A New Start !

 So, am I still fishing?, well in all honestly no. I endured a turbulent three years of a divorce, finally escaping a year ago. My previous partner killed my enjoyment of the sport and I ended up parting with all my kayak fishing gear, bar tackle. I did eventually replace the kayaks and managed the odd trip afloat, though I found the whole experience a tad empty. 

I turn 55 this year and the thought of throwing a 90lb kayak onto the roof has somewhat lost its appeal, damaging my back 5-6 years ago hasn't helped matters. 

Over the years I've had several hobbies and I always throw myself into them, wanting to be the best I can at whatever I doing. I think I kind of peaked when it came to kayak fishing. I started of with saltwater and had some amazing experiences. I transitioned over to freshwater and rose to the challenge, enjoying some great sport. Though I'm not feeling the 'pull' or the challenge of getting afloat like I used to. Though I do miss fishing!, I miss the peace and quiet, catching was always merely a bonus.

I still want to fish, though I need a challenge, so what to do next? .Well I've looked at fly fishing several times over the years, I've even tried a little fly tying. Though I never had the time to dedicate myself to it, which is what I needed. However, I'm now living in the north of Scotland and my life is now far more settled, I'm at peace with the world once more. I live close to the thirty five mile River Nairn in the Highlands of Scotland. 

The River Nairn rises in the headstreams on the slopes of Carn Ghriogair in the Monadhliath Mountains. From this magnificent setting it flows north-eastwards through Strathnairn for 38 miles, to empty into the Moray Firth at the town of Nairn. I was walking a few stretches during the week and it's very picturesque. 

The River Nairn is a popular spot for salmon and trout fishing and I'll be joining the Nairn Angling Association later this month. Methods are Fly and Worm, Spinning is also allowed when water levels are above the spinning marks. I've  taken some local advice and quite some tackle and gear has been placed on order... watch this space.

Time for something new...

Well I first started kayak fishing back in September of 2007. Here I am twelve years later having just sold my kayaks with a view to throwing myself into a new hobby. What's that going to be?. Well, that's yet to be decided, though I'm trying to get into fly fishing. Covid19 hasn't permitted anywhere near the progress that I'd have liked to have seen, but I'm still hopeful!

I've hardly fished in the past 2-3 years. Back in the early days I'd clock up to a 100 trips a year, now I'm lucky to manage 4-5 trips. Why the loss of interest?. Well if I'm being entirely honest I could probably put it down to some aspects of sponsorship having changed my type of fishing. I'd always been a saltwater bait fisherman at heart, however, sponsorship seemed to push me more towards freshwater lure fishing and competitions which just weren't my cup of tea.

That said, I have some amazing memories to look back on and that's good enough for me!.

Thanks for all the follows and comments over the years, it's really been appreciated.

Tight lines !