Fishing Reports

River Leven

A steady run of springers coming through despite the drought.

11 May, Craig Williamson sent his report…

‘Not long home after great couple hours down the Leven. Arrived at the river at 7.30 just in time for the bright sunlight starting to fade and at 8.10 connected with a springer at the Piles. Fish landed and after few pictures taken by a passing cyclist the fish was returned to the river safely. Would guess it to be around 12lb??
New member and new to fishing the double hander so absolutely over the moon with my first salmon off the Leven.’

Well done Craig…a fish you’ll always remember and first of many we hope!

12 May, Frank McGeachie (10lbs) at the Stuckie Bridge, flying -c.

13 May, wasn’t an unlucky day for Grant McIntyre (10lbs) at the Double Pipes on a cascade fly. After some great sport his catch was carefully returned.

Loch Lomond

One of the many moods of Loch Lomond….. Saturday 13 May was a grey, dreich day with continual rain but it didn’t dampen the spirits of Loch anglers. The bailiffs reported at least twenty boats out on the Loch. Some anglers were no doubt aware of the second confirmed spring salmon (13lbs) from the Loch caught on Thursday 11 May by Voldac angler John Connolly at the north end of Auchentullich Bay. One boat did have success. Stephen Gilfeather landed his first fish of the season (13lbs) at the Stables, one of the well known marks we expect to find fish at this time of year.

If reports seem a bit scarce over the next fortnight it doesn’t mean that nothings happening…it means the regular web reporter’s on an extended fishing break. Keep your updates coming and I’ll catch up soon as I get back.

JR

Email Reports at: reports@lochlomondangling.com

River Leven.

A steady stream of spring fish moving up river into the Loch. Most of the fish reported have been caught by anglers worming at the Top Pool.

5 May, Adam Sandilands (15lbs) Stuckie Bridge on an Ally’s Shrimp fly. 6May, Stuart McMillan (11lbs) Top Pool, worm. 8 May, Andy McIlwee (14lbs) Top Pool, worm. 9 May, Jim McFarlane (14lbs) Top Pool, worm, Alex Doey (15lbs) Top Pool, worm.

River still siting at weekend height which allows reasonable fishing conditions. Rain forecast for next week but will it be enough to make a difference….?

Thanks to Jack Ferguson for his continuing River conditions updates.

Loch Lomond.

With the recent bright, sunny conditions things have been a bit slow on the Loch but the weather is about to change and so should the fortunes of Loch boatmen. Last week Danny Docherty lost a good fish at Milarrochy Bay and Davie King had a brief encounter up near Inversnaid. Eric Donaghey landed and returned a nice sea trout (10lbs) and John Connolly also had a sea trout (6lbs). Plenty of fresh fish seen going through into the Loch so things should start to liven up anytime.

JR

Email Reports at : reports@lochlomondangling.com

River Leven.

1st May, holiday Monday, saw another couple of springers landed on the Leven.

Angus Soutter reports catching this bar of silver (11/12lb) at Sandy Hole on the fly. His first of the season which was released back to the River.

Derek Hughes had a second spring salmon (8lbs) at the Top Pool on the worm which was also released.

Not many anglers on the banks this week probably due to the bright conditions. No signs of any rain in the forecast yet…..

Leven Rep.

The new River Leven Rep Stuart McCallum can be contacted at the following email address: Leven@lochlomondangling.com

Catch Return Boxes.

As part of the committee’s commitment to ensure an accurate record of catches, returns boxes have been sited at the riverside outside the Vale of Leven District Angling Club and within O’Brien’s shop adjacent to Bonhill Bridge.

The LLAIA is required to submit a return of all salmon and sea trout caught on the system to Marine Scotland by 31 December each year. The future Conservation Categorisation of the Lomond System depends on these figures. Day/weekly game ticket anglers are requested to submit their returns, including blank days, either directly to the Association or by posting in these boxes. All returns received will be entered in a draw for a River Leven season ticket for 2018. A similar incentive is being introduced for  Full Members and Leven Season Ticket holders.

Loch Lomond.

I mentioned in the last report that there’s always some big sea trout in the Loch at the start of the season….

2nd May, Balmaha regular Angus MacRitchie set out round the island drifts in sunny conditions with an east wind. Just past the Ladies Point of Inchcruin he hooked into something which he knew right away was big. After a 30 minute fight this fine specimen of a  sea trout came to the net. Estimated at 14lbs it was photographed and returned to the Loch. A size 12 double pearly invicta on the tail had done the trick. Great stuff Angus! Full report on the Balmaha Anglers Website.

3 May, Not a cloud in the sky. Gerd Elsweiler reported two sea trout about the 3.5lb mark on the troll at the mouth of the Endrick.

Great weather for a sail….

Renewal of Membership

Just to remind those members who are still to renew their membership for this season. The LLAIA constitution states:

‘Any member who has failed to pay his annual subscription by the 1st day in March in any year shall be held in arrears, and any member still in arrears by the 1st day in June in any year shall cease to be a member but shall, notwithstanding, be liable for all arrears. Members subscriptions for any season must be paid before they fish.’

Memberships can be renewed by sending in your fee and completed form to the Treasurer, LLAIA, 5 Woodside Place, Glasgow G3 7QF or using PayPal – see LLAIA Membership on our home page. A completed form is still required.

JR

Email Reports at : reports@lochlomondangling.com

River Leven

Now into May and things are beginning to hot up….. you wouldn’t think it right enough….

Derek Hughes got his season off to a start early this morning with a fresh (12lbs) springer at the Top Pool on the worm. It was netted by Alec Doey, whom he thanks, and then released.

Later on, day ticket angler Derek McInnes landed this fine spring salmon (10lbs) also at the Top Pool on the worm. A quick photo and it too was released.

Worming is allowed from 1st May on the River Leven and while anglers must use circle hooks during May, we would encourage their general use. Anglers are reminded that under LLAIA Bye Laws they must not fish upstream from 100yards below the Barrage and must remain and cast from downstream of the yellow marker.

Loch Lomond

Public holiday weekends always produce fish on the Lomond system and it’s one that Derek Rannachan won’t forget in a hurry…..

Derek reports….

‘I launched at Duncan Mills Memorial Slipway and motored over to my usual starting spot at Pasty’s stane. I had just put my lures out and within 2min my outside rod went. By the take I realised it was a pike but a good sized one. Fifteen seconds later my inside rod went and there was no doubt it was a salmon that was on this time.The wind was blowing north towards Inchmurrin and I was struggling to reel in both rods and line was getting pulled out rapidly. I decided to deal with the rod that had  the pike first. The wind was strong and pushing me out to deep water and after about 15 mins landed the pike.

I picked up the salmon rod once again and realised this was a big yin!, I was now drifting past the boat house still in a strong wind with this fish fighting hard. After seeing it for the first time I knew that I could do with some assistance . A few swear words did leave my mouth as I saw its back and tail on the surface and down it went once again. Forty five minutes had now passed and I thought to myself  ‘don’t loose it, Derek take your time don’t blow it’… like I did 14yrs ago with a cock salmon I reckoned was over 30lbs.. lost at the net.

I spotted a boat heading towards the boathouse and waved frantically at him. The chap was with his young son. He got his lines in and came over to me, tying the boats together. By now the fish was to the side of his boat so I jumped aboard, brought it to the surface and he netted it with ease. I could not believe how deep this salmon was and very much a typical Lomond springer. He commented on the sea lice attached to the fish however I was more interested in getting pictures of my trophy fish. It weighed at 19lbs, was quickly photographed and released. For the record it was hooked at 10.20am and landed an hour later near the old girl guide hut, approximately one mile from where it was first hooked. I was buzzing with excitement all day as this was my heaviest landed salmon in 23 years fishing this big water’

Sounds like a fair old tussle Derek….and the first off the Loch this season…a lovely fish, well done!!

While Derek was acting out ‘The Old Man and the Sea’, Scott Sinclair was discovering where Loch Lomond’s sea trout have been hiding………

Early in the day Scott landed a (4.5lb) sea trout on the troll off the east side of Inchmurrin and later came across this (5lb) specimen off Boturich. Both fish were carefully returned. There are always some good sized sea trout caught in the earlier part of the season….before they head back down to the Estuary to feed again.

Good news indeed that there’s a fish off the Loch. May can be a good month as the spring salmon make their way in from the River Leven.The bottom end off Balloch Park where Derek caught his fish, Boturich/ Claddich shorelines and the Endrick Bank all feature in early catches on the Loch. What we do need is a week of heavy rain to get things freshened up and encourage more fish into the system….. definitely time to get out there though…

JR

Email Reports at: reports@lochlomondangling.com

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.

First Springer off the Leven

Easter might be slightly later this year but our spring salmon are right on schedule. We had a report earlier in the week of an angler losing a good fish and this afternoon the first confirmed spring salmon of the season made its welcome appearance on the River Leven.

Regular angler Alan Brown landed this (14lb) ‘classic’ Lomond springer today at the Piles on a toby lure.

Mainly dry, bright conditions forecast for the coming week and although the Leven is beginning to drop back slowly, fly fishers may still find it on the high side for safe wading. However it’s in great condition for spinning so time to get out there…

Great news for our anglers and should be the first of many.

JR

Contact Reports at : reports@lochlomondangling.com

River Leven

Any day now we should hear of the first spring salmon off the system. On 18 March last year it was Loch angler  James Kinnear who opened the scoring with an (8lb) fish. Although there were fish were running it wasn’t until 8 April that Chic McLean  accounted for an (18lb springer at the Managers. Catches for the previous year opened on 19 March with a salmon (12lb) on the fly at the Bonhill Pool to Danny Docherty’s rod.

At present the river is a bit too high for the fly, so a spun lure such as a toby salmo, flying -c or rapala might do the trick.

To date there have been reports of fresh sea trout landed on the lower reaches but still quite a few salmon and sea trout kelts about. The Estuary around the Levengrove Park area is producing fresh sea trout.

For the latest update on river conditions click on River Leven on our home page.

Anglers are reminded that all salmon caught on the system before 1st May must be released.

Of Coarse….

Last weekend, regular Leven fisher Jim McDonald took some time off and headed to Loch Lomond in pursuit of pike ….and what a session!

Jim landed seven big pike all over the 20lb mark, including this 31lb monster….. tremendous sport! We’ve also heard an unconfirmed report of a 40lb pike having been landed the previous weekend… which is not surprising. For years Loch Lomond has been regarded by many as the top pike water in the UK and it’s still well up there. A few years ago a ‘crocodile’ was spotted off Cameron House golf course by day trippers, undoubtedly a big pike basking on the surface. While specimen hunters closely guard their ‘hotspots’ pike can be caught almost anywhere on the Loch’s shores from Balloch to Ardlui, though some local knowledge is always helpful.

£50 for a coarse season ticket represents great value and details of LLAIA permit retailers can be found on our home page by clicking on Permit Retailers.

Coarse season tickets can be bought online using PayPal by clicking on LLAIA Membership

New Membership.

During March and April this year the LLAIA are waiving the £25 joining fee for new and lapsed members. Full membership is now £210 and covers game and coarse fishing. Further details at LLAIA Membership

JR

Contact Reports at: reports@lochlomondangling.com