Stop the snobbery!

As a Scottish coarse angler, I thought this might make you have a laugh at those who chuck a feather in a bid to catch trout. I cannot believe how snobby these guys can be. Fish XL, also known as Hopetoun Fishery, is a put and take trout fishery here in Scotland that also holds big roach, perch, pike, tench and bream. It allows any method of fishing except for spinning and groundbaiting is not allowed. To be honest, it is not needed as it is an old stone quarry and up to 45m deep in places but the fish tend to be around 3m-12m deep. I was told by some so-called 'expert' fly-fishers that I would not catch because I set up a pole. Imagine their shock when on my first put-in I landed an 11lb 3oz rainbow trout. A 10lb 4oz brownie followed on the second put-in. I then went on to a land a variety of golden, blue, tiger and rainbow trout for a haul of 16 fish. Add to this more than 50 roach, nine perch and one bream. I think the words used by them said it all! Someone even said to the owner there were no fish in the water as I had emptied the place! I jokingly asked the guy if he wanted lessons on how to catch fish. I didn't expect him to say yes, but I lent him the pole, showed him how to ship in and out and talked him through playing fish on a pole. He then asked where to get a pole from so I showed him some on the internet. The next thing I know he's bought a box and pole! He then asked to the owner of the fishery if he could sell his fly fishing gear on the fishery advertising wall. He left with eight trout but was more impressed with catching roach and perch every time the float hit the water. We are going to another water soon so he can try the pole for carp. His mates – who are all fly fishermen – are not happy that he has converted to coarse fishing as they now have no lift to the water!