Every month, Ally Gowans, international fly-fishing personality will post a new feature on this page with reports, news and 'Fly of the Month'. Ally's report for April features the River South Esk, the "The Silver Stoats Tail" fly and the use of sunken "Nymph" flys over the early days of the season... Isn't it funny how the winter months drag slowly then suddenly at the end of March the natural world accelerates and time starts to fly past. Where is all this seemingly endless time that I had to tie flies over the winter, only now when I am on the river bank searching through my boxes for the ideal pattern do I realise how little preparation I actually made. Too late now! Dark nights are gone with the change to summertime and anglers again populate the rivers and lochs anxiously looking for rising trout or runs of fresh salmon. I passed some trout anglers tackling up by the side of a river the other day and could sense the excitement in their hurry to down on the riverbank again. They could not conceal their smiles as they attached reel to rod and flies to lines before scampering off to renew acquaintance with favourite pools again, hopefully to find the trout fighting fit and hungry. During the early days of the season most river anglers rely on sunken nymphs of one type or another to provide their sport. In recent years there has been quite a craze for the Polish or Check heavily weighted nymphs that imitate free-swimming caddis larvae. The technique of using these is to lob them upstream with virtually no fly line outside the rod top, then controlling them by manipulation of the rod top allow them to sweep downstream and lift when the line tightens. The lift is perhaps the most deadly part of the cast, presumably the trout thing that the insect is escaping as it rises because that's often when they strike the fly. Deep nymphing is a great way to catch fish but it's not my idea of enjoyable fishing. I can't wait for the first fly hatches of the year to occur, the olives and the March Browns. Trout gobbling down the duns from the surface and a gently presented dry fly seducing them with a perfect drift. Up comes the fish, it sucks down my fly the line tightens and we share a few minutes of each other's time. This is visual fishing, skilful and its hugely exciting. Slipping the net under its brightly coloured body, I will admire my catch, its back hazel brown shading to blue on the flanks and buttercup yellow on its belly and a plenitude of lovely black and red spots encircled by white rims. After admiring its beauty I will hold it gently and loosely, head into the current and then when it is ready it can rejoin its clan and live to fight another day. I will smile with satisfaction, say a quiet thanks to whoever listens, carefully dry my fly and search for another rising trout. That is my idea of good sport. Salmon angling has been open for a few months now and the news from up and down Scotland is that the runs are more plentiful than last year, which is very heartening. Last month I mentioned the R Dee in this column. Several beats are reporting good catches with 10 salmon caught at Ballogie during a single day. The rivers in the far north, Helmsdale, Haladale and Thurso have enjoyed better sport and in the east and south the Tay and the Tweed have also fared better. I have not heard too much about the River South Esk so far this season but expect to hear any time now that the first fish of the season has been caught in the upper reaches. That part of the river is close to my heart, I have fished it now for 33 years and have lots and lots of memories of Glen Clova, one of the least spoilt glens in Scotland. The Kirriemuir Angling Club controls much of the fishing here and members enjoy salmon, sea trout and trout fishing on 8 miles of the R South Esk, 5 miles of the R Prosen and a couple of miles of the R Isla. These rivers fish best after rain and when conditions are right they can produce spectacular results. In low water conditions sea trout numbers build up in the deeper pools of the South Esk to challenge the night fisher with their energy and terrifying jumps when hooked. Salmon reach this part of the river in April, often still carrying sea lice and magnificent fish these are, normally weighing between 7 and 14 pounds. A 14 foot double handed rod coupled with a sink tip line is ideal during the springtime when the water runs larger due to rain or snow melt. Later when the river drops many of the locals resort to single handed rods using floating #7 or #8 lines in conjunction with small flies, down to size 14 when the water is very low and warm. The most popular fly on the River South Esk for sea trout is the Silver Stoats Tail, in double, treble or tube fly dressings. Other favourites are Dunkeld, Ally's Shrimp, Yellow Ally's, Stoats Tail, Munro Killer, Dark Mackerel and Invicta. If you would like to find out more about joining Kirriemuir Angling Club and enjoying these lovely rivers contact the Secretary, Bill Dick on 01575 573277. Membership costs £100 for an adult, £84 for a pensioner and £10 for juniors per season making this one of the best value fishing's in Scotland. Fly Tying Silver Stoats Tail is a simple yet deadly fly. Many of the shop sold patterns are tied with squirrel hair, which is vastly inferior to the real thing, hair from the end of a stoat's tail. For those unfamiliar with the animal the stoat is a weasel like creature. In these northern climes it's coat turns white in winter and is called ermine. The full dressing is: The Silver Stoats Tail Tail: Golden Pheasant crest (usually omitted for small trebles or tubes). Body: Silver tinsel ribbed silver oval. Hackle: Black hen or soft cock hackle (fairly sparse). Wing: Stoats tail hair (fairly sparse). This is a great low water fly for sea trout or salmon when used in small sizes and tied on larger hooks it will take fish anytime during late spring and summer. It is often used as a tiny tube fly with a body less than 6mm long, using a small treble, perhaps even a size 16. Silver trebles are favoured by some anglers who swear that this adds to the attraction. Book mark this page and come back regularly to see Ally's special monthly features which will include instructions on how to tie a different fly every month, to add to your collection.