And Even Wetter

Usually up here in the Western Wilderness, you can ignore the weather forecasts, especially Heather the Weather on BBC. Maybe its cos we are so remote, I don't know - we just look West ( or wherever the wind is coming from ) and see what is about to hit us - that's the only way to be sure. This weekend however they got it right for once - heavy rain was forecast, and sure enough on Sat morning, heavy rain arrived, in abundance.

Waterproofs on, rods on the rod racks on the car, a lot of optimism, and Cammy and I set off for the Top Beat of the River. When we got there, it wasn't too bad, in fact the river was just about at a perfect height. Starting at the Half Crown pool, we worked our way down - after about his third cast, Cammy had a "thump", but sadly that was all. Over the next hour or so, we worked our way down through half Crown, into the Corner Pool. quickly through the Pump ( must take down a few alders on the bank here in the winter ), and into the lovely glide at the top of the Folly Pool. Result - absolutely Zilcho !. The only thing that did happen however was that in that hour, the river rose about 3 feet, and we watched as fish after fish swam through on the way to the Loch or upper river, at a fair rate of knots. Wet, cold, and with wellies full of water, nothing else to do but call it a day, and that's just what we did.

Sunday however was a different kettle of fish ( pun intended ! ). The sun was shining, there wasn't any wind to speak of, and the birds were singing ( honest ! ). Time for a family outing, and after lunch, we packed up the sea gear and headed for Carnach our boat - even Teresa came. With the tide quickly going out, getting in to the pier was a bit tricky, with the help of Davy "Catchalot" Holt however, we managed to tie up without too much trouble. ( Davy had just come in after taking that Hugh Fernleigh Whittingstall ( wonder if his friends call him Shuggie ? ) chap from TV ( River Cottage ?? ) out skate fishing, and they had caught and released three, all over 100 lb. - Incidentally, there must be something going on at the big house as other celebs are in Lochaline, including Monty Don from Gardeners World, and Sarah Raven ( daughter of the owner of Ardtornish ), also I think from Gardener's World.

Anyway, back to the plot - no such delights for us, as we chugged steadily round Ardtornish Point, to Ardtornish Bay, and set about catching dinner. The fish finder was going fairly crazy, and in places, the water started to "boil" as Mackerel chased schools of sprats or whatever. Cameron went first, and was soon into fish on the feathers, Rachel had a go, and with a little help, also got fish, then all this activity got Teresa all excited, and she grabbed my rod ( pun not intended ) and had a go herself.

Here she is with Rachel and a view of the Ardtornish castle ruins.

After catching enough for Tea, we started to put them back, then Cammy said "I think its something big Dad !" Expecting several large mackerel, we were all surprised when up came several mackerel, but also a lovely Pollack.

On the way back, Cammy wanted to tell the world - it was after all not his first, but definitely his biggest Lithe ( local name for pollack ). Rachel was however just a wee bit more excited as this was her first ever fishing trip, and, albeit only mackerel, her first ever fish.

Here she is, back home, proud as Punch !

Returning to Game fishing, prospects look good with the river now settled down, and we have a nice SW breeze. Rain is forecast about mid week ( we'll see if they are right again ! ), and hope is therefore high. I have plenty fishers on river and loch, but with a few spaces, and some luck I will manage out myself.