Fishing Reports

Monday looked like it was going to be a good day to be out on the loch and so it was for two anglers anyway. Pat Millar went out late in the afternoon (6pm) and returned with a nice salmon of 7lbs. He took a bit of leg pulling when he was at the VOLDAC launching his boat but when he returned it was his turn to smile, well done!

Another boat with a white Cuddy boat and a red bottom had a fish of at least 10lbs. It was seen By another member over at Ireland amongst the islands.

We do not know if other fish were caught that day but good going for the two lads that caught those much sought after springers.

UPDATE ON THE SMOLT PROGRAMME:

We thought we would give you a taster of what to expect when we produce our SIWG report on the smolt programme. This is a complex and steep learning process for the association and one that has seen a lot of work put into the whole project by many individuals.We have another two weeks to go to see the completion of our work. A full report will be available on the web for all to see. All we can say at the moment is we are doing our best for the system and hope all goes well in the remaining two weeks.

Duncan Ferguson and Matt Stewart looking at the Douglas smolts.

The same number of smolts in this tank have already been stocked into the River Douglas and the River Endrick. The fish seen in this photo have now been stocked into the River Leven having been imprinted for four weeks  in this tank . This is one of three tanks the association has, the others are on the River Endrick and the River Fruin.

Tight Lines The Committee LLAIA

First off apologies for the lack of reports, we are very busy just now with the smolt programme, bailiffing and bank maintenance amongst other items. So much going on and little time to get reports done more regularly.

Winter high water levels 7th April 2010 Loch Lomond Balmaha

FIRST SPRINGER TAKEN OFF THE LOCH

Despite the high water levels David Thomson took the first springer off the loch on  Saturday 10th April it weighed 9lbs fresh and sea liced. It was caught on Inch Moan as far as we are aware. Considering the Endrick Bank area was dirty all week this was a wise decision to troll the islands were they remained cleaner and free of sediment.

Colin McCrory got quite a fright when fishing Darrock mid week when a wide gaping jaw of a salmon engulfed his fly but the fish was only briefly hooked before gaining its freedom.

Others have been out trying their luck or lack of it a little earlier than usuaul. Boat activity remained fairly light with half a dozen boats out during mid week and perhaps a dozen on Saturdays.

The loch levels quickly dropped down with no more appreciable amounts of rain. With the Volcanic ash hitting the headlines it certainly produced some stange going ons on one particular day when the early morning sunrise looked er different.

An early morning sunrise the day after the Iceland volcano eruption

It was also a strange day for the Chairman who ventured out on the loch and wondered if this army helicopter was about to land on the loch?

Never quite expected a helicopter to get so close….

He had an enjoyable day and great to be out on the loch but marred by the presence of this big creature, no not the helicopter this one below!

We have enough to contend with without having seals in Loch Lomond.

There appears to be more than one seal in the loch and anglers have reported seeing the seal with fish (kelts) in its mouth others have seen a seal eating eels.

There was a good turnout of boats on the loch on Saturday 24th April. The loch is now approaching a  good fishing level and apart from the bright sunshine we did not hear of any catches which was disappointing. Hopefully the weather conditions will improve and fish will start to come off the loch. On the bright side the llaia treasurer Alistair Mair reported his sun tan is coming on a treat with each outing he has, perhaps he brings the sun with him!

RIVER LEVEN REPORT:

Ian Marshall landed a nice springer on the leven on at the Glebe at 6.5lbs.

Scott Young landed a nice fish at Renton above the Polaroid Bridge it weighed 12lbs and was returned.

Scott Young with a 12lb springer which he returned. The fish was taken on the fly.

There have been three fish reported lost, one at Renton and two at the chapel hole and linnbrane. Some early fresh sea trout have also been caught and returned with Stuart Mair and Craig

The barrage gates are now in control and the level is down to compensation level at the weekends. Today Monday 26th April the water is at summer low.  We do not believe that the spring fish are restricted by the lower water levels and fish can be caught at any time so the river is well worth fishing. The low water does seem to encourage the fish to move quickly into the loch. Each season can vary so if you are not fishing you can easily miss out!

Tight Lines   The Committee LLAIA

It was great to see a springer landed on the first day of April, it was caught by a new member at that. It is always nice to see a new member getting his first fish from the system. Gary Bateman was fishng the fly at the Bonhill Bridge Pool and hooked the fish at the pipe near the tail end of the pool. It weighed 6.5lbs and was covered in sea lice.

An angler brings in a small sea trout taken on the worm and released.

There was a report of s fresh springer hooked and lost at Linnbrane on Saturday 3rd April it was reckoned to be around 6lbs.

Kelts continue to be caught and there is some concern with those fishing the worm particularly if the fish is allowed to swallow the bait and releasing the hook becomes vitually impossible without damage to the fish (bleeding) which greatly reduces the chance of the fishes survival. Kelts are  very important and could form a significant part of the future returning large fish. Some of the kelts have been around the 10lb-12lbs range and would represent a superb fish if it fully recoved and survived to make a return visit.

As always the committee will make a measured and reasonable response if required in the future re the methods used in the first few weeks of the season opening to ensure that kelts are protected.

On the River Leven some anglers have been digging for worms on or near the banks of the river. Residents have complained to us and we would ask all anglers to dig for your bait elsewhere BEFORE you arrive on the river.  The association has the right to refuse anyone a permit so you have been warned.

LOCH LOMOND: Sport on the big loch.

Flying the flag: Trolling for an early springer.

So far it has all been about the River Leven and hardly a mention of Loch Lomond.  Throughout the first four weeks of the season there were few boats out on the loch, the wintry weather putting those that might launch early to delay a little bit longer.

The news of early springers taken on the River Leven Mid March caused quite a stir with more than a few regulars who would never dream of getting their boats moored before late April have now moored. There are eight boats moored at Balmaha already!

During the last week in March some of the regular fly fishers had a drift or two in the usual haunts, surprisingly rising and landing some very well mended sea trout kelts and the odd salmon kelt. Some of the sea trout were around the 6lbs-7lbs mark which possibly would have been near double figures prior to spawning during the late autumn of 2009. Our fishery manager Angus MacRitchie has even launched his boat and had an early outing!

Our treasurer Alistair Mair playing a pike hooked on the Endrick Bank.

There have also been a lot of kelts hooked on the loch as well this year. Kevein Gath had eight on the  Saturday March 27th. This was the first decent showing of boats so far this year. The following Saturday April 3rd saw seven boats troll around the Endrick Bank and boturich shoreline.

The Loch levels have not been favourable for hooking a springer. Conditions over this last fortnight have seen the loch maintain a decent height with snow melt keeping the water levels higher. The Endrick Bank has been slightly coloured over this last few days which has made conditions not what we would prefer. Mid week has been very quiet with only a few baots bothering to go out!

The one big plus is that there will be more anglers wanting to get out and try to land the first springer off the loch. Most Bets would point to the Botorich shoreline and near the entrance to the River Leven as a good chance of landing the first springer. However the River Leven springers were taken some weeks ago so the first springer could just as easiliy be taken over at the Balmaha side with the Mance Bay, Millaroch Bay and the Endrick Bank/ net Bay area offering your best bet.

Tight Lines The Committee LLAIA