A small stream and a great guide.

**scotfly** · 08-14-2010, 06:36 PM

A holiday back up home in Scotland last week saw me enjoying the company of Jim (palewatery) and his friend Mark.
We started on…. StreamX. I have kept its true identity secret to protect it, it’s a small stream that is free to fish, full of fish and in pristine condition. It would be a shame to see it endangered by over-fishing.
Because it is small we split into pairs, Mark taking my brother and Jim taking me.
There were quite a few stonefly about, but the fish were showing little or no interest in them with only the very odd fish showing itself and none willing to take our offerings. To be honest though it didn’t really matter, the company and surroundings were more than enough for me.
Despite the lack of fish activity on the day, every corner turned revealed a bit of water that just screamed fish! And on any other day I’m sure the fish would have obliged.

A fish showed under this tree, but despite my best efforts he refused my offerings, until the inevitable happened, I hooked the tree.

Jim trying an equally tight spot.

Another corner turned and…….

Later in the morning things took a turn for the better and a few fish started rising.
And taking……..

Not big, but very pretty.
Jim was fishing with his Matt Schliske cane rod and allowed me a few casts with it. I had to give it back almost immediately, just one cast had me drooling for one. If I’m ever in the position to afford a cane rod I know who I’ll be going to. I’ve cast a few cane rods over the years and none come anywhere near to this one, it was simply awesome.
Jim did this with it a few times…….

And caught this….

Then one rose for me, and…..

Then on this run…..

Jim did this…….

Then this…..

After that it went quiet again.
Though I saw one of these and thought hmm, I wonder.

Alas it ended in abject failure!
After that we met up for lunch, my intention being to take Mark and Jim for lunch to say thank you. Mark though had other plans and I have to say that the square sausage rolls and mince pies he cooked up for us all were very tasty, you can’t beat good honest food!
After lunch we went to fish the Clyde.
The last time I fished the Clyde was with Jim and we hit her on a dour day, though on that occasion she rewarded me with a fish at last knockings.
This time she was simply a dour unforgiving bitch with nary a thought for this visiting angler. To be fair though conditions were hardly ideal with a very cold and strong downstream wind the whole evening.

Dour as she may be, she is still pretty and I’m sure one day she’ll show me her good side.

Jim fishing a likely looking spot.

My brother fishing a likely looking spot.

Me fishing a likely looking spot.

Finally, Jim showing us how it’s done.

I won’t give up on this bitch. To quote Arnie…… I’ll be back!
Thanks Jim and Mark for a fantastic day fishing. :bigthumb: