A quiet month by all accounts, even the Leven hasn’t seen much activity apart from some ‘farm escapees’. However a few more boat fishers are starting to venture out. Gerd Elsweiler and myself had a ‘non starter’ recently with a howler of a wind blowing into the Bay. We eventually managed to re-unite our craft with their moorings. I seem to remember the same scenario last year. April is supposed to be a wet month but is now also becoming one of the windiest.

Had some reports of good sea trout kelts being caught and returned. John McClurg who fishes out of Balloch had one last week at 5lbs on the Bank and I had a smaller one at 3 ½ lbs at the Long Point, a proverbial ‘bar of silver’ but which on closer examination was undoubtedly a well mended kelt. It gave a good account of itself before being safely released. Larger sea trout have been caught and returned but I have no further details.

Saturday morning saw a fair bit of activity at the Bay with Bob Forshaw and his pal up from England for the weekend out early fishing the fly at Claddich. Frank Donnelly, Alan Raeburn and Euan McGrandle accompanied by his son all making an early start. It was a fairly sunny day but a cold easterly wind predominated and the jackets, fleeces and jumpers were still very much required. The water surface temperature is hovering around 10oC. Good deed for the day - Four ‘day hire’ gents found marooned on Lonaig were assisted on their passage back to Balmaha with the aid of a rusty nail extracted from a piece of driftwood replacing their engine’s sheer pin. Seems they were out scattering ashes.

On returning to the Bay I was met by John Brice with the news that a good fish had been taken by Euan McGrandle. This has now been confirmed…..a fine sea liced spring salmon of 17 ½ pounds. Says Euan………

‘I got the fish as I was going to the Black rocks after only about ten minutes or so fishing. There were a few boats already out on the bank, so although the bank would have been my first choice, I headed up to Millarrochy bay and it`s strange how things sometimes work out. As I was passing the big shelf of rock just before the Black Rocks the inside rod doubled back and screamed. When it jumped and I saw it was a big fish. It was well hooked, both trebles of the sprat mount were in both upper and lower jaws. My lad netted it and it was a perfect start to the season’.

Well done Euan and no doubt a big thrill for your son. I hope you have another good season. Euan favours the traditional trolled sprats which seem have lost their popularity since ’plastic fish’ appeared on the scene…so there you go….. it may well be back to basics for some of us

Over the next couple of weeks it’s without doubt worth concentrating our efforts on the southern end of the Loch, Endrick Bank, Botturich, Claddich, Manse Bay, round about the Islands and maybe as far up the east side as Carrick Rock. The west side, particularly Auchentullich Bay and the mouth of the Fruin could also produce. At least we know now that the fish are in!!

Attached photo of Euan and his catch.

Regards J.R.