We're Off !!

16 march, and the trout season has started !

It was cold, wet, windy, and none too pleasant. Despite this Brian and I set off for Arienas for an afternoon on the first day. Water was very cold and fish were likely to be deep. Interestingly enough though, in sheltered bays away from the wind, there were significant hatches of Olives.

Brian put on a weighted Montana, whilst I, ever the optimist stuck with a traditional team of flies - though unusually for Arienas, on the small side - 14's and 16's.

Much flogging of the water later, Brian got into a fairly big fish which was lying deep in about 20ft of water. A bend of the rod, tightening of line followed by slackening of the line and a few curses, and the fish was off.

I had the chest waders on ( and about 15 layers underneath ) and was inching my way slowly down the bays on the south side of the loch. One or two touches kept the interest going, but with cold hands, and a new leak in the waders, was starting to get uncomfortable.

You know the old saying - "just a couple more casts" - well that's the way it was ( honest ). Anyway, with cold hands and shrinking bollocks, I was ready to call it a day when at last a fish. Definitely not the biggest, and once I got it in, definitely not the fattest. nevertheless, a welcome wee brownie of about 1lb, on a size 16 Greenwell Spider. - returned of course - we don't keep anything under 2lb here !

Some other news, one of my friends, a master craftsman, has started to make cane fly rods. These are state of the art, and for the purists a must. He will be making one up to my specifications, and I'll then post some pictures etc. Anyone interested in what will be a work of art, please let me know.

Off to the smoke on other business today, and when I get back time to get the boat sorted out and back in the water.

Oh - and I need a new camera !