Archive for September, 2007

Going Like A Fair!

Tuesday, September 11th, 2007

That’s exactly how sport on the Loch has been described to me…..and it’s certainly not exaggerated! I’ve already mentioned this year that sea trout have returned to he Loch in good numbers with several fish in the six pound class reported. September has always been one of the best months for fly fishing and this year is no exception, but with a big difference!

Since the beginning of the month fish have been showing on all the regular drifts, rising freely to the fly and dap. Angus MacRitchie is delighted with the quality of sport, and no doubt the excellent work done by the Stock Improvement Working Group is contributory.

Angus was out at the start of the month with friend John Morrison. Drifting between the Short and Long points of Inchmoan ten fish were risen……but none hooked! Finally after a short lunch break they tried again, only this time discarding the artificial daddy for the real thing and shortly thereafter boated rise No. 12.

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Angus will very soon be sharing his dapping techniques and experience with us and I look forward to it. The daddy has for a long time proved to be one of the most effective dapping flies on the Loch and the natural insect can have great effect. I’ve seen Dave Sunman and his mate on a few Saturday mornings in the long grass at Balmaha collecting a supply…..I must admit I wondered at first what they were up to !!!! Watch out boys, you never know what else might be lurking in there underfoot!

Dave and his pal, whose name escapes me, have been out on the fly the last few weekends with fish in the boat every time. Matt Stewart and his son Alan have also been out with good catches of finnock and sea trout up to 2 1/2 lbs, all returned. Gibby Bruce had two sea trout at Lonaig, the best being 5 1/2 lbs. He was described as being like ‘a dug wi two tails’. Denis McLaughlin and Paul Davis also report good sport. Paul took his fish at Mill o’ Ross Bay and Firkin Point showing that our quarry are not just concentrated around the Islands. I ventured out last week and had two sea trout of 3lb and 2lb at the Hen Isle, both returned. So put away the ‘tin fish’ and get the fly rod out! Even our chairman took time off to venture out with his son for some ‘quality time’.

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Although the favourite and most productive drifts are around the islands, those prepared to travel further afield may find drifts at Rowchoish and the south side of Tarbet worthwhile and if you really want to try the ‘Tap End’, the spit at Rhuda Ban and around the rocks at Ardvorlich Bay. I’ve frequently seen good fish moving up there as well as the bays between Doune and Ardleish. Best kept for an overnighter.

I recently made what will probably be my last trip of the year to the Ardlui area. At Culness Andy Buchanan sailed past with a grilse of 6lbs and shortly afterwards Colin Lewis with a fish of the same size. Approaching Ardleish the water was like glass. Suddenly there was a commotion ahead which at first I thought may have been caused by a pike chasing fry or a cormorant fishing, but a couple of minutes later came the answer. Passing the spot, I saw the silver flanks of a grilse of about 7 lbs which was taking great exception to a large hatch of daddy longlegs on the mirror like surface. Dry fly for salmon? Needless to say it wasn’t interested in my offering as I trolled on.

There has been a good run of grilse up the Leven this year but I can’t figure out where they’re hiding in the Loch. Scott Sinclair was out on Saturday and as he was in about 80 feet of water, travelling at a ‘fair old pace’ a 7 1/2 grilse took his poker. Sometimes I wonder about our methods. Peter Lyons’ future article on trolling will enlighten us. I’ve seen Peter trolling and I’ll swear that sometimes you could water ski off the back of his boat!

Walter Gilchrist is no longer in need of psychiatric help…..his twenty ninth season will not be a blank after all. A nice 6lb grilse last week at the Black Rocks broke his duck. That same morning I lost two fish, the first at the mouth of the Endrick and minutes later another at Net Bay…. the fourth loss this season…….ach well better with a couple of good pulls than nothing at all!

Back to the subject of sea trout. Just received Angus’s report from the weekend. While fishing Lonaig, he and boat partner Dave McDowell rose 23 sea trout, successfully netting 11, the largest being 5 1/2 lbs and 3 1/2 lbs….all fish were safely returned…..what a day! It’s great to hear that the Loch is re-establishing itself as a prime sea trout fishery. Tales from the Loch?…….reality!!!!

Euan McGrandle had an unfortunate experience which turned into success. Fishing off the Fruin with his ten year old son, his outboard packed in. Faced with the long row back to Balmaha he decided to put out a couple of rods in the hope……. Suddenly as he was passing the north point of Creeinch a rod sprang to life! After a spirited fight his son landed a 4 1/2 lb brown trout. The boy was delighted.

Finally I’d like to wish you all success in the remaining weeks of the season and keep the reports coming in!

Regards J.R.