Arbroath/Usan Jan 2014

[Jeffers]

Armed with frozen peeler and mussel, squid and 120 excellent black worm (thanks Richie Flanagan- they were top notch), i made the long haul up to Arbroath - about 4.5 hours, setting off at 4am.



So, arrived on Friday to a massive sea, boosted by a fierce easterly breeze. So much so, i could barely stand up. Tried further north at Inverbervie and Gourdon. No chance! The swell would have had me of the pier/rocks at Gourden and Inverbervie was a mass of weed. So down To Usan, my favorite mark. Again, beyond dangerous. Very frustrating.

Auchmithie beach was my next stop. A bit quieter down there, but weed was a problem. It's a very steep beach - the photo does'nt do it much justice. The waves were breaking a few hundred yards out



So had a few casts, nothing and the weed was very difficult. Fair enough, i had at least tried. Down to Arbroath on the cliffs to fish high water. No chance. I guess those cliffs are between 80-100 feet high. It was so bad, the spray from the waves was coming over the top. Went for food and came back at low water (7.30pm).

View from the top of the cliffs:




The normally accessible marks were completely out of bounds - even the low water rocks were been swept over by huge waves. Ah well, 1-0 to the weather.

Saturday. To summarize, 2-0 to the weather. Enough said. Even worse than Friday

Arbroath Prom:



Tried Auchmithie Beach again. But blanko blanko



Sunday. At last, wind changed to South Westerly, but very strong with gusts in excess of 40 mph. But at least it flattened the sea. So, 6am and off to Usan, 8 miles away.




Looked simply great. The mark i fish is a low water mark but has a good depth of water. First cast, had been in the water 2 minutes, slack liner! Waited and the rod tip smashed down. Fish on! First fish, a 3lb cod. Baited up, casted out and straight away same again. Another fish, slightly smaller. Both had taken the bait well down and so i could'nt return them.

At this point, i decided to setup two spare rigs and bait them up. Casted out again, same result. Next cast, my best fish of the session, a 4lb+ fish. Then another one about 2lb. The first four fish took the hook well down, i then changed to pennell and strangely started to lip the fish. Absolutely made up. This went on all morning while the tide was ebbing, until 9.30am. It was non-stop codding. Eleven in total, 7 lipped and returned and four for the freezer.








At low water, the fishing completely stopped. Not a sniff. Three hours into the flood, still nothing. Still had a big swell running, and i guess you get the hint-hint
to get off the mark. The big waves started to roll over the mark, so called it a day. Gutted the four fish that i kept, the gulls benefitted with an unexpected
breakfast, i headed back to the car at 1pm and set off for home.

Already dreaming and planning my next trip, but i guess it will be December when i head back.

So it finished 2-1 to the weather, but well worth the trip.

[Pugsie]

Well done mate all paid of in the end cracking report.

[sharpey]

Great read mate, first class effort, thought the weather was going to beat you there.,!!! But great last session with some decent fish. Were you on your own.? Bit brave too then..!! Well done, super report..!!!

[Jeffers]

Yeah, on my own.

It does get a bit hairy at times up there. I was washed off a rock mark called 'Mary Ann' at the base of Arbroath cliffs about 10 years ago. A very strange feeling. Hanging on to a ledge with one hand while hanging on to the rod with the other. Pure instinct, nothing intentional.

Luckily i was with a couple of locals, but i'm always very aware of what is around me up there. Some of the pools behind the rocks are VERY deep. So these days, i always consider the 'is it worth it' factor.

Regardless, it's a cracking place to fish. Best place i've ever fished in the UK

[craggers]

Well worth sticking it out fantastic pictures a top report

[Rushy]

Stunning report Jeff, well worth the trip up like you say even with the two lost days

Thanks for sharing bud

[yellowdog]

Top marks for effort, it would be simply crushing to spend all that effort and cash getting up there to not even get to fish, so glad it worked out

[Jeffers]

I had two 4-day sessions up there last year. Not a single bite in 8 days of fishing! makes it a long drive back