The Allan Water is controlled by the Allan Water Angling Improvement Association, you can buy permits by the day from the Dunblane post office or join the waiting list for the association. The waiting list to join is a about a year but this venue is members only on a saturday.
We fished the upper pools on beat 1. The pools are up near braco just before the hotel. We only used Fly Fishing as our method although you can spin for Salmon and Trout
Salmon Fishing
Equipment - Single Handed AirFlow, SLS Fly Rod.
Location
There is no need for wading at this location as the river is not a large river. You can fish from the Far bank with ease. However this water really needs to have a lot of rain before it fishes well. The banks are clean and well maintained and the water quality is excellent
Flies - Stoat Tail and Pot Belly Pig.
We fished for a number of hours, without much luck and decided to change fly to a pot belly pig, within half an hour I had managed to land a 6lb Grilse. It took me over half and hour to land the fish. (We returned the fish safely to the river) I can see now why the Pot Belly Pig is such a popular fly.
Trout Fishing
Equipment - 6/7 9ft 6 Trout Fly Rod with Floating Line
Flies - Dry Fly and Wet Flies (the day we fished just about anything was catching)
The Fishing
We found this river to teaming with lots of small brown trout about 6inch long which must be viewed as an encouraging site, in fact we managed to catch around 20 (all of which were safely returned to the water)
We found We had Great Success with Wet Flies and Small Size 16 Dry Flies. We generally had the dry fly on the top dropper and the wet on the point.
Overall
A nice clean venue, ideal for in-experienced Fly Fishing, Easy Access and Depending on the weather a good chance of a salmon. This is a great place to learn how to fish on a river.
On the things to note about this venue is the fact that they actually stock the river with brown trout to supplement the natural fish stocks. I did notice large amounts of small brown trout about 1 - 2 inches in size, which is a real positive as it means the the natural fish are spawning and this can only result in making the venue and even better trout fishing mark.
Fishing On River Teith, Scotland
This year we had the pleasure of fishing for sea trout, trout and Salmon in callander in Scotland on the river Teith.
The water quality and clarity is excellent, the area beside the car park in callander town centre provides excellent wading. The wading is easy going, with a smooth sandy bottom to the river.
Fly Fishing
Brown Trout Fishing
All though most angles visit this river for it's runs of salmon and sea trout the growing brown trout population is often overlooked. We had a number of small brown trout on the dry fly and one or two on small nympths.
Equipment
9ft 6-7 Fly Rod on Dry fly Line
Sea Trout
This perhaps my favourite type of fishing, in the dark, up to your waste in water. We found that on this water you need a decent downpour of rain to get any kind of run of sea trout.
The pools, at the meetings and just at the bridge is where we found most of our action, casting our fly just below the tree's on the far bank. We lost (I know terrible but it happens to us all) two or three decent fish and landed one 4lb fresh run sea trout.
Equipment
We were using 10ft 8wt single hander Airflow sls fly rods, these provided excellent casting and bite detection
Salmon
We had little luck on the fly with the salmon but did not anglers with two handed fly rods and heavy brass tube flies seamed to have more luck. In desperation we switched to spinning tactics using Flying C's we landed two 10lb salmon that were rather coloured.
Upon speaking to the Balif we discovered that this is the norm for this venue. However it was good sport.
Equipment
10ft Spinning rod, Braid Line and Flying C's
Our Opinion
The venue is relatively cheap for salmon fishing, everyone is happy to help the more novice angler. Wading is easy and safe. Good choice of sport from trout fishing to salmon fishing. We would give this venue 4/5.
A Brief History In Dance
What is dancing?
The art of dance does not have a specific origin. From ancient times dance has been used to express many things. Some ancient cultures used dance in rituals, as part of meditation as well as in celebration and entertainment. What constitutes as dancing has been defined and re-defined by the cultures of the world and there is no single definition for the term. The word dance is derived from the Frankish term "dintjan." The term evolved with the French language into the modern term, "danser."
The art of dance and the art of music have long gone hand in hand. Some say dance evolved from the wild gesticulations of an ancient bard, who hopped from foot to foot, waving his hands in the air, singing his story to a crowd. To some, dance is any movement to a rhythmic sound, while to others it is any non-verbal communication. However, most will agree that dance is a form of expression, commonly accompanied by some from of music. There are even dances, for example, tap dance, that create their own sound.
Early forms of dance
There are many different kinds of dancing throughout the world and throughout history. In ancient times dancing was common practice in harvest festivals and many of the earliest recorded dances were performed ritually, in prayer and in thanks for health and bounty.
One early form of ritual dance is mandala meditations a kind of active meditation that energizes the body while allowing the mind the wander freely.
Another early form of dance is folk dance. All across Europe and through parts of china and some basic kinds of folkdance developed in simple step patterns that create geometric shapes.
Pairs Dancing
Pas de Deux is a French term that means "the step of two." This kind of dance is partnered and usually based upon intricate choreography between two dancers. It is a term used specifically in ballet, though it can be applied to many other dances, ranging in formality from square dancing to ballroom dancing. Dances like the flamenco and the tango are also pairs dances.
Modern/contemporary dance
Dance has changed dramatically in the past fifty years. Modern/ contemporary dance steps away from the rules of classical ballet and moves to encompass alternative styles. The results are often dynamic, partially acrobatic and extremely eclectic. Contemporary performances sometimes incorporate music and dance styles from other cultures.
Likewise, social dancing has also changed. In the clubs and at the shows dancing has evolved still more. Every musical genre seems to have a specific movements best suited to it.
Dance therapy
Essentially returning to the most basic forms of dancing, dance therapy looks to the movement of the body to restore the spirit and calm the mind. It can be wild or more quietly meditative.
