For the past few weeks Ive been making a foray to the lochs once a week and things seem to liven up the past couple sessions. Last week I managed to visit my favourite mark in Loch Etive and although it was already late in the day I still managed to rack up a nice little mix of species and had quite a lively short session comparing to the long drawn affairs of the previous ones. This was in part because of the ideal weather conditions (overcast, mild, no wind) along with the suitability of the mark as a sheltered area away from the main loch. There were no big fish but all the signs were there that it wont be too long now..
I chose to fish with my spro travel rod so as to maximise fun with the little fish due to its semi parabolic character and indeed it was a joy! I fished simple 3.5-5g cheburashka with #8 slim offset hooks and 2" slim softies.
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| love the colours on poor cod. |
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| A lonely whiting, first from loch Etive.. |
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| Skinny coalie.. |
This week I was planning to give the lochs a rest but the forecast showed very mild temperatures, with warm southerly winds, overcast skies and a new moon. I couldn't let the combination of all these favourable factors pass so in the morning I headed up to loch Fyne at my usual mark. I decided to start from the left arm of the harbour so that i would fish the outside and have the wind at my back. It was hard controlling the line and feeling for bites but for once this wind was relatively warm and I was glad I could fish without gloves for the first time this winter! I was fishing Gulp prawns on 12g cheburashka and soon I felt a bite. i struck and felt some weight with a few head shakes but not much more. It was a lovely sea scorpion and I'm always happy catching these little beasts..
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| Stunning! |
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| Not scared of big baits.. |
After the scorpion I moved towards the point and fished towards the inside of the harbour as the wind died down a bit. I changed to slims and paddletails and the bites started coming, followed by some very welcome codling, pollock and coalies much better sized than the ones from my winter sessions of late..
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| Better sized codling from the deep. |
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| Some nice pollock as well in good condition.. |
After a while and while the tide had receded considerably i decided to move to the opposite arm of the harbour as I was sure more fish were to be found there.. On reaching the other point I was left with my mouth open as fish were going on a blitz and smashing fry on the surface! This is an unusual occurrence in the warmer months but in the middle of February personally its something Ive never witnessed! I knew at once what fish was doing this though... Coalfish! At once I started casting the little shad and was getting hit every cast but some fish didn't stick so I changed to a metal (if only I had a popper!) and was now getting coalie after coalie.. They were of a good size and excellent condition. I was fishing with the heavier gear but nonetheless I lessened the drag and enjoyed the fights with a wide smile on my face! I was also reminded how much i like coalies for my dinner so i kept five while releasing all the rest, possibly around twenty fish altogether. superb fun!
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| Rugged fighter! |
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| Coalies save the day! |
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| Dinner... |
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| They were feeding well.. |
Finally a session worth noting and a lovely dinner as well. Hope the mild weather continues as the best fishing is just around the corner when the pollock shoal up in spring!
From the freshwater side the canals are now ice free and a friend informed me of some fishy-looking lochs not far from home that we will explore soon.
Tight lines!
Gear used.
Rod: Spro Mobile Stick 80 UL, 2.40, 0.6-8g, MC KG Evolution, KGS-832ST 2.53m, 3-15g.
Reel: Shimano Stradic 1000 fc, Shimano Stradic ci4 2500f
Mainline: Yamatoyo SW super Light Game PE 0.4, Sunline Tenya PE 0.7
leader: Dragon fluorocarbon 7lbs,P-line Halo fluorocarbon, 10lbs
lures: Scented prawns, slims and paddletails on 12g cheburashka, metal jigs.
