As the new season approaches, we all start to panic and wonder if all the gear is still in tact and stored just where we left it..........Thankfully, it was exactly where i had left it, well stored and packed safely in a place where no one can intervene.
Even-though I couldn't make my invitations to the opening day on the River Tay, I did manage to escape the office a few days after opening. With a close friend, we decided on a beat a hop skip and a jump away from his house in Birnam, Dunkeld. I had never visited the Murthly and Strathbraan Estate yet always viewed it from the beat above and form what I could see it looked pictur-esk!
We drove down the snow packed road, which the trusty Audi had struggled to get back up later that very day, and arrived at the beat hut at around 9:30 am. The air temp. was around -2oC with no wind and the snow was hugging the fur and conifer tree's. After a brew and a morning dram, we ventured to the top of the beat where the water looked perfect. The water level was almost perfect and hopes were high but given it was the first outing.....just a cast felt heavenly.
To cut a long story short......the day didn't result in any lines tightening but it was pleasant to be back out on the water after blowing off the cobwebs.
The second day saw us on the bottom beat which again tingled the senses. As you looked upstream you had the famous Island Pool and below the hut it looked to be perfect for the fly.
After walking down the beat with Tony Black, he pointed out various areas where fish lay and would take the fly. I began to wade out to the position he said was ideal. I looked around and couldn't believe how far out into the river I was but this was where I was told to start.
After gradually pealing off line and casting square and working the fly in the water....the line tightened and I lifted into a head thrashing kelt. I returned the fish and began pealing off line, again starting in the position Tony had recommended. A short while after working down the oily slip....bang, fish on again! This was repeated 4 times........to which 4 fish came to the fly, but sadly none were fresh spring salmon.
Soon it was time for lunch and oh my did we eat in style! soups, buns and other bits and pieces!
After lunch, and a dram, the weather closed in and began to snow heavily so it was time to pack up and drive the 3 hours back home.
Even-though there was no spring salmon, its was nice to get the gear out and get the cobwebs off. The casting muscles will soon be back and ready to fight those big salmon.......well, hopefully!
Will write again soon......
