Well!

Unfortunately, only myself and Dave could make this event, but when we arrived at the carpark at 9.10am, the temp read -6 (yes minus) degrees, so it was going to be a cold one....

After exchanging pleasantaries, we spoke to Nigel, who runs the venue, who gave us the lowdown on the place (coupled with Lazarus' info, it meant we had a decent idea of where to fish).

After gassing for quite a while, we took a walk around the lakes to see if there was any rises, but the ice was covering a lot of Long and Willow, so much in the way of rises.

At about 10.30, we had tackled up and had a nice cup of coffee, then went to the corner of Island lake, where I was keen to try my new "1st ever fly tied by myself" which was a similar pattern to a Montana, but the green and black were transposed.



Dave went with a fly that he has invented, and without trying to describe it too much, seeing is believing, as it had a 'tail' which was effectively some marabou sticking out of a gold head, but also some form of line similar to leader (at the other end of the gold head), and this was double whipped onto the shank of the hook.

Within about 20 mins, I felt a couple of knocks and just waited, before the familiar 'pull' and 5 mins later was the owner of my 1st Blue Trout!!



We then moved on to Long Lake, where I hit my 2nd with my own tied fly, wheras Dave was getting knocks but nothing would stick.

After Lunch, we decided to move to the far end of Long Lake, where Dave had countless knocks, which alas did not want to stay, but about 1pm, he managed to catch with a smaller cats whisker. What was another 1st for me, was having to drag a trout along the top of some ice - after playing it for a while, it decided to play dead with some ice between it and myself - not a lot, but enough to think omg - how cold!!

You can also see what I meant about a transposed Montana with a Gold Head



Over the next hour or so, we ventured up and down Long and Island Lakes, where I added another with a mini cats whisker, and Dave added 2 more again using similar flies.

Having switched back to my own tied fly, I got my 4th about 3pm, and about 30 seconds later, Dave got his.

So all wrapped up before dark, with 4 nice fish apiece.



So to finish off,

Neil - 4 fish, 11lbs 2oz, with heaviest fish 3lb 6oz Rainbow, with a Blue at 2lb 14 oz

Dave - 4 fish, 9lbs 12oz, wih heaviest fish 2lb 120z Blue.

All in all, an extremely enjoyable days fishing, albeit a little on the cold side at the beginning and the end, but some stunning scenery, and wildlife (Heron's, Kingfishers etc), with a most hospitable host.

Definately a good way to see out 2008!