The prospect of a full weeks salmon fishing never fails to have me looking nervously at my fly boxes, wondering if I have the right type and sizes of flies and enough of them. This time no chances were taken, a couple of calls to Sandy, our ghillie, told us all we needed to know with regards to which patterns were working well, and in what sizes.
The river was holding a couple of inches over normal summer level, and had been for several weeks, consequently many evenings were spent at the vice, tying a selection of ‘killing’ flies in eager anticipation.
| Summer salmon flies on ‘wee’ doubles...... lots of them |
We drove up early Sunday morning and noted that it had rained 'a bit' as we journeyed north on the A9 up into the Highlands. Our arrival at the river Monday morning was greeted by a coloured river with over four feet of extra water on the gauge. A re-think was required, Sandy asked if we had brought any tubes or cone heads, as this would be the order of the day and possibly the week. The lovingly prepared summer fly boxes would have to stay in the bag! ‘Ho Hum’.
| Chopsie surveys the river... oh dear |
A first day fish, taken at dusk |
As a salmon fisherman, it pays to have an unrealistically positive outlook, and although I had been looking forward to casting and fishing a full floating line with a sink tip, it just so happened, that prior to the trip I had bought a set of shooting heads in a range of densities from a full floater through to a no.7 fast sinker. Here was an opportunity to give them all a workout under battle conditions.
| A slight drop in water height |
Sandy about to release a mid-week fish |
| High water line showing up the bank |
Sandy talking tactics with Clarkie at the hut |
| The boat moored on a dropping, clearing river |
Chopsie taking care not to over do it |
The fishing was enjoyably challenging....as it always is. The surroundings simply glorious, added to the great company of some old fishing mates, it all made for yet another week to remember.
| Never mind the fishing, Sandie's barbeques are part of Speyside legend |
Ian May is an AAPGAI Master Instructor based in Hampshire, teaching both single and
