Fraser on Fishing: I made awful hard work of Orchill

Andy Ross of Mayfield with 4lb rainbow at Orchill Loch on a Montana

I headed for the opposite bank to the lodge and went with a floater, long leader and green-headed Damsel, which had served me well earlier. Fish were free rising, but were not taking off the surface and I was counting down to see what depth they would engage. The water was gin-clear apart from a small corner of the fishery, so it was possible to follow the fly.

It took around ten minutes before I got any interest and I could feel the tail getting nipped all the way in before one eventually took. Once hooked, the fish went ballistic, leaping several times out of the water. Having played it out I reached for the landing net and suddenly for no apparent reason it slipped the hook. Two casts later I was in again and, would you believe, it the same happened again.

Third time lucky and I let the rainbow run away with the fly before tightening into it. This time I landed the 3lb fish. For the next hour or two I dropped a further five. After a short lunch I took the decision to try the opposite bank and it turned out to be the right decision. Changing to a white cat made all the difference as I was broken on my second cast. A quick replacement brought my third fish. I persevered for another hour before I got my last fish.

For what I thought was going to be an early bath I struggled to get my bag limit. However, anglers had all bagged up and it was only myself that took time. I will be back. Hopefully next time I won’t make hard work of it.

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