Post by jimthefish on Jul 16, 2007 17:17:21 GMT
Bill Currie, my childhood angling hero, wrote about Commonty in his book "The Fishing Waters of Scotland" published back in 1972. It was his first encounter with the Dee and he gives a marvellous description of landing a fine 16pounder in mid-May on a No6 Sweep fished on the floating line from the Garden Pool. Bill's graphic writing is further brought to life by a photograph of the exact moment of tightening of a mechanical tailer on that fish which was published in another of his books "The Gamefishers Year". It is one of the most evocative angling photos that I have ever seen and left a lasting impression on me. As a young man I often read and reread that story and wondered if I would ever be able to fish such a river which Bill aptly describes as "a salmon river flowing out of paradise".
Now I have caught many a salmon or two on the Dee since first reading that book but you will understand that special frisson of excitement which I experienced when I received an invitation to fish Commonty for a couple of days last week. I have fished a good few beats in the Potarch area but never before set eyes on Commonty.
On the Tuesday with the guage at Potarch Bridge showing 2', the water looked superb. Commonty has some beautiful fly water and why it is not more popular, I do not know. Access to the main fishing hut is fine with good facilities. Ok you can't drive to all the pools but why should we not enjoy a short walk ?
Wading, apart from the Garden Pool and The Bend can be tricky but so long as you take care and be sensible, is not impossible.
The Tuesday only provided losses for me but they were seatrout losses although a friend of the Ghillie did land a grilse from the Garden Pool.
Wednesday dawned a perfect morning for fishing. The water , down a couple of inches, was running clear and as I stepped into the neck of the Garden Pool just after 9am the sun was breaking through high cloud giving a great fishing light. A strong downstream breeze gave a really fresh feel and made the snake roll a cinch and all in all, confidence was running high.
About mid pool, as one of my casts came round I felt the fly check momentarily.... could only be a fish. Brought the fly in, checked it , next cast a beautiful long draw and I'm in. As they sometimes do, the fish came swimming upstream gently but as I applied pressure, it took umbrage and surged strongly across and up the strong stream. No grilse this ! As eventually the fish came closer I could see every twist and turn in the beautifully clear bouldery water helped by the upstream sun. Even better, I could see that my fly ( a long tailed size 11 salar double) was buried deep in the lower jaw so barring an unlikely break round a rock, the fish was mine. 9.30am and a clean fish about 12lbs safely returned. All was well with the world....... it's hard to describe the feeling of elation and accomplishment that such a fish can bring but this one was special. 35 years after reading his book I had followed in the footsteps of the master and was not disappointed.
TAKING SPOT ON THE GARDEN POOL
A LONG FISH ABOUT 12 POUNDS
A POOL CALLED" SUICIDE"
LOOKING UPSTREAM PAST THE LOOP AND BEND POOLS TO WOODEND HOUSE
Now I have caught many a salmon or two on the Dee since first reading that book but you will understand that special frisson of excitement which I experienced when I received an invitation to fish Commonty for a couple of days last week. I have fished a good few beats in the Potarch area but never before set eyes on Commonty.
On the Tuesday with the guage at Potarch Bridge showing 2', the water looked superb. Commonty has some beautiful fly water and why it is not more popular, I do not know. Access to the main fishing hut is fine with good facilities. Ok you can't drive to all the pools but why should we not enjoy a short walk ?
Wading, apart from the Garden Pool and The Bend can be tricky but so long as you take care and be sensible, is not impossible.
The Tuesday only provided losses for me but they were seatrout losses although a friend of the Ghillie did land a grilse from the Garden Pool.
Wednesday dawned a perfect morning for fishing. The water , down a couple of inches, was running clear and as I stepped into the neck of the Garden Pool just after 9am the sun was breaking through high cloud giving a great fishing light. A strong downstream breeze gave a really fresh feel and made the snake roll a cinch and all in all, confidence was running high.
About mid pool, as one of my casts came round I felt the fly check momentarily.... could only be a fish. Brought the fly in, checked it , next cast a beautiful long draw and I'm in. As they sometimes do, the fish came swimming upstream gently but as I applied pressure, it took umbrage and surged strongly across and up the strong stream. No grilse this ! As eventually the fish came closer I could see every twist and turn in the beautifully clear bouldery water helped by the upstream sun. Even better, I could see that my fly ( a long tailed size 11 salar double) was buried deep in the lower jaw so barring an unlikely break round a rock, the fish was mine. 9.30am and a clean fish about 12lbs safely returned. All was well with the world....... it's hard to describe the feeling of elation and accomplishment that such a fish can bring but this one was special. 35 years after reading his book I had followed in the footsteps of the master and was not disappointed.
TAKING SPOT ON THE GARDEN POOL
A LONG FISH ABOUT 12 POUNDS
A POOL CALLED" SUICIDE"
LOOKING UPSTREAM PAST THE LOOP AND BEND POOLS TO WOODEND HOUSE
