THE BIG 9/0.
Decades ago now it was early spring at the Nyth and My boss and I were waiting for a guest to arrive, one Michael Robinson.  We had had rain  overnight and the river was starting to rise and colour up and he he didn't arrive soon he probably would not be able to fish.

At that time John Robinson, my employer, was still using big singles.  Some of these were from his days fishing in Norway where he caught at least a couple of fish over 40lbs, I think from the river Laerdal.  There were outline drawings of these fish in the fishing lodge and impressive they were to.
The patterns of choice were Jock Scott, Yellow Torrish and Black Doctor and Thunder & Lightning.

He was getting increasingly exasperated at his guest nor turning up as conditions deteriorated.  He asked me to get his fly box from the lodge , which I did, and from it he selected a well worn size 9/0 Jock Scott.  Put that on for him he said.   Have to say I looked aghast and asked if he was serious, and he certainly was.

Well Michael did arrive eventually and he was not a good wader so I took him out in the boat.  I showed him the fly on the rod that had been set up for him.  He looked at it and said, "are you serious/".   I told him of my reservations too but you didn't argue too much with John Robinson so out we went on the only area fishable now, just above the lodge.  As I anchored the boat I looked up and actually saw a fish show.  I didn't say anything as I presumed under the circumstances it would be a running fish and was passing through.  Anyway we fished down towards the spot when to both our surprise a fish took.  It seemed a good fish as I rowed up away from the tail of the pool into quieter water.   Michael tended to let the fish play him for a while but after a good fight I netted a fresh 18lb fish.  There in the classic corner of the mouth position was the 9/0 Jock Scott looking like a small gaff hook  Don't think the fish would ever have come off that's for sure.  Had I not seen it myself I would have found it hard to believe, as may you, but I assure you it was true.

I have to admit I never used those big singles myself as most of us were into trebles by then.  The irony is that I eventually managed to persuade Mr Robinson to try them and he promptly lost the first three fish he hooked.  That's life sometimes.