Thursday 15 July 2010

Trout Fishing Scotland - Is it an Appropriate Destination? By Mike John Bell Platinum Quality Author

Trout fishing has been anywhere and has been a rewarding sport to many enthusiasts. But what can be so worth looking forward to trout fishing in Scotland?

Well, for one thing there are over six thousand lochs and rivers in Scotland and no doubt that there is greater possibility for anglers to catch a good one. The waters do not only give you brown trout but salmons as well. A Fishing trip would surely be fun with the many famous lakes surrounding Scotland such as Spey, Tey, Dee, and Tweed.

Some of the Scottish trout are considered a poor relation in the salmon family however, the brown trout drives many fishers both local and visitors all over Scotland as it provides the most amazing experience in the fly fishing sport. Trout fishing exceeds its popularity over salmon through its costs and wide accessibility. Furthermore, the success of this sport is increasingly soaring, though water levels are getting unpredictable sometimes for trout fishing.

Trout can be abundantly and easily found in rivers or in lochs opposite to where the most skillful and diligent salmon anglers are. Trout on the other hand are so easy to catch unlike salmon as they have to feed all year round making them easier to track knowing how they behave in these given circumstances. More so it helps fishers to choose the right fishing tackle, flies, and technique according to its behavior.
Trout's common hideouts are usually in skinny lakes or streams and rivers, or in slow moving water. Other trouts like rainbow are more aplenty in fast moving water bodies, but most of the time they are found in large objects like a big bolder or plants or anything that may slow the water flow. Nevertheless, trout swim towards the head of the pool in running water.

Finding where to fish in Scotland requires more effort and thorough study before we go on learning what are the appropriate tackle, flies and the like. What tools are best used when trout fishing in Scotland will be dealt with a little later. This is not an easy task for someone living outside this country. A bit of research planning where to fish would be a wise thing to do. Fortunate for those who live nearby the banks of Don, Tweed or Clyde, or in the aisle of Lewis are surrounded by trout Lochs which makes it easier for them to choose where to go and scout for trout.

Here are useful questions to help you decide where and how to go fishing in Scotland:
1. Are we fishing on Lochs or rivers? North or South? Highland or lowland? On a boat or in a bank?
2. When is the proper time to go trout fishing in Scotland?
3. When visiting only in Scotland, which place to stay overnight?

After going through these questions and made an decision the next best thing to do is to find out what tackles, fishing tools and tactics are suitable in trout fishing. A little planning, reading, and studying will guide you how to outwit Scottish trout's. To add to the information of your fishing trip in Scotland, there are maps and photos of the major lochs and rivers where trout is abound. Trout fishing in Scotland will prove more successful if the proper and appropriate fishing equipment is used, so make sure to read more tips and about techniques.

Mike Bell is a trout fishing enthusiast and author, who enjoys helping others get started in this amazing hobby. If you wish to read more useful and unique info about trout fishing scotland or to get a copy of his Free 'Trout Fishing Essentials' mini-course then visit his site www.troutfishingexplained.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_John_Bell

What You Should Know When Trout Fishing in the Waters of Scotland By James Field Platinum Quality Author

Unless you live near the banks of the Don, Tweed or Clyde, or in any area in Scotland where trout thrive, deciding where to fish in Scotland can be a burden without careful planning and research. Things such as your budget, your lodging and the commodities you're going to need to bring comes into the fray of questions you need to answer first before casting your line in Scottish trout territory.

You also have to consider the seasons, when it is best to go fishing for trout and, where and how are you going to fish. Will you go fishing on the river or in a loch, large or small, north or south, highland or lowland, from boat or bank?

Basically start with researching all you need to know about trout, especially if it's going to be your first time to be fishing for it. Next, get to know Scotland as well, particularly the best places where you can accomplish your goal with fun and ease. Consider the dates: 14th of March to the 7th of October, as this time period is the open season for trout fishing.

Trout are cold-water fish. This fact helps in narrowing your choices for fishing spots. The Highlands are said to have excellent spots, as well as the rivers and lochs located at Argyll, Caithness, Orkney, Durness, and Perthshire. You may also consider some commercially stocked fisheries on either the Central belt or in Aberdeenshire. A good tip is to start exploring the communities around the sites, asking the locals and experts for advice.

The second to the last but still crucial thing to get before going to Scotland to fish is of course a fishing permit, especially for trout fishing on rivers, since most of it is covered under Protection Orders. They are available in tourist outlets, tackle shops, tour operators or angling clubs. Standard permits will only allow you to fish for wild brown trout and rainbow trout, a migratory fish permit is required for you to be able to do sea trout fishing.

The last important, but probably the longest, step to complete is the getting your own skills warmed-up enough. Make sure you have the proper tools.

Learn and diligently practice your fly-fishing on a loch before you move on to a river. Hone your techniques on the bank until they're up to the mark, then move on to the boat. Turn the boat 90 degrees facing the wind. It will help to have someone along to hold the boat in position.

Remember what your research is, especially the facts on where trout usually hide. Keep a steady rhythm of casting and retrieving. But remember to be careful not to scare them off! Catch your trout and draw a line where you caught your catch. Release most of them back into the water for the next day.

Three words to sum your trip to Scotland up: "prepare" and "have fun"!

JAMES FIELD is a trout fishing expert. For more information on trout fishing Scotland, visit http://www.troutfishingheadquarters.com/.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Field

Saturday 3 July 2010

Fly Fishing Breaks in Perthshire By Harry Young

The River Tay in Perthshire is world famous for its high quality salmon fishing. However, Perthshire trout fishing is of an equally high standard with plenty of well-stocked fisheries and hill lochs to choose from. With reasonable prices, stunning scenery and centrally located, Perthshire offers the trout angler everything and is perfect for a short or long fishing break. The following short list describes just a few popular high quality fisheries that are easy to get to and all close to each other.

Glensherrup Reservoir Fishery

Set amidst the Ochil Hills, this 29 acre loch offers fly fishing for hard fighting brown, golden, and rainbow trout from both bank and boat. The reservoir is known for its crystal clear water, making seeing and targeting fish easier. Although most of the rainbows average the 2 lb mark, there are double figure fish in the loch. Advice, flies and rod hire are all available at the hut and the Anglers Lodge provides hot and cold snacks, tea and coffee. Gold Head Damsels prove successful flies as do Buzzers and Daddies from April to October.

Loch Leven

Trout anglers all over the world hold Loch Leven as one of the best. This large, shallow (the average depth is only 12ft) loch is stocked with rainbows that go into double figures, and the unique Loch Leven trout which is a strain of brown trout but is silvery like a sea trout. They are known for their fighting qualities and, once landed make a delicious meal. The most popular and successful flies are sedges and buzzers. With excellent facilities such as a small fleet of boats, bar snacks and packed lunches, and its own fish rearing operation, every trout angler should pay Loch Leven a visit.

Gartmorn Dam Fishery

This fishery is located in peaceful Gartmorn Dam Country Park and is one of the most scenic in the area. The 167 acre reservoir with its impressive dam is very well stocked with quality rainbows and brownies mostly under 10 lbs, and offers both bank and boat fishing. Facilities here are superb such as a visitor centre with ample parking and toilets, friendly staff who are on hand to provide fishing advice and first aid, and the opportunity to take part in Troutmaster competitions.

Glenquey Reservoir

Glenquey Reservoir is one of the few fisheries that stocks only brown trout. Set in beautiful surroundings this tranquil water has gently sloping banks which makes for easy wading; ideal since there no boats available. The dry fly fisherman will see good catches on Dark Grouse, Wickham's Fancy or Black Hoppers, while wet fly anglers should tie on a trusty Peter Ross coupled with a Zulu or a favorite silver or gold bodied fly further into the season. Aside from the superb fishing, Glenquey also has very reasonable prices.

River Devon

The River Devon winds through the Ochil Hills where it has been dammed to form three reservoirs, and then down into picturesque Glen Devon. While its trout are many, they tend to be on the small side. However, this is balanced by good runs of sea trout and salmon. There is varied bank fishing in deep pools and near waterfalls with shallower stretches more suitable for wading.

Frandy Fishery

Located up in the scenic Ochil Hills, Frandy Fishery gives excellent fly fishing for brownies, rainbows and blues. Their stocking policy means that more fish go in on a weekly basis than come out; so chances of a big catch are good. The excellent amenities include a large, well situated car park, 14 boats including lifejackets, tuition service, and a well-stocked lodge selling lures and flies including the famous Frandy "Killers".

Permits

Fishing permits are available from many local shops, pubs and hotels. When buying one, always ask what the local rules and regulations are, and, to avoid disappointment, don't forget to ask about no Sunday fishing.

Harry Young works for Toltech Internet Solutions and writes on behalf of An Lochan. For a central base from which to fly fish Perthshire, Scotland visit 4 star An Lochan Country Inn, Perthshire. Fresh Highland food, fine wines and ales, and comfortable rooms in a scenic Scottish setting. Contact An Lochan to find out about special rates and deals for fly fishing

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Harry_Young

Trout Fishing on Spring Reservoirs By Sean Meagan

Let's take a trip to an upland reservoir in early Spring to see how it's done. Today we'll visit the Washburn valley in Yorkshire and fish Fewston, one of its three large reservoirs.

Tackle

These upland reservoirs can be wild so this is no place for delicate tackle. I'm using a 9.5 ft 8 weight rod, a weight forward line and a 15ft 8lb fluorocarbon leader.

Fish Location

These large reservoirs often appear featureless with their long expanses of exposed mud. The secret is to exploit the topography of the land before it was flooded. Look for old lanes, walls, field barns and streams. Today I choose a spot where a linear scattering of stones on the bank and emergent weed in the water indicate the line of an old wall. Normally I wouldn't enter the water for my first few casts, but on this occasion a sparse line of weed about 5 yards out decides me to wade out so I can fish over it.

Let's catch Fish!

I open my lure box and select a lightly weighted black fritz concrete bowl (all dressings given at the end of this article). I wade out to the weed and make my first cast. I'm not going for distance and I aim to drop the fly just beyond the end of the weed bed, probably no more than 10 yards out. Trout are unlikely to swim through the denser weed and so will swim around the obstruction. This gives a 'pinch point' just off the end of the weed bed where a concentration of fish is likely to occur. Sure enough on my second cast there's a solid thump followed by the rapid, jagging fight of a decent rainbow trout. I soon net a plump trout of just over a pound, which I despatch in the net before unhooking it and transferring it to my bass bag.

I now commence to explore the water in front of me thoroughly. Casting along the bank first, then gradually extending my casting distance out to about 25 yards. The retrieve is a slow 'figure of eight' and at first I try to keep the retrieve as smooth and uniform as possible. Slow means slow! Count to three on each leg of the figure of eight in slow waltz time: one-two-three, one-two-tree. At this time of the year and in these unsettled weather conditions the trout are unlikely to be aggressive, so start slow. You're less likely to spook fish and you can always speed things up and add a bit of variety later.

Over the next hour I land 5 decent trout and lose a couple due to them throwing the hook. I don't strike when I get a take, but continue to retrieve until everything goes solid or the fish makes a dash for freedom. I then start to get abortive takes: quick taps which don't develop into a solid take. Time to ring the changes. I try speeding up the retrieve without success so I change fly to an anorexic Diawl Bach. This results in 2 more fish then the tap tap tap starts again.

Time to Explore

I re-tie my black lure and start to work my way along the bank. The secret is to cast short initially and gradually cast further and further. Move quietly and don't wade until you've explored the margins. Trout will quite happily hang out in a couple of feet of water and it is the shallows that offer much of the food in these upland reservoirs. This is classic reservoir bank fishing. Try a spot for 15 minutes and move. Keep on moving until you find fish. Fish for a while until the takes dry up then move on. Once I've taken my limit I don't bother with a net and simply release the fish in the water. If you don't want to take fish this offers the ultimate in mobility. A spool of line and a fly box in your pocket, with a pair of snips and some forceps on a zinger are all that you need.

Dressings

Concrete Bowl (Sean's version)
Hook: size 12 long shank lure hook weighted with one layer of fine lead wire
Tail: black marabou
Body: black marabou, tied in at the tips
Rib: stretched pearl tinsel
Thorax: lime green Fritz, trimmed short
Thread: black

Diawl Bach (Sean's version)
Hook: size 14 wet fly (or a heavy carp hook - I use a size 10 ESP Raptor)
Tail: a few ginger cock hackle fibres
Body: a single peacock herl (tie short and trim after tying to slim the profile)
Rib: stretched pearl tinsel
Thread: fluorescent orange

Sean Meeghan is an experienced and very successful angler. He has written articles for several magazines and writes regularly for FishingMagic. He contributes regularly through his blog.
Sean also manages his own company Synomy, which help companies build brilliant businesses

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_Meagan