Fishing Reports

River Leven.

A few anglers out on the river over the weekend, though not much to report apart from some ‘one that got away’ tales, but that’s angling……

On 24th May, a quiet Saturday morning turned into an exciting day for Stephen Japp. The fly only Bonhill Pool produced this classic 13lb spring salmon. A Willie Gunn did the trick.

Just to remind members and ticket holders that river conditions are now being updated daily courtesy of Jack Ferguson and can be viewed via the ‘River Leven’ link on the home page.

Loch Lomond.

The Leven may have been quiet over the holiday weekend, but the Loch is now beginning to produce. On Saturday there were at least two fish that know of into Balmaha.

Euan McGrandle with this (12lb) pounder taken off Strathcashel Point on a rapala…

…and Geordie Fyfe with a fresh (11lb) springer at the Black Rocks, also on a rapala.

On Monday 26th May, Rab Strachan returned to Balloch with his first salmon (10lb) of the season landed at Cemetery Bay.

Fresh fish are certainly moving in to the eastern basin, but they seem to be spreading out quickly and heading up to the colder water. A ‘Tap End’ fish this weekend?  Maybe a wee bit early….. but you can be sure that the midges will be out!

JR

Contact Reports at :  reports@lochlomondangling.com

River Leven.

The gates have remained open since last week providing excellent fishing conditions. Catches mainly coming from the top end. Fly, spinner and worm all accounting for fish.

On 15th May, Ross Linden landed this fresh spring salmon (11lbs) at the double pipes on the worm.

Andy Patrick had his first fish of the season (16lbs) on 16th of May at the Glebe on the fly. This was followed on 19th May with a (10lb) springer which was released, again on the fly at the Glebe.

Finlay McLaren continues his run of success in the Estuary, this time with a fine 5lb sea trout caught earlier this month.

Loch Lomond.

Varied conditions and not much to report, but it’s always a great day out there, fish or no fish….. The Loch always seems to produce on public holidays and the next one isn’t far off.

The Leven barrage has now been open for a fortnight with plenty fish seen going through. Most boats on the troll are patrolling the Endrick Bank, Claddich and Boturich shorelines, where many spring salmon are landed each season.

On 16th May, Peter Archibald decided to troll up the west side for a change and connected with 14lb springer off the Arnburn. Most boatmen still favour rapala type lures at this time of the year, but Peter’s silver toby was the effective lure.

Lamprey Watch SW Scotland 2014.

SEPA are trying to gather as much information information about the spawning of lampreys in the River Clyde and its tributaries including the River Leven.

Lamprey Watch 2014

Open the above link for full information and find out how you can help.

Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust Update.

With this year’s migration over the smolt trap has been moved back onto dry land.

Thanks to all our volunteers for their efforts. We are once again very grateful to Jimmy Bilsland for his continued support. Initially this years results seem encouraging and we’ll keep you updated when the evaluation is complete.

JR

Contact reports and share your stories, photos and catch reports at : reports@lochlomondangling.com

River Leven.

The gates are still open allowing a good flow. Not too many rods on the water but some anglers are enjoying great sport with spring fish.

On Saturday 10th May, Alan Hogan landed his first fish (11.5lbs) of the season at the Top Pool on the worm.

This fine specimen (13lbs) was caught on Monday 12th May at the Piles, on the fly, by Derek Hughes. With the assistance of Robert Curly it was netted and returned to the river. Well done Derek!

Chic McLean continues his successful season with another two fly caught springers at the Street Run, on 9th May (15lbs) and 12th May (14lbs). Both fish were released.

Finlay McLaren reports, while fishing the Estuary on Friday 9th May, landing an 8lb sea trout (above). An absolute bar of silver! Thanks for sharing with us Finlay.

River Leven Gauge.

Daily updates on river conditions are now available on this website. On our home page click on the River Leven link ( left hand side) A new page will open showing the water level that day at Bonhill Bridge. Jack Ferguson keeps a careful eye on conditions on the Leven and it’s thanks to him that this service is possible.

Loch Lomond.

Still quiet on the Loch, but with the gates open there will be fish going through.

Not many boats out midweek, but Wednesday 14th May was a good day for boatman Stuart McBean. He returned to Balloch with a spring salmon (13lbs) caught at the Boathouse on a trolled rapala.

Anglers out on the drift are having sport with sea trout to 3lbs. On Friday 10th May, this Balmaha angler’s rod was seen bending into a fish at the Ladies Point.

A trout of about 1.5lbs was netted and returned. Good sport nevertheless.

River Leven Clean Up.

Just to remind our band of workers that the work party scheduled for this weekend 17/18 May has been cancelled due to river height and weather forecast. Alternative dates will be announced soon.

Committee’s Update.

The latest committee news been posted on the Committee’s Blog section of this website.

JR

Contact Reports at: reports@lochlomondangling.com

River Leven.

Recent fluctuations in the Loch level have led to the gates being open midweek, after having been closed briefly. They opened again yesterday and with more rain forecast we should see the river at a reasonable height until the weekend at least.

Monday 5th May was a red letter day for Wullie Little. He successfully landed two spring salmon, 10.5lbs and 11lbs at the top pool, both on the worm. The larger fish was released back to the river. Well done Wullie!

On 1st May, Alex Doey opened his season with an 8lb springer and on 3rd May, Jackie Millar netted a 13lb salmon. Both fish were taken at the Top Pool.

The Leven was quiet last week , but the news of a few fish coming through saw more rods appearing on the river at the weekend……though some never seemed to leave the Bridge car park.

Those of you who fish the river regularly will immediately recognise this marker at the Bonhill Pool, showing weekend low. We hope very soon to be able to bring you daily river height updates on this website. The Endrick and Fruin webcams are very popular but providing the same coverage on the Leven isn’t easy. However our IT wizard is looking at some type of suitable alternative meantime.

Anglers fishing the Estuary are enjoying good sport with sea trout to 4lb. On 3rd May, Iain Morison returned this fine specimen.

Crawford Thompson landed and returned this fly caught bar of silver near Cardross. Anglers fishing the Estuary for game fish are advised that a permit is required.

Loch Lomond.

Last Saturday turned out to be mirror calm and a bit chilly…..

but it didn’t prevent Bank holiday hopefuls from venturing out….

for a day on the troll….

and a good drum up.

One boatman did have success. Phil Shannon boated a 16lb springer at Darroch on a zebra toby.

Fresh and still sea liced.

With the barrage open and increased rainfall we should see a few more shortly.

River Leven Clean Up.

The first clean up on the River Leven will take place on Saturday/Sunday 17th-18th May,depending on weather conditions.  Meet at Bonhill Bridge Car Park 9.00am. Gloves, bags and refreshments will be provided. All welcome. – (Now cancelled to weather forecast and expected river height.)

Glasgow Angling Centre Sponsors Spring Catch and Release.

Once again Mr Paul Devlin of Glasgow Angling Centre has agreed to sponsor our ‘release a springer’ initiative. Every angler who catches and releases a spring salmon before 31 May will receive a £20 tackle voucher from GAC and the LLAIA will increase this to £40. All claims should be forwarded to the committee for decision and must be witnessed and supported by photo or video evidence.

Award of Honorary Life Memberships.

It has come to our notice that some members are unaware of the full circumstances surrounding the grant of HLM’s to Mr Michael Brady, former Chairman of LLAIA and Mr Angus MacRitchie. A full statement from our Chairman explaining the reason has been posted on the Committee’s blog section of this site.

JR

Contact Reports at : reports@lochlomondangling.com