Fishing: Terrific trout at Gartmorn

One of my favourite places to fish at the moment is Gartmorn Dam near Sauchie.

Not only is it great sport but real value for money in an ideal setting. Taking the boat out on the brown-trout-only water I was surprised to see the size and quality of the fish and the information from the fishing lodge of long drifts at the back of the island was spot on.

Within several casts I was into a nice brown of around 1…lb. It took my top dropper of Clan Chief and darted deep under the boat. Silvery in colour with big black and red spots, it was a pleasure to see and catch.

Returning it took a bit of time but after several minutes it swam off strongly into the depths. Although not showing on the surface the takes were just as the flies hit the water. Apart from the Clan Chief, I had a Bibio Hopper and White Cat on the point. For brown trout the Cat is one of the best flies going.

In two drifts I picked up another three fish before the torrential rain caught me out. Soaked to the skin I carried on for another hour and the fish kept on coming. It really was fantastic sport and to finish I was smashed out on a real good fish. I only saw its spade-like tail as it took my whole cast and disappeared into the distance leaping every now and then to shake the hook.