Much against my expectation, I enjoyed a fine day at Carron Valley Reservoir on Sunday 4 Apr. There were still snowdrifts on the Takmadoon Road trying to stop me getting to Carron, but on arrival on a cold morning the water looked fine. I was fishing with Al from the RAF Team and we agreed that he would start with a fast glass with me on the midge tip. All the int suggested black and green lures, so we both tackled up with viva-ish lures, although I broke it up with a techno cat on the top dropper.
We headed for the far dam intending to drift back down to the boat dock in the course of the day. Al was into a fish on the first drift up at the trees on the south shore near the far dam, and I took one just after. We moved round into 30 minute bay and each had another fish. We then crossed to the north shore and with the wind blowing us gently down the loch and on to that shore, we were able to move slowly down the water. We picked up fish regularly, mainly stockies, but a couple of overwintered fish. They all gave a good account of themselves. Al had a double hook up at one point and also landed a nice brownie of about 3/4 lb. Our last fish of the day came above the shallows around 4pm. We fished the bay right at the boat dock, but didn't hook another fish, although Al missed one on his final rewind!
The final tally was 15, 10 to him and 5 to me, which represented my best day on Carron. Now looking forward to the Scottish National on 28 Apr with a bit more optimism. We noticed that most of the fish came at points on the shore with some structure, or a feature, rather than just in the bays. Black and green worked all day - I tried a buzzer nymph setup for a wee while, but no joy. Met Andy Everett (Soldier Palmers) in the car park as we changed in the evening - he had had a good day in Burnhouse and Bin Bays, taking 19 on buzzers. He didn't say whether they were browns or rainbows.
All in all, a very enjoyable day - and it's Al's turn on the motor next time!
We headed for the far dam intending to drift back down to the boat dock in the course of the day. Al was into a fish on the first drift up at the trees on the south shore near the far dam, and I took one just after. We moved round into 30 minute bay and each had another fish. We then crossed to the north shore and with the wind blowing us gently down the loch and on to that shore, we were able to move slowly down the water. We picked up fish regularly, mainly stockies, but a couple of overwintered fish. They all gave a good account of themselves. Al had a double hook up at one point and also landed a nice brownie of about 3/4 lb. Our last fish of the day came above the shallows around 4pm. We fished the bay right at the boat dock, but didn't hook another fish, although Al missed one on his final rewind!
The final tally was 15, 10 to him and 5 to me, which represented my best day on Carron. Now looking forward to the Scottish National on 28 Apr with a bit more optimism. We noticed that most of the fish came at points on the shore with some structure, or a feature, rather than just in the bays. Black and green worked all day - I tried a buzzer nymph setup for a wee while, but no joy. Met Andy Everett (Soldier Palmers) in the car park as we changed in the evening - he had had a good day in Burnhouse and Bin Bays, taking 19 on buzzers. He didn't say whether they were browns or rainbows.
All in all, a very enjoyable day - and it's Al's turn on the motor next time!