Tying a basic nymph

Its been a while since I last put up one of my tying video. I don't claim to be any great expert tyer, there are a few out there on you tube etc who are experts and who's videos are quite simply the best and will never be equalled in quality of tying and production. This is just my attempt at giving the few who follow my posts on here an idea on how to tie a very simple yet very effective nymph pattern for any loch or stillwater. Hope this is of use to anyone having a go at tying for the first time.

Orchil Loch

 

Yesterday I visited a fishery for the first time in a while.I don't normally visit fisheries these days as they do have a bad press and usually attract the type of angler that makes me despair.
However this fishery isn't your usual hole in the grun type. Orchil is a very picturesque fishery just a few miles from Gleneagles and is well managed and cultivated.
Scott and I arrived early in the morning. It was bitterly cold and numbing on the hands. Regardless we set up and made our way round to the area we fancied fishing.
I was soon into the first fish of the day a 3lb rainbow fooled by a wee harelug nymph which had the unusual material of wild boar fibres for a tail. I was using my sink tip line at the time too. Soon after I got another solid take but sadly lost the fish during the ensuing fight.While all this was going Scott got his first fish then after a wee while he got another.
Then the moment I had been dreading happened. He arrived at the loch in full camouflage gear from head to toe with a khaki balaclava on. It was actually surprising I actually saw him as he fairly blended in with the trees etc. On his shoulder was the biggest tackle bag you have ever seen in your life. He asked how we were getting on and what flies had been successful. He then said at this time of year he likes to fish further on up the bank and across the burn. I didn't bother asking him why he opted to fish next to me. I then got the usual stories of all the fisheries he has been to recently and how he caught huge trout on his top of the range reels and rods and so it went on with tales of his secret killer patterns. I decided to move on elsewhere in the fishery as this chap was starting to get on my nerves as he described the takes he was getting and then when he actually caught a fish was holding it up in the air to show me. Did he think I didn't know what a fish looked like. Perhaps he was just over enthusiastic and maybe I'm just an old fuddy duddy. Nah Ive met these types before.
My change of location and a switch to a floating line eventually paid dividends as I managed to net my second trout of the day. At mid day Scott and I decided to pack up as it was still cold and the rain was starting to get heavier.
Delighted with our catch we went to the weigh in shed. I had 5lb of fish while Scott had 4 1/2 lb.
After a quick wash and a change of clothes we set off for Auchterarder where we finished off a great  day out fishing by treating ourselves to a couple of delicious but rather messy steak bridies from the bakers shop washed down with a bottle of juice.

The Black Loch

 

Imaging my surprise this afternoon when visiting the Glasgow Angling Centre for  various flyting odds and ends when just as I was leaving the store I came a across a flyer for the Black Loch which is near Limeriigg just a few miles north east of Hillend.
Rather than me try to describe the loch and the ambitious plans for the loch its best just to visit the website which has everything you need to know about this potentially great fishing venue. I certainly would like to visit this new venue in the coming season. Have a look  http://www.blacklochfishery.com/

U C A P A River Clyde permits 2013

 

United Clyde Angling Protective Association Ltd

Permit Proposals for 2013
Having increased the price of permits in 2012 to bring them to a realistic level to meet all the financial commitments and plans of UCAPA LTD, we also found ourselves in a deepening economic recession which may have affected the sale of permits. At this stage, this has not happened and it is clear that the true Clyde angler values his fishing and more importantly recognises the costs of maintaining the fishery and continues to support the Association.
With these points in mind, the Association has recommended a “freeze” on permit prices at the 2012 levels for a further year.

 “Universal Permit”

The price of the 2013 Annual permit will be set at £140.00 for Adult Anglers with concessionary prices for Senior Citizens at £115.00 and £60 for Juveniles under 16.
This permit will enable the angler to fish in UCAPA LTD waters all year round and will suit those who like to fish for Salmon and Sea Trout in the Lower Reaches and for Trout and Grayling in the rest of the Middle and Upper Reaches.
With 365 days fishing available this means that the cost of:-

Adult Permit at £140.00 is: 39 pence per day.
Senior Citizen Permit at £115.00 is : 32 pence per day
The Juvenile Universal Permit at £60.00 is: 17 pence per day.

 Freshwater Permits are also “pegged” at the 2012 levels.

 “Migratory Fish Permit”

The Migratory (Salmon Permit will be priced at £105.00 until 01 June 2013 and will thereafter be priced at £150.00.
Therefore it is an advantage to the angler to purchase the permit early and for the Association it helps with cash-flow and budgeting.
The Salmon season from 11 February to 31 October enables the angler to fish for Salmon for 225 days / 37 weeks/ or 9 months.

The cost broken down computes at
Adult (pre June) at £105.00 is 47 pence per day.
Senior Citizen at £80.00 is 36 pence per day.
Juvenile at £ 50.00 is 23 pence per day.

After 1^st June the costs break down as follows: (131 FISHING DAYS AVAILABLE)
Adult at £150.00 is £1.15 per day.
Senior at £125.00 is 96 pence per day
Juvenile at £55.00 is 42 pence per day

 Grayling Permits

It is also worth recording that while these who only fish for Grayling claim that there is no stocking carried out, the association has responsibilities in respect of freshwater riparian leases (whole year) and other costs pertinent to the running of the fishery.
the Grayling Season on UCAPA waters runs from 07 October through to 14 March (inclusive). This means that Grayling anglers have 158 days fishing available to them.

An Adult Permit at £25.00 is only 16 pence per day
A Senior permit at £15.00 is 10 pence per day
A Juvenile permit at £10.00 is 6 pence per day.

How To Fish

 

Thought I would tell you which book is resting on my bedside cabinet right now that we have reached the season of dark nights.This book is not as the title implies an instructional book its a book for anyone who appreciates the burns ,  becks and rivers which flow through our beautiful landscape. This book by Chris Yates is a collection of his thoughts and experiences as he sits by the riverside. Each chapter is chronicled by each cast of his rod as reminisces of days and memories of caught and lost fish and of deep pools filled with expectation. His ability to convey his thoughts in such a poetic and lyrical way is a joy to read and really makes you want to get down by the waterside all be it by a loch or burn,  river or lake. As you may have guessed I highly reccommend you get yourself a copy of this wonderful book. Even the dust cover is a delight.

Another Variant

 

Not been fishing this weekend.But managed to tie a couple of flies. I have to admit whilst tying this variant I forgot to tie in the blue beard/ jay hackles. I suppose its called a gold invicta variant. I now have to think about what name I give to my flies as I received a few complaints about the names I give to my fly dressings.  I tie for fun and dont take it too seriously so therefore for someone to take umbridge at my fly dressing baffles me as Im not a serious fly dresser. Anyway enough! Here is my latest fly.

Silver Invicta

 

Been tying a a couple of silver Invictas tonight which I have a reasonable amount of success with on highland lochs. Its a great pattern to use at Hillend when the sedge is on the water and it makes for a good fry pattern at the loch too. Once again these examples I tied are not tied to the exact original dressing. You can only use what you have at your disposal and anyway I dont believe Its that important if they are only fishing patterns as opposed to a fly tied for display.

The Hillend Dabbler Pattern

 

I cant believe I haven't tied a fly pattern yet and called it the Hillend Dabbler up until now that it is.I tied a few of these today. Lightly dressed dabblers which I know are reliable fish catchers. Before anyone gets their knickers in a twist about me calling this pattern the Hillend Dabbler and I know there a few people out there who will be untangling the elastic in their undergarments as I type. I have had complaints you know? please don't take this too serious as there is not much in flytying that is original these days. Its only a bit of fun. I give you the Hillend Dabbler!

Up the Clyde.

 

I was sitting reading this mornings papers and was deciding what to do today. Mrs Dabbler was hinting about the two of us taking a trip down the Clyde this afternoon only thing was she had Ikea and Braehead in mind. At about 2pm I decided I would go up the Clyde rather than doon. Car packed flask filled off I went.The weather was glorious. I used the trotting rod for about an hour then switched to the fly rod with weighted bugs. I didn't catch a grayling but I did manage a couple of small trout and also hooked a trout which I reckon was of about 3lb which after an initial thumb shot right out the water about two or three feet in the air came back down with an almighty splash and it was gone. I called it a day when the mist started appearing above the surface of the river. Great day to be by the river. Absolutely beautiful.

Practice Day on the Clyde!

Lets just say I had a great practice day on the Clyde yesterday! lol. Im a bit of a novice at the trotting lark. Conditions were far from ideal as the river was high and running fast but it was good to try and get a feel for this style of fishing again and give the floats a try that I got from George Lockhart who very kindly made them for me. You can see George's work and read about his fishing exploits here at http://traditionalfloats.blogspot.co.uk/ . Next time I would prefer to have an experienced float fisher with me as sometimes I was wondering if i had the line set too long or too short etc and also I havent a clue if it was worth fishing the river today in these condiions. I went with John T last November and his help was invaluable as he was always ready with advice, we both had a teriffic day so I think I will get in touch soon John about a day on the river eh?

The Five Month Wait Begins!

 

This being the sixth day of the tenth month of two thousand and twelve I decided to end the trout fishing season this afternoon by spending a few hours at my local Hillend Loch. Needless to say I didn't manage to fool any trout what so ever. Apart from the flytying and the occasional grayling outing to look forward too I will have to endure the dark nights of winter, Halloween, Guy Fox Night, Christmas and New Year before I can start thinking of the new fishing season on the fifteenth day of the third month of two thousand and thirteen.