Fishing Reports

River Leven.

The gates have been open all week, and with regular sightings of fish heading and tailing, mostly in the upper reaches, we could be  heading for a good weekend.

Last Saturday, 17th August, the bailiffs came across Neil Sproull playing a good fish at the Bonhill Pool.

A fresh summer salmon, weighing about 13lbs was quickly photographed and released.

Also at the Bonhill Pool, John Paul Donnelly with a 7lb grilse.

Other reports: 13th August, Mick Garry (17lb). 19th August, Paul Kelly (6lb).

Loch Lomond.

Any activity is still centered around the bottom end, islands, golf course shore and Boturich shore/ Endrick Bank. Very little happening beyond the Ross Isles.

Saturday 17th August was a good day for Derek Ranachan with this 10lb salmon taken at the Boathouse on a toby.

River Endrick.

Heavy rain last Saturday brought the river level up and the following day, salmon and sea trout were seen freely ascending the falls at the Potts. Since then the level has dropped back but Colin Ferguson reports large fish still moving midweek. Some more rain is what we need…but that’s always the story on the Endrick.

On Wednesday, Harry McLaughlin’s silver invicta attracted this 2.5lb resident brownie, just up from the Meetings.

River Fruin.

Still a bit early for the Fruin, but we are very pleased to report that the webcam is almost up and running.

This is the view that we expect to be able to show on the webcam which, like the Endrick cam, will be accessible from our website homepage.

The Ferox Project.

SCENE Field Station, Glasgow University, Rowardennan, are currently engaged in ‘The Ferox Project’. Their aim is to find out as much as possible about ferox trout using ‘all manner of means’, including the help of anglers. The attached letter explains more about the project.

An open letter to the LLAIA

‘Keep us updated’

JR

Contact Reports at : reports@lochlomondangling.com

River Leven.

At the end of last week the bailiffs reported seeing good runs of grilse heading up river and on Saturday 10th August there were at least six fish lost.

but this one stayed on for Iain Morison, fishing the fly at the Garden Stream.

Iain commented on the good work done by our bailiffs with the strimmers opening up access to some of the overgrown parts of the riverbank. Well done guys and Angus!

On Monday 12th, two fish were landed at the Bonhill Pool. Alistair Miller (5lb). Stevie Blackwood (14lb) returned.

The gates closed on Monday and the river’s back to summer low. The latest forecast is for heavy rain on Saturday.

Loch Lomond.

Reports suggest that good numbers of grilse have passed into the Loch and are hanging about the islands waiting to head up the Endrick and Fruin.

On Friday 9th, Balmaha boatman Donald McKellar christened his new craft with a 5lb grilse taken off the north shore of Inchfad on a silver/copper salmo. Donald also netted a couple of sea trout.

It was a ‘glorious twelfth’ for these Balmaha anglers. After hearing about Donald’s success, Walter Gilchrist decided to head out. Not only did he land a fish at Buccinch but ‘amigo’ Donald netted his second grilse of the season at the Short Point of Inchmoan. Copper tobies and salmos producing.

At the beginning of the month Mario Pelini headed up to the Tap End for a few days in search of ferox.

His patience was rewarded with this 15lb specimen landed near Inversnaid.

Other Loch catches reported: 10th August, Andy McIlwee (15lb) returned and (6lb). Gregor Gilmour (10lb).

Great Scottish Swim.

Anglers are reminded that the Great Scottish Swim is on Saturday 24th August with approx. 2000 participants. The Duncan Mills Memorial Slipway at Balloch will be closed between 8am on Thursday 22nd and  7pm on Saturday 24th August.

JR.

Contact Reports at : reports@lochlomondangling.com

River Leven.

July’s dry, hot weather had the expected effect on the Lomond system with very few salmon coming to the net. The river’s level stayed at summer low for some time and even the weekend compensation flow didn’t make much impression. At the beginning of the month a few grilse were reported but catches quickly tailed off. Some fish were seen in the pools but as many regulars know, Leven grilse will run the river’s six miles to the sanctity of the Loch very quickly. Even though there’s only a few inches of water, they won’ t be held back. Morning and late evening anglers had the best chance in these conditions. Early on 26th July, a fresh 15lb summer salmon was landed at the Linnbrane Hole and on 30th Davy Watt (7lb) at Stuckie Bridge, returned. July ended quietly.

On 1st of August, the heavens opened and injected much needed cold, fresh water into the system.

By Saturday 3rd August grilse were running the river in good numbers. Opening the scoring was chairman Malcolm MacCormick (6.5lbs) at the Washhouse Pool on the fly. Malky also landed several fresh sea trout to 2.5lbs.

David Darling landed this brace of grilse (5lb&6lb) at the Bonhill Bridge Pool and Brian McCaskey(5lb)at the Glebe. Two anglers landed fish (5lb and 10lb) also at the Glebe. Unfortunately the rain didn’t last long and the gates were closed on Monday morning. Hopefully there’s more to come soon.

Loch Lomond.

Most Lomond boatmen report that the only things caught during July were the sun’s rays…..  Normally at this time the Tap End of the Loch begins to produce good catches of grilse and summer salmon, but recent expeditions have come back blank.

This 18lb ferox was taken on the troll off Inchmurrin by Amanda Jenkinson. Her nephew David seems quite impressed.  Most loch boatmen tend to stick to the shallow shores in search of salmon, so ferox trout aren’t often caught. However, enthusiasts are having surprising results.

While anglers on the Leven were enjoying sport, 3rd August was also a better day on the Loch for some boatmen. At least three fish were taken into Balloch. Scott Pryce (11.5lb), John Currie (6lb) and Davy King (6.5lb). Balmaha angler Alan Brunnstrom had sport (6.5lb) taken on a silver/copper toby at the Long Point.

The Loch’s still at a good level. With fresh water and surface temperature dropping it won’t be long before sport improves for the fly and troll. Over the past few years August has become the ‘grilse month’ and this year looks like following suit.

River Endrick/Fruin.

Both rivers need a reasonable spate to get fish moving up from the Loch. The Endrick webcam was introduced last season and proved to be very popular. It’s up and running again at the Potts of Gartness, giving a good view of water conditions and can be visited on this site.  A similar webcam on the Fruin will be operational shortly.

The heavy rain gave Endrick anglers some hope. At one point it looked as though it was about to burst it’s banks at Drymen Bridge, but quickly dropped off again. Robert McKinlay reports landing a 5lb grilse (above) and losing two. Plenty of fish showing but they only seemed to have one thing in mind……..running the Potts.

JR

Contact Reports at : reports@lochlomondangling.com