Had a day at The Lake with Wee Jimmy yesterday. We heard they were getting a bit of a mayfly hatch. Not unusual, but tricky to coordinate with. What with all the joke weather we've been getting, it was in fact a bit of a long shot. However, the weather was a treat. Calm and muggy.
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Bit of a slow start, with a few buzzers hatching, and an odd fish rising. We got off the mark with a couple of buzzer feeders coming to hoppers, first at the butts, then at Lochend.
Then we sidled up to Kate's Brae. Who-ho! Mayflies hatching
One problem. No fish.
Jimmy realised he had left his lunch in the car and insisted on going back to get it...
We took a look up International Bay. Odd fish there, but no mayfly and no joy. We went for a look in the heronry. Not much encouragement at first, but as we sat and waited... there was a mayfly. There was a rise. Another mayfly, and then another rise.
We both put on dry mayfly patterns and crossed our fingers. Success
A good couple of hours of sport ensued.
There was some interesting pike-based action as well. First, Jimmy caught this fish that had suffered an attack.
Hadn't put it off feeding though. Spot the leech - he must have been thinking all his birthdays had come at once. Jimmy insisted it be removed before the fish was returned. Hope he makes it (the fish, not the leech)!
Next up, Jimmy hooked a decent fish around the 2 lb mark. As he was playing it, a pike around the 7-8 lb mark grabbed it by the head and tried to make off with it
A tug of fish ensued for a bit, before the pike sussed things were not as they should be and finally let go. The fish was duly landed. He was a bit scragged, but he'll be fine.
Finally, one for Rob...
Photos: Canon 135 mm f2 and Tamron 18-270 mm VC
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Mayfly action at Lake of Menteith
Eddie
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