Just had a couple of days sea-trout fishing on the River Polla....Loch Eriboll.
Went up on Saturday afternoon, via Tescos snecky for essentials....a bottle of Glenlivet...32 quid, 2 half bottles 13 quid each..go figure!
Foolishly decided to turn left at Altnaharra and go on the minor road past Hope. This is in a dreadful state; crumbling verges, holes, some bits more grass than tarmac, and at least 3 temporary bridges after storms of 2 years ago. Squally rain came on to compound my misery. At the narrowest bit 2 vehicles were coming the other way; I had no option but to stop as far over as I dare and get the first one, a 16 plate Audi estate with a fishing rod on, to pull up onto his offside verge to pass. However the driver, The Prince of Wales, seemed very pleased to see me as I thanked him through his open window. Not so sure about the 2 geezers in the Range Rover behind, no doubt itching to brandish Glocks and stuff. Sadly the pissing rain prevented any fisher mate type chat; possibly also to do with the drips on the visor....or the drip under it? Good to see him looking so well.
So it being Saturday...no fishing on Sunday...little to do at the humble cottage but drink and talk shit, and then do it again.....and again....all day...
Sunday night however.... It had rained a fair bit over the weekend and the river was in a falling spate. It is generally reckoned that these conditions are no good for night sea-trout fishing, but are more likely to produce grilse or salmon.
So a 3.30 alarm, and up to fish at first light. Once you're up and on the river a sparkling time of day as the river awakens. Well, the midgies certainly awakened but were kept at bay behind a net. In fact the only things that didn't awaken were the fish. Zilch.
A day spent slumbering, reading, odd dramming and preparing for a night fishing for sea-trout. Wandered up the river to my allotted spot, waiting for dark in the hut, and then fishing down the pools...a magical experience at night. It got colder and colder; cold enough to keep the midgies at home; likewise the fish.... Once you start seeing mist on the river its time to call it a day.....or more correctly, a night. So back to the cottage for Old Poulteney(for those lucky enough to live in Scotland, this months special in Spar shops is Old Poulteney at 26 quid a bottle...bargain...), cup of tea and bed.
So now to the real point.
Arousing myself about 6, packing stealthily, finding why bike wouldn't start(bad earth on battery), fixing same and off into the blazing morning sun at 7. Up to the north coast, left through Durness, and down past the Kyle of Durness, Rhiconich, Laxford, Scourie, Kylesku, Ledmore, Strath Oykel, Rosehall, Bonar Bridge and the Struy road, to breakfast at the Storehouse. Sunshine, dry road, no traffic. I've done this journey a lot; I've just had 2 weeks doing 3k miles round France, but I cannot think of anywhere I'd rather have been this morning. It was simply stunning...nothing bonkers, probably never went over 80, but sheer swooping biking pleasure.
A top weekend. Good company, drink, grub, fishing and the best biking in Europe. Just the best!
Went up on Saturday afternoon, via Tescos snecky for essentials....a bottle of Glenlivet...32 quid, 2 half bottles 13 quid each..go figure!
Foolishly decided to turn left at Altnaharra and go on the minor road past Hope. This is in a dreadful state; crumbling verges, holes, some bits more grass than tarmac, and at least 3 temporary bridges after storms of 2 years ago. Squally rain came on to compound my misery. At the narrowest bit 2 vehicles were coming the other way; I had no option but to stop as far over as I dare and get the first one, a 16 plate Audi estate with a fishing rod on, to pull up onto his offside verge to pass. However the driver, The Prince of Wales, seemed very pleased to see me as I thanked him through his open window. Not so sure about the 2 geezers in the Range Rover behind, no doubt itching to brandish Glocks and stuff. Sadly the pissing rain prevented any fisher mate type chat; possibly also to do with the drips on the visor....or the drip under it? Good to see him looking so well.
So it being Saturday...no fishing on Sunday...little to do at the humble cottage but drink and talk shit, and then do it again.....and again....all day...
Sunday night however.... It had rained a fair bit over the weekend and the river was in a falling spate. It is generally reckoned that these conditions are no good for night sea-trout fishing, but are more likely to produce grilse or salmon.
So a 3.30 alarm, and up to fish at first light. Once you're up and on the river a sparkling time of day as the river awakens. Well, the midgies certainly awakened but were kept at bay behind a net. In fact the only things that didn't awaken were the fish. Zilch.
A day spent slumbering, reading, odd dramming and preparing for a night fishing for sea-trout. Wandered up the river to my allotted spot, waiting for dark in the hut, and then fishing down the pools...a magical experience at night. It got colder and colder; cold enough to keep the midgies at home; likewise the fish.... Once you start seeing mist on the river its time to call it a day.....or more correctly, a night. So back to the cottage for Old Poulteney(for those lucky enough to live in Scotland, this months special in Spar shops is Old Poulteney at 26 quid a bottle...bargain...), cup of tea and bed.
So now to the real point.
Arousing myself about 6, packing stealthily, finding why bike wouldn't start(bad earth on battery), fixing same and off into the blazing morning sun at 7. Up to the north coast, left through Durness, and down past the Kyle of Durness, Rhiconich, Laxford, Scourie, Kylesku, Ledmore, Strath Oykel, Rosehall, Bonar Bridge and the Struy road, to breakfast at the Storehouse. Sunshine, dry road, no traffic. I've done this journey a lot; I've just had 2 weeks doing 3k miles round France, but I cannot think of anywhere I'd rather have been this morning. It was simply stunning...nothing bonkers, probably never went over 80, but sheer swooping biking pleasure.
A top weekend. Good company, drink, grub, fishing and the best biking in Europe. Just the best!
