Fishing Reports

River Leven.

Less than a fortnight of summer low and the river’s back up with the Bonhill Pool gauge this morning sitting 7” above closing height. Low water saw fewer anglers on the Leven but still plenty fish about, particularly grilse.

26 August, Kirk Philips (6lbs) at McKinnons on the worm.

Other catches include: 20 August, Chic McLean (7lbs) Ritchie’s Lade on the worm, returned. 22 August, Steve Banks (4lbs) Glebe on the fly, returned.

We received a report on 24 August that a rainbow trout had been landed at Renton. No, we definitely haven’t started stocking them! Occasionally a ‘bow’ crops up in the system. Escapees from nearby waters such as the Carman reservoir no doubt.

River Endrick.

Apart from salmon and sea trout the lower Endrick has a coarse fish population, with perch caught frequently on the fly.

25 August, Colin Ferguson was in search of silver tourists when this 2lb chub took the fly. Initially a hard fight but gave up half way to the net. Lubbly chubbly….

The Chairman’s Big Day Out.

For LLAIA chairman Malky MacCormick, 29 August was one of those days when you just can’t go wrong, no matter where you go….

Malky started off the day on the Endrick, quickly landing and returning a fresh 5lb grilse.

With the spate running off he headed off to the Leven and in true form landed another grilse, which was also returned. ‘All too easy’ he thought…..

So Malky decided to have another change of scenery and headed off down to the Estuary…..where he landed his third fish of the day…a 7lb sea trout, also carefully returned. The ‘Great Lomond System Challenge’ indeed!!…next time he’s going to hit the Fruin and the Loch. Anyone else up for it?

Obituary – James Paris.

Sadly, we have to report the sudden passing, on 15th of August 2015, of James Paris a member and keen supporter of the LLAIA.

A solicitor by profession, James joined the committee in March 2012 serving for three years. His knowledge of legal and procedural issues was of great benefit to the committee. He ensured that meetings were accurately minuted …a thankless task for some but one which he enjoyed.

Always happy to fish anywhere on the system, he had success on the Endrick and Leven and enjoyed a good day out on the Loch with friends. He will be sorely missed.

Our thoughts are with his family at this time.

 

JR

 

Contact Reports at : reports@lochlomondangling.com

 

 

 

River Leven.

On Monday the gates closed and the river level fell to summer low. We’ve had a couple of warm, dry days this week, but this evening it’s rain as usual…..might not be closed for long.

Still plenty of catches reported throughout the river.

3rd August, David Murray (10lbs) Piles on the fly. 4th August, Paul Kelly (8lbs) Glebe Corner on the worm. 5th August, George McAlwee (6lbs)&(4lbs) both returned. Josh McKean (6lbs)Piles, young Josh’s first salmon. Graham Dunsmore (4.75lbs) Piles on the fly. Ross Macleod (7.5lbs) McKinnons on the fly (pictured above). 11th August, Jim McFarlane (4lbs) Top Pool on the worm. 14th August (John Patrick (10.5lbs) Stuckie Bridge on the fly. 15th August (Jim Fleming (5lbs) Street Run on the fly – returned. 18th August, B. Livingston (5lbs) Double Pipes on the worm. D. McKinlay (5lbs) Stuckie Bridge – returned. Graham Dunsmore (4lbs) sea trout, Street run on the fly- returned.

Loch Lomond.

A few fish reported recently from the Loch but activity on the slow side. The ‘Lucky Chuckie’ was just about showing its back at last which means a good level for fishing. Still very little signs of fish up at  the ‘Tap End.

8th August, Bob Forshaw was out on the Endrick Bank fishing the fly and was rewarded for his efforts with this nice fat (5lbs) grilse. Good stuff Bob!

Other catches include: 6th August, John Connolly (16lbs). Scott Laird (10lbs). 7th August, John McClurg (5lbs). 8th August, Russell Boyd (8lbs). 14th August, Eric Donnachie (14lbs).

River Endrick. 

A few nice sea trout and grilse appearing in the Endrick. This river is very much dependent on spates and getting there at the right time.

There’s probably few anglers that know the Endrick better than Chris Turner. On 5th of August he got his timing right…..

…landing and returning three fresh grilse in the 5lb-8lb class in succession.

11th August, Iain Morison’s latest catch from the Endrick.

Still no reports from the River Fruin.

For real time river levels have a look at our webcams.

Fish Mortality on Rivers Gryffe and Kelvin.

We have received a report from the River Clyde Fishery Trust of a large number of salmon in the Rivers Gryffe and Kelvin found dead or dying from an unidentified illness.

This condition has been described as looking as though ‘deep fried in batter’. Whether this  ‘disease’ is localised to these rivers is uncertain.  The results of scientific analysis are awaited.

To date we have had no reports from the Lomond system but we ask our members and ticket holders to be vigilant and report any incidences to the bailiffs or committee. Any fish found suffering from these symptoms must be treated with utmost caution.

 

Balmaha Angler Missing.

Balmaha regular Joe Brown was last seen on 7th August about 2230 leaving the Oak Tree Inn at Balmaha. The following day his boat was found by an angler, beached at Pilot Bay. Joe had camped regularly for years at Mill o’ Ross Bay and it’s believed that this was where he was headed. However, despite extensive searches he is still missing. Our thoughts are with Joe’s family at this time.

 

JR

 

Contact Reports at : reports@lochlomondangling.com

 

River Leven.

The Loch level has now dropped back almost to summer average and unless there is significant rainfall it seems likely that the gates will close. This morning the marker at Bonhill was showing 3” above closing, slightly up on yesterday but it’s now a case of ‘watch this space’. July was the wettest month on record, how will August fair?

Some good runs of grilse coming into the river. Last Monday there were at least six landed in the upper reaches, with the majority returned and throughout the week fish in the 4 -7lb class were being landed daily. Fly, worm and lures all proving successful.

Recent catches include: 18 July, Colin Murray (10lbs) Glebe on the fly, released. 20th Jul, Jim McFarlane (5lbs) Stuckie Bridge on a flying – c, released. Ross Linden (6lbs) Blue Bridge on a flying – c, released.

21st July, Ancell Swan (10lbs) – (above) Glebe on the fly.

24th July, Andy Patrick (6lbs) – (above) Piles on the fly. John Sutherland (9lbs) Managers.  Andy McPherson (4lbs) Stuckie Bridge on a flying – c, released.

27th July, the bailiffs arrived at Bonhill Pool in time to capture Stevie Banks with a good healthy bend in his rod.

A really hard take continued into a spirited fight and this fresh (7lbs) grilse was carefully netted…

….a quick trophy photo…

…and then released back to the river. Well done sir! Shortly afterwards Stevie lost a second fish.

Also on 27th July, Chic McLean  landed and returned three grilse on the fly. (9lbs) at Managers and (8lbs)&(6lbs) at the Street Run. John McDade (7.5lbs) Stuckie Bridge on the worm, returned.

Harry Jackson (7lbs) – (above), Stuckie Bridge on a flying – c.

29th July, Charles McGinty – (above) had his first ever salmon (12lbs) at The Hole in the Wall. Mike Palmer (9lbs) Bonhill Bridge on the fly.

31st of July, Russell Brownlie had the last fish of the month (6lbs) at Chapel Hole on the worm.

Now moving into August and the run continues…

 

1st August, John McGinley (4lbs) Piles on a flying – c. Jim McDonald (5lbs) Chapel Hole and (7lbs) Piles on a flying – c, both returned.

Loch Lomond.

Falling levels on the Loch means a chance of more sport for the Loch boatmen. Catches have still centered round the southern basin and southeast shorelines. Only one report from the top end. Hopefully August will see a few more fish heading up the scenic ‘Tap End’ but with continuing spates there’s no doubt that fish are getting a ‘sniff’ of where they’re supposed to be heading and staying south.

21st July, the author landed this fresh grilse (7.5lbs) up at Eagle Beach. Still lice marked and must have travelled up on a jet ski – alone! Another fish was lost at Cuilness that morning but a further four days of solid fishing produced nothing…

Also on 21st July: Euan McGrandle continued his successful season with a grilse (8lbs) on the fly at Darroch. Euan’s had his best season for many years landing twelve salmon on the troll and fly.

Other catches include: 21st July, Danny Docherty (14lbs) & (7lbs) 22nd July, Manus Shannon (14lbs) Scott Laird (5.5lbs) 23th July, Scott Laird (7.5lbs).28th July, Earnie East (7lbs) Tam McBride (16lbs) 30th July, John Costello (7lbs).

1st August, Robert Wilson sends this report:

‘Hi, my son Cameron Wilson caught his first salmon off the system. 5lb grilse off Loch Lomond at the Long Point. It’s Cameron’s first year as a junior Association member and this will hopefully have him hooked and prove to be a big day for him and the Association. We need a strong junior membership for the longevity of our Association.’

Congratulations Cameron! We all remember our first salmon. Robert is quite right, junior members are the future of the LLAIA. Far too many old codgers and not enough youth coming through….

Rivers Endrick and Fruin.

Both spate rivers have been enjoying some good conditions over the past few weeks. Fresh salmon and some good sea trout showing in the bottom reaches of the Endrick with Chris Turner, Colin Ferguson,Chris Aldred and John Copolla all having success on the Endrick. Nothing reported from the Fruin yet, but early days yet.

28th July, John McVey with a nice sea trout landed and returned on the Endrick. It fancied an Ally’s Shrimp.

The River Endrick and River Fruin webcams are now both operational and can be viewed via the ‘River Webcams’ link on our homepage.

Clyde Estuary.

30th July, Gordon Mackenzie with a fine sea trout from the Estuary. Well worth a go, but make sure you have a permit. The LLAIA Water Bailiffs and Police Scotland Wildlife Crime officers have been very active in this area all season. Unfortunately some individuals will remember their day out…for all the wrong reasons…..

 

JR

 

Contact Reports at : reports@lochlomondangling.com