Every time I press the button to create a new webpage I wonder…..apart from ‘what mistakes have I made this time?’……..what’ll be in the next update? I’m pleased to say that it continues to be a positive experience….

Walter Gilchrist e-mailed me last Thursday to say that he had an 8lb grilse at the Hen Isle. That’s proving to a lucky spot for Walter, his second fish there this year. The Hen Isle’s a good lie and always worthy of close attention. Scott Gilchrist also contacted me with an update. Last Friday he lost a 6lb fish just above Firkin Point. It took the same 30g copper toby that he recently took a fish with at Rowardennan. Scott had a go with the fly and rose a few small sea trout. He has seen quite a few boats with fish and heard some good reports.

The bailiffs were at Balmaha on Saturday morning checking tickets after reports of boats fishing without permits. I think that the culprits are likely to be launching from Millarrochy Bay. Kenny McDonald spotted an unregistered boat on the Loch near there last week with a rod out the back. So long was the length of line trolled that when Kenny was about 100yds behind it snagged on his prop. When challenged the individual took off claiming ignorance…..minus his toby! We’ve ‘pulled’ a few boats over the last few years mainly up the top end…..always the same story….’didnae know’….hmmm.

I was out overnight again during the week. No fish for me though…..might have to change the system slightly with reluctance. On Wednesday I came across Vale member John Connolly at Ardlui. He had just landed a fine 7lb grilse…blue/silver toby on the poker. I joined John for a few celebratory lemonades at a nearby hostelry during which time he had several calls from other fishers reporting catches at the top and bottom of the Loch.

On my way back down on Thursday I was approaching the Hen Isle when I saw a familiar boat coming towards me. Donald McKellar held up his first fish of the season….a fresh 7lb grilse taken at Strathcashell on a copper toby. Donald, recently retired, has been putting in a few hours on the Loch…..as one would expect of a man of leisure! He was out on Monday and lost a fish at Anchorage Cottage. He tells me….’This is harder than working.’ I don’t believe that for a second Donald.

The Vale boys rounded off last week with no less than fifteen fish caught mainly between Inversnaid and Ardlui. A very good week indeed. On Saturday there were at least six fish into the Vale. The bottom end producing fish at Auchentullich – the ‘Urn Burn’- Inchconnachan, Inchmoan and Luss.

Although the Loch has been fishing well fishers on the Leven have not been so lucky. Malky McCormack e-mailed me sounding somewhat frustrated at seeing fish in the river ‘splashing in and out of pools and going straight through into the Loch either at night or first light.’ Leven fishers had a good start to the season and I hope things pick up for them soon. A bit of rain should help and as I write it’s ‘chucking it down’ outside……not too much rain though. I hope to join Malky for a tour of the Leven very soon.

The season so far has been very interesting. The grilse were a couple of weeks late last year and this year another couple of weeks later again……but they have arrived. We’ll soon be fishing for them in September! As usual I would be grateful for any reports, news, photos or anecdotes and thank all who have contributed so far. You can E-mail me at balmaha@lochlomondangling.com.

Attached photo of Donald McKellar and fish.

Regards J.R.