I have been feeling progressively ever so slightly better this last few weeks and have even managed a few miles walking some evenings. With the weather being what you could call settled and the Grayling season about to open on the Annan I felt like I wanted to give it a go- even if I could not manage a full day. There were two sections I wanted to try, one which I fished partially last season but darkness beat me, the other where I know a spot I am fairly confident of getting a fish and I can park near- reducing the hike.
Upper Annan
I contacted the ever helpful Andy Dickson of Upper Annan Angling Association who sorted me out with a season permit. This year with a season ticket you can fish the upper beat as well as Applegarth and can also fish Sunday’s ( outwith the Salmon season) which opens up a lot more flexibility for me hopefully, all for £25.
Just the ticket
With the ticket sorted I was up and out at about 07:00 on a very cold, frosty morning up here. It got progressively whiter and slightly snowie looking as I headed south. Then my windscreen wiper on the driver side stopped working. This was a real pain. I stopped and considered whether it was safe to continue. The wiper was either not wiping at all, jamming under the passenger side one or going right off the screen on the driver side. I had had a slight issue with it a few weeks previous but it seemed to sort itself out. With salt and cold it was not going to be easy to continue. I decided to see if I could get south of Glasgow where the traffic would be quieter ( though it was hardly heavy now) and hopefully I could avoid other motors or steer clear of them. Using the washers and the screen heater gave me tolerable visibility and I could stop at services to clean the screen if needed. This tactic worked and I made it all the way to the Annan without needing to stop.
Do you think my arse looks big in this?
It was very icy down there but I arrived just at sunrise and had the river to myself. I set up two rods both with french leaders and different sets of bugs. I was wanting to do some comparative tests between the Hanak leader and the Hends Camou one as someone I respect had been passing comment to me about their preference of one over the other and I wanted to see for myself. Maybe I had been hasty to ditch the Hends?
I also brought my sons neoprene waders. I decided to give these a try as I have heard they are good for winter fishing. I had so many layers on I could have survived a night in the Arctic! Warm as toast but a bit bulky and heavy to move around in compared to the breathables, but I never had so much as a cold toe! Wouldn’t want to walk far in them though.
Clear as gin
The river was gin clear, in fact I would say “polished” the wtaer was sparkling clear. Depth was deceptive as it looked only inches deep in places yet could be a couple of feet or more. I fished though the section I favour and was a little surprised not to get a touch in the lies I know are there. Its an odd section, convention is you fish off one bank and head out zig-zagging down ( or up as is your preference- I prefer down) covering all the water. You should not really turn and fish back the way. However here the bank upstream is fairly accessible maybe 2 feet deep at the side and farly waist deep most of the way across. But as you work downstream the bank side gets deeper and the middle shallows off. So to fish it fully you really need to turn round. You need to take care as you can find yourself in fairly shallow water in the middle with no way to get back to the bank against the current and deep water between you and safety. As I fish alone most of the time and have issues with legs and stuff I have invested in a lifejacket now so if the worst happens at least hopefully I can save myself.
Nothing happened
After a fruitless hour or so I got out for a cup of tea and to consider what next. I had never been fishless here before. I decided to change to the other rod with the other set of bugs on, totally different ones and fish the likely fish holds once more. I fished the section less thoroughly just concentrating on the likely spot. As I let my bugs trundle down the bottom near the end of one fish through, I got a satisfying knock and I had a decent fish on. It initially splashed on the surface which you really don’t want so I gave a little line to let the fish find bottom where I only had to counter its runs in towards then away from the bank until I could get it upstream of myself and netted. I did not hurry it and managed to miss it with the net at the first attempt but it was soon netted, a lovely fit Grayling of about 1 and a half to maybe two pounds if I was generous. It was a very strong fighter and punched well above its weight. I love Grayling fishing!
Released, I then got in a right fankle with the succesful pink beaded bug snagged in my net then, having had to cut the leader to release the fly, I dropped the fly and had to end up returning to the bank to sort the leader out and replace the winning bug. I did though fish through the rest of this spot and had no further takes so decided to head downsteram towards the car. I was undecided by now whether to up sticks and move to the other section as I had planned. I was starting to feel the aches and pains from the mornings exertions a bit and so prudence decided I would fish near the car, have a spot of lunch in the glorious winter sunshine, then explore a wee bit here down stream without getting in the car and moving further.
I am glad I did as I found a really nice spot with a gravel bank and a deep run just off. I fished this through two or three times but never had a touch though I have to admit it was very deep. I even lengthened my leader by three feet and put some very heavy bugs on point and bottom dropper and still wasn’t sure I was getting them down fully.
By the back of two I was done in. I had had a very enjoyable day out but it was time to call it a day.
So only one fish but worth the effort in my book though would be nice if someone told the Grayling it was opening day 🙂 , and hopefully I can get a few more outings this winter.
Oh and I fixed the wiper when I got home. A loose nut on the wiper motor spindle…………..and I still prefer the Hanak Czech nymph leader.
