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

River Fruin

First time ever on the river Fruin for Louis Russell (18/10/16) before going to the Endrick in the afternoon. Russell landed this 7lb sea trout on a cascade. Well done.

River Leven

Firstly the committee would like to thank Jack Fergusson for his river level updates on this website. Jack has been providing us with river level details for several years now and it is an invaluable guide to both locals and visiting anglers alike.

On the fishing front things were a bit quieter than expected, some were blaming the high pressure system that was stuck over us for most of October, others were blaming the lack of fish what was clear was there were a few around, some very fresh for the time of year. But on the whole very few fish were showing with the exception of the last half hour of daylight when a number of anglers commented on seemingly devoid stretches of water coming alive.

Some of the highlights for the last 2 weeks of the season were as follows:

Auld lucky himself, Chic McLean with a fly caught 15lb hen salmon at the Bucks

Kirk Philips managed a nice silver fish for this time of year about 15lbs, caught on the worm at the boat hole. 25/10/16

Tam Oliver 16lb fish at McKinnon’s on the same day on the worm

Robert Galbraith 5lb fish at the Stuckie bridge on a size 12 red Francis fly 28/10/2016

Malcolm MacCormick the retiring chairman having a few casts with his favorite ghille, Davy Watt. Davy points out a known salmon lie but it was not to be. Malky had a small fresh grilse about 3 Lb on the 28^th dropped another larger fish as well as landing a number of sea trout.   Awe well, you’ll have even more spare time next season Malky.

Report from Russell Boyd

Hi There,  I had an afternoon on the Leven on Saturday 29th October. Landed this fairly fresh grilse on an Alley’s Shrimp. Landed a similar fish the previous Friday, so looks like there has been a late run of fish into the Leven. Decent end to the season.

Cheers Russell

Andy McElwee left it to the last day of the season to catch this grilse on the worm, just below the Renton footbridge

Ross Linden leaves it later than Andy, caught in the last 30 minutes of daylight on the 31st, 5-6lb sea liced grilse, well done Ross for what was probably the last fish of the season!

River Endrick

Apologies to Jamie Hewitt, I omitted his fish from the last report

Jamie Hewitt, 13lb salmon on a black shrimp fly 1st October at Coolies

Chris Turner with a cock salmon in it’s breeding colours from the Endrick

Malcolm Tilley reports,

I caught this lovely hen fish this morning on Craigbell Pool. I estimate it about 14lb, caught on a fly of my own tying, returned safely!

Loch Lomond

No reports to the website from the Loch

Nice weather for the tourists on the pleasure boats but not ideal weather for fishing.

The committee would like to remind members that catch returns can be made online via this website and should be submitted as soon as possible please.

Any finally – “ Gavisus est: Vado piscari “

Contact Reports at reports@lochlomondangling.com

Fishing over the last month has been very much stop start with the tributaries fishing well when the water heights were right and the Leven blowing hot and cold.

River Fruin

On the Fruin a sea trout of around 11 lb was reported at the end of September with a number of other sea trout landed and lost.  Salmon were a bit more scarce but they were there and being landed none the less.

River Endrick

The Endrick fished hot and cold with at least 8 fish being landed on Saturday 1 October alone despite the poor overhead conditions of continuous bright sunshine.  Most fish were coloured but Nick Edmonstone showed that there were still fresh fish around landing a clean 5 lb grilse.

Nick Edmonstone showed his brother a clean pair of heels !

However, water levels did not persist and for the next 2 weeks we have only heard of a small number of salmon being landed, the most interesting being one of 8lb landed by Chris Turner on a skated surface lure in the dark!

Colin Ferguson winkled out this 3.5lb grilse from the Endrick

‘You can’t start them too young……’

William Millar on the Endrick getting guidance from Jamie Kelly ( aged 4 )

River Leven

The Leven continued to offer salmon for those who were prepared to put in the hours, although like most other systems in Scotland fresh fish were at a premium as we moved into October.  However, our sea trout were far more obliging and fresh fish up to the 3 lb mark were being landed on a regular basis.

After weeks of effort Keith Adams finally managed to land a salmon at the street run. Once again his lucky black and gold rapala came to the rescue

Iain Morison left it late to land his first salmon of the season, fish of about 5lb also at the street run

Iain’s luck lure with only one semi barbless hook to ease release

What has been clear is that the number of anglers fishing the Leven, the Loch and the tributaries has been at best minimal.  Even with perfect conditions on the Endrick on the first Saturday in October only 3 cars were parked at Coolies.  There is little wonder therefore that there has been little to report.

As we move into the last 2 weeks of the season the Leven continues to flow at a good height and if the last few years have been anything to go by we might expect to see fish beginning to drop down from the Loch and showing up in the catches.  As for the tributaries all we need is rain and hopefully we might be about to see some of that over the next few days.

River Leven.

The past month has seen the run of grilse and summer salmon continue, not in great numbers, but with sporadic bursts including salmon to 12lbs. The gates are open and the river in very good condition.

Daily updates on  the River Leven can be accessed from our homepage. Thanks again to Jack Ferguson.

15 August, Leven regular Peter Wormald, (4lbs) bar of silver on the fly at the Bonhill pool.

27 August, Stewart Dunsmore, a fresh (3lbs) grilse on the fly, Usk Grub, at the Street Run.

10 September, Jim Muir seen playing a (8lbs) salmon at the bottom of the Street Run.

Other catches include: 6 September, Scott Laird (5lbs) Glebe, worm. 7 September, Peter Davidson (12lbs) Bonhill pool on an Ally’s Shrimp. 14 September, Kirk Philips (6lbs) Boat Hole, worm. 17 September, Ewan Brown ( 5lbs) Top Pool, Vision lure.

Still good numbers of sea trout about in the 2lb-5lb class.

20 August, Alan Hogan looks pleased with this (2lbs) trout

29 August, Angus Souttar’s furry friend inspects his catch…

10th August, Peter Wormald landed this cracker of a brownie (5lbs) at the Blue Bridge on the fly.

25 August, Stewart Dunsmore continues his successful season with a sea trout (5lbs 10oz) on the Estuary.

Rivers Endrick and Fruin.

We always expect the Endrick and Fruin to come into their own at the back end and this year is no exception. Very much spate dependent, but if timed right you can have a day out you’ll never forget…….

10 September, Jamie Strachan reports….

‘What a day that was…on the river about 8.30am this morning and on my third cast, fish on but off again. Went up the river a bit and hooked another, a grilse (5lbs) and a trout at the same time, both landed and returned. Moved to another spot and saw fish but nothing taking.’

‘Moved back down to where I had been earlier and fished down without a touch. Had a cast in a slower bit and suddenly…bang…fish on! Landed after a mighty struggle on the 9 footer. It weighed about 12lbs.’

‘Went further down from there and got another fish about 6-7lbs. best days fishing I have ever had…..’

Meanwhile Euan McGrandle was also having a great day, landing this gentleman (10lbs) and a grilse (4lbs)

Russell Boyd was out too, seen with a sea trout about the 2lbs mark.

Other catches include: 2 September: Allan Gordon (6lbs)  13 September, Euan McGrandle (6lbs)

To some the Fruin may seem a hard river to fish, but in the right conditions, like the Endrick, it will produce…..

9th September, Peter Wormald decided to have a day away from the Leven and seeing that conditions were about right, headed up to the Fruin. A wise decision… landing a 6lbs grilse on Cascade..

and an 11lbs salmon on an Ally’s Shrimp. Not bad for a small spate river….

LLAIA stretches on the Rivers Endrick and Fruin may be fished by anglers holding full memberships. However, this season it was decided to open up the River Endrick fishings and a limited numner of rods are available through FishPal. For more info open: FishPal – River Endrick.

Loch Lomond.

Fairly quiet on the Loch with no recent reports of salmon or grilse landed.

September and October are normally good months for sea trout on the fly around the islands and with the number trout reported on the system this season we can expect some good fishing.

20 August, Bob Forshaw set out for a day on the drift. He successfully landed three sea trout in the 2lbs class before tempting this big brownie (5lbs 8oz) off Inchmurrin on a Kate McLaren muddler.

27 August, Gerd Elsweiler shows the quality of Tap End fish with this fresh 3lb trout caught at Culness.

The Loch’s northern shores include  some good drifts, particularly around Rowchoish, Tarbet, Doune and Arlui, which aren’t fished so often nowadays. A long journey for a day on the fly you may think….but combined with trolling up, or better still an overnighter under the stars with a few drams. …you just never know….

JR

Contact Reports at: reports@lochlomondangling.com

River Leven.

Still fish coming off the Leven, but not in any great numbers. However, with the warm bright spell at the beginning of the week there weren’t many fishing. The gates have been open all week but with the Loch level falling it’s unlikely that we will get to the end of next week with high water.

10th August, Graham Dunsmore landed this fresh salmon (10lbs) at the Street Run on an Ally’s Shrimp.

13th August, Gordon Mackenzie with a small grilse (3lbs) also caught at the Street Run.

19th August, John Boyd with a fine sea trout estimated at 7lbs from the Bonhill Pool on a shrimp type fly.

19th August, LLAIA Chairman Malky MacCormick has a few hours on the riverbanks …

4lb grilse …..

…and a 3lb sea trout. Doesn’t tell us where or what he caught them on…but he never does!

Other Catch Reports: 10th August, Peter Wormald (5lbs) brown trout at the Blue Bridge. 15th August, Peter Wormald (4lbs) grilse, Bonhill Bridge.

15th August, Graham Dunsmore reports…

‘A fine sea trout this afternoon in the estuary – 3lb 13oz. Fantastic fight…. thought it was double figures until I eventually got it near the net. Huge screaming runs into the backing, my old rimfly got its hairiest workout ever….!

River Leven Clean Up.

Another year and another clean up. Held over the weekend 6th-7th August, there were 19 volunteers on the Saturday and a further dozen on the Sunday.

The river bed was cleared up to the Vale of Leven Academy. There is no doubt that the work over the last 4 years has made a difference.  However, it took a lot more effort on the far side of the Bucks which had never been touched.

In total, 2 boats, 1 safe, 1 car bonnet, 1 type writer, 1 computer, a set of golf clubs, numerous bikes, trolleys, traffic cones, temporary fencing, carpets, jackets, trousers, underlay, folding chairs, prams, scooters and more scrap metal than you could shake a stick at….

Loch Lomond.

Not heard of much news from the Loch recently. Some small grilse turning up on the troll down the bottom end, while northern shores remain quiet.

16th August, New member Craig Williamson had an unfortunate experience…

‘I’m a new member this season and been on the Loch 5 or 6 times on the troll. Anyway, not long got my own boat up and running and today around 6pm I learned a valuable lesson…. don’t buy cheap plastic rod holders! Got a great take on inside rod past the Fruin heading up towards the golf course. Heard the reel go then snap!!! the rod holder went. Turned back just in time to see the big splash behind the boat.  The rod thankfully somehow got stuck on the transom and outboard. I got hold of the rod and lifted into the fish but it was off and at same time came jumping back out the water for a second time. Salmon of 10-15lb. Sore one to take but lesson learned.

Could you guys point me in the correct direction of someone I could buy good strong rod holders from? I always thought the best ones were homemade but if you know where I could pick a couple up that would be great’

If anyone can help, please get in touch and we’ll pass on to Craig.

River Endrick.

As we all know, just like any spate river, fishing the Endrick is all about timing…… but we must also consider our choice of flies…..

6th August, John Bell decided to try something different in low water conditions….a size 16 nymph……resulting in a (4lbs) grilse.

17th August, even with the low water and hot, bright conditions, Endrick regular Colin Ferguson manages to attract a fish… (5lbs) grilse…….on a nymph Colin?

Email Notifications.

We are pleased to report that our email notification system is working again. If you are a subscriber you will have receive an email requesting confirmation of continued service. Please don’t delay in replying.

JR

Contact Reports at: reports@lochlomondangling.com

Obituary – Ernie East.

Sadly, we have to report the sudden passing, on 8th August, 2016, of Ernie East. A member of the Association for many years Ernie was a regular and very successful Loch fisher. Over the years he held court at many ‘Tap End’ camp fires and was well known for his acute sense of humour. He will be sorely missed by his many friends.

Ernie’s funeral will take place at Cardross Crematorium on Wednesday 17th August at 11:15am.

Our thoughts are with his family at this time.

JR

River Leven.

The heavy rain over the past 48 hours should make a difference to the Loch level and we’re waiting to see if the gates will open again.

Reports of heavy summer salmon coming into the system.

25th July,  from Peter Wormalds:

‘Attached photo of the 17lbs salmon I caught on fly at Bonhill Bridge pool. After a 10 minute battle it was in my weigh net. Measured 35 inches from nose to fork in the tail and returned safely…. Great  sport’

26th July, the bailiffs came across Andy McPherson playing this cracker at the Top Pool. Estimated at 20lbs it was quickly returned.

27th July, Davy Watt seen with a healthy bend in his rod at the Polaroid Bridge. Unfortunately the fish, reckoned to be in the 14-16lbs class, made good it’s escape with Davy’s lure and 100yds of line.

Other catches: 3rd August, William Millar (4lbs) at Mackinnons.

27th July,  Chic McLean  ‘The Duck Whisperer’ getting a few hints from the local inhabitants.

Good numbers of sea trout in the river.

22nd July, Gordon Mackenzie with a nice 3lb trout.

Loch Lomond.

The Loch has picked up a bit again with several salmon on the troll, grilse beginning to show and sport with sea trout to 5lbs on the fly. The top end of the Loch has been quiet, however, a few fish now turning up beyond the Ross Isles.

28th July, Gerd Elsweiler’s latest overnight expedition was rewarded with a 15lb salmon just south of Inversnaid. It was still fresh and quickly released at the side of the boat.

1st August, and some of our salmon are already changing colour. The author came across this chap (12lbs) at Culness…

A quick visit to the shore to revive and off he goes….. always get a warm feeling when returning a fish. This time it was accompanied a cold, wet sensation as water seeped over the top of my wellies…

2nd August, on the way back down the Loch, in complete contrast to the previous day’s catch, a fresh (4lb) grilse at Mill o’ Ross.

Other catches: 30th July, Euan McGrandle (14lbs)Inchlonaig on the fly. John Bennett (12lbs) Tyler’s Rock, Rowardennan area.

Now into August and fly fishing for sea trout moves up a gear. Good numbers around the islands with Loch regulars Matt and Alan Stewart enjoying sport with fish to 3lbs.

26th July, Colin Ferguson, out boat partnering John Bell, lands a nice sea trout (4lbs) on a muddler, off the north shore of Inchfad.

River Leven Clean Up.

A river clean up is scheduled to take place this weekend, 6th/7th August. Meeting at Bonhill Bridge Car Park 10am both days. all volunteers more than welcome.

Permits.

This season Police Scotland have increased their activity on the system and we remind members to carry their permits at all times. This is your written permission to fish and must be produced to police officers and water bailiffs if requested.

Email Notifications.

Would subscribers please note that we are experiencing technical problems with the web email system but hope to have it running again very soon.

JR

Contact Reports at: reports@lochlomondangling.com

River Leven.

Over the past fortnight a steady run of grilse and summer salmon has come into  the system. Seasonal monsoons have topped up the Loch level and with the barrage gates remaining open there’s been a good steady flow.

9th July, Leven regular Ross Linden does the ‘double’ at the Wash House’…… this fresh (14lbs) summer salmon

and later in the day, after having been attacked by a swarm of hornets, a (6lbs) bar of silver. Well done Ross!

11th July, Alan McHutchison (6lbs) grilse at the Wash House…….

and on 18th July, Graham Dunsmore landed this sparkler (4.5lbs) at the Street Run on the fly.

Other catches include: 11th July, David Murray (5lbs) Bonhill Pool. Chic McLean (6lbs) Cordale Point. Jim McFarlane (12lbs) Stuckie Bridge. Robert Galbraith (5lbs) Street Run.

23rd July, Chic McLean with a nice sea tout (6lbs) on the fly. Some good sea trout in the system with the Leven and Estuary regularly producing fish around the 3lbs -5lbs mark.

Loch Lomond.

After the good run of fish earlier in the season the Loch has now quietened down with very little seen or landed. Grilse are running but with the current level and regular spates it’s unlikely that they will venture far from the vicinties of their intended spawning rivers and streams. Some reports of fish turning around the islands and sport with sea trout to 6lbs on the fly.

15th July, after heading up the ‘Tap End’ in search, Bob Forshaw connected with this (12lbs) fish at the Hen Isle, Rowardennan. Despite the concentrated efforts of several Loch regulars there are no reports from the northern end of the Loch.  Seems it might be easier to find Lord Lucan and Shergar……

Rivers Endrick/ Fruin. 

For those who aren’t familiar with the Endrick and Fruin, both are back end spate rivers and with the arrival of grilse in the system, should start to fish well. However the emphasis is on ‘Spate’….

Over the last few seasons we have sited webcams on both rivers to give members  a view of ‘real time’ conditions. We hope to have them up and running again very soon. Webcams can be viewed by clicking on the River Webcams tab on our home page.

22nd July, our Chairman Malcolm MacCormick , who knows the Endrick better than most, landed this nice, fresh fish on a ……… what’s that blanked out fly again Malky?

JR

Contact Reports at : reports@lochlomondangling.com

River Leven.

Now into July, and a welcome weather change. The heavy overnight rain on Thursday injected some life into the system and with a significant rise in the Loch level, the gates were dropped on Friday morning. Initially the river was running high and dirty, but quickly cleared and is now in great condition.

The first grilse, a small fish of 3lbs, was landed on 1st July by Ian Marshall above Bonhill Pool on a teal, blue and silver conehead.

Some really nice sea trout in the Leven. 1st July, Paul McNeill landed and returned a 3.5lb specimen at the Piles.

2nd July, our Leven rep. William Millar, (aka Woolfie), landed this fresh (13lbs) summer salmon at Mackinnons on the worm, showing that there are definitely fresh fish coming through.

Loch Lomond.

A quiet spell on the Loch but with the arrival of grilse and summer salmon in the Leven, things should pick up again very soon. More boats out during the week trolling and fly fishing, with a few venturing up to the ‘Tap End’ in search.

29th June, Balmaha regular Colin Lewis landed his second salmon (11lbs) of the season at Rowchoish. A quick trophy photo and safely returned. On the same date John Connolly had a fish around (12lbs).

Over the past ten years catches at the top end of the Loch have been in decline. The exact reason is unclear, but it’s always a good, peaceful sail in great surroundings and the midges haven’t been too bad. Remember that July tends to be ‘clegg month’ and they’ve still to make their presence felt…..

JR

Contact Reports at : reports@lochlomondangling.com