27th October 2004
Well, once again I have to apologise for the lack of diary entries recently, which is due to sudden bouts of nervous ill health, probably brought on by the excitement of knowing that the Loch is fishing its head off. I am now a guinea pig for the National Health Service, so please be kind and not miss out the first word in that phrase.

Let me tell you about my first day out in ages. I had been ready for action, waiting on the weather to ease from the gale force winds and the vertical rain we had recently. The car had been loaded with engine and fishing equipment for about 3 weeks now, and finally at last I managed to get out a fortnight before the season finished, in a cold south easterly. Not to worry I had been looking forward for this day for ages, and it never let me down. Due to the wind direction I was only able to fish the islands Inch Cruin and Inch Moan with a drift along past Darroch. I began fishing the Long Point of Inch Moan fairly close to the shore in about 4 to 6 ft of water, bearing in mind the water was in the bushes due to the recent rainfall we’ve had since July. Well, as I drifted past the big rock on the point, which was almost covered with water, I pulled up a Salmon which came to my flies as I retrieved them back to the boat, three times the fish plucked and came up to them, but just wouldn’t take. I cast over him again and once more he came up, had a go at the flies twice but just wouldn’t take and parted waving his tail at me as he disappeared. It must have been about 8 to 10 lbs. I tried to signal to my old work mate Gerd Eilsweiler, who was the only other fly fishing boat out that day, to get in behind me and give it a go, but he couldn’t make out what I was going on about in my excitement. Anyway finished off the drift and went back over the lie with the dap, but he was gone forever, but what excitement, thank god my Doctor wasn’t there or I’d be banned from fishing. Later on that day I hooked and returned 3 Sea Trout to 4.5lbs. All the fish were on a smallish size 10 Claret bumble and a size 10 Silver Invicta on the tail. An absolutely marvellous days fishing.

The previous Saturday, Angus MacRitchie and Colin McCrory each had 5 Sea Trout to the dap and the wet fly. Frank Donnelly also did well and had a couple, as did Peter Lyons. Now I’m sure that they weren’t the only ones who had fish, so apologises to those who I have not mentioned. One person who I have not seen on the Loch for a year or so, and has been doing quite a bit of damage to our stocks is Davie Sunman. Davie for those of you who don’t know him has fished the loch for years and is a well respected and knowledgeable fly fisher, however, I have to warn you all, don’t under any circumstances let him dupe you into opening your fly boxes as there won’t be many of your favourites left, once he’s had a what he calls “a wee look see”. I’m sure he works for Selecta a fly on the side.

Willie Caldwell managed to drag himself away from earning cash to have a days fly fishing on the Loch and was repaid with a couple of Sea Trout to 2lbs caught off Inch Lonaig. Willie has had a quiet year by all accounts, so it’s good to see him doing well.

Remember that old saying, silent but deadly, there’s a couple of anglers that fall into that category, Denis McLaughlin being one , whilst mixing with the rest of the Balmaha boys Denis is not one to brag about his catches, but take it from me he does as well as the best of the bunch, as does Peter Lyons, who I’m sure he has a twin brother in order to be able to do all what he does, between the L.L.A.I.A. committee business, and squeezing a few hours on the Endrick and another few hours up the Loch. What an understanding woman he must have, Isabel please take note, oh and yes, she also makes up his chits. That’s what you call enthusiasm, dedication and determination. Okay Peter, that’ll be £5 for the praise, and on that note please feel free to call me or drop me a note with some numeration in it, for any bonus brownie points required for next season. I will be able to put together a few enlightening words of praise to our better half’s for their sterling work and encouragement throughout the season on behalf of you.

Well that’s all for now.

In the picture is John Brice getting laid into a warm cuppa, whilst stopped in the Geggles.