Big fish on Annan

Spent a day on the Annan fishing the massively underrated (and underfished) Brocklerigg beat with Ian Walls and Jack (top netsman) Beattie. Heavy rain before our arrival had made it a nervy drive down, but we were releived to arrive to a high river at 2.5ft, but with only a touch of colour. Starting spinning we were seeing the odd fish and I felt a the water looked good for the fly. Switching to an intermediate line and fast sink leader with wuliie gunn attached I fished slowly down sorrysykes pool. Halfway down and virtually on the dangle a savage take and run was the start of a long and difficult fight in the high water. After 45 min of to and fro, the fish was eventually netted by Jack and safely returned, what a fight. Estimated at 18lb, it was my largest for a few years and made the trip. Ian managed to also land a fish, an embarassingly small one of 4lb, also released. Planning a return visit soon!