Early Morning Fishing

[iainjay]

It seems,from other threads, that getting out on the river early gives you a better chance of a catch, especially in this warm bright period we're having.Now, I take it you don't just turn up and fish anywhere on the beat. The ghillie obviously has a set idea of who's going to be fishing where and I'm pretty sure folk would be pretty hacked off if they're put on a pool at 9 o'clock finding out that someone's been there for a couple of hours already.Are ghillies as a rule quite open to an angler being out early as long as they have been informed beforehand or are most beats pretty strict with the 9 o'clock start?

Cheers

[windcutter]

It's always best to check in advance.Some ghillies are pretty cool about it if you are all in the same party,the idea being that you will have sorted it out with your mates.Difficulties could arise if you are a single rod joining another group.Most guys are ok about it if ther is plenty of fishing on the beat, but in times of adversity such as the present low water/no fish/sunny spell, people could be pretty pissed off if you've been through the only half decent pool before they get there.
On another note ther is a lot to be said for fishing into the darkening.IMO ther is something satisfying about landing a decent fish or two when everyone else is standing in the bar moaning about conditions etc

[rennie]

OOOH careful ianjay,I got shot with sh#t for daring to suggest being out and about early but as far as I am concerned if I can motivate myself to be out early and others cant/don't want to its their loss.Club,ticket and association water invariably sees me out at first light providing circumstances are suitable,as far as private beats go,unless I have made prior arrangements with the Gillie its 9 o clock start first day then have a word with the Gillie,most will say go ahead but will sort out the pool rotation accordingly,in fact if you are keen enough they will welcome your approach to fish early.Don't expect the Gillie to join you very early he may wish to stick to office hours and his other guests.Times of low flow and high temperatures/bright sunlight often bring about a change to the hours fished any way.If there is no Gillie on the beat and its a informal approach to the days fishing use you head don't hog the best bits give every one else a chance too.Usually its the bed heads who moan loudest at some ones success before they can be bothered to turn out.Personally I find its a great time of day to be about,all fresh and quiet as the day starts to unfold,and when you get chance to sit back on the bank and celebrate a fish with a cold bacon banjo and a flask of stewed tea sheer bliss. Pedro.

[sinkingtip]

A phone call to the ghillie (assuming there is one) or the letting agent in advance is a strongly advised common courtesy which normally will achieve the object of the exercise.

[Sloggi]

The above comments match my experiences. On beats where 9am is set in stone, I usually insist that I can fish alone and don't need him/her to turn up. Then I ask advice on which pools would offer the best chance or clarify the pool rotation.

I also think fishing into the darkness is just as good

[toucan]

When we get through to serious sea trout time the ghillies are happy provided everyone communicates clearly in advance. We are lucky in having the same oppo for many years, in fact they are good friends now, and so we sort out beat allocations in advance and start at 00.01 on Monday morning.

We are usually too exited at being on Deeside to get into serious fishing mode but we do normally have a troot or two to report to the ghillies on Monday morning (or lunchtime if we don't rise too soon).

It's all down to communication,

Mark