First Flies on the Line
The long wait is nearly over. In much of Scotland, the wild brown trout season opens on 15 March, and anglers across the country will be heading back to their favourite rivers and lochs for those first casts of the year. Some northern waters and individual clubs may open later, so it is always worth checking local rules before setting off.
Opening day is always a special one. Water temperatures are still low, the weather can be unpredictable, and the fish can be slow to wake up after the winter. That means choosing the right flies can make all the difference.
So the question every angler asks this time of year is simple:
What are the first flies you’re fishing?
Lochs – Traditional patterns still deliver
On the lochs, early-season fishing is often about sticking with the proven classics. When fish are just starting to move again after the winter, traditional wet flies are hard to beat.
For Thomas, the opening cast will be made with a tried-and-tested trio:
- Clan Chief
- Kate McLaren
- Black Pennell
These patterns have been catching fish on Scottish lochs for generations and still earn their place on the cast every opening day.
If the wind gets up, Thomas will swap to a Clan Chief Muddler. That extra movement and disturbance can make all the difference in rougher conditions.
Rivers – Early season wet flies
On the rivers, March is a time for taking advantage when they’re feeding. You might get a short window when a hatch kicks off, or a day when the water drops perfectly for a morning session, but you usually need to put in the hard yards in spring.
There are a couple of patterns many anglers simply won’t leave home without at this point in the season though.
Top of the list is the Jingler, a superb early-season attractor pattern that works across a range of river conditions when you come across rising fish.
Another reliable choice is the March Brown, a pattern that always feels right at home on an opening day cast, either as a wet or dry variant.
You can’t go wrong with a March Brown paired with a skinny Black Pennell or a Spider pattern, fished upstream or across and down to cover plenty of water. You can hunt out fish that are starting to look up for a meal even when the water is still cold.
Nymphs for cold water conditions
With temperatures still low, trout are often feeding deeper and conserving energy. That’s where nymph fishing can really come into its own early in the season.
Some dependable options include:
- Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear (beaded, leaded or unweighted – hugely versatile)
- Perdigons
- Squirmies (not for the purists, but they work)
These flies get down quickly and put food right in front of fish that may not want to move far.
Opening Day Checklist
- Check local rules – not every water follows the same opening date or access rules.
- Pack a mix of wets, dries and nymphs – early season fish can switch between moods quickly. You might only get a short feeding window.
- Prepare for cold water – layers, waterproofs and a spare set of dry clothes are well worth having.
- Keep your fly selection simple – proven patterns usually outfish overthinking on opening day.
- Don’t forget leaders and tippet – opening day is no time to realise the wallet is empty.
- Fish patiently – cold water trout are rarely in a hurry.
The start of another season
Opening day is about more than just catching fish. It’s the start of another season on the water — reconnecting with favourite places, tying on those first flies, and seeing what the year ahead might bring.
So whether you’re heading to a river, a hill loch or your local stillwater, we’d love to know:
What were the first flies on your line this season?
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