Tales From the Big Loch

  July is traditionally the month when some of our hardier breed give up their home comforts and resurrect their tents and sleeping bags…. some to find that these prized possessions have succumbed to the effects of mildew or mice since last used…. and join the migration to the ‘tap end’ of the Loch in search of solace, tranquility and perhaps a fish or two.

  Last week, accompanied by some of the ‘usual suspects’,  I made the journey north full of hope and expectation, ready to face the elements and unexpected. We left with the knowledge that a few day earlier a shoal of grilse had been seen entering the Loch but  it was anyone’s guess where they would head. 

  On the way up Alan Raeburn spotted a Balloch registered boat landing a good sized fish at Rowchoish and this helped fuel our enthusiasm. After pitching our tents and surviving an initial attack by clegs and midges we set out on the ‘intelligence gathering phase’…..by visiting the local watering hole! 

  At Inversnaid we met three fishers who had taken a 7lb grilse earlier in the day…also at Rowchoish….who spoke of seeing other fish heading and tailing in the same area. So things were looking up. The scene back at the camp site that night was one a clear sky and warm company… only hazed slightly by one’s favourite tipple!

   The next morning saw us set out in ernest and just before midday day there was a fish on the boat…a fine 7lb grilse taken on the approach to Rowchoish. A copper/black toby once again showing its worth. My wife was less than impressed when asked to make the journey to Tarbet for a collection……she did have car keys this year though!

   After this encouraging start the next few days produced little apart from some quality time, meeting other fishers, discussing all the various theories and generally ‘shooting the breeze’. Another good week was enjoyed by all though it was good to get back to a comfy bed and a square meal!

  Alex Bowie’s wife Jackie accompanied him on a recent fly fishing outing and took a fine sea trout of 2lb 10oz on the dap…well done Jackie! We’ve all heard of the capabilities of the fairer sex, transmitting their scent down the line or some other such nonsense….or was this just a ‘shaggy dog’ story Alex!

   Dave Sunman and Jim Freeman assure me that the sea trout fishing this season is still on the up. Though proving difficult to hook there are good sized fish coming up to the fly on all the usual drifts. Jim confirmed his recent 6lb fish at Inchlonaig taken on a golden olive bumble. I mentioned recently that Scott Sinclair had a 6 1/2lb sea trout on the troll at Inchgalbraith and here as promised is that very photograph. He looks a right happy man!

   As the month continues and August approaches we should see an increase in activity. Last season we thought the grilse had taken a wrong turning at sea but August proved to be the best month ….for some! Let’s keep our fingers crossed!

Regards JR.  

Some more good news to help lift our spirits…..Last Monday was a great day out for two Balmaha regulars…….

Gerd Elsweiler had an unexpected birthday present… at last!
He had been experiencing a run of bad luck with blank seasons and losing fish but has finally cracked it!
After setting out from the Bay he motored up to Strathcashell Point and put out the trolls. As he approached Anchorage Cottage, which produced a few fish last season, his inside reel screamed into life. After a lengthy fight he netted a fine 15lb salmon which was still sea liced. He says…

‘My heart was in my mouth when I was playing it after losing one the same size a couple of weeks ago, then when I netted it the net collapsed! I was shaking when I got it onto the boat!……Gerd, get someone to get you a half decent landing net for your Christmas …..well done pal and keep me some of that Schnapps! Happy Birthday!

The same day Jim Freeman had a fine 6lb sea trout on the fly at the north west shore of Inchlonaig showing that the Loch’s run of good sea trout continues.
Colin McCrory was back out on the hunt last Saturday with a sea trout of 2 ½ lbs to the fly another about 3 ½ lbs lost at the net. Colin reckons that there’s fish to be found on all the usual drifts, not a lot, but those that are there are worth persevering for.

Perhaps things are beginning to warm up…..though certainly not the weather!

Regards JR

June can be a quiet month……for some …. The springers having sprung and the grilse are awaited. The Loch continues to show a healthy increase in sea trout catches with some good sized fish reported both on the fly and troll.

In the middle of the month Dave Sunman had a 5 ½ lb sea trout while fly fishing off Inchmurrin. The fish, which took a golden olive bumble, is shown in the attached photo.

Colin McCrory was also out in mid June and had a good day on the fly with a 3 ½ lb fish at the Ladies Point at Inchcruin, rising a good number of fish and losing another at Inchlonaig.

On Saturday Scott Sinclair landed a cracker weighing 6 ½ lbs off Inchgalbraith on a trolled ‘tomic’. Scott sent me a photo which I will include in the near future…..thanks for these updates and photos guys.

There weren’t many salmon caught in either the Loch or Leven during June. A few were returned at VOLDAC which were taken mainly down the bottom end of the Loch but I heard it mentioned that a Vale fisher had a good sized fish up at Rob Roy’s Cave earlier in the month. Balmaha seems to have been fairly quiet. There are still a few fish being landed on the Leven….nothing like the numbers of last season…..and there will still be fishing running into the Loch. I certainly wouldn’t expect the grilse to appear till the end of July if the pattern follows that of the last few years, but I’ll be out there anyway….you never know…!!

Regards J.R.