30 years of fly-fishing
Like all anglers that I’ve met, I remember my first trout taken with a fly. It was 1995 on a small loch in Galloway, SW Scotland. I was with my uncle, who was a very experienced angler, and we had the use of a rowing boat. That day we were the only people on the loch.
My uncle on the small loch in SW Scotland - old photograph from 1995
I remember the cast, the fly that I used (a small dry sedge), the precise location near a small island, landing the wild brown trout, about 1.5 lbs. I remember gently returning the trout into the water, putting up my rod and pouring myself a coffee from my flask. The sense of satisfaction and peace I can feel to this day.
My uncle, a year before he died, doing what he loved most, in the River Clyde area, Scotland.
I had attempted catching a trout about 20 times before my first one and was beginning to get despondent. After the first, the second came within the hour and then I never looked back.
Since then, I have fly-fished all over Scotland, the great lochs of Western Ireland, Welsh and English rivers, Canada, Norway, France, Portugal.
Loch Corrib, Ireland in stormy weather.
So what has attracted me to angling? Like all outdoor adventures, it’s a combination of things. Being in the wilderness, observing the details of nature, the skilful use of equipment, knowledge born from experience, being alone or with a close friend as the case may be, banter - I could go on.
Fly-fishing the River Bull, British Columbia, Canada.
My love of fly-fishing has been caught by my son - we have shared some lovely moments on the River.
My son selecting a Clyde-style fly when angling the upper headwaters of the Clyde, Scotland
The headwaters of the River Clyde near Elvanfoot
