I was sort of hoping last nights rain wouldn’t come to too much on top of the rapid thaw we seen following yesterdays fairly heavy snow. But it wasn’t to be and this morning the river levels for both the Annan and the Clyde were well up. So I pondered my options and headed out for a few hours up at Harviestoun Trout Fishery just outside Alva.
Annan River level this morning
There was a pretty strong wind at times but it was vary mild and when the sun came out it was very pleasant indeed. The odd fish showed near the surface towards 5pm but I think they were hitting the numerous minnows around the place.
There was a solitary angler there when I arrived and he left pretty soon after so I had the place to myself all afternoon.
I basically had a couple of dozen casts every two or three pegs on the way round and stopped longer if I had any action.
I varied a few flies but the bloodworms style patterns seemed to get the most attention and after trying a few pegs down the North side with a horrible wind on my right shoulder I went right into the wind near the bottom end of the pond.
First Cast on the blood
A 3lb rainbow on the bloodworm pattern
First cast- not very far allowing the flies to sink on the intermediate line and I had a hesitant tug then a more solid stoppage followed by some headshaking, then a cracking fully tailed Rainbow of about 3lbs did some acrobatics before burrowing hard for the bottom a few times. I did eventually net this well hooked fish after quite a prolonged fight.
A few pulls
The weather looked grim at times but it was actually fairly mild if blustery
I lingered here a wee while but nothing else turned up so moved along the South bank. I had at least one and in one case 4 tugs in a row but with no hook up at the pegs here- none especially far out.
Finally I went round by the lodge and had a final tentative tug from a fish I think was showing on the surface ocassionally but again it never stuck. I dared to try a dry fly here too with a flashy Cruncher hanging below the surface on a dropper but that wasn’t touched. All in all though a very nice day to be out and I spent some pleasant time having a chat with Dougie the owner who was very relaxed about my “timekeeping” and it made for a very “value” filled couple of hours or three.
Nice report, photos and video. I went to the fishery this morning. Arrived about 11.30 but like you felt it was a bit small,and featureless. I left to fish Swanswater where I managed 3 for 7lb or so. That said, had I known you were showing up at Havestoun I would’ve stayed. Given your blog I reckon you’d be a pretty interesting character to bump into. I enjoy your blog. Very informative, objective and entertaining. Hope our paths cross at some point during the season.
Best rgds
Mark. (Aka Bond………..Bug Bond on the forum)
Hi Mark. First off thanks for the very kind comments. Not sure I am that interesting but I usually post via Twitter where I am or going if you are that interested. @theunfamousfly . Harviestoun is a bit featureless but I have to say I find it quite a challenging fishery. The fish are very fit and put up a massive fight. It’s also very mature and has probably more natural insect and aquatic life than you would imagine. Dougie was saying they are starting to plant some trees to get it more natural looking. Its a pretty good top of the water place in Summer. You did well at Swanswater, I was there a few days ago, but it was hard going, I never managed to locate the fish or if I did they weren’t interested in anything I was offering. Not so much as as touch. I thought it might be coloured up with the snow melt. How was it? I still hope to hit a river for the ladies over the next few days depending how I feel but failing that might head out to somewhere else. Might see you around 🙂