily sucking down goodies in a little slick of current.
The first one wouldn't play ball, but tempted the 2nd one, which turned out to be a solid 2lber that gave me a scrappy scramble across the rocks.
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/3-210515073417.jpeg)
Still feels a little too cool for proper evening rises, but worth a dibble.
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also on river last night and similar experience, couple of fish 1lb mark and missed couple of decent fish. All on a black klinghammer
Did see otter when leaving river that brightened the mood
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No fish for me on Tuesday evening :( Rain and wind made things rather unpleasant and the lose of two good fish on streamers really capped off a crap session!
However, earlier in the afternoon I managed a Sea trout from the Dee ;)
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10 or so fish, nothing big, average size probably a pound. Various methods from klink and dink with a HUGE DHE and gold head hares ear through to wooly buggers. Also a few on tiny DHE's as the light faded.
Where I expected to see fish, nothing, where I experimented in water I would not normally fish, I caught.
An interesting night.
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Troot seemed to start rising last night about half nine where aye was. Nothing doing before then.
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Went to middle river last night from 9.30pm to 11pm. Only saw a couple of rise, the wind was heavy on that beat, so didn't try the dry fly. Put on a stoat's tail and had a fish hooked after 10min. After a few run, just before went in the net, the hook came out. :cry The best thing is I saw the fish, the worst thing is the fish is definately over 2lb. I have never hooked something over 2lb in the past. After that, it went quite, but I had first fish on fly this year, it's a salmon parr just before I went home. A lovely evening, hope I can go back again soon. :z16
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but the best one was taken off skinny water and was nosing the flies, i couldn't tell if it was a big nose or a small fish, so i tried anyway, good idea, first Trophy off the Don for 2015 :z16
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-130515194712.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2778)
A reminder that watching the river for a while from the bank, rather than wading straight in is a good idea.
This trout was in very shallow water and only a couple of steps from the bank ..... and precisely where we would have entered the water!
Cheers
Mike
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This trout was in very shallow water and only a couple of steps from the bank ..... and precisely where we would have entered the water
+1 :z16 I have started fishing bits I normally walk straight past and have has quite a few fish from areas you would think would be to fast/too shallow. Biggest fish I have seen would have been pushing 6lbs and was laying tucked under the bank I was standing on.
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Had my first evening session on Monday. Not much happening with a cool breeze and very little fly life. Last night was a bit better, still a cool breeze but maybe not quite so cold as the previous. I headed to the more sheltered spots hoping to find some surface feeders.
After a wee bit of searching early evening I tempted this plump trout on a slimly tied olive DHE size 14. Its been a fantastic year for trout in the 2-3lb range... and some heftier ones too!
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/26%205%2015_a.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/26%205%2015_a.jpg.html)
Just before 10pm I changed my fly to a slightly heavier dressed DHE, again size 14. Went to a spot where I pricked a decent fish earlier in the season and was pleasantly surprised to see him nosing the surface again in the exact same spot, no more than 2 feet from my bank. I waded out to get a slight angle on the cast, its a tricky piece of water, at best I’d have a 2-3 second drag free drift, get the angle wrong and the dry would skate immediately... I got there eventually and the fish took the DHE with confidence, after a quick bolt upstream he turned (this was the bit I wasn’t looking forward to) and headed downstream straight into the fast weedy water, after a nervy few minutes I managed to get control and net this beauty.....
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/26%205%2015_2_1.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/26%205%2015_2_1.jpg.html)
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/26%205%2015_1b_1.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/26%205%2015_1b_1.jpg.html)
Still that nip in the air, shouldn’t be long now before we get some decent evening rises but more than happy with my efforts so far :z16
Cheers
Scott C
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Great stuff Scott ..... that first photo is awesome! :z16
Cheers
Mike
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Great stuff Scott ..... that first photo is awesome! :z16
Ditto :z16
Another near bank escapade too, over half my big uns this year have come from casting less than a rod length of flyline. :z18
Sandy
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So i've had the chance to get out the last couple of afternoons, Friday i did 1 till 6 , this afternoon i managed 12-3.
Similar story on both days, lovely conditions if a little cold, overcast with a gentle breeze on the beat i was fishing. Thousands of flies hatching from before 12 onwards, today especially... However the fish seemed reluctant to feed.
Lots of Salmon parr and Smolts holding in some of the good spots and i wonder if the rowdy kids have pushed the bigger guys to wait till later on.
A veritable smorgesboard of food though :z16
The very pretty yellow mays hatching in numbers but the trout only eat these in very specific parts of the river :z8 and not the last couple of days!
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-300515202030.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2828)
The bulk of the hatch was Medium olives, i only managed to catch some cripples, but you get the idea.
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-300515202136.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2829)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-300515202212.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2830)
And loads of Small dark olives hatching too, the wind kept blowing his wings :z6
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-300515202304.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2831)
The river surface looked like this :shock
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-300515202349.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2832)
Yet the bulk of the rising fish were only wee ones, still they need to bulk up somehow. There was one or two better ones here and there if you sat long enough and they were happy to hit a size 14 DHE, so i'm guessing the Medium olives were the chosen food.
best of the two days was a nice 15" fish about 1.75lb
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-300515202544.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2833)
With a handful around the pound mark, including this bonny heavily spotted fish from this afternoon.
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-300515202742.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2834)
Definately thinking of trying an evening next :z16 Hopefully there will be some better fish moving, it just feels a bit cold.
Today the river was running a touch more colour than yesterday, but it is still looking pretty good
Cheers
Sandy
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nice review of the day, Sandy :z16
you mention a gentle breeze. was is by chance from a different than 'normal' direction ?
i'm collecting outputs from people from all over the globe trying to understand the 'plentiful food/no predators/bigger fish not feeding as they might or even hiding' phenomenon a little better and if wind direction is one of the causes.
wind direction most definitely changes feeding habits around here (North side of the Pyrenees mountains in southern France)
we have two directions: crossing the country from the Atlantic going to the Mediterranean or vice-versa.
the Atl. wind is generally a bit drier, the Med a bit more humid.
for the same amount of bug activity (and the fish are calm, not in any alert pattern) if the Atl. wind is there you'll have a good day.
if it's the Med. you might as well bring a book...
any thoughts from you guys ?
cheers?
marc
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HI Marc
The wind factor is important here too, especially if its changeable.
An old Don saying is "when the winds in the east the fish bite least, wind in the west fish bite best" it tends to run pretty true most of the time.
The last few day we have had a westish wind but it was pretty strong, i found shelter from it to go fishing, so not sure it was a big influence on the stretch i was fishing.
If you get an easterly it tends to blow upstream on the Don and it has a negative impact on the fishing although it usually heralds drier/cooler weather, the westerlies tend to be warmer and bring rain with them too, not sure if that is also an issue.
Stability for a couple of days seems to be more important, with changing directions seemingly making the fish moody and tempremental. What i hope for is some stable temps and reasonably constant direction.
Might go out tonight to see what things are doing later on :z16
Sandy
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thanks Sandy :z16
i had forgotten about upstream/downstream wind and if it might effect feeding habits as well as all the rest.
so much to know, so few lives to learn it all !.. :z4
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An old Don saying is "when the winds in the east the fish bite least, wind in the west fish bite best" it tends to run pretty true most of the time.
Same saying in coarse fishing circles.
I do have a theory, although it is maybe a bit hair-brained, but there is some science in it..honest.
When the wind is blowing upstream on the Don, as the flies hatch (normally a reduced hatch due to wind temperature) the flies turn into the wind as their wings act as a sail. If you watch them going past a majority are facing downstream.
Apparently aquatic flies can sense the pressure wave of an approaching fish through their front feet on the waters surface, much the same way as Pond Skaters do.
So, my theory is that an upstream wind means the flies are harder for the trout to eat as they are facing any oncoming trout and can get out of the way, and with a downstream wind the trout are mostly approaching from the rear of the fly so the flies are easier to eat.
-
Makes sense to me :z16
To add to that, i have found that if my flies, particularly the DHE, is facing downstream then the trout often ignore it.
If it is facing upstream then they hit it confidently. This often leads me to fish it across and sometimes downstream on a slack line cast rather than traditional upstream dryfly style.
Cheers
Sandy
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are you guys saying that Scottish trout haven't figured out they can circle the bug and eat it from behind ? :z4 :z4 :z4
really interesting comments, thanks ! :z16
Sandy, have you considered tying some DHEs backwards ? :wink
-
Makes sense to me :z16
To add to that, i have found that if my flies, particularly the DHE, is facing downstream then the trout often ignore it.
If it is facing upstream then they hit it confidently. This often leads me to fish it across and sometimes downstream on a slack line cast rather than traditional upstream dryfly style.
Cheers
Sandy
There was an article a few months back on the very subject of having two dry fly boxes, one with upstream facers, one with down stream facers.
-
An old Don saying is “when the winds in the east the fish bite least, wind in the west fish bite best” it tends to run pretty true most of the time.
(but not all of the time)
I witnessed an incredible hatch of Olive Uprights on the Don in April. Strong easterly wind, rain, followed by sleet then heavy snow, yet the water was blanketed with OU’s and fish rising everywhere...
Similar story on my next outing minus the sleet and snow.
Scott C
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(but not all of the time)
Hehe :z7
upstream breeze this evening, for a wee while, saw quite a few nice trout rising to what i think were BWO's
I couldn't get close enough to catch any, but a size 14 DHE was good for the fish.
A nice handful of trout to christen the new Epic Carbon 5wt i have under R and D.
Best of the evening i dropped, but he started rising again after about an hour but i couldn't get him to take again, funnily enough.
However A change to a CDC Spider resolved to take the other fish in his stretch, including this nice one.
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-030615214958.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2841)
All in ,a great evening from 6 till 9 with some good fish moving to flies and plenty in the 1-2lb class, well impressed with the new blank on its first outing, hopefully we'll see how it handles a good un soon enough :z16
Water was still pretty coloured but it didn't seem to be putting the fish off, saw a couple of tourists splashing about as well :z18
Sandy
-
Had a late session last night between 9-11:45pm. On arrival there were various olives hatching with Yellow Mays in good numbers. I spotted a decent trout feeding on emerging YM’s, nicking a few adults off the surface too (which I don’t see often). The trout took my offering - a DHE with a light hares ear body but I dropped him soon after :cry
There were a few sedge skittering about later so I gave a tried and tested CDC pattern it’s first swim of the season. Soon after I got into a few nice fish, including one that I’d caught earlier in the season. You can see by the comparison montage below it has gained in weight since April....
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/4_june_comparison.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/4_june_comparison.jpg.html)
After a few more similar sized fish I managed to tempt the biggest of the night, a strong strapping trout that gave me the runaround for a bit...
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/4_june_1.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/4_june_1.jpg.html)
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/4_june_2.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/4_june_2.jpg.html)
The trout recovered in the weedy shallows before disappearing into the darkness...
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/4_june_3.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/4_june_3.jpg.html)
Cheers
Scott C
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I've made the most of the last few good evenings and had some interesting nights on various beats of the river.
Lots of flies on all the nights but no two nights were the same.
Sunday night the fish were after big sedges and were happy to hit big flies skated across the water, monday night they wanted really small flies fished on the drift, Tuesday it was smallish caddis (14) fished on the drift or skated, last night they were after yellow mays to start with (unusual) and went onto micro caddis later on. I'm pretty sure the fish were feeding on very small caddis on all the nights, but they are very hard to see in the dark.
So its been hard work with the bigger fish starting to feed as the Bats come out,
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-110615130912.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2842)
I managed to catch fish most nights on a size 12 or 14 CDC and Elk, but the bigger boys were quite shy and easily spooked
this was the best of the 4 nights
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-110615131041.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2843)
And i had a few like this too
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-110615131131.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2844)
So all in, a few good nights, didn't manage any Scott sized fish but i did see a few and know where they live :wink all i have to do is improve my stealthyness and accuracy in the failing light and maybe i might get one :z16
Being in the right spot when the bats come out makes a huge difference so spend some time looking :z16
Back to work for a few days now, so no more midnight finishes for a few days, if you are out, stay late its worth it :z18
Cheers
Sandy
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I’ve been chomping at the bit all week, finally managed to get down to the river last night :z2 Nothing much happened until after 10:30 when a couple of better ones started to move, not as many as expected but a few to aim at anyway. Picked off a few nice trout in the 1-2lb range then all went quiet :z8
Thought that was my lot for the night, that was until this beauty rose to my dry just before midnight....
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/trout_11%20june_a1.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/trout_11%20june_a1.jpg.html)
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/trout_11%20june_b.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/trout_11%20june_b.jpg.html)
if you are out, stay late its worth it :z18
Looks like you were right Sandy :z16
Right time right place I guess
Cheers
Scott C
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Awesome :z14
out of interest what size fly?
Sandy
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B100 size 14, thankfully this one didn't open on me, been having a few problems with these hooks lately :z8
I was just about to call it a night when that fish rose, I was lucky!
Scott C
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Cracking fish, must have been a he'll of a fight.
-
woW !!! congrats !!! :z16
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Stunning!!! I was out on Thursday until 11pm. I certainly did not see anything like this rising :( I really must be on the wrong bit of the river :(
-
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/trout_11%20june_b.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/trout_11%20june_b.jpg.html)
Well done Scott, that's a hell of a trout :z16
H :cool:
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I was out on Thursday until 11pm. I certainly did not see anything like this rising :( I really must be on the wrong bit of the river :(
or maybe you packed up at the wrong time, 11pm finish is early for this time of year. All my fish lately have been taken between 10:30 - Midnight. I also like to keep on the move, a change of pool can make all the difference. I rotate beats regularly, sometimes fishing more than one in a session. With a little perseverance it eventually comes good!
With unsettled weather this week there hasn’t been as much surface activity as I would expect at this time of year. However, there’s usually been a small window of opportunity most nights on various beats and did manage some nice fish.
This trout wasn’t the biggest of my week but was certainly the strongest - with a big tail and impressive girth, caught around 11:30pm
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/fash_1.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/fash_1.jpg.html)
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/fash_2.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/fash_2.jpg.html)
:z18
Scott C
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or maybe you packed up at the wrong time, 11pm finish is early for this time of year. All my fish lately have been taken between 10:30 - Midnight. I also like to keep on the move, a change of pool can make all the difference. I rotate beats regularly, sometimes fishing more than one in a session. With a little perseverance it eventually comes good!
With unsettled weather this week there hasn’t been as much surface activity as I would expect at this time of year. However, there’s usually been a small window of opportunity most nights on various beats and did manage some nice fish.
This trout wasn’t the biggest of my week but was certainly the strongest - with a big tail and impressive girth, caught around 11:30pm
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/fash_1.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/fash_1.jpg.html)
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/fash_2.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/fash_2.jpg.html)
:z18
Scott C
I think it was yourself I passed, stood in the middle of the river, waiting and watching as I bumbled upstream.
-
It’s been a productive weekend with good sedge hatches between 10:30-11:30pm peaking at 11-11:15pm. Had my first go with the Barrio Troutcast copolymer and the knots held up well with these two beauties :z16 both caught on a CDC emerging sedge.
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/fash_a.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/fash_a.jpg.html)
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/fash_b.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/fash_b.jpg.html)
This trout was over a pound lighter but still gave a good account of itself with that shovel-like tail.
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/fash_c.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/fash_c.jpg.html)
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/fash_d.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/fash_d.jpg.html)
:z18
Scott C
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Had my first go with the Barrio Troutcast copolymer and the knots held up well with these two beauties
Thats good to hear, i've trialling it for a while and have had no problems at all :z16
Sandy
ps. cracking fish dude :z16
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I'm really pleased that you are liking the Barrio Troutcast Tippet guys ..... You are certainly putting it to the test with the fish that you two have been catching lately! :cool:
Best wishes
Mike
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A bit quieter on the river tonight ...... a gentle reminder that the 'magic hour' doesn't always happen every night :z4
Cheers
Mike
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A bit quieter on the river tonight ...... a gentle reminder that the 'magic hour' doesn't always happen every night :z4
Agreed, but what might not be happening on one beat might be happening on another :wink I had a blast last night between 10:15 -11:45.
Caught a few crackers in this weight range. All fish were taken on a size 14 sedge
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/broon_1.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/broon_1.jpg.html)
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/broon_2.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/broon_2.jpg.html)
:z18
Scott C
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Agreed, but what might not be happening on one beat might be happening on another :wink I had a blast last night between 10:15 -11:45.
Caught a few crackers in this weight range. All fish were taken on a size 14 sedge
:z18
Scott C
Or on a different pool! Arriving at the river last night I met a guy who told me it was a waste of time, river was rising apparently. I walked on for a few mins to a favourite spot immediately spotted a rise and hooked and landed a nice 1.5lbr. Next target a min later was a much bigger fish that got off after a long tussle. Followed by another dozen + all from the same spot. I really must have another look for the charging cable for my camera....
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Great stuff guys :z16
We had a few fish too, but we had to work for them. I think localised weather conditions also play a part in how things go on the night. All great fun :cool:
Cheers
Mike
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Has anyone seen the river this afternoon? I guess that rain had an effect?
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Haven't been on the river for a few days Noel, but these storms certainly aren't doing us any favours on the trout front :z6
Cheers
Mike
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Rumbles ........ storms brewing upstream again this afternoon :z6
-
:z14 :z14
STREAMER TIME!! :z16
-
:z14 :z14
DRY FLY TIME!! :z16
This trout was caught last night on the dry just before 11pm. There were a few fish moving and a decent hatch of BWOs.
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/fash_a_1.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/fash_a_1.jpg.html)
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/fash_b_1.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/fash_b_1.jpg.html)
A sturdy trout in prime condition...
(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu233/klinkhammer/fash_c_1.jpg) (http://s651.photobucket.com/user/klinkhammer/media/fash_c_1.jpg.html)
:z18
Cheers
Scott C
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You win Scott! Streamers didn't produce much. :X1
-
Wow that's a cracker, was going to go out last night as conditions looked perfect
Well done anyway
-
Starting to think it's the same fish you lot are sharing around..lol.
Must get out again, been concentrating on British Record sized Ide for the last few weeks. 4oz off...soooo close.
-
Sandy and I enjoyed a few hours on the river last night, there were some nice fish moving and the odd sea trout amongst them :cool:
I had a few bonnie trout on the DHE, but nothing over 1 lb ....... although I did have a very brief encounter with a rather large salmon that took the DHE 14 :shock
As I get older my brain seems to take longer to work things out ...... I heard a big splash downstream in the fading light and could make out what appeared to be a swan swimming across the river in the distance, that's funny I thought to myself it seems to be carrying a bush :roll but when it reached the other side I was treated to the awesome sight of a stag emerging from the river :cool:
Cheers
Mike
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Must get out again, been concentrating on British Record sized Ide for the last few weeks. 4oz off...soooo close.
Cool, looking forward to seeing some :z15 pics :z16
-
Sandy and I enjoyed a few hours on the river last night, there were some nice fish moving and the odd sea trout amongst them :cool:
indeed :z16
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-160715153927.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2957)
Sedges rule :z16
Nice night to be out though
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-160715154024.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2958)
If Mr B had managed to to keep hold of his Tourist, it would have been mighty impressive (well into double figures).
These pound sized brownies are really strong though and are proving to be great fun, if not quite as big as you expect when you see the rise and then hook one. Lots of BWO's on the water too, from an 18 to a 12 in size, so i've been fishing 12's to make sure i land a few :X2
Sandy
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Looking good, nice fish
-
Oh me. I am getting jealous. On a drillship in Angola at the moment!!!!
-
I was treated to the awesome sight of a stag emerging from the river :cool:
I would ask how you can mistake a Stag for a swan, but I am guilty of mistaking a Hare for a Stag!!!
Very much in the ilk of this conversation :oops
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS12p0Zqlt0
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Must get out again, been concentrating on British Record sized Ide for the last few weeks. 4oz off...soooo close.
Rob, I would love to see a pic. Please tell me you had yer camera? Was it caught in Scotland? that would make it a Scottish record if its 4oz off the British record, wouldn't it? :z14 :z14 :z14 :z18
-
Has anyone seen the river today? Up and coloured I assume.... :X1
-
Hello, I'm new to the forum.
Did anyone have any luck after all that rain? I fish the Kemnay AC beat. Yesterday was interesting, seeing a few new lies in the higher water. Hooked and lost one.
-
Rob, I would love to see a pic. Please tell me you had yer camera? Was it caught in Scotland? that would make it a Scottish record if its 4oz off the British record, wouldn't it? :z14 :z14 :z14 :z18
There is a photo that I am waiting on being sent to me. A chap walking around the loch took a photo on his phone. I have not seen it yet so have no idea if it was any good. I had another of 7lb 3 the other day...very thick fish indeed. Looking down on it I thought it was a carp.
As for a Scottish Record, I understand that because it is an introduced species, the record was suspended and no new claims allowed. The current record is from Culcrech Castle, Fintry at 7lb something.
-
Hello, I'm new to the forum.
Did anyone have any luck after all that rain? I fish the Kemnay AC beat. Yesterday was interesting, seeing a few new lies in the higher water. Hooked and lost one.
Welcome to the forum Doug :z16
Best wishes
Mike
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Thank you Mike, it's been very insightful reading through the stories!
-
I guess I'm not the only one thinking that it would be nice if the wind would ease off for a few days ..... and a bit of settled weather wouldn't go amiss either :z6
Cheers
Mike
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Just find a sheltered spot (I.e right at the bank). I've hooked and lost 3 very good, possibly P.B territory fish over the past couple of days. They have been eating flies sometimes less than a foot from the undergrowth. At this time of year they certainly know where to head for...... Right into the ranunculus! :X1
-
What time of day are folks seeing a hatch at the moment.
In June/early July a late evening till midnight was good.
Since the rain, the water temp is very low and I wondered if the insect activity had shifted back to earlier in the day?
-
I've seen Trout rising at lunchtime but have been focusing my efforts around 5-6 til 10ish. Still the odd Sedge but mostly BWO and smaller upwings. Don't forget about spinner patterns!
:z18
Liam
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Thanks Liam, I'll head out this afternoon!
-
Went out this morning to try some nymphing on my Streamflex plus.....
This was the result :cry
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2193-280715140506.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2998)
Note to self, when you hook something decent in a heavy flow don't try to bully it!! :X1
Lima
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Oops :X1
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I see you tried throwing money at it and that didn't fix it :z8 :z8 :z16
-
You did that on a fish :shock
Must have taken a fair dink at some point to cause a circumferential stress raiser to get a clean break.
Will be interesting to see what Greys say when you send it back :z16
Sandy
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Note to self, when you hook something decent in a heavy flow don't try to bully it!! :X1
Did you by any chance have the rod held high when that happened?
-
Must have taken a fair dink at some point to cause a circumferential stress raiser to get a clean break.
i'm with Sandy there. perhaps a nasty 'Clousering' or a big ding during transport because otherwise, rods don't tend to snap in that particular manner. anyhow, sorry for your loss... :z4
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Yes a fish was on at the time. I hooked it at the end of my drift as it began to swing. It is possible it took a clattering on the way where I fish as it like a jungle at this time of year. I wasn't high sticking just applying a good amount of side pressure to try and steer it out of the main flow. It's with Greys now.
:z18
-
It is possible it took a clattering on the way where I fish as it like a jungle at this time of year.
That's where Glass comes into its own :z16 Proper trout bum rods :z12
Sandy
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My first trophy since 1st April :z14
Taken on the dry during a BWO hatch after a morning of nymphing. It was in awesome condition, I think it would be close to 4lbs.
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2193-300715203330.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=3006)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2193-300715203432.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=3007)
:z18
-
Nice one Liam :z16
-
Cracking fish Liam well done! :z16
-
I was out tonight for the first time in ages. Awesome night to be on the river not a breath of wind and the full moon reflecting on the water, magic. Just as I was thinking of finishing up I covered a rise I'd half seen downstream of the rock I was perched on. Oh my...... Long story short after a long battle where I was never really in control the hook fell out while we were both taking a breather. Huge trout, can't say how big but in the high single figures I'm guessing. Would have been nice to have held it and got a closer look but just to battle with it like that in the moonlight was something I won't forget :z14
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Great stuff Noel :z16
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Nice one Liam, unlucky Noel at least you know where to look next time :z16
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Had this a couple of days ago... What is it?? I've discussed it with Noel and he reckons a slob Trout.
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2193-080815072250.jpeg)
Here's one taken on a frenchie that sat very nice for a picture.
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2193-080815072832.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=3021)
:z18
-
Thanks for the edit Mike :z16
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Nice fish Liam, cracking photo too :z16
-
what does 'slob trout' mean ?
-
Marc
A Slob Trout is a Brown Trout that can't make its mind up if its a sea trout so just hangs around the Estuary.
:z18
Jim
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thanks Jim :z16
considering they don't really have a 'mind to make up' i pity them for being insulted behind their backs... :z4 :z4 :z4
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Been a tricky couple of weeks. The hatches i've seen that have brought some interest from the better fish have been in the afternoon, where a few selective fish have been picking off the BWO's.
Small dark olives and sedges on an evening have only meant small fish for me, so its fished much better between 3 and 6 for the better ones.
Hard to find them though, but they will snaffle a size 14 SHE with gusto when its presented right :z16
This was the only decent photo of the week.
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-150815120326.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=3039)
A youngster munching an eel, i got quite close before he spotted me.
not sure what this rain will do, but i'm sure it won't do any harm :z16
Sandy
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not sure what this rain will do, but i'm sure it won't do any harm :z16
cracking otter pic!
Fishing has been sporadic for me this year with dog and change of job taking up much time/energy recently. Always some trouts rising around 4-7pm when I'm out walking the dog over last few weeks, so concur with Sandy's observation.
Ventured out in the drizzle yesterday. A drizzle that turned into a drenching. The river rose and coloured up in front of me, but there were enough upwings on the go to keep a few trout looking up. Nothing pic worthy, but a couple rose to a cdc emerger and a couple to a spent spinner pattern on smoother water, before multiple damp bits made up my mind that home would be a better option.
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The Epic has been properly (it took a handful of rainbows yesterday :X2) christened on the Don. Less than ideal conditions today, high and dirty. I found a few risers though and nailed them.
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2193-190815140249.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=3045)
:z18
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Hi everyone. I was wondering if the Don is worth fishing mid to end of September, or maybe the Deveron. If so, are there any particular beats that you guys would recommend? I'm only looking to fish for trout (C&R) and happy to fish anything that might get my string pulled.... dries, klink and dink, czech nymphing, streamers or whatever. Not interested in secret spots, if I'm on a beat I'll fish it all the way through anyway..... just a few preferences of area would be nice!
Is the Deveron more seatrout and salmon? Is there anywhere on that river that might hodl some good brownies?
Anyway, any help would be much appreciated. Thank you.
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Hi Skyeman,
Welcome to the forum :z16
I enjoy fishing any of the beats on the Don and the Deveron, there is a possibility of a good trout or two on all of them in my experience. My preference for certain beats is more about the surroundings than the fishing to be honest :cool:
Best wishes
Mike
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I'm thinking trying Monymusk and Parkhill, one looks defintely nicer scenery wise though! Is September not a great time to try?
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Is September not a great time to try?
Every month is a good fishing month :z4 ....... and it is really down to the weather at the time.
Best wishes
Mike
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I'm thinking trying Monymusk and Parkhill, one looks defintely nicer scenery wise though! Is September not a great time to try?
If you dont mind a bit of a jungle Monymusk should be good certainly hard to beat for scenery we bennachie in the back ground. Although i have only been Salmon fishing recently i have seen some nice browns rising to drys in the early evening. kicking ma self i never had the trout rod :z14
September should be better tho for day time fishing.
Just my humble opinion of course :z8
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Thanks for the advice guys. I presume I'll be as well just going bugs on through, unless there's risers. :z16
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You presume correct :z16
Time of the day and conditions are key to hatches, as with any river, but September should bring you Large dark olives again, Small dark olives and Iron blues depending on the beat, so DHE's in 14 and SHE's in 16's should have you covered for any dries.
Always worth a chuck with a streamer too if there is nothing moving, but if you keep yourself on the move you will find rising fish.
Don't know much about bugging, but I know it works really well if you know how to do it. :z16
Cheers
Sandy
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Thank you for the advice Sandy. I suppose I'd rather catch them on dries, but just a nice bit of sport and would be good. I might even try a streamer if things get particularly tough, but we'll see. The weather may play a big part...... as per any month I suppose. lol
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Well so far tried Inverurie from where it joins the Urie upwards.....rather disappointing, didn't see a single fish and nothing on nymphs or bugs. Strange cos it looked fishy, I wonder if it's taken a battering as its so accessible?
Anyway went to a place called Manar, which was ridiculously expensive for Brown Trout C&R.....£35!!! But it was really good fishing, had over a dozen to a pound or so, all on olive klinks. Didn't realise how deep it was, got a nice soaking trying to get to a better afish on the far side.....at least 2lb and head and tailed a few times, and I couldn't even get a rise out of him when I got within range! The f@cker! Lol
Might give Parkhill a go there's some nice fish being taken there, but we'll see. I'd also like to do Manar again, but like I said the price is off putting.
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Well so far tried Inverurie from where it joins the Urie upwards.....rather disappointing, didn't see a single fish and nothing on nymphs or bugs. Strange cos it looked fishy, I wonder if it's taken a battering as its so accessible?
Anyway went to a place called Manar, which was ridiculously expensive for Brown Trout C&R.....£35!!! But it was really good fishing, had over a dozen to a pound or so, all on olive klinks. Didn't realise how deep it was, got a nice soaking trying to get to a better afish on the far side.....at least 2lb and head and tailed a few times, and I couldn't even get a rise out of him when I got within range! The f@cker! Lol
Might give Parkhill a go there's some nice fish being taken there, but we'll see. I'd also like to do Manar again, but like I said the price is off putting.
I heard the reason for Manar price is folk were taking a trout ticket only and fishing for Salmon so they made it a 35 quid all species which is very good value if you do happen to fish for Salmon sea troot and browns.
If course Don Salmon do seem to snap trout flees fairly regularly so it may have been accidental :oops :oops.
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Its fairly obvious if you're troutfishing, and theres a regular bailliff popping down too. I just think its a ridiculous price and will fish elsewhere. If I want to fish for salmon and theres a decent chance I don't mind paying for that.
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How are folks getting on in the last days of the season?
I've tried the river from 3pm- dark for the last week. Very short rise at 17:30 most nights, but I'm unable to connect. Fish very wary. I sense my fly choice is too big.
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Been down a few times in the last couple of weeks, been the same story most days, including today.
BWO's hatching from 11am right through till dark, the fish are there but seem to feeding when the sun goes away, this includes if you can find some water in shade, then there are fish rising steadily.
Lots of 10"-12" fish that are feeding on the upwings a size 14 DHE or CDC rusty olive spider has been good enough to fool a few.
But as you say Doug, very spooky. The bigger fish i've seen feeding have disappeared as soon as my fly goes near them, been blaming the tippet for flashing in the low angled sunlight. Bit of a challenge once you hook one as they know where the weed is and how to use it.
Plenty there to find but you need to keep your eyes peeled, we saw heaps today once you stopped for a while and focussed on the river.
Last one tomorrow, so fingers crossed there are a few more clouds :z16
Sandy
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A nice photo of the BWO's, if anyone is in doubt as to the fish food.
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-290915204504.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=3079)
Heres some nice loops i watched today, while someone messed about with my rod :roll
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-290915204605.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=3080)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-290915204631.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=3081)
and the product is a nicely presented Dryfly touching down delicately after the line has straightened out, Very nice :z16
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-290915204729.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=3082)
Good fun :z18
Sandy
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sniff, that's another season over... been out the last 5 or 6 days on the trot in various locations. Walked many miles, clambered through many bushes and slipped on a few rocks and weeds. Another pair of wading boots wrecked, legs sore, when I close my eyes I see foam lines and bubbles after so much time staring at them. Wouldn't have it any other way. A few miles covered, a few trout caught and released.
Today was a fine end to the season. Sunny, but sun behind me on a shady pool. Spring-like olive hatch. Trout popping away. Oh, and one big lad popped his nose up... 3.5lb of superb wild brownie, a cracking finale.
Having trouble posting pics here at the moment; pic in the gallery at ........
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/3-300915210943.jpeg)
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Awesome
We found a few of the bigger boys today as well, hard to tempt though so very well done indeed :z14
Liam rounded his season off with a belter though, Size 16 dry and on a 3wt epic as well :z18 He did really well to keep him out of the weeds and actually get him to the net :z16
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-300915212311.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=3088)
Lots of pounders today and i discovered a new fly, one that will definately be joining my box for next year :z16
So a cracking finale and a back to the vice for the next few months to plot and dream :z3
Sandy
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Well that's it for another season!
I've spent the past two days on the river. I met up with Sandy after 3pm both days, we played with various rods and caught some nice fish.
Yesterday I spent a good bit of my day nymphing. I had loads of brownies up to 1lb and a nice Sea Trout around the 4lb mark. I got a real shock when it took and actually thought it was a Salmon for most of the fight.
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2193-300915211209.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=3084)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2193-300915211307.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=3085)
Today I was out with my little Epic and Sandys's very nice 'Smallstream' bamboo. BWOs hatched all day and the trout were looking up. I had great fun picking them off on a mixture of dries and spiders, both rods were bent. My best fish in the morning was a nice 15" that gave me the run around in the tail of a pool before running the rapids.
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2193-300915211959.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=3086)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2193-300915212101.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=3087)
My best fish of the afternoon nailed my fly just after sundown. It was a beauty of 2.75lb and put a serious big bend in the 376! Luckily Sandy was close by with his net and scooped it up. He got some awesome shots of the fish which I'm sure he will post. A brilliant two days with some great company, cheers Sandy!
:z18
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Had to share this great pic by Sandy :z16
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2193-300915215617.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=3089)
:z18
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A final thought to last the next few months.
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-021015210450.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=3091)
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh....................... :z3
Sandy
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Yes, I was having similar thoughts today Sandy ........................
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I decided to have a try for the salmon today. Armed with my Ultralight Spinning rod, little reel and a box of lures I set off. Around lunch time I hooked up as I bounced my small lure down the run.
After a good tussle (I was using 6lb braid and a 6lb Fluoro leader) and some screaming drag the fish tired and I swung it into slack water. The result - a fresh, sea liced Grilse of around 6lb :z14
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2193-031015200503.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=3093)
A kind gentleman offered to take a pic for me. :z16
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2193-031015200732.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=3094)
The release.
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2193-031015200823.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=3095)
For those interested the lure was a 2.5" Zman soft plastic. I used them all the time in Oz for lots of species and thought why not!
:z18
Liam
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Why not indeed that is a cracker well done :z16 . Interesting lure bit like a worm or something never seem em before :z8
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They are small paddle tail shads, great movement and very durable. I got Somers to take them in when I worked there. They still have some in the shop :z16
Liam
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For those interested the lure was a 2.5" Zman soft plastic. I used them all the time in Oz for lots of species and thought why not!
You cad and scoundrel!!! I fished with a chap that used to use soft plastic "shrimps" to great effect.
I brought them back from the Far East but never had the guts to use them.
Very much like these. http://www.fishermensheaven.com/shop/prodimages/Shrimp-Soft-Plastic-911-Glass-Flake-SSF75SK-SSF100SK-Koppers-Live-Target-Lures-Black-Logo-FH_small.jpg
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I also have something very similar to those...... Maybe next time I'll try them! :z16
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Looks like some much needed rain on the way.
:z18
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Now that the season is over I thought I'd post this.....
I'm sure many of you heard of this monster Trout. It was caught on the 5th of April by a Romanian fella named Sorin. I had the pleasure of fishing with him a couple times, he's a super cool genuine guy. Sorin only uses a handful of flies and fishes the Duo a lot. The humble beaded PTN fished Duo style was the downfall of this beast. I've lost touch with Sorin since leaving Somers but I'm sure he wouldn't mind me posting the pic he emailed me. Hopefully I'll bump into him on the Don next season! :z16
Going by memory I recall him telling me he measured the fish at 76-77cm and guessed it was 8lbs in weight!
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2193-131015204405.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=3130)
Something for us to dream about over winter.
:z18
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Cracker but cannae believe it fitted into that net :z4 :z4
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managed to get this fella yesterday.
For those who do a bit of Salmon fishing i was using my 12,5ft Norris Atlantic rod and using summer tactics floating SH,Riverage Flourocarbon leader with 3ft of 12lb maxima, a size 10 double flee.
water is getting a tad low and clear. He turned out to be a big lazy brute never even took me down to the running line let alone backing just bored about a bit and was probably netted inside 15 minutes. a we bit of a struggle as i had to net him my self any way he was a solid brute and soon on his merry way.
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/11134-171015204641.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=3141)
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Nice Fish there! :z16
Well done it isn't easy from what I've been hearing.
:z18
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Nice Fish there! :z16
Well done it isn't easy from what I've been hearing.
:z18
Not the Salmon about there should be very depressing :z8 :z8.
However i have observed some stunning browns still nipping drys off the surface i stopped and watched one on Thursday and noted the position for next April lol. The browns probably think it is late summer after last weeks dry warm weather.
:z18 :z18
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Interesting to see that the 2015 thread is 16 pages whilst previous years it was up in the 30's and 40's. Is this an indication of less fish being taken?
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Interesting to see that the 2015 thread is 16 pages whilst previous years it was up in the 30's and 40's. Is this an indication of less fish being taken?
No ...... it's been a great season Rob :z4 :z4 :z4
I think you'll find that there have been less folk posting in the thread this year :wink
Cheers
Mike
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yup, just less forum participation on a more or less global level, not just here on FTF.
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People fishing instead of dreaming is a great thing :z16
I think a good number of people are more concerned that posting on the thread is tantamount to showing off.
Its not of course :z16, its just a great way to encourage people to go fishing. It can feel a little like over exposure when there are only a handful of people regularly posting pictures and I think that is a bit of downward spiralling circle :z6.
I would love to see more info and photo's of flies as the hatches progress during the year, even if people don't know what they are, it is great to know when a good hatch is running and get the chance to hit it. I'm sure any blanks in knowledge can be plugged with this sort of info too. And if the flies are on one beat then the likelihood is they will be elsewhere so folk can go explore their local water with a bit more info regarding when is the best time to be on the water and what size and colour fly the fish maybe feeding on. A bit of prior knowledge certainly helps with confidence, and we all know that's the key to good fishing :z18
Hopefully we can get a few more people involved next year, with a few more posts :z16
Sandy
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My last troot of 2015 season was this 3.5lber. Just created a new profile so that I can post pics again. Here's to releasing many more great trouts in 2016
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/11431-211015191803.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=3146)
iain,
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Nice one Iain :z16
Good to see the profile fix worked too!
Cheers
Mike
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Bonnie fish that Iain :z16
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Two things I think Rob.
1. I'm not sure Forums are the hotbeds of activity they used to be. Compared to say ~10years ago, facebook, twitter, etc etc are much more popular and people join groups of like minded people on these sites.
2. People's situations change. I've fished once this year. Mainly because I don't have every other Friday to myself any more, the wife and the wee man are at home and I can't justify going out fishing and cycling and the odd catch up with mates etc etc. I suspect that a few other forum dudes have gone the same way. Goolager for example used to be a regular poster and he's not been seen since the arrival of Goolager Jnr mark 2.
I do like dropping in to see the big brownies and the odd silver tourist.
Cheers
Matt
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Crackin troot Iain :z16
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Two things I think Rob.
1. I'm not sure Forums are the hotbeds of activity they used to be. Compared to say ~10years ago, facebook, twitter, etc etc are much more popular and people join groups of like minded people on these sites.
2. People's situations change. I've fished once this year. Mainly because I don't have every other Friday to myself any more, the wife and the wee man are at home and I can't justify going out fishing and cycling and the odd catch up with mates etc etc. I suspect that a few other forum dudes have gone the same way. Goolager for example used to be a regular poster and he's not been seen since the arrival of Goolager Jnr mark 2.
I do like dropping in to see the big brownies and the odd silver tourist.
Cheers
Matt
[/quote
Nail hit squarely on the head there Matt :cool:
:z18
Jim