Weather or not.

Last week, along with some of ‘the usual suspects’,I made the trip to the top end of the Loch to spend a few days hopefully snaring a grilse or two. I remembered the success of the Vale camp last year when during the same week, having timed the arrival of the grilse perfectly, seventeen fish were netted. When I arrived at Inversnaid I found that although things had been very quiet, two of the lads had netted grilse near the hotel that day. As I sailed up past Rob Roy’s cave I saw the annual campsite. How many tents can you get into a few square metres?……at least a dozen…… watch out for the wild goats!

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The following day was a bright, hot sunny day and to be truthful we probably spent more time ashore than afloat with nothing to report fishwise. The following morning…..with slightly hazy heads……we set off down the Loch. As I was enjoying some medicinal fresh air I saw young McDonald pull out just north of Ptarmigan, reel in two rods and lift the remaining inside rod which was showing a healthy bend. A few minutes later he netted a fine 5lb grilse……just when he thought he was going home empty handed!

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I haven’t heard the final tally from the campers but I suspect it’s well down on last season. I am still receiving reports that members are seeing plenty of fish……I saw two myself last week, at the golf course and Sallochy……and there are fish being caught. The available river reports show that some grilse have been caught and suggest that a good number are running into the Loch.

The Loch has not been without water this year. With the continual rainfall and lack of sunshine the surface temperature has not reached much over 16oC.The level at present is if anything on the high side. I am left in no doubt by the more experienced among us that the weather is to blame for the lack of sport. I’m told that when the Loch’s high the water is colder at the bottom end so the fish won’t run up in search of the deeper colder water. Now that the level’s up further they’ll make for the rivers and burns……Donald McKellar lost two fish in Net Bay last week…… and already there’s good sport to be had on the Endrick……so perhaps you should tie up your boat and look out the waders.

It’s been a season of mixed fortunes for some. Robert Perrat’s had two springers and two grilse so far after experiencing a blank last season. Walter Gilchrist’s looking for a good psychiatrist!……so far this is his first fishless season ever……he had six last year …….Walter’s got it bad…… a bit like ‘cold turkey’……. I hope he gets a fish soon.

Starting to feel a bit ‘trolled out’ I went out fly fishing on Wednesday, not much to report except jagging a good fish and turning another but it was a refreshing day with good company and the feeling that you were actually doing something again! The same day Alex Bowie was fly fishing off Darroch when suddenly he thought he had been a bit heavy on the seal’s fur dressing of his woodcock and mixed……the real thing surfaced just off his line! A big blighter too which has since been spotted by at least two other fishers in the Ireland/Fad and Lonaig areas……most unwelcome!!

Passed by Colin Lewis yesterday who in reply to my ‘any fish’ held up two fingers……wasn’t sure if I had interpreted him correctly at first! But he had camped out overnight up the top end, netting a nice grilse on the way up and a second on the way back down…..good to see!

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Finally I’d like to take this opportunity to thank those who have continued to update me and remind everyone that this blog, which is open to all, relies heavily on rumour, humour, speculation and information to exist. If you’ve something you’d like to add for the good of the Loch fisher please get in touch……it can be in confidence……tight lines!

Regards J.R.

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