Do you know someone who has always wanted to give trout fishing a wee go but they’ve never got around to it?

It could be a partner, a pal at work, a niece or nephew or a neighbour that you sometimes drop a fish into?

To get them to have a go, we’re going to have an open day on SATURDAY 28th AUGUST 2010 from 9am till 5pm.

The main aim is to provide a fun environment for people to come to the fishery and try their hand at either bait fishing, fly fishing or both!

At various times throughout the day we’ll have space to take complete novices (or improver’s) for a half hour session with our experienced and easy going coaches. And all of this will be free on a first-come-first-served basis. We’ll do our very best to get as many people fishing as possible and have a lot of fun while doing so.

If you like it and fancy a bit more – then I’m sure we can book you in for a longer session on the day.

We’ll also have a bouncy castle and other fun stuff for the kids to do as if a spot of fishing isn’t enough and we’ll have a great BBQ on site as well as our other snacks and drinks.

We’ll have a few fly tying demonstrations throughout the day too and even give a few folk a go and tying their own fly to go and have a go with!

On top of all that, we’ll run a fun competition with some great prizes for heaviest bag and heaviest fish between 10 and 4pm. This will be just £20 for a three fish ticket that will include a hot drink and snack and plenty of tagged fish prizes thrown in as well.

We’ll really do our best to make it a good occasion and hope that you’ll bring along friends, partners and family to join us.

Any questions at all – just drop me a line by email enquires@carbethfishery.com or chat to any of the staff in the lodge.

tightest of lines and no’ uppa tree

Paul

In saying that it’s meant for great fishing. I think it’s fair to say excellent fishing.

Karen McLauchlan took a 15lb 20z YES FIFTEEN POUNDS rainbow with a hothead damsel (which I think I may have tied her myself, a’hem – he boasts!!!)

Her husband Gerry has been remarkably quiet the last few times I’ves seen him!

Wendy was very keen for me to stress to our adoring public out there that a woman holds the fish of the month.

I’m not going to get into a battle of the sexes. Especially with a woman.

So there. Call me a coward if you like.

Al, Alan Martin, Sammy Wylie and Tam Robertson have all had big fish too.

Tam had a 13lb 7oz on a red blood worm – which I also tied him – do you see a pattern emerging  !! 

 Sammy just this afternoon lent into what I can only describe as a submarine – and I conservatively estimate it at 14 lb – we can’t be more accurate because said sub broke poor Mr Gilmartin’s scales!

 I kid you not!

The bait pond has had it’s fair share of big fish action too with the fish still being fairly deep and a mixture of baits doing well. Popping a bait up a couple of foot is still the most effective method at the moment.

As for flees on the fluff pond – damsel nymph, green and black montana, small buzzers of various colours have all been doing well as have the ubiqutous cats whiskers and dancers. My only advice is that if you want to target bigger fish - try going down the ‘naturals’ route.

Hopefully I’ll have some photographs up on the site through the week.

till then, the tightest of lines, and no’ uppa tree!

Paul

Yesterday I said to Graeme that what we needed was a monsoon and today we got it. The rain dance Wendy did last night before knocking off did it’s trick.

I don’t even think that it will be what we really need to get the main bait pond back to it’s former glory. We can only hope.

Certainly water levels are rising, so we’re fairly happy.

Also more than fairly happy were the guys from the Atlantis fishing club today.

They held a competition today and 40 brave souls out of an initial 60 entrants turned up to face the elements.

I don’t think that any one of them blanked – possibly one poor soul – but i don’t know his name, so I’ll spare his blushes.

Try a hook next time matey!

Seriously, well done to all for turning up and to Gordo for winning with the heaviest fish of 2lb 9 oz. I was really disappointed that none of the lads hooked into some of the huge fish we’ve been stocking with recently. But the folks seemed happy enough to be catching well and the banter was pretty good too. 

Some of the lads can testify to the biggy’s that went in today – all double figures – and yesterday I personally put in what I estimate to be  a 16lb+ fish into the bait pond and one nudging the 16lb mark into the fly pond so the fish are there – just waiting on you!!

I’ll post some photos from today soon as well as from the past few weeks – I need to get organised!

Till then, enjoy the rain and the water that it brings to our sport and I hope you come to see us soon for a great days fishing.

Tight lines, and no’ uppa tree.

Paul

We’ve re-opened the bait pond for now even though there is still some work to be done. We ask you to please understand that we may need access to various parts of the pond but will try to minimise inconvenience.

Also, and most importantly, the water level is at the lowest we’ve ever experienced with all the dry weather we’ve been having. This means the banks are steep and there’s a chance of slipping in. Please take extra care when landing fish and obviously keep a close eye on juniors.

Anyone with Native American blood in them who fancies a wee dance around the fishery – I’ll buy you a permit myself!!!

I was up last night and happy to report that the whole fishery is fishing really well. Plenty of fish being caught in all ponds despite the water levels and warm weather. Can’t figure it out – but it’s a good thing.

I apologise for the lack of photographs on the site at the moment – I’ve taken quite a few but having problems getting them online. It will all be sorted soon, so keep posted for them.

Also, now that the summer holidays are here, we plan to run a couple of open days for juniors wishing to learn more about fishing – fly fishing, fly tying etc. I’ll post a date for that soon too.

Enjoy your fishing and the tightest of lines

Paul

We’ve had real problems with a leak in the bait pond and together with the lack of recent rainfall it’s getting worse.

The fish in it are in real danger and we can’t allow it to continue to deteriorate.

Sorry to say we’ll need to close the pond for a week.

We are opening the remaining two ponds to both fly and bait anglers and hope that you will give us your understanding while the work is done.

Please do take extra care – especially with juniors – when fishing around each other – we don’t want flies  snagging folk.

Again, apologies for the inconvience but we really have no other option.

all the best

Paul

Remember it’s not a substitute for simply asking folk – the vast vast majority of our customers are friendly enough and would be happy to boast..er…explain their winning methods.

I’ve even been known to pass on the odd wee flea from time to time. (You can now buy some hand-tied numbers in the shop also ).

Before we get to the fish of the week, a wee mention about a charity event.

Carbeth is hosting the MacMillan Big Fish again this year. Remember we don’t run it at all – you have to register with McMillan themselves at:http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Fundraising/Inyourarea/TheBigFish/TheBigFish.aspx

It’s a worthwhile cause and an enjoyable day out – remember though you are expected to raise at least £50 in sponsorship money.

Now to our fish of the week:

First was this zoo creature.

Not big John McGhee by the way.

I mean his glorious rainbow of 11lb 6oz that  took a bloodworm.

It happens to be one of my favourite flies and can really provide dividends if fished properly.

Don’t just yank it like a lure, let if fish naturally and it should pay off.

It certainly paid off for big John.

On the bait pond Gerry Brown had a great days fishing with his friends.

He netted this 6lb 4oz fish.

I’m really sorry to say that I don’t have any further details for you.

If you do manage to nab one of our big fish, or even if it’s not that big but it pleased you notheless,

then please do email the story of the catch.

I can’t guarentee that I’ll get them all up, but I’ll do my best.

Computer willing!

There’s another couple of photo’s that I’d like to share.

It’s of Martin Hopkins who is now away to work in Abu Dhabi for a couple of months.

(I hope I’ve not let the cat out of the bag and someone is going to tan his hoose!)

Either way, the big fish should be safe for a while.

He caught this 8lb 8oz fish at the stank corner on, guess what?

A wee red blood worm – this time a buzzer variety.

It just goes to show that they can work really well on big fish.

It’s not the only way, but it can be very effective.

Rememer you don’t need big flies to catch big fish.

In lots of ways the very opposite is true.

loving the bunnet mate! Cold where you?

And lastly another picture from the bait pond emailed in by a pal of Callum Gillespie’s.

He and his friends had a great day at the fishery, all catching fish and in particular this beauty of 7lb.

Keep them coming folks and have a great day with us soon.

Till the next time…

Tight lines an no’ uppa tree

Paul

Well I assume that’s what she meant as the text went on to say..

“Many fly men catching 18-20 fish.”

As our regulars will know, we do get our fair share of ‘fly-men’, but I can only surmise that our anglers of the  fluff chucking persuasion are having a ball.

And that they’re not flinging fluff into the wee holding tank! (WHICH IS NOT ALLOWED!)

Mayfly aplenty, daddy long legs, montana nymph  and anything green/black is doing well.

What about the bait pond I hear our maggot dookers say?

With high pressure systems and hot weather – keep moving/change your fishing spot until you hit fish. They can be pretty docile (until you hook into one that is!)

That’s why we ‘drip’ stock the pond through0ut the day to try and get fish moving.

Keep persevering and you’ll get fish.

Till the next time,

Tight lines and no’ uppa tree

Paul

It’s a mouth-watering prospect for those using the fly pond. We anticipate that we could be extremely busy and as such are receiving an extra delivery of  fish which will go straight into the fly pond.

For those bait anglers – don’t worry you’ll still be well looked after as our stocking levels will increase in the bait pond too, on a daily basis as normal. Can I urge you all however to please keep us informed of catch returns – as it makes our job so much easier.

As for the inevitable fact that fluff chuckers will grab their limit fairly easily - please release any further fish as carefully and as quickly as possible.

Remember – de-barbed hooks, up the strength of your leader material (to enable you to bring in quickly) and don’t handle the fish.  If it’s proving difficult to release – then do use a (knotless) net if it would save the fish from being scrapped on the side of the pond.

All the best and the tightest of lines

Paul

First of all, Lorna Callaghan caught her biggest ever fish.

A cracker of  6 1/4 which took a maggot on a bubble float at a depth of 4 feet.

It was a joy to watch as she expertly played the fish as I stood by having chickened out of handling the net.

That job went to Maja McTavish.

I got chatting to Maja who told me that she’s only been fishing a couple of times, had two fish here on the first visit and another on a second.

Not fifteen minutes after Lorna landed her monster…..this happened:

Talk about ‘anything you can do, I can do better?!”

This zoo creature weighed in at 7 1/2 lb.

It was caught by Maja using similar tactics to the ones that Lorna had used.

Just goes to show that when something is working…stick to it!

The similar depth of fishing was definitely a factor here.

I say it time and again to folks – that it’s very crucial.

A pair of crackers....and the fish are nice too!

And just to prove that I’m not using camera tricks with the same fish….here are our two champion ladies both together with their fish.

It’s fair to say some of the lads walking past (even though they had bagged up with three fish each) had a huge slice of humble pie hanging out of their open gobs.

Just a brilliant days fishing..so chuffed for both of you.

Hope you enjoyed it and are willing to give lessons to the less fortuate amounst us!

There’s plenty of fish just like these in all of our ponds, so hope to see you soon.

Till then…

Tight lines (an no’ on the areator in the middle of the wee top pond)

Paul

had real problems with photographs too..one or two of you will be looking for yourse;ves with big fish. Hope to have everything working soon.

All in all technology not my best friend at the minute. We’ll get there in the end.

Anyway. We’ve had some really nice weather recently and the fishing has been hot too with good catch returns on both the bait and fly ponds.

Recent visitors will have noticed that we’ve been pretty busy tidying up the place and there’s been new paths laid around the small pond at the back, more of which later.

There’s also been a new hut built at the top pond for those wishing to fish up there, and remember the top pond can be booked exclusively for clubs or groups of friends up to around 15 or 16 folk comfortably.

The place is chocka with tadpoles and the fish are gorging on them, so a wee montana or anything black is got to be worth a try.

We’ve been busy in the shop too and even got a deep fryer. We’ll be serving hot and cold food on a regular basis now from 1200 till 5pm so do ask if you want a burger and chips – or as I’m on a health kick – a roll and lettuce.

Jim’s even joked that we could do you a wee chateaubriand if you order in advance!

The wee pond at the back of the fishery is just about finished with new paths as I mentioned. We think its an ideal size for groups of kids. it’s safe and easy to keep an eye on them. So ask at the shop or call or drop me a line if you’d like a party organised.

Finally our welcome visitor.

It’s a beautiful Osprey. We think it is nesting nearby, so hope to see youngsters soon. Just don’t leave your fish lying around or they may well disappear!

Also, just as I type, a Mayfly has landed on the counter! First of the year for me, and unusually it’s black. I don’t recall ever seeing one that colour at the fishery.

so, as ever,

tight lines (and no’ uppa tree)

Paul