First 2007 Salmon

Well, I headed for the river, and gave it all I had, and just about every fly in the box. All I had to show for it was a sea trout of about 3lb. I saw plenty of fish, particularly on the Acharn beat where after the usual quick drop in level in this part of the river, a fair few were holding in the Suspension Bridge Pool. Throwing everything at them did not work however, though through the polaroids, I did see one or two take a quick look. ( thats my story and I'm sticking to it !! )

Leaving the River I moved up to the Loch about 8.30 pm - change of tackle and change of tactics. The weather was foul, and the wind was swirling, changing from westerley to easterley and back again about every 15 minutes it seemed. I lost count of the times I started to cast with the wind, only to find that as I finished the false casting and tried to put the line on the water, it blew back in my face. A few birds nests, and even more expletives later, I opted to just cast in one direction, basically North where it seemed to be safest.

Things didn't start off to good on the fish front either - seeing one or two fresh fish coming out of the water, I put on a cast of Connemara Black on the top, Black Pennel on the bob, and a Teal Blue and Silver double ( size 10 salmon iron ) on the bottom. Parr seemed to be all that were interested, and usually on the Teal Blue and Silver which was almost as big as some of them ! As the wind steadied down a bit, I concentrated on my favourite bay about half way up the loch, but as the light was beginning to fade, I was beginning to lose heart. At almost exactly 930 pm, my persistence paid off. I cast a long line, worked a fairly fast retrieve, and saw a hump appear on the surface as something was chasing the flies. For what seemed like an eternity I kept up the retrieve, and about 3 rod lengths away from me, the fish took the Connemara Black. There was no mistaking it - at last a salmon. It kept fairly deep, and took quite a lot of line, before I finally got it under control and about 7 or so minutes later I brought it to the net, and got it ashore. It was a hen fish of about 9 lbs, and one that I think had been in the water for more than a wee while. Bar of silver it was not, but at least it was a fish. ( tried a pic on the phone, but not enough light I am afraid - just came out a blur )

Back it went to fight another day, and as I looked across the loch and saw a mini water spout forming, I decided it was time to go home to she who must be obeyed ( well some of the time ), and the mutts. Oh - by the way, Tara the new pup is a wee star - not a wet floor in sight, and hopefully that is the messy bit over with. Mind you, Becky my Retriever bitch has nearly taken her head off a few times - but then she is your typical grumpy old woman.

Lots of guests in the next few days so hopefully I will have lots to report next time.