Harelaw Anyone?

[flyfishinglass]

Recently I've been fishing Harelaw Trout Fishery by Neilston. Had great luck so far. Great fighting Browns. Even the Rainbows are nice size. Anyone else ever fish here?

[deergravy]

Shirley,
Fished it three times, always under adverse conditions, but all the fish I've caught have been top quality. Speaking to regulars on the bank, it seems to blow hot and cold; hit it right and you'll be down to your backing.
It's certainly a more attractive venue than any of the Central belt's JCB holes, it's spacious and interesting, nice and shallow with a 'wild' feel about it.
The guy who runs it is chatty and very helpful.

A cut above most central-belt fisheries, I think a visit might be on the cards.

Dave

[highlander]

I used to fish it regularly many years ago. We had a boat in the old boat shed on the far left of the outflow. Is the shed still there ?.
Was once a fine Brown Trout location & we used to fish into the night with dry sedge & get lovely bags of hard fighting fish.
Some big Browns lurk in the right side arm near the small island. Remember seeing a Brown of around 5lbs taken in that vicinity, pure wild Trout that one was.
Seen a few clubs come & go on that water Armitage Shanks then Babcock Power had leases on it at various times
Dougie Brown who manages or used to the Kelvin Angling Club had the lease for some years. Me & a guy used to fish with did repairs on his three boats & we were allowed to fish when we wanted.
Sadly have not been near it since it became "A Fishery" probably never will. No disrespect to the current owner but not for this angler.
Still a nice water never the less.
Tight Lines
PS A Loch Ordie on the bob was always a good fly on that water.
But beware of the prolific Caenis hatches. Hard going when the fish are on them. Around August look out for flying ants. Browns just love them & heaven help the angler who does not have a imitation.

[deergravy]

Highlander,
I completely sympathise with your dismay at the turning over of a fine wild trout loch to stocked rainbows.I'd loved to have fished it when it was naturally populated, I've no real interest in rainbow fishing these days.
Having said that, Harelaw, on the evidence of my few visits, is the sort of place that gives rainbow waters a good name. Plenty of room to pursue a cunning, imitative approach without being hemmed in by 'bashers'.
And I'm always up for a caenis hatch - frustrating, engrossing and pushes your abilities to the limit. Nerve-shredding fun. Bring it on!

Best wishes

Dave