Mountain Lochan

This tiny mountain lochan isn’t a ten mile hike but is a stiff climb over steep, squelchy ground and bracken blanketed slopes. Despite the cool breeze and dreich conditions, I was certainly sweating by the time I reached it. I was a little sceptical of rumours of perch and decent trout, but at least it would be a nice walk in the hills!

My first hour or two passed fish free, bar one snatched take that didn’t connect. That at least confirmed something swam in the loch as there was no other sign of life.

Morale Booster

I was succumbing to chilly despair when my #1 Mepps was suddenly grabbed – and by something sizeable. Teetering awkwardly at the top of a steep and wet grassy bank there was a decent chance of the fish pulling me in before I pulled it out 🙂 Rod in one hand and clumps of sodden grass in the other, I slithered down to the water and re-established some form of control over the situation.

My fish was clearly a nice trout and in no hurry to grace the bank as it zig-zagged back and forth. Meanwhile I was cursing myself for not taking a net with me. Deep water at the base of a steep bank isn’t the best place to land a fish! I’d not really expected anything sizeable and didn’t want the hassle of a net as I waded through the undergrowth.

Eventually I manoeuvred the trout close enough to lift and unhook it without much trauma. My GoPro had (of course) died just before I hooked the fish, so I had to make do with a couple of quick shots from my phone. At 18″ long this gives a ballpark weight of 2lb 8oz, so probably my best UK brownie 🙂 The fight had taken longer than I’d like so I didn’t hang about returning the fish.

Time for a Perch

Morale restored, I continued to work along the shoreline, casting as I went. Only a few minutes later I hit another fish, obviously smaller but still quite gung-ho. Drawing it ashore I unhooked my first perch for over a decade 🙂

By now I was feeling quite smug – nice new (to me) venue, best trout in years and first perch for years. At this point I feel I should report a disaster to take me down a peg or two, but there simply wasn’t one 🙂

I’d almost completely circuited this little loch by now, picking up another little perch along the way. I was contemplating coffee and a bite to eat when another decent brownie hammered my Mepps.

Smaller than my first fish although still great by my standards this was around 1lb 8oz and fought just as hard. Quickly unhooked, photographed and released. I was on a high as a I added another perch before finally grabbing my coffee and a roll.

Reversing Course

After sorting out a caffeine hit I reversed course and worked back around the loch. The wind had died a bit by now and the midges hurried me along if I strayed into a calm patch. I managed a final golden brownie, probably the finest coloured of the trio. Also the smallest but still a fine fish.

By now I’d worked right round the little loch twice, so time for a few final casts before calling it quits for the day. My luck held as this lovely little perch became a final victim to my Mepps.

As you can probably tell, I was well chuffed with this little daytrip. My expectations weren’t high but I was delighted with the outcome. Perhaps the contrast with Galloway – high expectations but a disappointing reality – made it all the sweeter 🙂 I reckon this little mountain lochan is too small to stand much fishing pressure but I’ll definitely be back from time to time!

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