Fishing Reports

River Leven.

A quiet weekend on the Leven with no catches reported. No significant rainfall, so as expected the gates closed during the week.

However on Saturday there were a few hopeful anglers on the banks and as high tide was due late morning, a good chance of a fresh run fish.

During the week some good sized fish were seen turning in the upper reaches and at least two double figure salmon lost at the bank.

It’s encouraging to see that some of us have the ability to persevere and enjoy a good day out.

Chic McLean has good reason to smile. On Monday 21st April he successfully landed and returned his second spring salmon (12lb) at Ritchie’s lade.

Loch Lomond.

More boats have appeared on the moorings at Balmaha and Balloch. The report on Easter Friday of Pat Millar’s 12lb sea trout and last week Peter Lyons netting a 12lb spring salmon at Claddich Point will see a few more boatmen setting out on the quest. The Loch always produces fish on public holidays and with two weekends coming up in May, we should hear of a few more catches. The Endrick Bank, Claddich and Boturich shoreline should be productive for the boat on the troll. Orange/gold and  gold/black rapalas or perhaps the traditional golden sprat all worth a try at this time of year.

River Endrick.

On Saturday the first system ‘clean up’ of the year was held on the River Endrick.

Unfortunately due to heavy overnight rain our band of volunteers could only concentrate on bank side maintenance but the usual enthusiasm prevailed and a fair result achieved. Further clean up dates will be announced very soon.

Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust.

The annual smolt trap monitoring process is well under way. The  LLFT tell us that so far the results have been very encouraging.

When the smolt migration is over the statistics will be evaluated and we should able inform you of their findings.

Production of Permits.

We would like to remind our members and ticket holders that there is a requirement to be in possession of your permit at all times while fishing on the system. Under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation)(Scotland)Act 2003  – Section 6, any person fishing for salmon, including sea trout, must have lawful authority or written permission. Your permit is written permission from the LLAIA and must be produced on request to bailiffs and the police. Recently Police Scotland have taken a very active interest in out bailiffing operation and are themselves challenging anglers. We don’t want to see our members day being disrupted by having a seat in a police van, so please keep yourself covered…..

Contact Reports at : reports@lochlomondangling.com

JR

River Leven.

The news of Chic McLean’s springer spread quickly and as one would expect there’s been an increase in the band of hopeful anglers on the river. No further catches reported yet. Only a matter of time…..

The Loch’s still holding water so there will probably another week of good conditions on the Leven before the gates close, unless we have some significant rainfall soon.

Loch Lomond.

Word of the Leven springer also prompted more Loch boatmen to get out on the water. On Saturday 12th April Euan McGrandle set out from Balmaha for his first trip of the season. Despite howling conditions he headed down the Endrick Bank and on the first run connected with a good fish just above Net Bay.

After a spirited fight Euan eventually netted the salmon, sea liced and weighing at 15lb. It was found to have sustained a recent injury at the back of it’s head and flank, no doubt victim of a seal attack. It’s been at least a couple of seasons since there’s been an April springer caught on the Loch, so this is indeed great news.

Balmaha angler Scott Sinclair sent us this photo, but for him there wasn’t a pot of gold at the rainbow’s end…

….just this sparkling, fresh 5lb sea trout, which was duly returned. Always some fine specimens about at this time of year….

Contact Reports at : reports@lochlomondangling.com

JR

River Leven.

Easter might be slightly later this year, but the first springer has arrived bang on time!

On Wednesday 9th April, Chic McLean landed the first confirmed salmon this season from the Lomond system at the Managers, a 20lb, sea liced bar of silver. Well done Chic!….surely the first of many.

Chic admits that due to the general excitement he forgot to tag the fish before photographing. However we can confirm that it was tagged shortly afterwards and the tag no. has been recorded. Since it was such a significant catch, and still on the riverbank, it wouldn’t quite be the same without a photo for the record. We’d like to take this opportunity to remind all members that dispatched fish must be tagged as soon as possible and photos submitted for inclusion should clearly show the tag.

Since the beginning of the year the river has been running high, but with levels settling down and milder weather, there have been  more anglers appearing on the river than usual and this catch is good news all round. Great to have something to report at last. So get the dust off those rods, tackle bags sorted, waders patched and get out there!

Loch Lomond.

A few hopefuls venturing out on the Loch, but still very quiet with a few pike and some good sized kelts still about. The news of the first fish off the river will spur on a few more boatmen to join the hunt. The first holiday weekend in May usually produces a springer or two off the bottom end. The Endrick Bank, Boturich and Claddich shorelines well worthy of attention.

Opening day didn’t produce anything for Iain Morison, but with picturesque conditions on the Loch, where better a place to be?

News Update.

A full news update has been posted on the Committee’s Blog section of this website.

Contact Reports at : reports@lochlomondangling.com

JR