Fishing Reports

River Leven.

Season 2017 opened on the Lomond System on Saturday 11 February.  Sleet showers and a blustery cold wind kept anglers from venturing out. The bailiffs reported around 15 hardy souls on the Leven and only a couple of kelts to be seen.

Nevertheless it was a good chance to try out that new rod or line and you just never know….

A silvery kelt from the Bonhill Pool. These are salmon or sea trout which have spawned and may still be coloured and in poor condition. Most are usually thin in appearance with a flat or hollow belly and often with distended vents. The fins and  tail may be damaged or torn and if you look at the gills you’ll see maggots within. As they travel back down river heading towards the sea they lose their dark colouring turning bright silver again. Willing takers that may put up a fair old scrap causing confusing for novice anglers.

You might come across a baggot or a rawner. Baggots are hen fish which have failed to spawn for some reason. They are normally well proportioned but their bellies are soft with spawn in them. Rawners are mature male salmon which haven’t spawned and are still full of milt.

Kelts, baggots and rawners must be returned carefully to the water. It’s illegal to kill them.

Anglers are reminded that throughout Scotland it is illegal to kill salmon before 1st April. This has been extended under the Lomond system conservation measures until 1st May.

This is what we expect our spring salmon to look like …. torpedos!

Reminder.

Members and ticket holders are reminded that they must not head out onto system without being in possession of a current permit…. ‘But I’ve sent my cheque in’ isn’t an acceptable excuse…. Your permit is your written permission to fish for migratory fish and must be carried at all times. Even though the bailiffs know you, the police can also require production. A few disgruntled anglers were challenged by local officers last season. Don’t fall foul…

Membership.

Thinking of joining? See LLAIA Membership on our homepage.

JR

Contact Report at: reports@lochlomondangling.com

Season 2017

The season for salmon and sea trout opens on the Lomond System on Saturday 11th February 2017. Leven Season and day/weekly tickets are  tickets are available from our retailers. Full membership can be obtained through the LLAIA  by downloading our membership application. All details can be found on our home page.

 
This year the system has been designated as Conservation Category 2 which means that salmon can be harvested subject of  a local conservation plan. During the season members and ticket holders will be able to take take three salmon and a tagging system will again be in operation. In law, throughout Scotland no salmon can be killed until 1st April,  however this has been extended on our system until 1st May with no more than one fish to be taken by an angler on any one day. A ‘no kill after 30 September.’ policy on the system has been in existence for a number of years and this continues.

River Leven.

The first spring salmon usually appear on the Leven in mid March and will be caught on a variety lures and the fly, depending of course on water conditions. Worming is permitted, but during the month of May only circle hooks are to be used.

These early fish will be in the 15lb -20lb class and anywhere upstream of the ‘fly only’ Bonhill Bridge Pool will produce. Easter is always a popular weekend on the system and no matter whether it’s early or late there’s always springers around.

Updates on conditions on the River Leven are provided daily by local angler Jack Ferguson. See River Leven on our home page.

Loch Lomond

The Loch comes into it’s own from the beginning of May onward. Spring fish have run the Leven into the sanctuary of the Loch and many head for the east side of the Loch, Claddich, Boturich and Endrick Bank or the island shores.

May and June are usually great months for anglers on the troll in these areas with some big sea trout also caught on the fly and lure during the early part of the season particularly around the islands.

Rivers Endrick and Fruin.

The Endrick is a spate river and can provide excellent sport in the right conditions from July till the end of season. Fresh sea trout appear earlier and you can just never tell when  salmon will enter the river. You might get an early surprise! The Fruin is a smaller spate river which fishes well at the ‘back end’. Both of these ‘fly only’ rivers are reserved for full members though a limited number of day rods are available through FishPal

Estuary

The Estuary fishes well right from the beginning of the season. Lures, mackerel strip and the fly all take sea trout from 1lb – 10lb throughout the season. Cardross, Ardmore and Levengrove are probably the most popular areas. An hour before and after the turning tide the favoured time.

Edinburgh Angling Centre

The sister store of GAC  opened in Edinburgh on 26 August 2016 situated in the Granton Retail Park, 65 West Harbour Road, Edinburgh EH5 1PW. Both stores stock LLAIA coarse and game tickets.

Web Updates

While we try to provide as much information as possible about what’s happening throughout the season we depend very much on reports from members and ticket holders. If you have a red letter day on the Lomond system share it with us here.  Your photos and reports,  stories, tips or anecdotes are always very welcome.

Wishing you tight lines and every success in  2017!

JR

Contact Reports at: reports@lochlomondangling.com