Tying the Storm Crow

 

The bigger the better

Most anglers and flytyers will be of the opinion that wet flies in size 12s and 10s are the go to flies for Loch Style fishing especially in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

However the more fishing books I read and after talking to other anglers as well as from personal experience too,  sometimes big bushy patterns in size 8s and even 6s are what is required to lure the trout up through the waves. 

Lately I've neglected tying  big flies and been more focused on the more common sizes.

However while organising my boxes for my much anticipated stravaig to the Outer Hebrides next month I realised I was short of a few Big Flees.

So over the last couple of days I've addressed that situation by filling a few rows with some big size 8s which I must say are a real joy to tie! 

 

Filling my box!

As well as the odd flyfishing trip up to Hillend I've been as busy as ever at the vice tying in between the Euro football matches, numerous patterns for the local Loch as well as further afield in mind! Heres a flavour of what I've been tying!

Satisfied but annoyed!

When I arrived at the loch tonight it was blazing hot with not a breath of air and the surface was like a sheet of glass.

I really need to get rid of the weather app on my phone as its predictions are getting increasingly wrong . 

I sat for over an hour contemplating whether it was worth fishing or not! 

Then unexpectedly a westerly breeze picked up and blew down the Loch.

So I got myself ready and headed down the south shore to the wee moss area.

By the time I got there the wind had changed to a North Eastetly which made casting a little bit difficult but I was coping working a big muddler and a midas through the waves! 

Then just as unexpectedly as the change of wind direction, three guys appeared  from behind me and waded into the wee moss area to the left of me but slowly made their way over to the right until all three were standing In front of me which left me bewildered and casting into the area at the back of them. It's a shallow area and usually holds fish.  Rather than confront them about their ignorance I headed off away to another location along the shore. 

This proved to be worthwhile as l managed to catch and release a rainbow with one of my versions of the midas flee. 

My satisfaction of catching my first troot of July didnt take away the anger  I felt at having to move from an area I was fishing  quite happily and content in until those three ignoramuses moved in!