I went to my club water today and though it was a gorgeous morning it was not that warm. Not cold either but needed a fleece on most of the day.
There was not much activity which surprised me and so I fished some nymph and buzzers initially- a black buzzer on point, a PTN on the middle dropper and a red holo Diawl Bach on top. Nothing.
I plugged away at a spot I saw a couple of rises and got no indication of interest. Moving the boat down the shore a little I tried swapping the black buzzer for a black Shuttlecock and swapping to a floating line. I had seen very little movement but what I had seen was just below the surface as far as I could tell and I suspected my sink tip and buzzer were too deep. Second cast on the new set up I had a tug. I plugged away and on the retrieve, I had a take as the Shuttlecock was dragged under. A very long though not terribly heavy fish- maybe three-quarters of a pound. Still, encouraging! Had one more tug and it all went quiet. A few upwing flies appeared on the surface- brown with three tail fronds- I thought “March Brown” but really not sure, as I think that has two tails.
Upwinged brown Fly
Anyhow I decided to up anchor and drift the loch on the drogue. I fancied a change of styles so put a Mallard and Claret on point, a PTN middle and a ginked up Kate McClaren on top. Two drifts and I got nothing though the odd fish was rising here and there- usually behind me!
After a wee break for a bite to eat and a think, I changed to a sort of washing line set up. A brown/olive Klinkhammer on point with the PTN still on the mid-dropper and a Shipman’s Buzzer on top.
After fishing the shallow bay on the south side I started another drift. I started getting a few rises and knocks and then a take. Another fish of around three-quarters of a pound on the PTN this time- I knew I needed to keep faith with that fly!
A few more casts and a really good fish came up to the Klink. Easily the biggest fish for me to date from the loch a really nice Brown of around one and a quarter pound I would say. It would not stay still long enough for me to photo though I am afraid!
Three of the five trout from Pendreich- the two bigger ones would not hold still for a photo!
Another drift and I was getting more interest near the end of the drift in the weedy corner. I had a rise a good distance out and in my efforts to strike with the running line in hand I managed to burn my finger with the friction on the line and let go of the line- fish off! Soon I was in again on the Klink. Another good fish just under a pound. I went to cover a fish and as I retrieved I missed a swirl on the surface and a tug right as I lifted off. Not to worry though I was still getting rises though a few fish seemed to miss the fly but I took one more another good fish of about a pound or so- and another wriggler so again no pic!
A brilliant days sport after a slow start!
