Burnhouse Lochan Fishery...

While working in Scotland recently I came across this nice little fishery, Burnhouse Lochan Fishery.  Having spent so much time there over the last 18 months I can't believe that I didn't know about it sooner.

A stones throw away from my hotel, it's perfect for an early finish from work and a few hours fishing until sunset.

Unfortunately, as it was catch and return I don't have any pictures of my catch, but I had a great few hours there.  It is a shallow water, only 10 - 12ft deep at the most and there are areas where you can get snagged on fallen trees.  The bailiff will tell you where not to cast and it does only affect one or two of the pegs.

On my visit I fished using 2 black buzzers with a beaded nymph on the point, this had some success.  I managed 6 fish in all over a 5 hour period, which I was quite happy with!

A place I will definitely be returning to on my next trip up north, if this summer ever arrives!!!!

An Afternoon on the River Tame!

This year I have set one of my targets to get out on the Rivers and see what all the hype is about!  After a recommendation from the chap who I bought my Fly Tying Vice from I decided to make a trip to the River Tame in Stalybridge, Manchester.

With little experience and little tackle I took my Guideline #7Wt that I use for still waters and a small selection of river flies bought from the tackle shop, purely based on what I think the fish might like! (I have no idea what I am doing!!!)

The plan was to weigh things up, decide what it looked like, maybe spot the odd fish and hopefully not get mugged.  I didn't really expect to catch anything at all.

After a little trek up and down the canal close by, I finally found a way onto the river Tame.  I tried a few spots up and down before coming across this nice little spot.

There were a few fish regularly jumping to take food from the surface as it was washed down the weir and the currents slowed.  I started casting into the current and trying to let my fly wash through their path.

After a few little knocks and nibbles I finally hooked this little chap!

It may not be the biggest but I was made up, success!!!

This spurred my on and I carried on with my tactic, which lead to three more;

 Fish number two I was much happier with, he put up a bit of a scrap too but my rod was maybe a little too heavy for him.

Number three, again another really nice little fish.  After I had taken this chap I decided to move further up the river to see what else was around.  There was an old mill that was recommended to me by a passer by so I went up to take a look.

 

Another great spot with fish rising here as the current slowed.  Casting was a little more difficult here, still a bit more to learn but I still managed to take one fish.

My last take of the day, I only had a few hours so I packed up and headed back after this chap.  He looks a lot bigger than he was in this picture, a similar size to the second fish.  The fly shown is what I caught all on during the day.  I tried another similar pattern but without success.

Speaking to a local at present nobody owns the River Tame but I believe Oldham Angling Club are looking to take over, although this could take some time.