Fishing Reports

River Endrick.

The first report of a salmon having been released this season has now come in. It didn’t come from the River Leven or Loch Lomond as we would have thought, but from the River Endrick.

On Monday 14th May, Chris Turner landed a fine 6.5lb spring salmon at Barnes Ford. The fish, which was a bar of silver was caught on a size 10 Tosh double. It was quickly photographed and returned to the river. Congratulations Chris, a bottle of whisky and a Glasgow Angling Centre voucher for £20 will be winding its way to you very shortly.

This is just the very news that we had been waiting for and hope that other like-minded members will follow Chris’s example.

We are now half way through May but with two weeks of the voluntary ‘catch and release’ scheme to go there’s still plenty of time to earn yourself some new fishing tackle and/or a good dram. As things stand we may be able to extend the offer till the end of June and soon as it’s agreed we’ll let you know.

We have now managed to negotiate the lease on the Craigbell Pool, which is good news for members. See the Committee’s Blog for further details.

River Leven.

At this time of the year we expect some good fish to show up in the Leven and that is indeed the case.

John McMillan contacted us to say that on Saturday 12th May, he had a fresh 12lb salmon at Sandy Hole. On Tuesday 15th May, Leven angler Hugh Bell had a fish of 18lbs at the Double Pipes on the worm and today Wednesday 16th of May, John McGinley had a springer of 11lbs at the Managers on a black flying-c.

With fish of this class being caught there should definitely be an increase in anglers on the river. Last weekend’s ‘clean up’ will make a big difference accessing certain parts of the river and a few less snags.

Loch Lomond. 

Still fairly quiet on the Loch, but it’s early days. A good number of sea trout have been caught on the troll and the fly. Some of these fish, as we’ve seen, into double figures. The surface temperature of the Loch is sitting at around 9 oC which is still rather cold for the time of year.

Alan Millar snr  set out from Balloch this morning, 16th May. On passing the Boathouse, down the bottom end, he got into a good heavy fish. When it was eventually landed it weighed in at 20.5 lbs. Well done Alan! The lure of the day was a copper toby.

This weekend may see a few more fish off the Loch. As mentioned earlier there are spring fish being caught in the Leven as far up as the Double Pipes, which isn’t that far from Loch Lomond.

All photos and reports of your day out on the rivers or Loch are still most welcome. While the voluntary’ catch and release’ scheme is ongoing we think it prudent to only post photos of anglers returning fish, but all of your photos will be catalogued for future use.

Contact Reports at: web@lochlomondangling.com

The first clean up of the River Leven this year took place over the weekend of 12/13th May. On both days more than thirty members and ticket holders turned out and put in some real hard graft.

It was probably the most systematic clean up of the river for many years and it was amazing just what can be accomplished when we all pull together.

‘The Strim’  - the weekend hero.

The Boat Hole path before……..

…….and after.

No stone was left unturned…….

This burn had been badly obstructed for some time……..

With a good bit of team work……..obstruction cleared.

Over the two days, the skip sited at Bonhill Bridge was filled and numerous trailer loads of debris removed to Dalmoak recycling centre. Thanks to everyone for a great weekend’s work.

Catch Report 14.05.2012.

River Leven.

On Saturday 12th May a 12lb salmon was landed in the Renton area, caught on the worm. A similar sized fish was lost the previous day on a flying-c.

Today, Monday 14th May, we hear that a 14lb springer was successfully netted and await further details.

Loch Lomond.

The Loch is still fairly quiet, the strong, cold north westerly winds and generally inclement weather for this time of year keeping many loch fishers from venturing out.

However, Eric Donnachie managed out from Balloch on Friday 11th May and landed a 10lb salmon, caught at the Black Rocks on a trolled golden sprat.

Kenny McDonald set out from Balmaha on Saturday 12th May and connected with a springer on the Endrick Bank. Unfortunately for Kenny the fish, reckoned to be in the 12-15lb class, leapt out of the water successfully releasing itself from the lure. Sorry Kenny, you need to actually net the fish before returning it to claim a reward………………..keep in there though!

First Salmon of the season from the Loch.

A particularly chilly bank holiday weekend, but Loch anglers are a hardy breed. For some it was indeed a very successful weekend…..

On Friday 4th of May, Stuart McFarlane, a new member at VOLDAC set out from Balloch. Before too long he was in to a 12lb springer at Boturich rocks, a favourite early season mark.

Saturday 5th of May saw another new member at the Vale, Willie Nixon, set out on his first full day since launching his new boat. He started out trolling rapalas, but as there was nothing happening changed to tobies………and it made the difference. Willie successfully landed a 10lb fresh sea liced springer at Milarrochy Bay…..a lucky boat!

On Monday 6th of May, Pat Millar was trolling through Auchentullich Bay when he had a right good take on the poker resulting in his first fish of the season, a 9lb salmon. A gold/black/orange toby being the favoured lure. Good colours for this time of year.

River Leven 

Monday also saw Frank McGeachie with his second fish from the River, caught at the Double Pipes on a flying-c. Otherwise the river seems to have been quiet.

Catch and Release update -  ’GAC joins LLAIA in £40 reward for catch and release of spring salmon.’

We are now into the second week of May and a few fish are beginning to show. If recent years are anything to go by we should see a steady increase in the numbers of fish entering the system as the month continues and accordingly an increase in those being caught. A crucial time for the system.

All of our members should be well aware of the voluntary catch and release scheme in operation during May. Mr Paul Devlin of Glasgow Angling Centre has kindly agreed to donate a £20 voucher for every spring fish returned. This along with either a £20 voucher or bottle of whisky from the LLAIA is fair reward. A further statement regarding this policy has just been posted on the ‘Committee’s Blog’ section of this site.

Everyone is always interested to hear of the results of our members’ skill and patience and see the fine specimens that the Lomond system can produce. As always we would like as much information as possible. While this initiative is ongoing though we would prefer only to post photographs of anglers returning fish……… the ones that get away! It’s hoped that it won’t be too long before we see some happy faces………. and even happier fish!

Contact Reports at: web@lochlomondangling.com

River Leven

Although April was generally a fairly quiet month it ended with definite signs of spring fish running into the system. On Friday 27th Chris Arthur landed a spring salmon at the Cables. The fish which, which was caught on the fly, weighed in at 12.5  lbs. On Saturday 28th it’s believed that a further two fish were accounted for though no details at present.

On Wednesday 2nd May, Leven anglers Bob Baxter and Andy McAlwee had fish, both believed to be grilse, of 4.5lb and 3lb respectively at McKinnons.

Few anglers out on the river, but as reports of fish coming off circulate, many will be organising fly boxes and oiling up their reels.

Loch Lomond

Loch fisher Scott Sinclair was out from Balmaha on Saturday 28th and hooked sea trout of 3lbs and 8lbs on a tomic and a rapala.

Scott went ashore with the larger of his fish to ensure its safe return.

More Loch anglers are now venturing out and we would hope that over the May holiday weekend we’ll hear of the first salmon of the season ‘into the boat’.

Contact Reports at: web@lochlomondangling.com

Easter Salmon

After weeks of speculation and expectation, perseverance finally paid off for one happy angler…..the first salmon of the season!

Yesterday, Saturday 9th of April, Paul Dorrian successfully netted the first spring salmon from the River Leven. The fish, which weighed in at 8lbs, was caught on the fly at Stuckie Bridge. A memorable Easter indeed for young Paul and an encouraging result for our members…..the fish are out there……..congratulations Paul!

Smolt Traps

The valuable work of the Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust, headed by Dr Andy Burrows, continues and receives full backing from the committee.

While Paul Dorrian was enjoying success, LLFT members were assisted by members of the Association in siting smolt traps on the Rivers Endrick and Blane. These traps play a vital part in enabling the LLFT to assess the health of the system.

At a recent committee meeting, Dr Burrows gave a very full and enlightening presentation into the work carried out by the Trust and we are extremely grateful for his enthusiasm. The traps will be monitored on a daily basis and the results evaluated by Dr Burrows and his team hopefully giving a clearer picture of the system’s health and indications as to how we can best improve it.

Eddie Edmonstone directs operations.

Jim Freeman gives advice on salmon/sea trout recognition.

After the smolt traps were positioned a visit was paid to the hatchery, which now resembles Steptoe’s yard.

The future for this type of operation hangs very much in the balance, but at present it is certainly not fit for purpose.

The Bailiff’s boat was also inspected and found to be in a poor state.

This issue is receiving immediate attention. The engine will be fully serviced and the boat cleaned up and ready for use.

On the whole it was a very productive weekend…………..and a lot more to come.

The season has started fairly quietly, but there are fish about…

Jim McNiven was out on the Loch last weekend and as he was passing Balloch Castle made contact with the first reported springer of the season. Unfortunately for Jim the fish made it’s own contribution to stock conservation and released itself at the net…..the angler’s nightmare. It was estimated to have been around the 15lb mark and a bar of silver…..’ the one that got away’….

On Thursday John Bell ventured out for his first trip of the year and as well as enjoying the good weather had a successful day on the troll with  three sea trout, a well mended salmon kelt and pike all caught and duly returned.

The loch holds some very big sea trout and each year the earlier part of the season produces fine examples. John’s biggest fish of  10lbs was in great condition and would have been a fly fishers dream. It was caught just of the ’spit o’ the Murrin’ on an orange and gold rapala…. and it’s still there…….

Membership

If you’re a former member and thinking of re-joining the LLAIA now’s the time to do it. As an incentive to those wishing to return, the committee has decided  for this season to waive the £25 joining fee. Anyone wishing to take up this offer can download an application form from this site and forward it to:

The Treasurer, LLAIA, 4 Woodside Place, Glasgow, G3 7QF.  Make sure you mark it -  ’Former Member’

The full ticket fee of £185 represents excellent value and there are certainly no plans at present for any increases.

Seasonal Hire - Balmaha

Sandy MacFarlane has agreed to continue his offer to the Association and members can enjoy a season’s boat hire for a fee of £300. This can be split by up to three members.

Bearing in mind the cost of a buying a boat, maintenance etc and moorings this is indeed a cost effective way of getting afloat.

For full conditions contact Sandy at:

MacFarlane & Son, The Boatyard, Balmaha, Loch Lomond, Glasgow G63 0JQ   Tel: 01360 870214.

LLAIA. Committee.

The first salmon of the season is due to come to the net any day now and we are all waiting with some anticipation to hear about it……..

During the season we’ll be posting regular updates on what’s happening throughout the system. So whether you’re a river fisher or a boat man please send us your photos, stories, tips and anecdotes.

For those of you who enjoy a more off-beat look at our piscatorial pleasures, we are pleased to announce the return of   ‘Tales from the Loch’, where your own experiences afloat are always more than welcome.

We hope you all have a great season with plenty of memorable moments and a few fish too….see you out there!

Contact us at web@lochlomondangling.com

Malcolm MacCormick                        President

Sid Gath                                            Vice  President

Stewart Inglis snr.                             Secretary

Ritchie Campbell                               Treasurer

Billy Marsland

Jim Muir

Jim Raeburn                                        Web/Reports

Jim Paris                                             Minutes Secretary

Eddie Edmonstone

Tam Dorrian                                        VOLDAC Rep.

Keith Adams                                        River Leven Rep.

There is now a new committee in place

complete with Chairman, Vice Chairman,

Secretary and Treasurer

The contact address is:

LLAIA, 4 Woodside Place, Charing Cross,

Glasgow, G3 7QF

Contact Tel.No. 0141 353 5004.

THE NEW COMMITTEE