Loch Long/Eilean Donan Castle - Aug-Sept 2013

View from the mark to Eilean Donan Castle

My job affords me little windows of opportunity to fish up and down the country and one of the best is opposite the village of Dornie on the shore/bank of Loch Long.

Fishing from the jetty where the old ferry used to dock gives a splendid view back east towards Eilean Donan castle, reputedly the most photographed castle in the world and Loch Duich beyond.

Eilean Donan castle sits at the junction of three sea loch's. Arriving from the north is Loch Long which meets Loch Duich coming from the east. The inner sea to the west of this 'junction' is Loch Alsh.

Being sea loch's, as the tide recedes, Loch Long flows like a river under the Dornie Bridge and on into Loch Alsh. At other times of the tide it can be fairly stable.

Endearingly up for it - Long Spined Sea Scorpion

I've heard that the locals are well versed in when to catch migratory Salmon or Sea Trout, but my ambitions don't reach that far just yet.

With my sessions limited to short 20-30 minute bursts, I've been travelling light with jigheads and Isome.

My first success was with some small Coalfish and a Pollock. These fish seem to be prevalent wherever you fish on the coast.

The water has been very clear so watching the lure on the retrieve always pays off. But there are large clumps of weed that require a bit of navigating at times, especially if the current is dragging.

Dornie Bridge - Eilean Donan just out of shot to the right

I often explore close in, in the slack water, sight fishing between the weed and bouncing the small piece of Isome over any clear patches of sea bed. Often there is enough interest from various small fish, but too often intent on bashing the lure rather than biting it.

On one of these occasions I was dangling the Isome down the wall of the jetty seeing if anything was patrolling when a typically aggressive Long Spined Sea Scorpion attacked with gusto. So using basic tactics in a fairly short time this mark provides a variety of species, albeit on the small side, but with loads of potential for the odd bigger surprise.

Fishing aside, an absolutely fantastic spot to pass some time!!!
 

21/11/2013 - Pumpherston Pond

Splendid

At the end of a fine day I was tempted to try a quick evening session at Pumpherston Pond.

While the good weather is nice, it increases the chances of golfers on the adjacent course and I've no intention of getting in their way. However I was pleased to find I had the place to myself.

Swans

The wee pond was still fairly choked with weed and finding a large enough channel to drop my bait was a bit of a challenge. I settled on the likeliest looking gap. Fishing my usual straightforward Pumphy set-up, maggots on a small hook under a float at varying depths, I adjusted my depth to try to avoid the weed problem and probed around the channel a bit more.

My patience was ultimately rewarded, taking four nice Perch up to 8 inches.

Loch Portree - Aug/Sept 2014

The Black Cuillins , Loch Portree and Portree Harbour

Spending a lot of time on Skye since July, my base has been it's capital, Portree. This has allowed me to begin exploring around the shore and harbour and I'm seldom disappointed.

Like so many places on Skye, Loch Portree, basically the sea in the bay area where Portree is located, can be almost amusingly picturesque. The harbour front itself is classic picture postcard material whilst the views south to the Cuillin mountains, east towards Ben Tianavaig and beyond to the adjacent island of Raasay, or north past the black Rock where Bonnie Prince Charlie is said to have fled from government troops, up towards the imposing cliffs of Scorrybreac, make it an absolutely outstanding place to lose some time before nightfall.

My first Portree Pollock

These have been the most numerous of my sessions on Skye. I've been treated to the sight of a White Tailed Eagle soaring high above me and often spotted the odd seal hanging around the fish cages towards the sound of Raasay. Out in Loch Portree the youths from the sailing club are often out practicing in the conducive conditions. I think it gives a real insight into how past generations on Skye utilised this, like so many other sheltered sea lochs around the 'Winged Isle', to hone their sea faring skills in much the same way in the old Birlinns that frequented these waters in times gone by.

A quick mention here for the other wildlife you find in abundance, namely, the Midgie. In the absence of any wind, for any session to last more than a couple of casts you will absolutely need a midgie net.

Come back in a couple of years

My first few sessions involved hurling a jighead as far as possible (3.5g, so quite small) and jigging some Isome back at varying depths and speeds. Interest was frequent and I'd take some small Pollock and Coalfish in between the wee blighters nicking my lure.

The first few sessions were at the higher end of the tide. The Black Rock on the cornere of the sea loch is said to be a good mark, but is only accessible at low tide. For my first visit out there, I'd have to wait.

I doubt this wee one was even 3 inches

One evening was spent fishing my Isome into the clear waters of the harbour front itself. Actually being able to see the fish reacting to your offerings is extremely informative. Whilst hoping for a flattie of some sort, instead I was again amongst small coalies and Pollock. Or so I thought. One evening whilst out with Hutch at Cove harbour, he brought ashore a bay cod no more than six inches, making me realise that one of the comedically small Pollock I thought I'd caught at Portree harbour, was actually my first ever cod!!!!

Echoing the sentiments of the great species hunter himself, the sheer frequency of small Coalfiish and Pollock that seem to be almost everywhere you try in the sea around the coast can only be a good sign for the future.

Gully to the right

Back round between the Black Rock and Scorrybreac I variously observed the clarity of the sea under normal conditions right through to the dark colouration after heavy rain when the peat stained spate rivers that are abundant on Skye empty into the sea. On the much more frequent clear water days, the sea bed can be seen to alternate between weed covered rocks and sandy bottoms. Some tantalising gullies dissect the three or four outcrops where fishing is most possible. Pollock and Coalfish up to 8 or 9 inches have been the staple round here.

Gully to the left

Grey Gurnard

However, on my second last visit, finally the tide was low in the evening and I was able to scurry over the sea weed covered rocks and onto the Black Rock itself. I quickly discovered that the optimum place for bites was on the sand just outside the fringe of weed that skirts the rocks. Here I hooked my second baby cod, then a wee coalie, before something altogether different chomped my Isome and was brought to the surface. Confused I took a quick pic in the fading light and fired it off to Hutch asking "Whats this?". "A Grey Gurnard" came the reply from the walking fish encyclopedia, "they're usually red" he followed up. I was stoked, a brand new species. Grey, red or fluorescent purple, didn't matter to me.

In discussion with Hutch, he advised that the amount of missed bites I was reporting might be negated with a drop shot tactic instead of the jighead. The next night I was back with a drop shot set up and a better camera. First fish was a wee Pollock making that four fish, four different species in a row from the Black Rock. Then I tempted another Grey Gurnard, getting a much better snap for posterity. More Coalies and Pollock followed. Whilst the drop shot was hooking more fish, my rod and especially reel were making actual bite detection less successful than it should be. The LRF would make its way to Skye with me the next time.

Baby Cod (or Whiting?)

And so it did. I arrived to find relatively high high tides over 5 metres and began covering the sandy bottoms north of the Black Rock (inaccessible). Every tap and take was felt, but with every assault on my hook, I was losing Isome and was quickly going to run out. More Coalies and Pollock to about 8 inches continued to oblige, but I endeavoured to source some prawns instead for the following night.

Getting (a bit) bigger - Pollock

Encouragingly, but frustratingly, I also witnessed a Salmon leaping clear a bit further out. I know they do show in the sea around Skye awaiting the rivers filling up and it is extremely tantalising to know they are there. But I wouldnt like to hook something that big with that much space to swim around in on the LRF. So the next night I was back with prawns for the LRF and my spinning rod for distance casting with a lure. While a Salmon is still an outside chance, the lure I'd use was the sand eel I'd been advised were good by the gent in Dunvegan's tackle shop, and that the other guy had been catching decent Pollock on at Neist Point.

Coalfish/Coalie/Saithe

I began with the prawns and was inundated with interest feeling every tap and take. Every fish landed was a Coalfish and they all measured as good as 12 inches. A distinctly different demographic with these fish giving a great fight on the light tackle. I also chucked the lure out on the other rod, but despite a few follows and half hearted takes by smaller Coalies or Pollock, that elusive larger specimen failed to materialise.

Neist Point - August/September 2014

Neist Point Lighthouse

The most westerly point on the Isle of Skye is known to any serious sea angler in Scotland and further afield as a primo location to encounter big fish from the shore. And I've been able to fish there four times since July.

On the edge of the Duirinish peninsula, Neist Point is separated from the Outer Hebrides by The Minch, a channel of the sea where there is a real chance of spotting amongst other things, Minke Whales, Basking Sharks or the largest UK bird of prey, the White Tailed Eagle. This isn't to mention the seals or seabirds such as Cormorants and Gannets that feed in the abundant waters overlooked by the Stevenson lighthouse.

Looking south over Moonen Bay

Immediately to the south of Neist Point is Moonen Bay which is overlooked by cliffs towering over 1000 feet in height, some of the highest in Europe. It is a stunning location and on a fine day, it's hard to beat. But it's not for the faint hearted. Setting out from Dunvegan around Loch Dunvegan and past Loch Pooltiel and Loch Mor, the drive to reach the parking spot alone is challenging enough. From the 'car park' its then a good 20 minute traipse down a steep cliff path, then up and over another mound of rock (the large wedge in the top picture) along unguarded cliffs before the lighthouse even comes into view. Another steep decline takes you down to the lighthouse and the very western tip of the island where your next choice is then a clamber over basalt rock formations (akin to the Giants Causeway) in any direction. This gets the heart going, then there is the exact opposite on the way back where frequent rests are required on the steep climb back up to the car park.

Looking east to the cliffs at Moonen Bay

But it's worth it, even for the 20-30 minute sessions I've been able to fit in.

My first couple of attempts were as much exploratory as anything. My tackle was really too light and my offerings of Isome on a jighead weren't taken seriously by anything swimming in front of me. I did however spook a rockpool full of, I assume, blennies of a decent enough size. These will be targeted again at some point for sure, but on that day my mind was on exploring the sea itself and time was of the essence.

My next trip out, tooled up with more lures and heavier jigheads was hindered by the clunkiness of my new rod/reel. I'd bought an emergency set-up out of the tackle shop in Dunvegan after snapping my spinning rod, but the reel and pre-loaded line were a bit mis-matched, meaning my casting distance was poor.

Pollock, returned for being too big!!!

However, another fisherdude appeared with his ladyfriend in tow and promptly began extracting impressive Pollock on a sand eel lure. He landed three that we guessed were from 2-7lb or thereabouts. I wasn't able to reach the extra 10-15 yards he was getting that was getting him interest on every cast. While frustrating, it only whetted my appetite for the next time, when I would be sure to have more adequate kit with me.

So on the 19th September I returned and conditions were good enough for me to set off on the hike down to where I was sure I'd smash my Pollock record (or anything else I caught for that matter). Whilst I'm relating those times I've managed to fish in relative safety, half the time I visit, the weather conditions would only suit someone with a death wish (literally).

19th September, tougher conditions

But on arrival this time it was immediately obvious the previous mark wouldn't be fishable for two reasons. Firstly the tide was a lot lower making the previous hot spot uncoverable, and even if it had been, the wind was blowing straight towards the mark, the entirely opposite direction from my previous visit. So I'd have to explore elsewhere. This might sound straightforward, but in the limited time available, it meant a mixture of jumping over crevices, rock climbing up and over basalt columns and trying not to slip or fall onto the barnacle covered rocks while I tried to find somewhere on the other side of the rock. Neist Point is not a place you want to get injured.

I found a new spot, but despite fanning around with my casts, I couldn't find any fish and had to just make do with watching the Gannets divebomb for their lunch, admire the views across to Lewis, Harris and the other smaller outer Hebridean islands to the south while a seal bobbed its head up to check me out .

So as yet, I've drawn a blank in this breath taking location. But it won't be long until I'm in the right place at the right time. Watch this space.

The three pictures below are from my 14th September visit. As I emerged over the brow of some rocks at the southern tip of Neist Point, I noticed a flock of Cormorants sitting on the rock. But they saw me at the same time and bolted.

Loch Ness & Caledonian Canal

Caledonian Canal looking north to Loch Ness

Having many opportunities to sneak in 20-30 minute sessions around Fort Augustus this year has had me in hot pursuit of my very own Loch Ness monster.

Alas I have absolutely no fish to report despite it looking likely at all times. I've viewed a couple of eels and plenty of minnows in the canal as well as one very small jack pike, but nothing in the canal or loch has bothered to give me a look in.

Fishing where the River Oich flows into Loch Ness one day during a strong flow something did flash at my lure quite far out and I also had a follow close in. The first was maybe a trout or maybe a Salmon, the fish being about 3-4lb, but hard to be sure and the second was probably a trout of about a pound.

The tactic has been a large rapala with wire trace hurled as far as possible and retrieved at top speed. This approach worked really well on Loch Chon and is my go to tactic where there are Pike about. Earlier attempts in the canal with a jigged Lake Fork Shad also failed to yield.

25/06/2013 - Dunbar Harbour & Loch Chon

Ideal conditions on Loch Chon

My new job basically involves travelling all over the best parts of Scotland and the north of England. This has had me rubbernecking some incredibly mouth watering venues across the whole range of coast, lochs and rivers.

First of many

With a couple of days off work, my fishing acquaintance Hutch was keen to get something arranged with him and another of his fishing buddies. He asked me to pick somewhere from the various spots I've been reporting back on. His preference was for Perch & Pike. My shortlist included 7 lochs, 1 lochan, 2 sea lochs and 2 rivers. These were all places I hadn't fished before and the list could easily have been doubled.

Highland Perch

The day before our trip my job took me through the heart of the Trossachs to Inversnaid and I settled on Loch Chon. As there were 3 of us, we'd need enough room to be able to keep out of each others way. It looked as good as perfect for all our criteria and on the day, even the weather forecast turned out to be ideal.

Mauled on the way in

As Mark wasn't available until about lunchtime, like any good fishing addicts, myself and The Hutch decided to have a dabble around Dunbar Harbour in the morning. Low tide was 10.41 and it was very low at just 40cm. This meant there was hardly any water in the harbour, but it didn't stop Hutch locating some wee flatties, although he couldnt ultimately connect. We both also invoked interest from some sand gobies, but our tackle was probably a bit oversized for their wee mouths.

New PB

We moved out onto the rocks and soon H was into some Long Spined Sea Scorpions picking up about half a dozen. After a while, I managed to get one too (but no photo). We passed a class of primary school children with their teachers on the way back in and learned one or two things about crabs as we returned (crabs, just like humans, are either left or right handed too!!!). Never too old to learn.

Greedy

Then it was into the car, picking up Mark and off to the Trossachs. A quick stop at the David Stirling memorial near Stirling before a food and permit stop in Callander (Mhor Bread, a baker in Callander is as good a bakers as I've found in Scotland by the way) and we were on our way past Lochs Venachar and Achray before crossing the Dukes Pass with a view of the brilliantly named Loch Drunkie. Soon we were down to Aberfoyle before turning right towards the heart of the Trossachs up the road to Inversnaid.

Historic scar

My general expectation at highland lochs is for long periods of inactivity interspersed with shorter periods of inactivity. When you don't know these often vast waters, locating the fish is the main problem. We arrived, set up and hit the water around 1515. Hutch was annoyed as he realised he'd forgotten his landing net, but I was even more annoyed as I'd forgotten my midgie net.

The engine room

The other two began to head off along the loch whilst I decided to fish into the nearest corner before catching up with them. Initial expectations were being adequately fulfilled after 20 mins or so when I felt my first small bite of the day. Next cast however I caught some weed and suspected I'd probably misidentified the initial bite. Next cast however I was into a fish and it turned out to be a wee Perch. Blank busted already. Too good.

Sulking after release

I cast again and bang, another Perch. Outstanding, now things were looking up. Next cast another Perch, then half way in it got taken by a biggish Pike. I had the pleasure of scrapping with the Pike a bit before it released the poor wee Perch. Whilst Percy had been injured in the assault, it seemed OK when returned. Another cast, another Perch. Followed by another on the next cast, but a big swirl and fin show before boom, another big pike tried to nick the Perch again. Once more he didn't release for a few moments before I was able to land and release another injured Perch. Incredible scenes.

Note the black dot at the end of the dorsal

I covered the same spot again and this time a Pike was on. Now the reel began to scream a bit and I had visions of this fish being snaffled by something outrageous as well. With no net, nobody to help, and no idea how to lift a big Pike out the water I knew I was in for a contest. But it was played out and brought ashore without tooo much trouble and I knew I'd just beaten my PB (formerly 21.5 inches). The measuring tape said 28.5 inches, I didn't have scales. He/She was returned and for a good while it just sat sulking in front of me before making its way back to the depths. I'm pretty sure this fish was one of the two that had attacked my Perch, I'm also quite sure the two attacks were two separate Pike.

Taken close in, smallest pike of the day

At this point I texted the other two who were long since out of sight to say 'get up here, its a fish a cast, (sometimes two fish a cast)', but noticed we were out of signal range. They didn't get this text until we'd packed up and were in the car on the way home again.

A Pike frenzy

I continued to raid this hot spot taking around 15 Perch in all although the Pike seemed to have learned not to be so greedy. I also quickly scaled up my lure to a larger lure and hook due to the bigger Pike showing an interest. But there was no further Pike interest and no Perch either, so I resumed the initial tactics and success, although not as rapid as before, did continue for a while. After interest eventually cooled off I decided to continue exploring along the shore looking for more fish.

The blue sky is not photoshopped

Where a small burn runs in, I found some more small Perch, but no sign of any Pike. I moved to the opposite bank. My tactics was cast out 3-4 times and if no bites arrived, I'd move on a bit. I soon found another hotspot and was again getting two or three taps per cast and a fish every other cast. And I found some more Pike too. Whislt all the Perch still refused to hit even the 8 inch barrier, I connected with a decent  Pike of around 20 inches ( I must have measured it, but just can't remember what it was due to all the action).

Flat calm

I also coaxed a wee jack of about 11-12 inches to attack very close in before a long range cast produced an instant take and I was into another decent Pike. All it revealed for a good 5 mins was one golden flash just after it took, then it stayed down for a long time before I got a look at it. It had picked up some weed on the way in and stripped line off my screaming reel a few times, putting up the fight of the day. Without heavy tackle I had my drag set perfectly so the fish was able to take line and scream my reel (great sound) whenever it wanted. I combined this with a simple tactic of trying to guide the fish rather than fight or boss it before it eventually tired and I hauled it ashore (still netless and knowledgeless). This one measured 24 inches, but was tubbier than the 28.5incher and probably about the same weight.

Fight of the day off this plumper model

Eventually Hutch & Mark re-appeared on the far bank and we hollered garbled questions and answers at each other. When I shouted 'How many have you caught' Hutch replied 'Lost count', or so I thought. This was quality as it meant the whole venue was on fire. I saw them work their way back up to where we were parked and despite still getting Perch galore, decided to go back round and exchange marvellous tales. But not before another decent Pike took my lure. This time I wasn;t to be so lucky and after a couple of minutes of screaming reels again, it dislodged the hook and made good its escape. I didn't see it at all, but it was in the same range, no bigger, than those I'd already caught.

Get in there!!!

When I reached the other two, Mark was just about at my initial hotspot and Hutch was just arriving. 'Any joy' he enquired. 'About 35' I replied, to which his reaction revealed they'd had a much tougher time of it. Apparently what I'd heard from the other side of the loch as 'lost count' was actually only 'one pike'. In no time I'd updated them with my exploits, given them the same size hooks I had been using and told them the magic lures. Mark, was soon into a Perch and would you believe, it was bigger than any of my 30 or so so far. He managed to get a second a little bit later that was also bigger than any of my perch. I took them back round the loch to my other two hotspots and once Hutch located the Perch, he began to pull them out good style.

Shows what wee Perch can recover from

By this time the midgies were reaching critical levels and we began to return to the car again casting here and there as we went and picking up the odd Perch. Then, near the original hot spot I connected with another decent Pike and the reel was wailing again. At least this time I had some help and after a short but respectable scrap, my fish tired and Hutch lifted it from the loch for me. We'd been aware for a while the whole lure was outside it's mouth and it was only lightly hooked right inside the lip.

Perch number 30ish

This one measured 26". Before I measured it, I suspected it was the same fish as my first as it had a similar scar on its back, but it was indeed my 5th Pike of the day. A few more casts on the way to the car failed to increase my tally of 40 Perch and 5 Pike.

The cherry on top of an outstanding day

A stunning day for me where I was fortunate enough to head off in one direction with no real thought or planning and find 3 hotspots that kept chucking fish at me.

Hooked right on the lip

I can safely say I'll be back soon, with midgie net, and we now know exactly where to head!!!

Let the chinning practice begin

Last look

May-June 2013 Update - Various Locations

The reef at Torness at low tide

The lack of blogs has coincided with a new job but that doesn't mean I've not been wetting a line whenever I've had the chance. Rather than update loads of trips individually through a hazy memory into individual blogs, I'm going to roll them all into this one blog and provide details where I can recall them. Here goes.





St Abbs Harbour - 18/05

After some success with Pollock I was keen to return to the Harbour, but the weather wasn't playing ball.

Driech personified

It was raining when I arrived, requiring me to take shelter in some old outbuilding whose door opened when I was trying to keep dry.

Once the rain stopped, the wind made things difficult. An explore all round the harbour bore nothing and I cut the session short.

But not before discovering a seemingly abandoned gulls nest.



Loch Lubnaig/Falkirk Wheel - 23/05

Keen to give Lubnaig a shot I headed up for an evening session.

There are two permits for opposing banks and I opted for the western side which is looked after by the Forestry Commission. Knowing there are Perch as well as brownies and Char I decided on the spinning rod which was just as well as the wind was a little too stiff for casting flies.

I covered a fair amount from the southern tip upwards but didn't find a thing. In the face of the incessant wind I decided to cut my losses and head off home.

The Falkirk Wheel - we're not all trams and parliament shambles

Not content with one blank in the evening, on the way back I decided to have a quick thrash in the basin at the Falkirk wheel. Nowt.


Union Canal - 24/05

Heading out with all my kit but not quite knowing where I'd end up, I finally alighted at the Union Canal just to the west of Edinburgh at a spot known as Wilkies Basin.

Nice day for it, but no fish

I've heard of Pike being taken in here and had an offer once from a wee jack, but otherwise it's really living up to the tag 'looks better than it fishes'.

As usual I fished the entire stretch but couldn't find a fish. But I'm sure it'll get another visit at some point.


St Abbs Harbour - 30/05

In much better conditions I gave St Abbs harbour another go.

A bit more like it

The Coalies are as good as bankers here with a chance of all sorts of other fish like Pollock, flatties, Wrasse and many more no doubt.

I was in straight away at the harbour entrance and quickly hauled three small Coalfish up next to me.

Sample Pollock

The action tailed off though as the returned fish passed on the message there was a predator about so I began to explore around the outside walls of the harbour. This involves standing even higher and more precariously around the outer wall. I soon found another couple of willing coalies as I progressed around before trying the harbour mouth again from the opposite wall but still no more luck there. On the way back I hooked another wee coalie at the same spot as before making it 6 small Coalfis for the evening.


Dunbar Harbour - 11/06

There is a corner in Dunbar that I've been reliably informed held flatfish from 2 or 4 different species.

First ever flattie

I arrived at Dunbar intent on breaking my duck with these weirdly formed fish and found conditions to be excellent. I could see all the way to the bottom on a rising tide and began twitching some Isome along the bottom.

Second ever flattie

Soon I felt a little tremble and was into a fish which turned out to be a Flounder. I followed this up 10 minutes later with another and growing in confidence I almost immediately felt another bite. Expecting another flattie I was amused to find I'd connected with an aggressive wee Long Spined Sea Scorpion with two tone markings. He went back to patrol the deep and quite soon I lifted out my third Flounder.

Peculiar fellies

There were to be no more though so I decided to explore around the other side of Dunbar Castle to see what if anything it offered. I drove round to West Barns and started following the Biel burn for the mile or so until it joins the sea.

Likes his Ska

There were scores of small trout about, but nothing to get overly excited about.

Flounder number 3, come in, your time is up

Unless you're a Heron. I followed the stream all the way down to the sea and suspect it will be good for flatties or finnock in the right conditions.

Fish munching machine at work

Torness/Dunbar Harbour - 17/06

Spoiling for some Blenny action I went down to the outlfow at Torness and found I had the place to myself at low tide. I explored the whole reef but only located the odd fish in a couple of pools and couldn't get any to take my Isome.

The quickest Blenny in the pool

By the time I reached the breakwater another guy with standard Bass gear had appeared. As I lobbed my Isome down the hole next to the rock he was on, some Blenny action finally began. About 3 or 4 very decent Blennies came charging out with about double that number of small ones all looking to take my bait. Thinking a biggie had it, I struck and pulled out a little booger. Releasing him into another pool, I was back in the same spot.

PB, 6 inch Blenny

Again there was plenty of action. This time I managed to hook one of the bigger ones, probably not the biggest, but a full 6 inches long. Definitely a new PB. After a few near misses, the bigger specimens seemed to have grown a bit more suspicious and showed themselves a lot less.

The wee ones were beasting my Isome, although in time they too became more suspicious and I had to be more patient. I rebaited with a new piece of Isome and chucked the old shredded piece into the same hole, watching as it slowly sank. An inch or two off the bottom it provoked a renewed frenzy and a little bulb went on in my head.

With the weight of the jighead, my bait was plummeting to the bottom and taking them a wee while to work themselves up to the take. So I  lowered my hook into the water as if it was slowly sinking and it was met just off the bottom by a frenzied Blenny mob. I ended with 6 Blennies before it was time to head up the road to Dunbar where I was meeting a few mates later after their work for a session in the harbour.

Bonus Flounder

Arriving first I was able to pull another flounder out of 'flattie corner' and also lose a flatfish that was about the size of a limpet. Then a choir turned up and began singing Moon River. Can't say that happens too often whilst fishing.

Jolly entertaining

I then went to the rocks outside the harbour mouth to see what was about. Immediately I hooked into something half decent and was delighted to find a Coalfish measuring 14 inches. Another of the same size quickly followed, then another smaller one.

Example Pollock

After the initial success, the big ones seemed to move away, but I still managed to catch and release 7 in total. One last hopeful attempt was made on flattie corner without success as I happily toddled back to the car and headed home.

Rock in the sea with birds on it

6 Blennies, 1 Flounder and 7 Coalies.


Eliburn 26/06

First Rudd for a while

My first visit to Eliburn for about 3 months came about after H requested an evening session to use up some leftover maggots. Notoriously difficult to raise in the AM, this suited me fine. We arrived to find nobody else fishing and quickly set up at my favourite peg.

In no time we were under assault from the Perca Perca. On occasion the Perch Army would let a maggot slip through their cordon and we'd snaffle another species. I caught a couple of Roach, an Ide and a bonus Rudd, first one for a couple of years, with the rest of my 15 or so fish being Perch. Hutch motored off into the distance with over 50 fish, around 40 of whom were the stripy anger merchants.

Ducklings providing some fun

An excellent wee session, but once again, as Hutch mentions in his blog of the day, we were left scratching our heads at the blank experienced by 3 boys on the opposite bank. To reiterate, we were under assault by the Perch. I fail to see how it would be possible to blank in there in those conditions short of using a ships anchor as a hook. And even then...Genuinely perplexing.