Fishing Reports

River Leven.

Recent reports of fresh fish moving in the upper  parts of the river were confirmed today….

……..Chic McLean landed his second salmon of the season (13lbs) at Ritchie’s Lade on a black flying- c.

Our bailiff managed a couple of photos as Chic returned the silvery springer to the river. Well done Chic!

With lack of rain to raise the Loch height, the river level remains at the agreed ‘weekend height’. Not perhaps the best fishing conditions but absolutely no doubt that there are fish running. The bailiffs report that there were only three other anglers on the banks today so it’s hardly surprising there’s a lack of catches. Time for the Renton Raindance……

JR

Contact Reports at : reports@lochlomondangling.com

River Leven.

Still very cold on the river with north winds and the possibility of snow forecast this week. Not many anglers on the banks and even less reports of catches.

18 April, Ricky Gill landed a nice (9lbs) springer at McKinnons on a flying-c which was quickly returned. Photograph still awaited. No other reports.

Stuart McCallum has put himself forward to represent the Leven anglers on the LLAIA committee. Stuart has fished the river for a good number of years and hopes to help safeguard and improve fishings. We wish him every success in this post. A dedicated mail address will be set up for Stuart but he can be contacted meantime by email through web@lochlomondangling.com.

River Leven  Barrage Operation.

Last year the LLAIA committee met with Scottish Water and Scottish Natural Heritage to agree a new water level management plan. There has been some doubt among our anglers as to what the river level should be and when. River Leven Barrage Control rules are as follows

1 – ALL YEAR

IF Loch below 23ft

Uncontrolled flow.

2 – ALL YEAR

IF Loch between 23ft and 24ft

Plate 4 with Plate 2 freshets.

3 – 1^st April to 1^st June

IF loch between 24ft and  26ft

Plate 2 with no weekend freshet

4 – 1^st Jun to 16^th August (as requested by LLAIA)

IF loch between 24ft and 26ft

Plate 4 with Plate 2 weekend freshets.

5 – Between 16^th August and 1st of 1^st April

IF loch above 25ft

Uncontrolled Flow

IF loch between 24ft and 25ft

Plate 2, no weekend freshet.

6 – Between 1^st April and 16^th August

IF loch above 26ft

Uncontrolled flow

Loch Lomond.

We still await the first confirmed spring salmon to be landed on the Loch. Last weekend Euan McGrandle lost a good fish in Net Bay and a Balloch boat reported losing a fish about 13lbs so there are certainly fish about. Unfortunately the recent cold, strong north west winds have made going afloat a rather unpleasant experience.

18 April, Colin McCrory and Angus MacRitchie set out on a tour of the island drifts for an early sea trout on the fly. Conditions were good but it seems there were few fish about. However, Colin managed this fresh looking sea trout at the front of the Crin……..

….while Angus landed this 1.5lb brownie at the Ladies Point after losing a bigger fish.

Almost into May and the first Bank holiday. We all know that public holidays always produce fish on the Lomond System……

JR

Contact Reports at : reports@lochlomondangling.com

River Leven.

Great news from the Leven! Yesterday Chic McLean got his season off to a tremendous start with a 22lbs fresh, sea liced spring salmon. Chic was fishing at Ritchies Lade in the early afternoon when he lost a big fish. Shortly afterwards he got into another  and when he eventually managed to land it reckoned it was about 22/23lbs. It was safely returned. Unfortunately Chic’s photo taken on his mobile wasn’t very good quality. Well done Chic!….but time for a new camera maybe.

On Monday, with the Loch level dropping back,  Scottish Water raised the barrage to weekend height, but this should still make for reasonable fishing conditions. With the news of Chic’s fish we expect Easter weekend may be busier than usual.  All anglers are reminded that any salmon caught before 1 May must be safely returned. Day tickets are available at our usual Permit Retailers.

We’d like to remind anglers that they should take all their litter away with them, particularly discarded monofilament line which can be particularly hazardous to wildlife.

Loch Lomond.

Strong cold, strong blustery winds during the week kept boats on their moorings but these should moderate over the weekend. With the news of big spring fish moving up the Leven we expect a few will be out on the Endrick Bank and Boturich shorelines. Balmaha angler John Bell reports a brief encounter with a good fish near Stewart’s Hole on the Bank at the end of last week, which is hardly surprising since it it’s three weeks since the first spring salmon was landed on the Leven and it won’t have arrived alone. Just a matter of wrapping up well and getting out there…

Wildlife Crime.

Last Saturday several of our members witnessed a sickening sight in Balmaha Bay. A mallard duck with an arrow sticking out of its back. The sight of it is so pitiful that we prefer not to post the photo.

Our secretary contacted Police Scotland Wildlife Crime officers and forwarded the report and photograph.  We have since  learned that on Saturday morning the police attended a report of a female wearing camouflage clothing carrying a long bow and arrows having been seen in the Balmaha area. However they could find no trace. Acting on our report the RSPCA have now attended Balmaha, located the injured duck and humanely despatched it. We believe that this isn’t an isolated incident. Last season anglers lunching on Inchlonaig found a similar arrow on the shoreline. It is requested that anyone with information or further sightings of the suspect should contact Police Scotland on 101.

JR

Contact reports at : reports@lochlomondangling.com

River Leven.

After last week’s heavy rain the Loch level has now dropped back and the Leven is running clear and at a good height for fly and spinning. No further catch reports but the seals are in the river and that can only means one thing…… as Ross Linden reported…

‘Down for a few hours today and what a lovely day it was. The river is a great height for spinning, fished all the way from McKinnons down to the cow field with a toby and bang good fish on, can see it shaking its head like mad mid river its so clear, then the line goes slack…
Few minutes later the seal pops up in front of me before going under and coming up 20 yards up stream with big fat springer of about 15lb thrashing about in its mouth…’.

This is the right time for it and definitely fish running….so time to get out there.

River Leven Rep.

The LLAIA is looking for an enthusiastic Leven angler to represent the associate members by joining the committee as River Leven representative. This is an opportunity for someone who has a good knowledge, passionate about the River and can spend some time assisting the committee in shaping the future of angling on the Leven. If this sounds like you please contact the Association secretary at secretary@lochlomondangling.com

Loch Lomond.

Still no reports of salmon off the Loch but anglers are still enjoying sport.

Ritchie Millar recently set out in pursuit of the Loch’s ferox trout…

‘First day out on my new boat Ferox fishing. Caught this just one just over 4lb. Good start to my season’

Like many of Scotland’s lochs Loch Lomond has a fair population of ferox trout and there are enthusiasts who concentrate  on nothing else. Double figure specimens aren’t uncommon but knowing where to find them only comes with experience. LLAIA bye laws require that brown and ferox trout over 4lbs in weight are returned alive.

Arden Gravel Pits(South).

The LLAIA are pleased to announce that after negotiations with Cameron House the Association has now taken over the riparian rights to fish the Arden gravel pits (south) and fishing is available to full association members and coarse season/ day ticket holders.

Connected to the Loch, the pits have for a long time been noted for the quality of coarse fishing they provide, particularly big pike. Members and ticket holders must comply with the Midross Nature Reserve Regulations particularly in relation to litter and lighting fires. The area is patrolled regularly by rangers whose instructions they must comply with and LLAIA bailiffs who will require the production of permits.

LLAIA Membership.

Lapsed and potential new members of the Association are reminded that the £25 re/joining fee has been waived until 30 April. Membership details can be found on our homepage at LLAIA Membership.

Obituary – Jim McNiven.