Fishing: Expert tuition made Gladhouse a joy to fish

IT HAD been a long time since I last fished Gladhouse Reservoir in the Moorfoot hills.

The all-brown trout water, once owned by East of Scotland Water, has changed hands several times but is now run for a syndicate by Tom Stanley of Smith Gore.

There can be very few waters that can match the beauty of Gladhouse and I was fortunate to get a day out with syndicate member Drew Conlon, and it was one of the best days fishing I have had for a long time.

Fishing a floating line with a team of traditionals made a welcome change from Blobs, Dancers, and lures.

I started with Colonel Dowmans, Kate McLaren and Bibio Hopper for the first hour. Drew took me over some of the more popular drifts and every second cast produced an offer. Drew pointed me in the right direction by telling me to keep in touch with the line and let it sink a few seconds before retrieving.

My biggest problem was striking into the fish which Drew told me not to. His tactic, to keep retrieving, paid dividends as I was soon into a nice fish of about half a pound.

Conditions were far from ideal with bright sunshine and a strengthening east wind but the trout were very receptive and we managed to go on and take another dozen or so apiece.

Despite a few line tangles after catching, I will return soon for some fantastic fishing.