22nd May 2021

A favourite beat on the Annan and after weeks of patiently waiting for a decent rise in levels finally Saturday looked like a sustained rise in height at Cleuchhead.

On arrival water was high and coloured and dropping – ideal but a chilly cold wind blowing upstream.

We covered the lower river with spinning rods initially and almost immediately I managed to lose a half decent trout to the rapala.

The morning was hard going for me after this but produced some lovely brown trout and sea trout for Kevin and Malcolm.

The afternoon saw me with the fly rod and a Dee Monkey on the upper section of the beat. As if to mirror the morning I had just begun when I got a decent tug as the fly swung across the main stream and a healthy bend in the rod. Sadly the bend in the rod lasted only seconds following some serious head shaking as the fish made it’s exit. The chilly cold wind continued to make its presence known as I continued to fish down the pool at Jimmy’s before opting for a walk to the car and a coffee.

Kevin, Lewis and Malcom continued to add to their tally of browns and some really great looking sea trout up to 3.5lb and managing to move at least one salmon.

A great day however for myself, despite being out-fished yet again by the McCormick Clan. The total for the day I think was something like nine brown trout and at least five sea trout.

Another enjoyable day at this lovely beat on the Annan