Last week I had the pleasure of hosting Alan and Paul yet again at my place and got some fishing done. Conditions throughout the week were pretty difficult but as I've said before, this time of year even a short window of opportunity can easily provide some good fishing.
We managed one short session after work and then a longer one on Saturday. The short session took place in one of my usual Staffin marks and the bigger fish were more prominent there, with Paul getting a screeching run and instant snag-up! Thankfully more fish obliged and we got some solid action for an hour before it was time to head in.
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| Back again. |
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| Paul with a good lump. |
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| Alan didn't stay behind... |
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| That bend. |
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| And another one. |
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| Decent sizes. |
On Saturday the forecast was for brisk Northeasterlies so that excluded my usual launching areas, instead we launched from Stein and fished Loch Bay. This is an area better for numbers although I have taken the occasional good fish from there. Also it can be a good area for topwater fishing as well as ballan wrasse though unfortunately we didn't encounter any on the day. Paul did manage his first pollock on topwater though with the fish hitting mere meters from the boat and giving us all a good surprise!
Despite being more sheltered than staffin, it was still not perfect conditions yet we got good numbers of fish.
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| A wee chunk from the numbers mark |
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| Double hook-up! |
Throughout the week, the lads baitfished various parts of the island with good results, getting some good rays especially.
They were the last guests in my caravan as it's time for it to go. It's done very well for us but it has started to need more maintenance than I can provide.
Unfortunately the boys complained to me about parking and access becoming more difficult the past couple years and on this visit especially. I remember when I first came to the island, it was always easy enough to ask politely and you could guarantee a parking spot for a few hours. This seems to have definitely changed though and it's a pity. There's limited shore access as it is for most marks on the Island, I suppose it's another point towards boat fishing being the mainstay of my fishing.
Hopefully weather improves a bit and I can do a couple solo outings.
Tight lines.