Post by jock on Aug 12, 2007 20:48:42 GMT
Well here is the report on my week fishing in and around Oykel Bridge.
Monday saw strong winds and rain. Decided to fish the Einig. This turned out to be a bad decision. After a horrendous walk to, and along the river it was unfishable. While the Oykel was rising, this had risen and was a raging torrent. In the evening had an hour on the Upper Oykel and lost a grilse.
Tuesday was wild. Strong gail force winds and heavy rain. The Oykel rose to over 5’. While still strong winds the rain subsided to a drizzle and I went out around 7pm. With the river still running at 5’ Even though no fish had been caught on the Oykel that day I fancied my chances in some slacker flow on the flooded left bank of Caplich Pool. Within 15 minutes I had lost one around 5lbs then 5 minutes later caught the fish below. With another following 20 minutes later.
The fish was hooked just at the start of the water on the left in the picture of the flooded Caplich Pool.
Both were fresh but no lice. I think I have Graham Ritchie to thank. The fish took the Willie Gunn Templedog bottle tube he tied for Fly swap 3, fished on an intermediate line.
On Wednesday I managed to get some fishing on the Kanaird which flows west and enters just above Ullapool. Unfortunately this was a bright sunny day, and the river which had been in flood the night before was down to under 2’ on the gauge and falling fast when we started fishing around 11am. Within 30 mins this nice 4lb grilse had taken my size 12 NessC. in Gabion Run.
Gabion Run
A couple of hours later I lost 2 Grilse in Lower Wash stripping the Ness C back in slack water. Saw both of them come up from the depths and turn and take the fly. Later I caught a finnock in the Sea Pool at the bottom of the Beat.
In the evening I went out for an hour on the Oykel and landed this grilse, pretty coloured and thin on the same Ness C I had fished on the Kanaird.
This is the first time I have ever caught fish on the same fly on the same day on two different rivers, one flowing west and one flowing east.
Thursday I decided to fish Loch Ailsh at the top of the Oykel.
The day started bright and sunny with only a gentle breeze. Late afternoon saw a bit of cloud cover and a stronger wind. It was then a 2lb Sea Trout fell for my size 12 Clan Chief fished on the bob. Earlier I had returned a 1lb brownie along with a few other smaller brownies. No salmon. So back to the Oykel to see if I could get a hatrick. Wham, a 7lb bar of silver again on the Ness C. However, I was rather cocky, as I got the phone out to take a pic of me about to beach it, I gave it some slack line as I mucked about with the camera on the phone and that was that. Lost at the “camera” so to speak.
Friday was sunny again and I decided I would return to the Einig as it would be fishable. Now I really should not be attempting such wilderness fishing at my age and state of immobility. Anyway after struggling for 30 mins to get to the Slide Pool I start fishing at noon. Within 3 casts I had a solid knock. 3 casts later I’m into a 4 lb grilse which succeeded in converting my 10’ 4 piece Altmor into a 6 piece. Yes, I lost it as the line tangled round one of the rings.
The Slide Pool
I could not face the walk back to the car for another rod. So made a makeshift repair by fitting what remained of the top piece into what remained of the second top piece and keeping them together by nylon to a ring on each section and pulling it tight and knotting it.
I would love to say I caught a grilse on this but I did not. I did however get a take towards the tail of the pool. I saw the salmon come and turn on the fly but I only felt a gentle pluck. As it was a bit of a hike to the next pool I decided to call it a day and have a go later on the Oykel.
That evening I fished hard on the Oykel. I had what I thought was a really solid take just above the footbridge that crosses the Oykel at Caplich but lost it within 30 seconds. The Oykel was now running at just over 1' as shown below.
When I took the salmon in the flood the water was lapping the concrete supports.
Saturday was mainly bright. The Oykel was now running around 1’ . Thought about going back the the Einig but too tired. Chatted to one of the Ghillies on the Lower Oykel. While they had a poor Spring and the Grilse arrived late, they arrived in numbers. The Lower Oykel had been averaging over a 100 salmon a week for the past 5 weeks. Not bad for 12 rods. One rod caught 13 on the Monday. He also cheered me up by saying they were losing many as they were not taking with commitment, I was experiencing the same Rested up in preparation for a serious evening assault. It ended in one pull that evening. I don’t think any rod caught on the Upper that day.
Still an enjoyable week on rivers I had never fished before. Gordon, I never made it to the Kyle, heard the fishing was not great as the fish were running through to the rivers. Jim, never made the Helmsdale, too tired by the end of the week to make the drive…maybe next year. Thanks to you both for your info. Frank....both Guidelines christened
Well roll on the next trip.
Cheers,
Jock
Monday saw strong winds and rain. Decided to fish the Einig. This turned out to be a bad decision. After a horrendous walk to, and along the river it was unfishable. While the Oykel was rising, this had risen and was a raging torrent. In the evening had an hour on the Upper Oykel and lost a grilse.
Tuesday was wild. Strong gail force winds and heavy rain. The Oykel rose to over 5’. While still strong winds the rain subsided to a drizzle and I went out around 7pm. With the river still running at 5’ Even though no fish had been caught on the Oykel that day I fancied my chances in some slacker flow on the flooded left bank of Caplich Pool. Within 15 minutes I had lost one around 5lbs then 5 minutes later caught the fish below. With another following 20 minutes later.
The fish was hooked just at the start of the water on the left in the picture of the flooded Caplich Pool.
Both were fresh but no lice. I think I have Graham Ritchie to thank. The fish took the Willie Gunn Templedog bottle tube he tied for Fly swap 3, fished on an intermediate line.
On Wednesday I managed to get some fishing on the Kanaird which flows west and enters just above Ullapool. Unfortunately this was a bright sunny day, and the river which had been in flood the night before was down to under 2’ on the gauge and falling fast when we started fishing around 11am. Within 30 mins this nice 4lb grilse had taken my size 12 NessC. in Gabion Run.
Gabion Run
A couple of hours later I lost 2 Grilse in Lower Wash stripping the Ness C back in slack water. Saw both of them come up from the depths and turn and take the fly. Later I caught a finnock in the Sea Pool at the bottom of the Beat.
In the evening I went out for an hour on the Oykel and landed this grilse, pretty coloured and thin on the same Ness C I had fished on the Kanaird.
This is the first time I have ever caught fish on the same fly on the same day on two different rivers, one flowing west and one flowing east.
Thursday I decided to fish Loch Ailsh at the top of the Oykel.
The day started bright and sunny with only a gentle breeze. Late afternoon saw a bit of cloud cover and a stronger wind. It was then a 2lb Sea Trout fell for my size 12 Clan Chief fished on the bob. Earlier I had returned a 1lb brownie along with a few other smaller brownies. No salmon. So back to the Oykel to see if I could get a hatrick. Wham, a 7lb bar of silver again on the Ness C. However, I was rather cocky, as I got the phone out to take a pic of me about to beach it, I gave it some slack line as I mucked about with the camera on the phone and that was that. Lost at the “camera” so to speak.
Friday was sunny again and I decided I would return to the Einig as it would be fishable. Now I really should not be attempting such wilderness fishing at my age and state of immobility. Anyway after struggling for 30 mins to get to the Slide Pool I start fishing at noon. Within 3 casts I had a solid knock. 3 casts later I’m into a 4 lb grilse which succeeded in converting my 10’ 4 piece Altmor into a 6 piece. Yes, I lost it as the line tangled round one of the rings.
The Slide Pool
I could not face the walk back to the car for another rod. So made a makeshift repair by fitting what remained of the top piece into what remained of the second top piece and keeping them together by nylon to a ring on each section and pulling it tight and knotting it.
I would love to say I caught a grilse on this but I did not. I did however get a take towards the tail of the pool. I saw the salmon come and turn on the fly but I only felt a gentle pluck. As it was a bit of a hike to the next pool I decided to call it a day and have a go later on the Oykel.
That evening I fished hard on the Oykel. I had what I thought was a really solid take just above the footbridge that crosses the Oykel at Caplich but lost it within 30 seconds. The Oykel was now running at just over 1' as shown below.
When I took the salmon in the flood the water was lapping the concrete supports.
Saturday was mainly bright. The Oykel was now running around 1’ . Thought about going back the the Einig but too tired. Chatted to one of the Ghillies on the Lower Oykel. While they had a poor Spring and the Grilse arrived late, they arrived in numbers. The Lower Oykel had been averaging over a 100 salmon a week for the past 5 weeks. Not bad for 12 rods. One rod caught 13 on the Monday. He also cheered me up by saying they were losing many as they were not taking with commitment, I was experiencing the same Rested up in preparation for a serious evening assault. It ended in one pull that evening. I don’t think any rod caught on the Upper that day.
Still an enjoyable week on rivers I had never fished before. Gordon, I never made it to the Kyle, heard the fishing was not great as the fish were running through to the rivers. Jim, never made the Helmsdale, too tired by the end of the week to make the drive…maybe next year. Thanks to you both for your info. Frank....both Guidelines christened
Well roll on the next trip.
Cheers,
Jock
