So far in this blog the weather has been great, the five days since I published the last one, the temperature overnight has not gone below zero Centigrade and the days have been sunny. which means that above average temperatures for this time of the year, lovely. Then you look at the forecast and when everyone was thinking that is the cold period finished they tell us the temperatures are going to plummet again, you can guarantee come next Saturday, the start of the Brown Trout season it will be cold and the wind blowing a hoolie when I take the steep trek up to Sarah’s Pond to wet my line. Come what may I will ninety nine percent go up, but if I need ski’s then that might be a bit different. Either way the trusty camera will be out if not my fishing rod.
7th.
Just a few shots of the different Crocus that are enjoying the sunshine as much as me.
The first tulips in bloom and also the first Daffodil, both are the miniature versions, still a welcome sight,just got to wait for their big brothers to come out. Also just loved the catkin.
9th.
The warmest and sunniest day of the year so far and the female Honey Bees were out collecting pollen from the Heathers and the Crocus, as you can see this one ‘s hund legs are near maximum full.
10th.
Took this shot as these three very noisy jets flew over us at a height of at least 30,000 feet. Rushed to the computer to look what exactly they were on “FlightRadar 24” no sign of them, so went to the military site I follow and they were not on their radar either? So I am unsure what they were but have never seen this formation of jets high over us before, very secretive.
12th.
Went down to Loch Dunmore today as I had heard we had a visitor eating our small fish and sure enough above is the very thing a Cormorant tried frightening it away but it just flew off its perch onto the water and starred at me, so frustrating.
Then I got up close to the beaver dam, some eight feet tall now and looking at the top branch it is still collecting as the stem is still very white. It is not blocking any watercourse as it is just in a small inlet under the highest footpath around the Loch.
Love the view through Silver Birch trees, though these are only saplings it is still attractive when the sun shines on them.
Had to stop and photograph this small view under the A9 road, showing the shade of the tunnel and the brightness of the sun.
Although I have been pleased to show you our Crocus throughout the garden, this one is a bit of a nuisance and is has decided to come up in the middle of our driveway. So every time I reverse in I have to try and avoid it, because I can guarantee I would be in trouble if I flattened it.
14th
Just when you start talking about Spring, along comes another cold snap and overnight snow on the hills.
15th.
As I stated in my opening remarks today is the start of the Brown Trout fishing season here in Scotland and I always like to wet my fly line as soon as possible into the season. So by ten am it was bright and sunny and no wind so off I went.
had seen it had been cold overnight ( minus three C) but as the sun had been on Sarah’s pond since dawn I thought the water would be clear, but unfortunately the marking you can see on the water is in fact ice and half the water was covered in it.
As you can see it was all nearest the bank I was casting from so two thirds of the line just sat on the ice, I did see a couple of fish rising so spent two hours casting over the ice in hope.
The ice free water was in sunshine , but no fish were interested in my flies, so no supper for me tonight.
A view you have seen many times before from Sarah’s down to our house, even though it looks close it is a mile car ride and a twenty minute steep walk up to the pond.
The view down was glorious and helped take away the numbness from my right hand from pulling fishing line through the iced water. But still a worthwhile couple of hours out in the fresh air at the most glorious, peaceful place you could wish to fish.