Spey School

Well, what a week it was - started badly, got worse, improved, then ended up excellent. First bad news was that all the rain down south resulted in 6 cancellations for the school - disappointing, but when some of them said they had no insurance ( something about not being able to get it cos of where they live ), what could I say. Anyway, we were left with 4 for the school, but the bonus was that I was able to fish myself full time for the Thu through to the Sat.

The first day started well enough, though the river was a bit on the high side ( showing a foot on the gauge ). Joe and Bob, both from Felling Flyfishers, started fishing as I and as I helped Robert and Sandi tackle up, and one after another they both got into fish. Sadly both were lost, and I think after this Joe will be reviewing his knots !. As seen above, Sandi was eager to get in the water - Robert and Joe are posing on the bank.

Sandi and Bob were excellent students, and all was going well until I heard the words - "Jim - I think we need a disgorger". The picture speaks for itself as Sandi after trying to get to grips with the single Spey looped the wrong way and this is the result.

Both hooks on the tight double went in well past the barb on the tip of a lovely nose. - and then it was straight up to the hospital !. Sandi took it very well, and despite what must have been a lot of pain kept smiling. The Doctor In Elgin did a grand job however and there will be no lasting marks left. - Sandi intends to frame the fly and the picture I think.

Back to fishing, after this unfortunate incident, all the tuition went very well. Robert mastered the Single Spey, and progressed to the Double, covering all the different parts of the long Macallan Beat. Sandi meanwhile was most impressive - patient, attentive, and at the end of the day technically proficient on the Single Spey. Joe and Bob meanwhile, both of whom had a fair amount of experience already, did equally well, though unfortunately, no fish for their efforts after the two near misses.

Here's Sandi showing excellent poise on a graceful delivery.

Putting effort in against a strong downstream wind

Robert in full flow

And Sandi working her way gracefully down the Tunnel pool.

Disappointing though the cancellations were, the school was a success, and I am please that all enjoyed themselves. All present were good company, and I thank them for this. Particular thanks must go to Sandi however - certainly for her company, but most of all for being so brave and smiling in the face of adversity.

I will be running the school again next year, and will then be able to offer all inclusive packages including accommodation at the excellent Dowans Hotel in Aberlour. - Check this and the web site for details - I will also have rods available for fishing on the Upper Easter Elchies Beat throughout the next season.

With the school shortened, I fished on for the rest of the week with Sandy Davidson from Aberdeen, and guest appearances by Donald and Kevin from the Dowans Hotel. We were, as always, ably assisted by Willie the Ghillie - one of life's gentlemen, and a fountain of knowledge in all thinks salmonoid, and quite a few interesting stories to boot ( Write them down Willie !!! ).

To start with the river was looking good, then the rains came. Sandy picked up one or two. I managed to get a suicide Jockey of a grilse ( hens both so returned ) . I netted a lovely sea liced 8lb hen fish for Sandy, then the rains came. Fly purists that we are, I am afraid that the ironmongery came out as the fly was just not on in the conditions. Enough bantering - I'll let the pics speak for themselves.

Above is Sandy with a nice wee grilsie taken on one of his own flies a Sandy Special

Sandy with a nice 10lb fish from the Tunnel pool

And - just to cap it off - yours truly with a cracking sea liced 16lb'er.

Total for the three days was 11 - all beautiful fresh run fish ( incl a couple of nice sea trout).

All in all - a great week !!

Returning back home - it seems that the only place in the British Isles escaping weather is Lochaline ! I am told that we had some rain, but this only really affected the white and black rivers, and as a result only barely raised the level in Arienas. This means that although the main river has risen, it has not done so by very much - rain dances still therefore needed as the fish are piling up at the top of Loch Aline. - Will write soon with catch reports when I get them.

Been Busy

Been a few days folks, but boy - has it been busy. This is ( sorry a not very good ) pic of the new boat Camrach, the purchase of which has left me broke and taken up most of my time this week. Getting her ready for the sea, sorting out engines, laying a mooring, finding a tender, and most important of all, getting her ready for the fishing competition on sat 23 July - all of this has kept me busy for the week.

Back to more important matters however, rain was forecast for this week, but again it has failed to materialise. As a result the river is again on its bones. Loads of fish are milling about in the Sea Loch waiting to get up, but Sammy Seal has appeared again, and if we dont get rain soon, matters will not look good for this run. On the good side however, rain is again forecast, so we wait in hope.

With the warm dry weather, the main lochs have been a bit torpid, and those fishers who have gone out have only done so either late at night, overnight, or very early in the morning. I have had reports of a few nice fish being taken particularly from Arienas, but not many. Hill Lochs, which offer the best sport in these conditions, continue to produce fish in numbers, and baskets of over 10 are common.

Otherwise, with this being the Morvern games and gala Week, it has been a time of festivities, and more than a few hangovers. My lad Cammy won a trophy for best junior on the Sports day, Rachel, my youngest won her race ( but with her little legs only by a neck ahead of a 2 year old !! ), lots of activities through the week, and the fishing competition yesterday.

Cammy and I went out with Son in Law John and Grandsons Arran & Euan, and had a good day - loads of Mackerel, a couple of Ling, but no Pollack this year. Davy Holt on the "Catchalot" won heaviest fish, heaviest basket, and most species ( 12 I think ), but he is a serious sea fisher whilst we only play at it - well done Davy.

Her indoors still has the camera in her car as she is away for the day, and hopefully get some pics soon.

After this, I am packing up for a week on the Spey - 3 days doing the fly fishing school, and 3 days fishing - really looking forward to it, and the " Students" also.

Be back in a week or so unless I can get onto a machine somewhere. in the meantime, if anybody needs to speak, or anyone needs fishing call me on 0774 3894199.

I'll be back !!!

CAMRACH

A week since I last wrote, and its been busy as I collect the new boat "CAMRACH", and get it ready for the sea. Tiring work as I had to collect the boat in Middlesborough, and drive it all the way up here - max speed 50mph, and not much fun especially with the two youngest kids in the back constantly saying "Are we there yet ". Journey took a total of 9 hours, but its well worth it.
Son in law John and I launched the boat tonight, and did a few hours sea trials - impressive, and FISHMORVERN will now be taking people out sea fishing, in addition to hopefully some wildlife ( dolphins, sea eagles, whales etc ) trips - just get in touch to book.

On the freshwater front, it has been a fairly quiet week. The River is holding level, but still needs a good foot of water to be at its best - in otherwords, we need a couple of days of concentrated rain, ie the right sort of rain. The Lochs continue to be productive, and Arienas in particular is yielding a fair amount of fish - over 80 this week, some up to 4lb - most returned thankfully. Awaiting news from the parties who went up to the hill lochs, but they will always produce nice fish.

The Morvern Games and Gala Week commences tomorrow, and the whole peninsula has a week of fun with Highland Games tomorrow, Clay pigeon shoots, Bingo nights, Bowls competitions for Adults and Juniors, Shinty matches and lots of Celeidhs at Hotel, Social Club, and in the Marquee up in Knock Park ( site of the proposed Golf Course). In addition and of particular interest to this blog, there is a sea fishing competition next saturday (21 July) which I will be running for the Committee. - Great fun, and lots of prizes for serious and leisure anglers - starts at 0800 so if you are in the area. come along and join in.

Although I want rain - I hope that we get none tomorrow for the games - her indoors is away at a re-union thingy so I will be looking after the kids !!

Will be trying to get out myself this week if I have time - will speak soon with hopefully a pic of the new boat.

Dog Days

Its been a few days since I've been near this machine. In the last wee while, I have been in hospital, bought a boat, managed to get a free return flight to New York ( no I didn't buy a hoover, but let's hope that this goes smoothly ), got the all clear on the puppy Tara, and never even managed a minutes fishing myself. Otherwise, it has been busy, with 2 parties fishing the river and the loch now very busy as it is fishing at near its best.

Weatherwise it has been a pain - rain to begin with which brought the river up to fishable level, then fairly frequent showers that have maintained the level, but only just. The result is that whilst there are still fish making their way up the river from the sea, the now vast majority are waiting at the river mouth for a real spate - I reckon there are at least 50 waiting for a spate, and only then, when they taste a lot of freshwater coming into the sea pool, will a real run be on. So if there is a God up there, please please, give us at least 24hrs of real rain to keep us all happy.

Above is Mr Williams from Welsh Wales who is having a couple of days on the river. He has seen some fish, but alas no luck on either of his flies ( he fishes with a dropper ! ). He is on the bottom beat this evening, and should catch the tide, and hopefully one of the fish that are coming through individually in this height of water.

No news from the other party on the River as yet ( Mrs Shapland & friends ). Meanwhile on the lochs, the news is far better. This week on Arienas, to date, 39 brown trout have been netted, the largest about 4lb. A few nice sea trout have also been taken - 13 at the last count, with the biggest about 5 lb I am told. As I write, Dr Pollock from Devon is out on one of the boats with his dapping rod ( a little used but very successful and exciting method esp for sea trout ), and Mr McNeill and his son are fishing from the bank. They are shown above, having a close look at what is not the biggest of fish, but a nice wee brownie that came to a small muddler on about the 10th cast of the day.

Finally, this was taken this morning as I walked the river with the mutts ( Tara still on the lead so not included ) - Jed & Becky doing a bit of synchronised shaking after a swim.

Not really had time to get my own rods out, but with luck tomorrow will be the day - saw a decent fish in half crown pool this afternoon - If no joy on the river - up to the loch in the evening I think. - Sunday I am off to collect the boat, and if I have time will pop in to see the Felling lads in Northumberland.

Finally finally, many thanks to Mr McNeill for the book - please send address and I will return once read.