River Tay- Pitlochrie & Catholes
It was the second week of February and yes it was that time of year again, Valentines day. For once, I had forgotten and was only reminded when I walked into the bedroom in the morning after having a shower to find a card neatly place on my pillow. My wife was sitting on the bed with a cup of coffee and a big grin on her face. Initially, I was a bit confused; my birthday had passed a week prior, so why the card? Then a feeling of horror came over me; it was Valentines day, and I had forgotten. I opened the beautiful card from my wife and gave her a peck on the cheek nervously. How was I going to get out of this one? I put on a brave face and explained to my wife that good things come to those who wait. I think I just managed to convince her that I had not forgotten. How was I going to retrieve the situation, as it was Sunday and I was working all day?
I managed to pick up a card on the way home from work and then the get out of jail card hit me! Once I got home, I gave my wife the card and explained that I had organised a romantic trip for her as a Valentines day present. She appeared to get very excited but this quickly subsided when I revealed all. I had booked us both a day's fishing on the River Tay. How could she be disappointed with that?
The Catholes beat can be productive during the early spring months
We would be fishing on the Pitlochrie and Catholes beat of the lower River Tay the following day. The beat is situated directly downstream of Catholes weir and is one the most prolific early spring beats on the river. What's more, the weather had been bitterly cold over the past few days, which had improved our chances.
Monday morning dawned and it was bright but bitterly cold. There was a hard frost on the ground and the layer of ice on the car windscreen was almost an inch thick. We were surprised as just north of Perth there was a significant covering of snow. You could sense the enthusiasm and buzz of anticipation amongst our fellow anglers upon arriving at the fishing hut. One of the guests fishing, a native Scot, was travelling from America to Finland and decided to make a detour and have a few days fishing in Scotland. He explained that it was not unusual for him to fish in such extreme weather conditions. Living in America, he regularly fished in freezing weather for Steelheads during the winter months.
Over a hot cup coffee, we discussed tactics and I was glad when Bob the ghillie said that fly-fishing would definitely be worth a try. I was looking forward to having a cast with the fly rod. Bob suggested that we fished the Catholes beat in the morning with Callum (the beat's other ghillie) in the boat. We drove up to the Catholes beat and were greeted with a big smile. Callum was ready and waiting, raring to go.
We had decided to set up three rods. My sixteen-foot fly rod was partnered with a multi-tip Spey line, coupled with a fast sinking fifteen-foot tip. On the business end, I opted for a two-inch brass gold bodied Willie Gunn tube fly. We built up three spinning rods and our weapons of choice were a copper coloured twenty-eight gram toby and two Vision110 lures.
The head of the Back Dam pool
We got into the boat and with a quick burst of the throttle, we were off. Callum felt that the best chance of catching a fish would be in the Back Dam pool. This is quite a fast flowing narrow pool where the river is separated by an island. As the water was high, it was felt that most of the fish would be running up our side of the river. The pool could be comfortably covered with a fly rod. Callum anchored the boat in a perfect position and we started fishing. I fished with the fly from the back of the boat while my wife decided to try her trusty Vision110 Western Clown. The water was crystal clear and prospects looked good. They fly was swing around a treat and I was just waiting for the line to tighten. Callum gradually let the boat down on the anchor rope as we fished. Both my wife and I covered every inch of the pool under the expert guidance of Callum. Unfortunately, we did not touch a thing. Callum suggested that we should try the pool directly below Catholes weir. Early in the season, especially when the water is cold, the weir can act as a temperature barrier for the fish. They often slow down before transcending the weir and so this can be a great ambush point.
Catholes weir
It was an awesome feeling crossing the river and heading towards the weir. When we got directly below it, the noise was almost deafening. You could see why the River Tay is aptly described as being mighty. Callum suggested that spinning would be the best option. It was a beautiful day now, with a cloudless sky overhead. Unfortunately, the weak winter sun did little to lift the temperature. We fished hard, covering the pool to the best of our ability but again to no avail.
Back at the hut, it was good to have a hot cup of soup over lunch. Our fellow anglers had faired no better but this did not dampen our spirits. After a quick chat with Bob, a plan was formed and it was decided that he would take us in the boat to fish the Pitlochrie beat in the afternoon. We were going to do some fly fishing as well as harling. We started fishing the Wash House pool. The fly was swinging around nicely. All of a sudden a stunning, heavily built stocky looking springer leaped out of the water below us. This sent a shot of adrenaline coursing through my veins. Both my wife and I covered the fish a number of times, expecting to get a pull at any minute but obviously these Tay springers were playing hard to get!
Bob suggested that we do a spot of harling for the final hour. We started harling the Cawnpore pool. It is a lovely looking pool with a good steady current. Bob explained that there were big rocks on the riverbed, which threw up tantalising boils on the surface of the water. It was nice chatting to Bob about how last season on the river went and his visions for the future. It was now after four and Bob decided to have one last roll of the dice. He felt that the Tar Tank pool adjacent to Stanley Mill would be worth a go. This pool had a lovely quiet edge close to the bank, which was sheltered from the main current. Bob explained that he had caught a number of springers from this pool two years ago.
We were just debating the merits of the Malloch trophy when we were rudely interrupted by the inside rod buckling round. My wife picked up the rod and she was into a fish. The fish had taken a Pink and Pearly Tomic. Initially, the fish did not do much, just holding its ground. Both Bob and I got the other lines in so my wife was able to play the fish, obstacle free. Suddenly the fish tore towards the boat with great ferocity. My wife could hardly maintain adequate tension on the line, as the fish was moving so fast. Bob expertly manoeuvred the boat into the bank hoping that the fish would follow. Unfortunately, the fish had other ideas as it decided to head towards the middle of the river. By now my wife appeared to have the fish under control. Slowly she managed to coax the fish towards the bank. We still had not seen the fish. After a ten-minute game of cat and mouse, the bright silver looking fish surfaced close to the boat. Bob made no mistake and with one quick swoop, the fish was in the net. Bob looked up at us with a big smile after peering into the net. We both knew what this meant; my wife had got off the mark. The fish was sea liced and around eight pounds in weight. After a quick photograph, the fish was returned to continue its onward journey. My wife was delighted with her February springer and rightly so.
Smiles all around after the springer is landed
We got back into the boat and commenced harling again. It did not take her long to start gloating, which I tried to ignore. It must have been only twenty minutes since we had landed the fish, when the fly rod buckled over and the reel started to scream. I picked up the rod. Within seconds, the fish came to the surface and it was clearly a kelt. Both my wife and Bob found this hilariously funny but I did not rise to the bait! I actually quite enjoyed playing the fish on the fly rod, especially when it gave two powerful runs. The fish took a green coloured Vision110. Bob expertly managed to remove the hooks while the fish was still in the water. We continued harling for another half an hour but by now the temperature was dropping rapidly, so we decided to call it a day.
A February springer... the best Valentines present a girl can have?
We both had a great day and my wife had got her season off to a great start. On our way home my wife said that she always knew I had not forgotten Valentines day and what a romantic gesture it was for me to surprise her. In her eyes, a Tay springer was the best Valentines day present any woman could have. I wish I could say that I had planned it all along but at least my wife is oblivious to the truth. I think it would be best for her to remain oblivious for the time being, well at least until Valentines day next year!