In the past it's been a wee bit traditional to head to the Norhtern area of our mainland to give the Caithness troots a bash looking for late Summer dryflee sport in what, weather permitting, can be the cream of the season's top o the water sport. A bold statement yes but one that comes backed up with the experience of fully fit, fat and powerful troots with a passion for seaking out any bit of cover that will offer them the chance of liberty again.
This and the chance of early Daddies, Heatherflee, Late Sedges (especially evenings, ohh two ginked Hogs in the flat calm to cruisin troots wi heids like labrador dugs
, ok sometimes, not too unoften this happens, however fish over a pound and half or more still gets heart racin) Early late season Olives (early late, does that make sense??) and maybe even a buzzer hatch more than enough choice to be startin with.
Watten is the water of choice but away from Caithness's Jewel there's others that can rival, or on occassion beat it for quality and quantity.
Sarclet and Toftingall are two totally differing characters where red letter days can be had, Hempriggs, Yarrows, Marl, Calder and Stemster for more modest but still great crac targets, Heilien for the stuff of dreams (not for me as yet sadly) and Wester for a chance of a Silver Tourist.
Add to this the Wick, if there's water, Thurso, if you've got plenty money or Forss, ditto Thurso, for lovers of the Salmo Salar and you'll agree there's plenty to keep you interested. there's also the Thurso Estate waters if access has been sorted out.
Digs in the Central Caravan site at Old Hall with plenty grub hooses in Thurso or Wick to keep you from going hungry, or a choice of supermarkets for those who like to fanny about in domestic bliss instead of getting down to the serious biz of troot catchin.
Or........................
Orkney. Famous for it's quality of troot fishing and salt water sea troots as long as the big winds keep away then again late season dry sport to dream aboot can be had on some of the finest troot lochs you'll ever have the privilage to wet a line on.
Harray Loch (i was once asked if i could only fish one water for the rest o my life which one would it be? Swift answer was without doubt Harray, with the Deveron runnin oot o it
Swannay bigger fish, pig to wade but, like the others, custom designed fur float tubes
Hundland, described as a wee Harray but with enough character of it's own to dispute this
Boardhouse, lesser skerries but plenty weedbeds to aim for (a wee bit like Watten really)
Stenness, still with the chance of seatroot or an Orkney Gold broonie, however watch oot fur those seals when oot in the tube as they can sneak up and cause you to shit yerself
Kirbister, often overlooked and often under-rated this is a crackin water and if it was anywhere else anglers would travel to fish it for sure.
Plenty other wee waters to keep you interested and a host of sea troot marks in the beaches around to try for those elusive salt water feeders.
Orkney digs (that's accomodation not archelogical) to be decided depending on interest and timescale.
Looking at Thursday 25th through to Monday 29th for these, and i'll wait until end of Feb before making the executive decision based on the majorities base of choice, Caithness or Orkney.
Actually Orkney might be better with a day more either side?
Whaddya fink boys????
Allan
