Could be a bit of a touchy subject this one but I am interested to know of people's experiences of miserable ghillies. Bit of a myth or any truth in it?
I fish in Scotland most years and afraid to say the ghillies are a bit of a dour bunch up there (a few where I fish on the Tweed are just plain miserable). Glass always half empty etc. Do they just get fed up of fishermen or are they naturally pessimistic I wonder? I am sure that life as a ghillie twelve months a year is not quite as pleasant as us once a year fishermen think but surely there is other work they'd rather be doing? Probably best to point out that there are some very pleasant ones too but it seems that Scottish ghillies do have a reputation for being unhappy.
I asked the keeper on the Test where I fish and he said there is a big difference between a river keeper and a ghillie and that he would also find it hard to look after fishermen all day everyday. Maybe it's not just a Scottish thing?
Any ideas?

Reg Wyatt

It probably depends on the tip they think they are going to get,I remember overhearing two ghillies on the tay and at the time perth and district were on the beat up until april,this was the last day and one of them said thank f,,,,,, thats them finished till next year,i take it they werent good tippers

It completely depends on the client. Those who 'listen carefully to your advice so they can totally ignore it' are no fun to be with. They have the habit of doing the opposite and then blaming you for their mess ups. The diplomacy is sometimes the hardest part of the work and can drain you in no time.
"There is a fish rising nicely. Try to land the fly about 2 yards upstream while keeping low so the fish doesn't see you"
The angler walks straight up to the fish, spooks it and spends the next five minutes casting at the boil it made on the surface when it shot off. What do you do?

There are people I really enjoy looking after. Some of the old Gents and Lords are wonderful company and although they usually aren't great Fishermen, they often once were. Out one afternoon though, after Mayfly trout, one such angler had a large amount of line in the air preparing for a far bank fish, when a big fish engulfed a dun under our feet. He stopped the line in mid air and landed his fly on the fishes nose with a breathtaking display of skill.

I am not a professional Guide, only doing about a dozen days every season, so the tip is not important at all to me. Tipping can be such a messy business, a 'Thank You' means much more.

River Keeping and Guiding are two entirely separate jobs. Good Keepers make **** Guides and a Guide will never make a good Keeper.

I Don't know what he eats, but the Icelandic Ghillie i have seems to fart continuously on the bank. 'Just a quick cast over there' Parp, little bit further Parp, ooh look he came for it Parp let's change the Parp fly Parp.

It's unbelievable.

That will be The Putrid Puffins that they eat.

Jim

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The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

It could also be the putrified shark meat they are so fond of. I found Icelandic puffin to be quite delicious.

My observation on Icelandic gillies is that they all constantly chain smoke; probably at least 40 a session in that wind.


PiB

With reference to the Tweed Ghillies.

The old Duke of Sutherland's ghillie was a Yorkshireman called Big John, a character and a half (ask Gibby!), there were days where he was as dour as hell and other days when he was as bright as a button. I knew him from my days as a member and later chairman of St. Boswells AA and many a nippy sweety was consumed together in the Buccleuch Arms Hotel discussing the fishings but that is besides the point.

I will always remember his comments on some Rods that leased the cottage at the mill, 'They bvggers would not be able to land a fish even if I put it on the hook for them', there were amongst others, desultory remarks that questioned their parenthood etc. But in saying this he always put the Rods onto fish and could hold a boat on a lie for as long as it took them to hook up and bring a fish to the net.

Ghillies have to take a lot of **** from the Rods and it is no wonder that they have an 'attitude' towards some of them. So, them being dour is just part of the job!

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Roddy

"Sod it! I am going out to sink a klink!"

I bow to your greater knowledge Warren but that is plainly nonsense. I know of many examples on the chalkstreams quite the contrary.

Reg Wyatt

I dont often run to Ghillies ,but 2 I have too heartily recomend are Sam at wester Elchies and the inimitable George at Dryburg north ,sorry forgot Derek on the Isel beat of the Derwent .
these are all guys that make me feel welcome and part of "it" rather than some one who pays the wages .
planning on getting a day with Geoff franks as well this year !

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Andy Wren
Winter grayling taking a year off !
Claret not just a great dubbing colour!

A remark that could only come from someone " down there" , Maby if you had to deal with the glorious public everyday of your working life you might start to get a grasp of what you are getting at . There is a old saying " up here " , " There is nowt querer than folk " ..

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[SIZE="4"]BRITISH BY BIRTH , SCOTTISH BY THE GRACE OF GOD..[/SIZE]