By happy coincidence we escaped to the forestry cabins at Loch Lubnaig for a few days, just exactly as lockdown ended in Scotland. This wasn’t a fishing trip but I did manage two or three hours chasing trout in the loch. Day one was very windy and wet so I left my gear in peace… Continue reading A Few Trout from Loch Lubnaig
A Shoal of Oban Skate
I managed my first fishing since the beginning of December last weekend, trailing my Longliner over to Oban for a crack at skate with Ian – and it proved a stonker of a session! We launched in chilly, calm, sunshine at Ganavan and headed down the west coast of Kerrera. After dropping anchor in 370… Continue reading A Shoal of Oban Skate
Hot Tenting in Scotland
One of my readers (hi Mark!) asked about my glamping set up the other day, and the answer started to get quite long so I’ve converted it into a blog post. Basically, you won’t need to be hot tenting very often in Scotland, but on those occasions you do, it’s pure dead brilliant. Warm toes,… Continue reading Hot Tenting in Scotland
Return to Sunart
I’ve not floated my boat on Sunart during the winter months in ages, so it was high time for a return visit! I last visited on a kayak in March, just before lockdown crushed the life out of us. This was exploring rather than fishing, so doesn’t really count! However, I did find a decent… Continue reading Return to Sunart
A Perfect Kayak on Etive
The Scottish sea lochs are beautiful but I haven’t actually paddled my kayak on Etive for over a year now. Fine autumn weather coupled with the gloomy prospect of impending lockdowns made it an easy choice, however. I dusted down the plastic log, dug out my buoyancy aid and generally made ready! Even so, despite… Continue reading A Perfect Kayak on Etive
The Sea of the Hebrides
I’m not long back from a very memorable long weekend on Skye, exploring a small corner of MacLeod country amongst sunshine, calm seas and giant volcanic cliffs. We camped above the beach on a deserted little island and spent 3 days fishing on the Sea of the Hebrides. Some very nice fish. No midges. Perfect…… Continue reading The Sea of the Hebrides
Round 2 with the Skate
I rarely fish for skate, and once a year is usually enough for me. However it’s definitely been an odd year, and calm weather and dead tides suggested Oban. Ian was up for it, so we arranged to meet up at Lochearnhead around 7.30… We launched at Puffin Dive Centre and headed down the sound… Continue reading Round 2 with the Skate
Bracadale Spurdogging
For decades I avoided Skye after experiencing poor weather on several visits to the island, away back in the pre-bridge days. My loss of course, and I’ve been back several times in recent years and had far better luck. It’s a fickle place but very rewarding if you catch it right – and steel yourself… Continue reading Bracadale Spurdogging
Summer Fishing off Dunbar
I’d a nice day out of Dunbar earlier this week – nothing exceptional in fishing terms, but a fine, relaxed time afloat on a sunny summer day. I even allowed myself to sleep in until shortly before 6 before hitching up the boat. First up were a few mackerel for bait. There weren’t huge numbers,… Continue reading Summer Fishing off Dunbar
A Lazy Summer Day on Etive
I spent a fine few hours afloat on Etive last Sunday, reminding my little Orkney what water feels like. Only her second outing since last December, so I was relieved that everything still worked! Just a lazy summer day out rather than serious fishing, but great fun nevertheless. It was just after LW and there… Continue reading A Lazy Summer Day on Etive