Post by kirkaig on Apr 4, 2006 11:22:50 GMT
Re the other thread, comparing Crathes with Park is like comparing strawberries in a bowl - they're both fantastic! I'd say Park has the edge as it's the first real holding area up from the sea and it has such consistent fly water - hard to beat.
So, to report on last week's trip to Park/Commonty. It was simply superb, though not without tales of woe. I managed one of the 8 fresh springers from Park last Thursday (and no, they weren't kelts!) I hope to post a picture soon (unable to access photobucket from work.)
Park was high again Thursday (about 4 feet) but conditions pretty good with nice balance between water/air temp. If I have the detail right, we fished beat 5 first (below Durris stream) and caught my fish in Bakebare (spelling?) Cracking fresh cock fish of around 9lbs, naturally returned. And yes, it was a weighted Sunray (about 6") on a fast sink line that did the job. I saw two fresh fish taken at the tail of Durris - it certainly seems to hold them.
In the afternoon we had beat two, my friend hooking two fresh fish half way down Lower Kirks (upper was a little high/fast). Great shame for him that they didn't stick, but that's the Sunray for you - a percentage game. Later on we had the chance to fish beat three (tenants left early) and again my friend hooked and lost a cracker opposite the main hut. Very unlucky. We called it quits and retired to the Burnett Arms in Banchory.
Friday and Saturday we fished with Ian Fraser on Commonty. This is delightful water and, as per one of the posts above, it's in some ways more attractive than Park as it has that wild/secluded feel. Water was a bit high but fish had been caught two previous days. Alas, the fist day yielded not a pull and on the morning of the second disaster struck for me. With better weather and a gently falling river we fancied our chances - fresh fish were certainly present. Fishing down the Loop first thing I had a terrific take (is this the best part of the whole game?)and played a fresh salmon for what seemed an age (this time on a Tadpole). With the fish taking line and the reel singing, I finally managed to get him next to the bank - for anyone who knows the Loop, I had the perfect, gently sloping grass and sand bank in front of me. Confidence high, I was just starting to think "photograph". The fish gave a final run, found a convenient rock to run around, and the fly came slowly back towards me. A second earlier I'd been the happiest man alive - Deeside with the sun shining, the reel screaming and a fresh fish - I must admit to almost (but not quite!) shedding a tear.
Still, I'd had the best of the fish and thoroughly enjoyed fishing Commonty. Far from difficult to fish, it has a number of pools that are just a treat. The Otter and Boat pools where just lovely in the higher water. I'm not surprised the beat yielded two fish yesterday! And of course, we had the unstinting services of Ian Fraser, who was great company to us.
A perfect trip to end (for now) my Scottish fishing career. USA here I come - but I can't help ask, can I squeeze in one more go for a Springer??
Thanks to all here who gave up advice about the glorious Dee. Tight lines for the season.
Kirkaig.
So, to report on last week's trip to Park/Commonty. It was simply superb, though not without tales of woe. I managed one of the 8 fresh springers from Park last Thursday (and no, they weren't kelts!) I hope to post a picture soon (unable to access photobucket from work.)
Park was high again Thursday (about 4 feet) but conditions pretty good with nice balance between water/air temp. If I have the detail right, we fished beat 5 first (below Durris stream) and caught my fish in Bakebare (spelling?) Cracking fresh cock fish of around 9lbs, naturally returned. And yes, it was a weighted Sunray (about 6") on a fast sink line that did the job. I saw two fresh fish taken at the tail of Durris - it certainly seems to hold them.
In the afternoon we had beat two, my friend hooking two fresh fish half way down Lower Kirks (upper was a little high/fast). Great shame for him that they didn't stick, but that's the Sunray for you - a percentage game. Later on we had the chance to fish beat three (tenants left early) and again my friend hooked and lost a cracker opposite the main hut. Very unlucky. We called it quits and retired to the Burnett Arms in Banchory.
Friday and Saturday we fished with Ian Fraser on Commonty. This is delightful water and, as per one of the posts above, it's in some ways more attractive than Park as it has that wild/secluded feel. Water was a bit high but fish had been caught two previous days. Alas, the fist day yielded not a pull and on the morning of the second disaster struck for me. With better weather and a gently falling river we fancied our chances - fresh fish were certainly present. Fishing down the Loop first thing I had a terrific take (is this the best part of the whole game?)and played a fresh salmon for what seemed an age (this time on a Tadpole). With the fish taking line and the reel singing, I finally managed to get him next to the bank - for anyone who knows the Loop, I had the perfect, gently sloping grass and sand bank in front of me. Confidence high, I was just starting to think "photograph". The fish gave a final run, found a convenient rock to run around, and the fly came slowly back towards me. A second earlier I'd been the happiest man alive - Deeside with the sun shining, the reel screaming and a fresh fish - I must admit to almost (but not quite!) shedding a tear.
Still, I'd had the best of the fish and thoroughly enjoyed fishing Commonty. Far from difficult to fish, it has a number of pools that are just a treat. The Otter and Boat pools where just lovely in the higher water. I'm not surprised the beat yielded two fish yesterday! And of course, we had the unstinting services of Ian Fraser, who was great company to us.
A perfect trip to end (for now) my Scottish fishing career. USA here I come - but I can't help ask, can I squeeze in one more go for a Springer??
Thanks to all here who gave up advice about the glorious Dee. Tight lines for the season.
Kirkaig.
