This month Allan Liddle takes to his float tube in search of trout
If you were asked to describe wild brown trout loch fishing in the Scottish Highlands then most would paint a picture of free rising two or three to the pound lightning fast and ferocious fighting brown trout, caught on short fished lines over a rolling wave out of a broadside drifting clinker boat or wading a wave tossed boulder strewn shoreline, with a backdrop of open moors and mountains. Not only that but the description would most likely include using big bush ‘Bob’ flies ‘tripped’ and ‘dibbled’ across the peaks and through the troughs of the waves attracting quite literally some really ferocious and spectacular takes from the hungry trout.
However in the midst of all that there are always exceptions, tree lined (mostly thanks to plantations) waters are not uncommon, but even then they generally still have that unmistakeable ‘Highland’ feel to them possibly due to the water still displaying upland characteristics, heather lining the shore, maybe even something as simple as the drive up to the loch itself. However just on the eastern fringes of Morayshire lies Loch Park, a water that makes the ‘almost unique’ category. Heavily tree lined (ok yup plantations certainly for the bulk, but there’s a good smattering of loch side decorative big feature trees planted many years ago by the owners Drummuir Estate), long (almost exactly a mile long), narrow (500 yards wide) with steep sides that close in and frame the exceptionally fertile (lime base and therefore higher ph) and very exceptionally weedy shallow loch below. And thriving amongst all of this are some of the most stunning coloured wild brown trout you’ll find, or maybe I’m a little biased, but given the effort often required to land one of these fish then perhaps I’m slightly tinged with the exuberance of the reward?
You see Park trout although might not be overly fussy when it comes to general match the hatch type fly selections (normally, but not always), but when you see the location and hazards / challenges the angler must overcome in order to attract one or two then it becomes a whole new ball game. You don’t need to be here long before it becomes plain that it’s not only the water itself that’s a little different from the general rule of thumb Scottish upland wild lochs, but tactics required to tempt them as well. Stealthy stalking and delicate, very accurate ‘target’ casting are not often required traits for a loch angler in these parts (rivers yes, loch not so much), but should you come here you’ll quickly see they aren’t an advantage but more a necessity.
Pitching dries, or more likely one dry, into a gap in the weed that’s often about two or three feet across requires a little practice, especially when you’re trying to do it from the low level position of a float tube, but something you will certainly pick up quickly enough. But that’s only a fraction of the challenge, you’ve then got to land the fly in a natural position (upwind generally), without spooking the fish (gin clear water remember), hope you’ve guessed the pattern right (thankfully the fish are not always ultra-fussy). Then add in the fact that should it all come right, you’ve to got to try and land 8, 10, 12, 14 or very often 16 to 32 or more ounces of angry aggressive wild brown trout out the midst of a midst of its heavy weeded surroundings. And just when you think the challenge isn’t big enough you’ve often to add the fact the trout often cruise about their given little ‘home-zone’ making the timing and position of your fly that bit more difficult / crucial, so I’m sure you can see what I’m alluding to when I say it’s not what you might call a traditional ‘Scottish Loch Fishing Style’.
Park is almost custom made for the float tube (in fact I think it was where I first ‘made the plunge’ pardon the pun) and it certainly allows you to tick the stealthy approach box. In all the years I’ve fished out the tube I’m never ceased to be amazed just how close the fish will come when feeding, especially when you’re being a little more careful with your movements than generally. That said you do sit low meaning your sight line is restricted, something that’s certainly a disadvantage when spotting and targeting rising fish. Having to approach backwards doesn’t help with this either.
If float tubing’s ‘not your bag’ (ok I’ll get my coat) then you can always fish Park out one of the two estate boats that are available which offers a different challenge if you’re trying to sneak up on fish on the oars before grabbing the rod for a cast or two. Much better though is to fish as a team, one on the oars ‘ghillying’ whilst the angler issues directions as they creep up on their chosen spot, then simply change over (we tend to do it either fifteen minutes or a fish, whichever seems most fitting on the day).
When I use the term wild at Park there may be one or two who might question this and I’ll concede the facts that the loch is man made (or man enhanced to be strictly accurate), and has been supplementary stocked in the past. But when you take into account that although the loch was made a bit larger when they built the dam (cleverly concealed as the approach road) this was around 150 years ago, and the last influx of fish was more than twenty years ago meaning what’s in there is certainly wild bred. So I’m sure I’ll be forgiven by using the term ‘wild’.
Non-fishing members of the family have plenty to keep them interested in these parts as well with great walks, cycle routes, a host of outdoor activities catered for via the outdoor Loch Park Adventure Centre (of which the fishing is only a wee part) or possibly even a wee jaunt on the private pleasure running Keith to Dufftown railway which runs directly along the loch’s southern shore. Or for those old enough there’s the fact you’re slap bang in the midst of Speyside’s Malt Whisky Trail with a host of opportunities to sample a distillery tour or two.
Park can come with basic, but very comfortable accommodation in the shape of the Bunkhouse in nearby Drummuir village, simple bunks in a spacious and very well kept recently modernised bunkhouse (drying rooms, cooking facilities, showers and a comfortable wee lounge). For full details or to book fishing please contact James Baird, Loch Park Adventure Centre, Loch Park Cottage, Drummuir Estate, Drummuir. Tel: (01542) 810334 or visit www.lochpark.co.uk
However if it’s a more relaxed and formal B&B (where the owner can advise on a host of trout fishing in the area especially Park itself) then try Ian Sharp at Castleview Guesthouse, Auchindoun, Dufftown (01340) 820941 or visit www.castleviewdufftown.co.uk
Flies to try:
I’ve a lot of favourites for this water, however here’s a couple that stand out for me;
Dirty Duster Buzzer
Hook; Partridge K4A Grub / Shrimp size 10-16
Thread; Black Uni 6/0 or 8/0
Body; Mirage Tinsel
Rib; Tying thread tag dubbed with sparse black / claret (70 black: 30 claret) rabbit / hare mix.
Hackle; Two / three turns Grizzle trimmed level below.
Note; A variation on the original Dirty Duster given to me by Bob Wyatt which has proven well on both lochs as well as rivers. The above dressing is itself a variation on a plain black / claret dub mix version which itself can be deadly on its day. Alternatively a pearl lurex rib version also good but tinsel vulnerable to damage from trout teeth hence the reason I adapted the dressing to incorporate the body of tinsel with a dubbed rib over which, when wet gives a very similar effect. (Worth having both though) Overall a simple style of fly and fish can often simply lock onto the ‘arse in the water’ position.
Bibio Emerger (A. Liddle)
Hook; Partridge E1A size 10-16
Thread; Black Uni 6/0 or 8/0
Rib; Tying thread tag
Body; Rear and front thirds black rabbit / hare / green glister mix, mid third scarlet seal sub
Hackle; Two / three turns white cock trimmed level below. (Keeps a low riding profile)
Note; A simple and deadly non-descript emerger dry that can work static on the surface, or pulled / dibbled as a traditional style wet. I originally adapted bog standard Bibio dressings with trimmed hackle to act as a semi-dry emerger pattern before altering the head hackle to white (better visibility) and removing the body hackle (better profile). The final stage in the fly’s ‘evolution’ came with the addition of fine chopped green glister to the dubbing mix which gives the whole pattern an attractive glow without being too overbearing. Keep the dubbing sparse and pick out well with Velcro brush or dubbing needle. Another variation of this pattern of mine omits the scarlet mid section and is simply called the Black and White (for obvious reasons).
Read more from Allan at the excellent Scottish Anglers website