Couple of weekends ago I helped out a chum who needed someone to guide some visitors after Pike on Loch Insh and Loch Alvie - I couldn't be in two places at the same time so I elected to take one rod out on Loch Alvie which has quite a reputation as a prime Pike water and a place I had not previously fished.
For many complicated reasons my guest for the day and I were only to have 2.5 hours fishing together - no pressure then
The excellent boat and electric outboard we had was hired from the Alvie estate where the party were staying, this probably explains why it was possible to get on Alvie to fish as the water is reserved for Alvie Estate guests and members of the Inverness Pike Angling Club (a club I was previously unaware of). With the party guests set up on Loch Insh - equipped with some of my Pike flies and necessary gear and 'some rules of thumb' to apply - it was off onto Loch Alvie. Now when you can forget about (or tune out) the noise of the A9 and the B1952 Alvie is a stunning loch which we immediately learnt has a healthy population of Perch - and some good ones too, the best we boated was probably 2lb.
Having spoken to some guys camped out on the shore who were ledgering dead baits it seemed all the Pike were deep in the water. Not surprised, it was bloody cold. Afloat it was more like a day in early May than early August
Despite our efforts the floating and intermediate approach wasn't yielding any chases from a Pike, let alone a take. So on with a superfast sinking line..... two strips and this happened:
A good hard take from a Pike that immediately took off and commenced an astonishing aerial display, I was too focused on getting my net ready and 'guide' my angler into playing/landing the fish to try and get lots of photos... but it was a hard battle which was successfully concluded:
Bonnie fish which (despite taking a chunk out of one of my fingers.....) went back to fish another day. I put it at about 7.5lbs
With that our short day was done, one happy angler who had caught his first Perch and Pike in the UK. On catching up with the guests afloat on Loch Insh they dropped a Pike of 'substantial size' as they were coming close to landing it
It was hooked on one of my flies which was tied on a 6/0 barbless Partridge CS43 Ed Swier pike hook.... regardless of not landing that fish they'd had a good time.
Good fun for all. I'd like another crack at Alvie or Insh this year in pursuit of Pike, time allowing. Recommended.
H
