Post by jimthefish on Mar 20, 2007 12:49:11 GMT
minitube said:
Great pictures of a most magnificent river Jim. For me it was a dream to fish and truly a privilege to be there.
It was fortunate for myself and Granville to meet Jim and copy his successful Grant mouse flies. Most especially a privilege to meet Chris Tunmore and his friends, Jim being one of them. Chris is a gentleman of the old school, not too many as good as him around. Chris is a great salmon angler and tyer and he showed us some of his successful Dee patterns especially his own favourite black and yellow tube tied Tosh style with wing and throat and jungle cock eyes. I briefly met the two Ghillies at Lower Crathes who were instantly friendly and welcoming, Robert Harper obviously being one of natures genlemen. Would have loved to talked with them longer and Chris speaks very highly indeed of them.
Granville and I had a great first trip to the Dee fishing at Park South in the capable hands of Kenny Reid who looked after us too well, we are not used to being so pampered. Of course one of the highlights for me was managing to hook and land a big Spring fish with the help of Kenny, but also the ambiance of the whole place, meeting new friends, meeting the welcoming Scottish Ghillies. Seeing the stunningly beautiful Royal Dee which is very aptly named as it is definitely the King or Queen of salmon rivers.
We then had an enjoyable couple of days on Tummel side fly casting with Alastair Gowans who improves my understanding of fly casting every time I meet him. He is an Instructor's Instructor and he once again gave me some fine tuning on technique with plenty of good humoured stick thrown in for good measure. Loved every minute of it. We also managed to look at the casts of the monstrous Alta fish of Mark Birkbeck in the house of Bruar.
Now we can't wait to return to Bonny Scotland.
It was a pleasure to meet you Robert and I am just sorry that I didn't have more time in your company. You are spot on about Chris...... he is a true gentleman and very knowledgeable and enthusiastic angler.
I am a big fan of the volume which you wrote with Chriss Mann
" Shrimp and Spey Flies for Salmon" and regularly dip into it for inspiration. Excellent book.
Hope to meet you again if not in Scotland then in Ireland.