Season 2017
The season for salmon and sea trout opens on the Lomond System on Saturday 11th February 2017. Leven Season and day/weekly tickets are tickets are available from our retailers. Full membership can be obtained through the LLAIA by downloading our membership application. All details can be found on our home page.
This year the system has been designated as Conservation Category 2 which means that salmon can be harvested subject of a local conservation plan. During the season members and ticket holders will be able to take take three salmon and a tagging system will again be in operation. In law, throughout Scotland no salmon can be killed until 1st April, however this has been extended on our system until 1st May with no more than one fish to be taken by an angler on any one day. A ‘no kill after 30 September.’ policy on the system has been in existence for a number of years and this continues.
River Leven.
The first spring salmon usually appear on the Leven in mid March and will be caught on a variety lures and the fly, depending of course on water conditions. Worming is permitted, but during the month of May only circle hooks are to be used.
These early fish will be in the 15lb -20lb class and anywhere upstream of the ‘fly only’ Bonhill Bridge Pool will produce. Easter is always a popular weekend on the system and no matter whether it’s early or late there’s always springers around.
Updates on conditions on the River Leven are provided daily by local angler Jack Ferguson. See River Leven on our home page.
Loch Lomond
The Loch comes into it’s own from the beginning of May onward. Spring fish have run the Leven into the sanctuary of the Loch and many head for the east side of the Loch, Claddich, Boturich and Endrick Bank or the island shores.
May and June are usually great months for anglers on the troll in these areas with some big sea trout also caught on the fly and lure during the early part of the season particularly around the islands.
Rivers Endrick and Fruin.
The Endrick is a spate river and can provide excellent sport in the right conditions from July till the end of season. Fresh sea trout appear earlier and you can just never tell when salmon will enter the river. You might get an early surprise! The Fruin is a smaller spate river which fishes well at the ‘back end’. Both of these ‘fly only’ rivers are reserved for full members though a limited number of day rods are available through FishPal
Estuary
The Estuary fishes well right from the beginning of the season. Lures, mackerel strip and the fly all take sea trout from 1lb – 10lb throughout the season. Cardross, Ardmore and Levengrove are probably the most popular areas. An hour before and after the turning tide the favoured time.
Edinburgh Angling Centre
The sister store of GAC opened in Edinburgh on 26 August 2016 situated in the Granton Retail Park, 65 West Harbour Road, Edinburgh EH5 1PW. Both stores stock LLAIA coarse and game tickets.
Web Updates
While we try to provide as much information as possible about what’s happening throughout the season we depend very much on reports from members and ticket holders. If you have a red letter day on the Lomond system share it with us here. Your photos and reports, stories, tips or anecdotes are always very welcome.
Wishing you tight lines and every success in 2017!
JR
Contact Reports at: reports@lochlomondangling.com
