The line tugs a bit and pulls down.
The water ripples and my 10-year-old son looks around in slight disbelief as it appears he is about to catch his first fish. Gillie Grant races over and talks him through the next stage … slowly, gently, my eldest son reels in a massive fish, desperately fighting for its life.
We have come to Forbes of Kingennie country resort for a weekend of outdoor activities and, so far, it is not disappointing.
Alpha brother, as we are now calling him, had landed a fish within minutes of casting out and while his brothers and friend dance about in excitement, you can tell the pressure is now on. And not just on the boys. Gillie Grant, while delighted, is a tad surprised at the speed of the first catch - a trout most men would be proud to bring home after a day's angling.
So we keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best. It's not long before we are rewarded. Another catch. And then another. Just one more to go and that's a full set. Gillie Grant is not only sweating and flushed, he is focused on helping with the last catch. And bingo, there we go again. Four amazing trout. Time for dinner?
We head to the restaurant - a vibrant hotbed of delicious smells and efficient and smiling staff.
We instantly feel chilled and enjoy a slap-up meal.
Stuffed to the gunwales, we relax in our home for the weekend - a large lodge overlooking the man-made loch we have been fishing on. The children flake out in front of the TV and we pour the wine and sit out on the balcony to watch the sunset.
In the morning, we head over for our golfing lesson. Well the children's. The resort pro takes the children through their paces - and they love it. It's another first for my boys and by the end of the lesson all have decided to take up golf. Great - more lessons to ferry them to and from.
We head home satisfied and with four cling-filmed fish heading for the freezer - and then the dinner table . . .
Elaine Bell was a guest of Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort, Broughty Ferry, Dundee. Three-night breaks are available from £294. Visit www.forbesofkingennie.com or call 01382 350777.
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