Happy days are here again

Don't know what happened to the update I did on Sunday - must be lost in the ether somewhere I guess so I'd better repeat.

Since last published note, it has rained and rained. As a result the river is high. On Saturday however it was just perfect and I managed to get the rods out myself for a change. Top beat first ( my favourite as it has everything, holding pools, fast glides, and very fishy water throughout ). Water was a bit coloured, and on went the "Sandy Special" - designed and tied by my mate Sandy Davidson from Aberdeen as seen on the Spey recently. Starting at the Half Crown pool near the mouth of Arienas, I had one or two thumps, and netted a nice sea trout of about 3lb. Nothing on the first run down to the Pump, then Folly, so back up to the top I went.

This time I took off the fast sinking leader and put on an intermediate. Obviously did the trick as at the rock near the top of the Half Crown pool, just as the fly was starting to swing round nicely a nice grilse took very hard. Didn't seem too big, but once it got into the current, it felt much bigger. 5 mins and about 40 yards later, I managed to net it at the tail of the pool - only about 5lb, but a real bar of silver with sea lice on its flanks.

Working my way down the rest of the beat I got into another, about a similar size near the head of Folly pool. Much calmer water here, and the fight was not too long. Result a similar size fish of about 5/6lb. This time though I was surprised to see that it was a bit off colour - must have spent some time in the brackish water waiting for the rain that has now arrived.

Evening saw me on the middle beat, and not so lucky as I guess the tide was not right ( only about 1mile from sea loch ). Managed to get a few finnock though, and a very nice sea trout of about 4lb from larches pool.

As I write its still raining, and as I walked the dogs this morning, the river was very very high - Rain due to stop later today and with luck I will hit the river tomorrow.