Cocksburn Reservoir: Pendreich

First outing of the official Brown Trout Season.

Saturday 19th March

Had a few hours to spare Saturday afternoon while providing “Dad’s Taxi” service to our son who was going out with his mates for a few hours in the afternoon. As I was also on call (for work) going anywhere to fish where its going to cost me is strictly out of the question- my pager would go as soon as I wet a line. So I popped up to Cocksburn Reservoir (Pendriech) at the back of Bridge of Allan to fish the club water for a few hours.

It was a lot colder than you would imagine for the time of year and there is still snow on the surrounding hills. To crown it all- it was quite blowy in spells too, up there. Nonetheless, I went dressed for the conditions and  had a few enjoyable if unproductive  hours.

I worked my way along the Dam wall, fishing a couple of buzzers ( a goldhead bloodworm on point and an Okey Dokey in the middle with a Shuttlecock buzzer on top). Never touched a fish though I did see one or two rise over the course of the afternoon.  Having my waders on I was able to work my way round on the shore beyond the Dam and tried to fish from here- again with no success. I changed to a Kate McLaren on top and a Pearly Cormorant on point after this but still no success- even on a Sink Tip line.

A cold Cocksburn Reservoir on 19th March 2011

Finally tried the promontory over the boggy area where a fish was rising consistently all afternoon about 30 yards out. Wading out a few yards I was able to just about reach it in the swirling wind but never had any show of interest. A blank day.

Sunday 20th March

I never set out after Saturday, with any intention of fishing Sunday but the catalyst was sort of set, when my wife said it was to be milder. I was out in my garage Saturday evening and it was actually quite warm. This got me thinking the sudden rise in temperature might bring the insect life to the surface and that a second trip might be the order of the day. I decided to go give it a go getting up there fairly sharp on a Sunday morning (not too sharp- but on the water by the back of ten) and deciding to try out the club boat for a spot of fishing from the boat for a change.

As I got on the water fish were rising everywhere and not a soul in sight to see it but me. I could see little aquatic flies coming off the water everywhere some were little black midges and other Olives. It wasn’t clear to me if the fish were feeding directly on the surface or just below- certainly they were rising but not really breaking the surface. I decided to try a Shuttlecock buzzer on top, with a Diawl Bach on the dropper and a Hares Ear on point. despite casting right onto fish I was not getting any attention. I was having a right carry on with the boat, as, though there was no appreciable wind it was constantly being pushed into the east bank. Ideally, a drogue was needed but I decided to chance the anchor- wasn’t sure how deep the water was near the dam or if there was enough rope- and it was bloody heavy!

Once I set the boat I was able to hold a position about 30 yards out from the Dam Wall and the East bank. Fish were rising all around but not touching my flies. I changed tactics to an Olive Klinkhammer and a size 18  John Emerson “Shit fly“. By now my leader was not in the best of shape and I felt- my flies were too close and very probably on too heavy a tippet. I wasn’t touching anything but noticed a steady rise further down the bank in a little bay between the trees. I moved the boat down there anchoring right off where I saw the activity. I decided that before I would cast another line, to sort out the leader. A 6-foot length of 4lb fluorocarbon went on the end with the Klink on the 6lb higher up. There was a bit of a ripple on the water and flies were no longer coming off visibly but a lot of dead looking buzzers in the water and spent shucks made me think there was still enough there for the fish to rise for.

then I suddenly realised- I was in!

I wasn’t wrong. I saw a decent size fish come right out the water about 6 feet beyond my flies. Initially, I thought it’s beyond my point fly- then I suddenly realised- I was in! I desperately tried to take up the slack and the fish seemed to be on, it started to dash towards me and I was desperately trying to get line in, still on! Then it leapt out the water- it looked to be a fine Brown Trout of I would estimate, a couple of pounds……….. then the line went slack. I was on barbless hooks so it’s always going to be harder I told myself.

I cast again a few more times in an arc round the boat and again I had a knock and again a fish was on. Then off-  damned Rubber Hooks.

Try again, a few more casts- and a subtle take- initially I really wasn’t sure but I tightened into it and yes a fish was on. This one stayed on to the side of the boat- not big , maybe about three quarters of a pound. The boat had pivoted round in the breeze  by now and my net was now on the wrong side, as I slackened off to turn round and get the net- the fish- as I half expected got off- but I was counting that one as in normal circumstances I would have netted it- I was doing Catch and Release anyway and  it saved me touching the fish.

I cast again, and after ten or so minutes I was in again this time with a really sharp take.  The fish swam hard at the boat and again I struggled to take in line- this time way too slow- and it was off. I cast on for another ten minutes but nothing happened and the wind was getting up. I decided to take a break.

After a cuppa, and some pot pasta I had another 10 minutes, it had quietened right off  and I was considering changing tactics to maybe a couple of nymphs when bang!, a fish rose to the Shit fly again. This one put up a fight but I was able to safely net it. Another lovely wee Brown of about half  to three quarters of a pound or so. I unhooked with the forceps and keeping the fish in the water in the net, and it swum away to the depths.

A cracking fit Brown Trout of about three quarters of a pound to a pound.

I had noticed fish rising further up the bank towards the dam again so decided to move up and closer in and try along the margins where it shelves off. A fish rose as I prepared my leader and second cast I had a great take and was in! This fish swaum right round under the boat and caused me a few heart stoppers, but I was able to net a stunning looking Brown Trout of about three quarters to a pound. He was on the Klinkhammer this time but unhooked easily, and swum off without me touching him.

Another short cast almost in the same place and I was in again on the point fly. But then it was off! Pah!

It was pushing on to about 2’oclock by now and I had said I would head home about then so I decided to head up and try along near the dam once more for ten minutes but again never touched a fish so called it a day.

I had a brilliant days top of the water sport- way more than I would imagine for the time of year and am already looking forward to heading back. Bear in mind these are not fresh stockies either these are all over wintered fish.

Great sport.