Hoping for an enjoyable summer
Weather-wise, the last month hasn’t given us a lot to look back on and smile.
Frequent snow storms, spells of heavy rain and bitterly cold conditions kept most anglers away from the river; most of those who did venture out caught nothing.
A few persistent anglers did find some small grayling, but they also found some trout, which were small specimens if they had recovered well from their exertions during the spawning season.
One thing that is well worth looking back on is the annual salmon season opening ceremony in the middle of February.
As usual, the Popinjay Hotel in Rosebank played host to the event, by providing use of a large hall and copious amounts of tea, coffee and filled rolls.
I was struck by the number of youngsters who attended the event, but this has also become a tradition. A fun casting competition entertained the youngsters, while the adults took time to observe and talk to teams of fly-tying experts, who demonstrated techniques of producing flies used on the Clyde.
Clyde River Foundation were on hand to explain the Clyde in the Classroom project, which introduces a rapidly-growing number of schools to the biology of the rivers, the life cycle of trout and the need to protect our rivers and the wildlife that depends upon them.
A sample of trout eggs was in the process of hatching throughout the morning.
A film, from the early days of the present association, was running in the background. My favourite angler, Paul Young, has offered to provide a voice-over for this work, which is now an archive and suitable only as an historical record of the effects which ordinary anglers put in to make the Clyde one of the finest trout streams in Scotland. A lot has changed in the last 50 years.
Another tradition that played a part in the proceedings was a charity raffle, with around 20 remarkable donations up for grabs. These might have played a part in tempting those present to buy tickets, but I like to think the generosity came from the fact that two local charities were to benefit.
They haven’t yet been made aware of this, so on their behalf I offer thanks to the anglers who contributed so freely. Of course, those who provided the prizes are due thanks too.
Russell Shearer was winner of the Daiwa Cup for his capture and safe release of a big salmon.
The trophy is retained for safety and has been engraved in the memory of Kenny Baird, a very hard-working Crown Bailiff who died a few months ago. His memory will be preserved long after those who knew and respected him have cast their last fly.
The march to Mauldslie Estate was led by a piper.
The Clyde river, the Association and its members were toasted with whisky by angling champion John Henderson of tackle manufacturers Hardy’s of Alnwick, who cast the first fly and stayed on to present a master class for anyone keen to brush up on their casting skills.
The Clyde has been recognised as a Category 1 river, for salmon, which gives the Associations and clubs the right to allow anglers to kill salmon if they wish. The Clyde got to this point because its anglers have been practising a policy of voluntary restraint for more than 30 years.
Records show that salmon were not here until May, so it is trout which will occupy the minds of anglers for the next two months or more.
The brown trout season starts on March 15, and some will be fishing for grayling until then, but these fish are ready to spawn. Some anglers will be looking out for signs of emerging insects, as they want to catch their early season trout on a dry fly.
If nothing is hatching, the anglers will know that they have to content themselves by using nymphs.
I hope a brutal winter will be followed by an enjoyable summer trout season. We know a lot of excellent fish are there – finding them is the hard part!