Fishing 2005

The time has arrived, the season has begun and what a start. On Saturday the 12th March John (Laird of Glencorse), Andy and myself with a few friends attended the opening day of Dooks Fisheries at Glencorse reservoir. I was driving as usual. (Whit!)

The Weather was cold but the sun glistened over this most marvellous of settings. As we tackled up a Piper played appropriate laments, the sign to open my bottle of whisky, yes my bottle again, and toast absent friends and a new season.

The day went well, and by lunch time most of us were weighing in with bag limits.  Great quality fish a good opening day all round, we will definitely be back. Now off to the local the Centurion in Corstorphine for me to buy more drink, yes I have to buy again, both Andy and John have short arms and long pockets.

It is always good to get onto the famous Cobbinshaw Loch. What a marvellous sight when I drive, yes I am driving again, down to the loch side and we survey the wave and the wind direction, already planning our drift. Expectations are high and we are not disappointed, some excellent fishing with superb quality fighting fish. As at this time of year we have had the usual mix of weather from sun and flat calm to high winds with driving rain, however undeterred, and me still supplying the whisky we fish on.

When we arrive at Cobbinshaw we are greeted with the usual banter from Jock or Craig  who do a fantastic job of looking after the fishery and the characters that make up the club, as ever the facilities and boats are in pristine condition. New landing nets big enough to catch the Loch Ness monster are a welcome arrival, maybe Jock has not told us there is a 30lb trout lurking about!

Our club outings with Newmarket Angling Club, expertly organised by George Findlater, and Mark Ramage has started with a visit to Loch Fitty. My turn to supply the whisky again, unfortunately the Monday before we were due to fish a heavy rain storm had risen the loch some four feet and clouded the water, so despite my efforts I received zero points for my club tally. Still Brian my boat partner managed to catch three good quality trout and won the day. We will all be back to enjoy the fishing facilities at Fitty.

Andy has received two collapsible cups and a bottle of whisky (will never be opened) at Christmas, using my whisky, yes my whisky again Andy tried them out, giving one extended cup to John, full to the brim with a most expensive malt as supplied by me. John cries out what the F**k, the cup was leaking, and by the time it reached his lips the vessel was empty, good trick Andy will use my own cups from now on.

It was the Bank holiday and Bob and I decided to go to Morton reservoir, usually a great days fishing, unfortunately the day was marred by torrential driving rain and extremely cold temperatures, after 3hrs it was time to retire to the Pub, the thermal underwear had given up. However three bankies were doing well despite being totally wet through they were landing some excellent fish. This was the storm that affected our Fitty trip.

I am off to Tesco`s to see if I can get a deal on whisky, somehow my bottle is always empty after a trip, while John and Andy still have to uncork theirs!!!