Keeping the symptoms at bay!

After being stuck in the house the last couple of days with all this wintery weather we have been experiencing I managed to pick up a touch of cabin fever. 

In order to keep the symptoms at bay Ive been having a look through my maps and realised one was missing.

Later in the day I decided to take a walk up to my local loch , Hillend Loch.

So off I went wandering about the south shore with my ipod in my lugs and my camera close to hand.

It ws a lovely bright day all be it a very cold day. there wasnt many people around yesterday to enjoy the peace and quiet of Hillend at this time of year.

I rather enjoyed my few hours up there yesterday especially with my new found fitness. 

Im now counting down the days until the opening day of the season. Theres 54 days to go don you know.

Once I returned home I took a drive down to the local outdoor shop where I purchased the third and final golden treasure map for my stravaig later in the year. I am presently pouring over these maps seeking and collating lochs and lochans that hold the treasure. X Marks the spot! I reckon Ive got the grid reference for the one reputed to be the jewel in the crown. 

A Phenomenal Flee Barr None!

My blog received some criticism recently because of the lack of fishing articles of late.
There is a reason for that, I haven't been fishing.
I'm not really one for visiting commercial fisheries and Ive not had any time these last couple of months to have a go at the grayling on the Clyde.
Therefore Ive been posting a few fly patterns on the blog recently.
I had been concentrating mainly on patterns for my end of season trip but sometimes its good to just have some fun with fur, feather and tinsel.I hope you like the latest example of the fly patterns I tied tonight.
I came across this unusual brightly coloured pattern from a chap I met back in the summer. The title of my post might lead you to what he called this pattern.
Apparently a good pattern to try on your top dropper when all else fails.
Its very easy to tie, the materials are Orange life cycle dubbing , gold oval tinsel, Orange body hackle and a kingfisher blue collar hackle.