Fraser on Fishing: Be warned that Harelaw quarry really is rather fly

I WAS talked into driving through to Harelaw Fishery near Neilston for some top-of-the- water sport.

On first impressions, it looked fairly good with fish rising close in to the bank. I decided to take one of the boats to cover a bigger area and, at 102 acres, I wanted to see what it had to offer. I remember a number of years back it was the talk of the country for big wild brown trout.

It is a traditional water with Kate McLaren and Bibios being the top patterns. I stuck to my midge tip line which I highly recommend as the water has an average depth of nine feet. I decided to go right up into the corner and drift the full length of the water. I saw fish rising in front of me the whole length but could not get a lock on. I decided to go smaller and was smashed out on the very first cast. Obviously, they preferred smaller flies and I re-tied with a Bibio, Kate McLaren and a White Cat on the point.

Although I was getting offers, it was not till the last 30 yards that I really connected. My first was a blue of around 2lb but the second was nearer 4lb. Both fish came to the cat on the point and both were taken on the hang. It really is lovely water with many features and shelters from the wind.