26/05/2026
Report from Optimistic Angler.
Newhaylie Day 3
After the success at Skelmorlie, we headed for Newhaylie with the weather forecast looking almost tropical by Scottish standards. By the time we arrived, the sun was absolutely splitting the rocks and there wasn’t a cloud in sight.
Normally those conditions can make trout fishing hard work, but Newhaylie always seems to play by its own rules.
No matter the weather, the place nearly always provides surface action.
Even before the rods were fully assembled we could see fish free-rising across the loch. Nothing reckless or aggressive, just steady confident rises dotted all over the water. Straight away the excitement levels went up because when Newhaylie fishes on top, it can produce some absolutely brilliant sport.
I started the day with a small suspended pattern featuring a tiny white wing a fly that had quietly been producing fish everywhere I’d fished recently. Once again it proved its worth almost immediately.
Fishing tight into the margins and letting the fly sit naturally was all it seemed to take. Fish were freely accepting the offering, often appearing from nowhere to sip the fly down with barely a ripple. Proper confidence fishing where every cast felt like it had a chance.
One of the highlights of the day for me was a beautifully marked brownie around the 3lb mark. In the bright sunshine the fish looked stunning golden flanks, dark spots, and perfect condition. It fought incredibly hard in the shallow water before finally slipping into the net.
A lovely fish and definitely one of the prettiest trout of the trip.
Geordie meanwhile was getting steady action fishing a tiny black dry fly. Nothing fancy, just keeping it simple and presenting it well. Every now and then you’d hear a shout followed by the sight of another fish cartwheeling across the surface.
W***y’s day started a little slower. He was getting follows and plenty interest, but converting takes into hooked fish was proving frustrating. It felt like one of those days where everything was nearly happening for him.
Thankfully persistence paid off.
After a bit of trial and error, mixed with some increasingly ambitious long-range catch-and-release attempts, W***y finally connected properly and got himself off the mark. Once the first fish came, everything relaxed again and the usual slagging resumed.
Colin Snr quietly went about his business throughout the day, steadily adding fish and proving once again that experience usually counts for plenty when surface fishing gets technical.
The thing that really stood out all day was just how willing the fish were to feed on top despite the blazing sunshine. Most fisheries would have pushed the trout deep under those conditions, but Newhaylie seemed determined to keep the dry fly sport going.
That’s what makes the place special.
The scenery certainly helps too. Much like Skelmorlie, the views from Hailey are absolutely spectacular. At times you’d almost catch yourself stopping fishing just to take it all in. Rolling hills, clear water, and fish rising in front of you there are definitely worse ways to spend a day.
The fishing itself came in waves throughout the afternoon. Quiet spells would suddenly turn into frantic periods where multiple rods were bent at the same time and fish were sipping down dries all across the surface.
By the time the rods were packed away, the team had managed an excellent 25 fish to the net all on dries and suspended patterns fished right in the surface film. With the exception of the odd kamikaze to the blob under the b**g
Summary
Newhaylie once again proved why it has such a reputation for surface sport.
Despite blazing sunshine and difficult conditions on paper, the fish continued to rise freely all day and provided outstanding dry fly action from start to finish.
The small suspended white-winged pattern was my standout fly, particularly fishing the margins, while Geordie’s small black dry also accounted for plenty fish throughout the session.
My beautifully marked brownie around 3lb was definitely a personal highlight, but overall it was another fantastic team effort with everyone getting among the fish.
Add in the spectacular scenery, consistent surface action, and another Mars Bar-free day, and it turned into yet another memorable stop on the Scottish tour.
Final tally: 25 fish to the net for the team, savage surface takes, stunning scenery, and another reminder that Newhaylie always seems to deliver when it comes to dry fly fishing.
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