What a spell of weather….great for lying out ….unfortunately the midges think so too! I had my second overnighter during the week up past Inversnaid accompanied by Gerd Elsweiler who since he retired has become a permanent fixture on the Loch. I see that the Balloch lads are now up at Doune and already having success. John Connolly had a good fish in the 18-20lb class last week apparently caught round the corner from their camp. My source reckons he took it on an orange and gold rapala …..still doing the trick. I had a few enjoyable beers with John during one of my recent visits to Inversnaid. and look forward to hearing about his fish.. Ernie and the boys give the fish a hard time up there every year and I have to admire their patience and dedication. Perhaps someone could update me on their progress. I intend to spend a few days up at the top end later this month .Hopefully the grilse run will be in full swing by that time.

Aye the grilse…..well there’s a thing. I had a report recently of a large number entering the loch…….where are they then? Did they just ‘no fancy it’ and head back down the Leven? ….or maybe as one experienced loch fisher suggested are ‘ lying deep’. I ‘ve certainly been told by several members that there are good ‘images’ showing on fish finders of fish lying in deeper water…….deep water in the Loch that is….. and not off Arran as someone quipped! Another fisher suggested that they may have been sea trout as occasionally it can be difficult to tell the difference! But remember, we must remain optimists at all times! On my way back down to Balmaha on Wednesday my own fish finder, which I find is just really a good tool for maintaining depth, suddenly flashed up about 20 large images lying fairly close together in the bay to the south of Cashel point, quite close to the crannog. At first I thought it had developed a fault as it hadn’t shown very much up till then, but I went back over the area and it started flashing and beeping away again. Could someone invent a device which also tells you what kind of fish it`s showing please? Grilse?? Any day now!!!

At this time of the year there’s no place I’d rather be than sitting in the forecourt of the hostelry at Inversnaid of an afternoon soaking up the sun and scenery while shooting the breeze over a few beers. Donald McKellar called in the other day for his first visit. I don’t think it’ll be his last. He had passed a boat near Rowchoish with a fish of 10lbs. So still a few being taken around there.

James Kinnear our downrigging enthusiast updated me on his activities. Last Monday he was out patrolling his usual beat when in the deep water near Clairinch he hooked a good fish 25 feet down. He eventually brought an 8/9lb brownie to the side of the boat but his net fouled up and it made a successful bid for freedom. Nae luck James but at least you know it’s still there growing bigger.

Archie Dick also e-mailed me with a photo of an 11lb sea trout he took on the on last day of June which is attached. Not sure where exactly though. A few good sea trout have been taken this season…… I hope there’s plenty left for the fly

Regards J.R.