Launching my trusty Perception kayak onto Etive it seemed decidely dreich. Clagged in with mist and rain and generally meh! My brief day in the sun at Dunbar days before seemed a world away 🙁
I was in two minds about this session, as it offered less than 24 hours between one set of squalls and the next. However this was probably my only chance to get out over the next week. Besides, I haven’t had the kayak afloat for ages…
It was chilly paddling up the loch, despite my waterproof layers, although the wind and rain eased off nicely. I was in no hurry, just gliding along and trying my luck with the trout from time to time. A few dafter specimens did come aboard but it was fairly slow fishing as I headed towards Barrs.
Time for Dinner!
Tonight I planned to try a new camping spot at a small beach near Dail. Dragging my kayak above HW mark, I hastily set up the tent as the midges started their assault. Calm, damp, evenings = midge hell!
With my gear stowed away in the dry my next priority was a fire, both to dissuade the hordes of bloodsuckers and also cook some dinner. Tonight was a chicken, chorizo and white wine sauce special – which quickly degenerated into my usual roast and pray approach to camp hygiene. At least the midges largely buggered off in the smoke cloud!
Dinner wasn’t ready until well after sunset, so I was both tired and hungry when I finally wolfed it down. At least I was nicely warmed up by the time I hit the sack!
Calm and Dry (for a change)
Next morning dawned dry and calm, although a little short on sunshine. My late finish the night before meant I slept in and it was around nine before I cleared camp and got afloat again. Breakfast could wait, as I planned to stop off for a bite to eat a little further up the loch.
Actual fishing time was limited, as I had to be back home for late afternoon and it’s a fair paddle to get back to Taynuilt.
In the event neither trout nor pollack were terribly interested in my offerings this morning. A couple threw the hook but it didn’t get more exciting than that.
I was actually quite happy to head ashore to quaff a coffee and munch a bacon and egg roll. This was a little less relaxing than planned as I forgot the tide was rising rather than falling – and made my little fire just feet from the creeping line of rising water. Fortunately I got away with it and finished cooking just before the loch drowned my fire 🙂
Back afloat things my fishing didn’t improve much, even more so when I lost two lures in quick succession 🙁 One on the bottom and one to a wind knot.
Taking the hint, I popped the rod back in its holder and headed ashore for a final coffee. Well away from the rising tide this time 🙂
That was about it for this mini overnighter. No more fish on my paddle back, although I did bump into a couple of my YT subscribers along the way. I hope you caught more than I did!
Looking back at what I’ve written here, I realise I’ve made this session sound tougher than it really was. To be honest, apart from the gnarly start, I’d a fine time and it was a great little paddle!
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