Fishing Reports

River Leven.

Only a few days left until we pack away our tackle for the season. Where did the year go?

Still a few fish about, including this cock salmon in its seasonal colours (18lb) landed at the Piles last Saturday by Stevie Hill, his eighth salmon this year and safely returned to father a new generation.

Recent catches include: 20th October, Paul Kelly (10lb) Brian Ward (5lb) both fish on the worm at the Chestnut Tree (above Linnbrane). Brian Stewart (6lb) on the fly and Derek McKenzie (11lb) worm at the Piles. Iain Quinn (10lb) worm at the Factory Wall. All returned.

22nd October, James Campbell (12lb) Piles on the fly, returned. John Brady (6lb) Bob Baxter (12lb) Wash House Pool.

On the 24th, Brian Ward had another good day with a (5lb) hen and (10lb) cock at the Double Pipes, both returned.

John Paul Donnelly took his grandson out on the river recently for some instruction. The lad landed this 2lb sea trout at the Piles. A school night?….. indeed, with a good teacher!

River Endrick.

Heavy rain at the end of last week meant good conditions on the river for weekend anglers. On Friday 19th, Ben Marshall landed and returned 2 grilse and a sea trout all around the 5lb mark, fishing between Coolies and Netherton. Malcolm MacCormick continued his run with two grilse and a 9lb salmon caught below Fintry and Adam Yacob returned a 7lb fish at Ballochruin.

On Saturday 20th, Colin Smith had fish of 5lb and 7lb at Drumtian and Malcolm MacCormick had a further two grilse at Cowdenmill/ Claylands. All returned.

River Fruin.

On Friday 19th, conditions on the Fruin were good and Jim Muir was rewarded for his perseverance with this nice wee grilse……

…….while just round the corner Denis McLaughlin had also enjoyed success. Both fish were released.

Loch Lomond Fishery Trust.

Some of our members recently visited the Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment (SCENE) at Rowardennan and were given a tour of the facilities.

A three year project on the Annan sea trout is ongoing and we have been able assist by lending some of our hatchery equipment. Information from these studies may be of benefit to the LLAIA in the future.

The LLAIA and LLFT continue to work very closely. At a meeting with Professor Colin Adams the feedback was very positive. The amount of data which has been recorded at the smolt traps and electro fishing sites with the help from our members was noted. Working with SCENE / LLFT can benefit the LLAIA.

Members are reminded that catch returns are now due and should be forwarded to us by 12th December.

Contact Reports at : web@lochlomondangling.com

River Leven.

Rapidly approaching the end of season but still plenty of anglers out on the river. Last week Pat Casey landed a 20lb salmon at the Double Pipes, which was returned and  Bob Baxter (11lb) at McKinnons on the worm.

Things had been a bit slower over the last few days, but we hear that some fish came in to the river on Wednesday. Derek Mackenzie landing a salmon (11lb) at the Piles worming and Brian Stewart (6lb) on the fly. Some late sport is expected, so could this be start of the end of season run? We should find out this weekend.

Loch Lomond.

A few hardy lads still braving the elements while some regulars have decided to stay on dry land and fish the rivers instead. We heard that Jace Chatham recently boated a couple of salmon (10lb) and (6lb) and Ian Steel returned a grilse (5lb) which shows that there are still fish about.

River Endrick.

Heavy rain last Friday ensured good weekend sport for members spending a few hours on the Endrick.

This week’s report includes : Saturday 13th October, Mick King (4lb) below the Meetings. Kevin MacCormick (4lb) and (7lb) at Cowdenmill and the new Claylands beat. James Paris (7lb) Cowdenmill. Malcolm MacCormick (6lb) Claylands. Alex Grant (3.5lb) sea trout at Netherton. All of these fish were returned.

This weekend has started on a positive note for Colin Ferguson. Today at Ballochruin he landed and released his heaviest salmon.

‘ My biggest ever… 12 to 14lbs. Great fight and tough to net all on your own in deep water. Arms are aching!

Congratulations Colin!

River Fruin.

Spate conditions have also been enjoyed by members setting out on the Fruin. The rainfall on Friday 12th, brought Willie Gray a 12lb salmon and Malcolm MacCormick a 5lb grilse. Denis McLaughlin landed two fish and lost two.

On Tuesday 16th, Denis McLaughlin landed two salmon (10lb) and (4lb) and on Thursday netted another 4lb grilse.

Our bailiff’s have been busy again. This time Bryan managed to capture the action as Charlie Anderson plays a Fruin grilse.

One for the album……

………then carefully released.

Catch Returns.

Members will have received the LLAIA October Newsletter, which includes this season’s catch return forms. These must be completed and forwarded to us by 12th December, negative returns included. Forms can be downloaded on this site, completed and emailed to our web address.

Contact Reports at : web@lochlomondangling.com

River Leven.

At the beginning of the week the level fell back slightly but has risen again and looks set to remain at a good height for the rest of the season.

On 4th October, Derek Hughes landed this fine ‘back end’ salmon at the Bonhill pool. It weighed in at 11lbs and was carefully returned. Other catches include:

1st October, Gavin Brand day-ticket (8lb) Bonhill pool-returned. Keith Adams (6lb) Managers, worm-returned and (10lb) Two Lades on a rapala-returned. Iain Quinn (7lb) Linnbrane, cherry devon- returned. Sam Burgoyne (18lb) returned.

3rd October, Euan Slowic (10lb) Piles, worm-returned. Alan Petrie-day ticket (8lb) Managers, worm-returned.

4th October, Rodger McMonagle (5lb) Linnbrane, worm. 8th October, Rab Melville (6lb) Glebe on the fly. On 10th, Brian Stewart-day ticket (6lb) and (8lb) at Bonhill pool-both fish were returned. Alex Davis-aged 13yrs (9lb) McKinnons on the worm.

River Endrick.

Saturday 29th September was a memorable day for Chris Turner. He netted and returned three salmon ranging from 7lb to 14lb which were all released. 2nd October, Bob Rodgers (9lb) – returned.

Thursday 4th October saw two happy anglers. Bob McKinlay with his first fish (4lb) off the system…….

and Paul McNeill (14lb). Both fish came off Craigbell and were quickly returned.

On Saturday 6th, bailiff Colin McFadyen caught Andy McIntee with a good bend in his rod at Coolies……..

caused by this 11lb salmon…… even though it was a bright day and the river level had dropped.

After a couple of photos it was released to continue on it’s way.

LLAIA Chairman Malcolm MacCormick has plenty to smile about. This 8lb cock fish was his tenth salmon in two weeks. Malcolm has also netted a couple of good sea trout. He only tends to spend a couple of hours on the river at a time, but when he does it’s with great results.

and back it goes to join the other nine…….

Earlier in the week, John Bell was fishing just below the Meetings when he ran in to this chap. It’s thought that yellow belly trout like this one, which weighed 4lbs, come out of the Loch into the Endrick every year. It was released. Dr Andy Burrows, LLFT biologist, would welcome any photos and scale samples from similar fish if possible.

New Fishings .

We are delighted to announce that the LLAIA now has the lease of the Claylands  stretch of the River Endrick which extends for approx. 2 miles downstream of Cowdenmill. For full details see – Committee’s Blog entry of 8th October, 2012.

Kenny Johnston contacted us to ask if members could keep an eye open for a ‘Gerber’ multi tool contained in a webbing pouch. He dropped the tool, which is of sentimental value to him, between the car park and Drumtian pool. Let us know if it’s found and we’ll return it.

Bill Candlish contacted us to report landing a 5lb grilse at the Tree Stump run on the Fruin on 2nd October. We’ve not heard much from the Fruin this year, but there’s bound to be a fish or two about.

Unusual Catch.

James Cowan recently came across this alien specimen at the Blue Bridge pool on the River Leven. It’s believed to be a tiger trout, a hybrid cross between a male brook trout and a female brown trout. It weighed 3lbs and is most likely an escapee from a nearby fishery. These fish are voracious predators and can do a lot of damage to juvenile fish stocks. This report will be passed onto Dr Andy Burrows. Should more of these fish turn up in the system please get in touch.

Contact Reports at : web@lochlomondangling.com