No not a post about a fly line type, this post is quite literally a “midge tip”  a tip about fly fishing in still conditions when the Scottish Midge is about…… DON’T!

Long exposure fly fishing

Time standing still- a long exposure shot turning the water to a hazy ice look.

Was stuck in all day on what was one of the nicer days of this summer, and with a night shift looming a bit fresh air and the lure of the sedge on the water had me heading up to Coulter for hopefully a couple of hours fishing as the sun set. I did not have the time for the rigmarole of taking a boat and having injured my thumb at the weekend ( I thought initially I had broke it!) I doubt I could manage all the lifting and shifting or the oars on the boat with the rather nice bruise I have at the base of my thumb but I can move it enough now to deal with fly line thankfully!

Having made my way along the bank a short distance from the boat house it soon became apparent there was a problem. Midges, clouds of them and all hungry for me. I had remembered to put on repellent but tonight it made no difference, Kenny was on the menu, starters, main course and dessert!

Casting with the sunset

Casting as the sun falls- despite the midges, it was still a beautiful night albeit fishless.

There was nothing moving and as there was still a tiny ripple on the water I opted to take a few photos before I got started fishing, hoping I might see something to steer my fly choice- I wanted to be on the sedges- there were plenty flitting about.

The midges got worse and once I started casting despite being covered from neck upwards with only enough space to see between my anglers buff and my hat peak, the wee buggers were gorging on my exposed hands and it was not a pleasurable experience.

I think I seen two fish move and out the blue managed to get some interest when a fish appeared to rise right beside my CDC sedge pattern but it didn’t actually touch it. I tried a wee sedge pupa pattern but frankly my heart wasn’t in it as I was being savaged by the microscopic pests and finally they got the better of me, and I retreated to the safety of the car to nurse the lumps appearing where they sunk their fangs into my exposed flesh!