Fishing Reports

It is hard to imagine the salmon fishing could improve any more given we have had the best catches of summer fish over this last 18years throughout May and June on loch lomond. Judging by reports from the Balmaha boatyard there has been salmon brought into Balmaha every day last week. One chap had two salmon at 13lb each, another chap came in with a fish of 15lbs.

Peter Lyons our Vice Chairman went out for the first time trolling on Saturday 5th July and returned with a nice fish of 12lbs. It is amazing that Peter is able to fish at all, since he suffered a stroke last year but it just shows you what sheer effort and determination can do!

Peter Lyons with a cracking fish of 12lbs Rowchoish Loch Lomond July 2008

On that same Saturday Walter Gilchrist landed an 8lb salmon and a balloch boat also had a fish.

An email on 6th July from Jim Raeburn told the story on Saturday: Quote

Michael,
Managed to get out at last yesterday. When I was setting off ,Walter Gilchrist and Peter Lyons were getting ready. Fished up to Inversnaid and passed only a few Balloch Boats on their way back down, probably after lying out overnight. Nobody had any fish. On the return journey I had a brief encounter with a good sized fish at the point at Rowcoish…there’s always one there…and it’s still there! When I got back into Balmaha Alex Bowie told me that Walter Gilchrist had a fish of 8lbs at Net Bay and lost another. When I spoke to Walter in the morning, he mentioned that he was heading down there, so he’ll be a happy chap with his first fish this year. Incidentally he was trying out Peter’s toby rigs. On Friday night, Kenny McDonald was telling me his brother Jim has recently seen a lot of fish moving up the Leven at night…nine o’clock onwards, just when everyone’s gone home!

Regards,
Jim. End of Quote

It was like that for a number of anglers another email, though the sender wishes to remain anonymous.

When I arrived at about 7pm,Monday Walter Gilchrist was just in with a fish of 8lbs and lost a second. Frank Donnelly also came in with a fish of around the 7lbs mark.

I arrived back at Balmaha at about 9:30pm and met Willie Caldwell who also came in with a salmon just under the 10lb mark. He got it in Mill of Ross bay. All in all an exceptional season so far. End of Quote

There have been other fish caught as well. Wee Geordie Fyfe landed another fish of 12.5lbs well up the loch on the 8th July. Lets just say the loch is fishing really well and leave it at that!

Sea trout are getting caught and another email from Gordon Bruce is interesting. Quote:

I was out on Tuesday. Rose some nice fish off Inchmurrin but never connected. All very nice fish over 3 lb. there were a lot of fish rising to natural may flies. And it was may fly imitations they were coming to. I was watching a nice fat may fly lift off from the surface about 20 feet from the boat heading straight towards us. It never made it. A nice sea trout launched itself and nailed it 2 foot above the water. What a sight to behold.

On the way back to balloch I noticed some fish rising in a bay near Cameron House hotel. I thought it was perch or roach as they were rising everywhere, rising to may flies. First cast the water erupted and I struck but pulled the fly out its mouth. The same with the second third and forth offers. Thinking it must be salmon, the next cast I looked away. I heard the rise, I counted to 3 then tightened. After a 10 min battle it was netted by my daughter. 3½ lb sea trout. During the fight another fish had come up a taken the top dropper a ripped it off the cast. I had other smaller fish before all the fish disappeared. Right place right time and its happening more frequently.

Gordon Bruce End of Quote:

Here is a photo of Gordon’s fish.

Gordon Bruce with a sea trout taken on Loch Lomond July 2008

River Leven:
The River Leven has given up three salmon on the Saturday. Eddie reports that Thursday saw the river at a nice height but few anglers out on the river. More sea trout are now being seen as well as more salmon continuing to run the river.

Philip Shannan was out for the first time fishing the river leven and landed a nice fish. Well done.

Philip Shannan back on the leven after a period of illness: Well Done.

We are now going to be very busy so please do not presume that lack of any reports over this next week or so is an indication that nothing is being caught. There are times when we just get too busy that is all.

Tight Lines The Committee LLAIA

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Water Levels: This morning the gates were lowered and the river leven rose significantly. Our chairman deliberated whether he should contact the water board and ask them not to lower the gates right down but perhaps just lower them above weekend height? The problem for the water board is that doing so poses a risk for them that further rain could raise the level above the 26ft and cause them to receive complaints of flooding from proprietors on the loch. There is also the reality that the water board might not have staff to come in just to lower the gates should the water levels rise un-expectantly. We have to look at the other side of the fence sometimes and realise that it is not just want the anglers want, there are other groups of people to consider. The Endrick was up about 10 inches or so today and a few large fish were at the Potts of Gartness. It remains early days for the endrick though Jimmy Brown took a nice fresh 3lbs sea trout last week on the endrick.

River Endrick: July 4th 2008.

River Leven: The river is starting to produce more fish and quality fish at that! There are not many rivers that can produce fish of this quality. Anglers get the opportunity to fish for them at a ridiculously low price compared to many rivers up and down the country. During the week Alan Pryce landed a salmon of 12lbs and Rab Strachan landed one at 10lbs. Duncan Campbell had a beauty of 15lbs. Tam Kirkbride landed a nice fish of 12lbs near the Haldane burn and to cap it all Ross McLeod landed a cracker of 15lbs at McKinnons on the fly today. There might have been more but that is all we have! Thanks to Eddie for the information.

The extensive bankside improvement work carried out during the spring months has worked out just fine with problem areas still clear to cast a line. The Double Pipes area was one of the problem areas and it is now a delight to spey cast down without snagging on the brambles that grew down the bank slope and caught on your line frequently. The association will continue to keep this area and other similar areas in good condition if at all possible.

It can be a difficult job trying to balance the needs of all sections of anglers and try and please them. One thing for sure we can never please everybody. We believe that most anglers are extremely happy for what they get for the price of an annual permit. We would say to those that disagree, to go elsewhere and see what you get for your £105.00! perhaps a spot of night fishing (one night!!) for £80 on the Earn or a days salmon fishing on one of the more popular salmon rivers. Alternatively you can take out a river leven “season permit” for the whole season and enjoy yourself without shelling out a small fortune for one days fishing.

Loch Lomond: Continues to fish with the fly fishers now taking the odd sea trout for their day fishing. Colin McCrory took a nice fish of 3lbs picture below. Th e sea trout fishing should start to pick up in the next few weeks on both loch and rivers depending on the weather and water levels naturally.

Loch Lomond Fly caught July sea trout 3lbs.

Prospects are looking good for sport on the big loch and on the leven this weekend. Bailiffs are likely to be out checking permits.

The Scottish Game Angling Fair will take place this weekend at Scone. Our best wishes to LLAIA member Ryan Brady who will be competing in the Junior and senior fly fishing distance competitions over the weekend. Ryan took third place in the mens senior spey casting competition at the Tweed festival earlier this year.

Tight Lines The Committee LLAIA

It is becoming more difficult to keep track of the salmon catches coming off the loch. Sea trout fly fishing for the fresh run fish has not yet produced any notable catches but then the sea trout runs don’t usually appear until the Glasgow Fair fortnight and then it will depend on the conditions etc. Gibby Bruce went out during the week though and caught a fresh 2.5lbs sea trout on the fly. A few others were reported caught but the fish have yet to arrive in any numbers.

The river leven has produced several sea trout at night for the few anglers giving it a try . Colin Mair took this fresh run cracker on Tuesday night which gave his 12ft rod a good work out.

Colin Mair took this fresh sea trout of over 2lbs on Tuesday Night 25th June 2008.

This is the type of fish you want to catch on the leven or the loch. They are a delight to fish for and you soon know when you hook one as they usually put up a great fight.

The River Leven: The leven produced a few fish recently to those prepared to give it a try during the day. Danny Connelly took one at 5lbs though someone else said it was 13lbs? quite a difference!. Paul McMahon 8lb at the Flowers stream. Steven Gillfeather caught a sea lice covered fish of 12lbs at the sandy hole during the day when a total of four anglers were fishing the river. aye private exclusive fishing indeed! He only just arrived and within a few casts hooked the fish. On the 26th with the extra water John Harris took a lovely fish of 11lbs that evening. Leven regular Jim McDonald always seems to do well every season and this year is no different he took two salmon on Friday evening 8lbs and 9lbs. Gordon Pollock took a 10lbs salmon on the same night but at the top end of the river. This fish was returned so well done to Gordon for doing his bit to conserving stocks. We have since heard he also lost a cracking fish as well. Gordon is another one of the anglers that does well either with spinner or fly. Another angler was reported capturing a salmon of around 9-10lbs on Saturday and one was reported lost. There may have been more but to date that is all we have.

Poaching: The summer runs appear to be increasing in line with reports of poaching or suspected poaching. Bailiffs have been monitoring the situation at night down the Clyde estuary at specified areas and at the mouth of the leven. Eddie is looking after the river during the day and helping out at night too when asked. Bailiffing operations have been kept quiet up till now as we are trying to apprehend rather than deter in one particular location where poaching is going on!

Night patrols have been monitoring the loch recently and the patrol boat will be getting used in both the Clyde estuary and out on the loch at night as well, so the bailiffs have their work cut out.

Loch Lomond: Despite the sport on the river leven picking up the loch is still king! On Friday Davy Thomson headed out to fish the loch and within the hour reported landing a salmon of 12lbs. Kevin Gath was speaking to Eddie about prospects and seemed cheered by the news that most fish were running through the leven and into the loch. Armed with added confidence he headed out on the loch and within the hour also reported a salmon landed at 9lbs. he reported shortly after that he had just landed another ! We have since learned that Kevin had also lost another fish! A clear case of being in the right place at the right time. Just confirmed that Bobby McEwan also landed a fresh salmon about 11lbs on Friday.

Saturday 28th June saw Alan Pryce with a nice fish about 12lbs estimated (confirmed 12.5lbs), we are told he also lost one as well. His Brother Scott Pryce also landed a salmon of 11.25lbs. Alans  fish was taken around ptarmigan area. The possibility of more fish caught is likely given the nice conditions throughout the day. Albert Bidulph took another salmon to add to his tally it was 8 or 9lbs.  Denis McLaughlin stopped fly fishing the long point and took out the trolls when he seen a boat go by holding up a 15lbs salmon? We don’t have any more info on that one but it does look as though Saturday was every bit as good as the Friday. Clearly this is the best spring and summer salmon sport loch lomond has seen for many a year. It is fantastic news and will please many of the regular loch anglers.

Alan Pryce with a nice fish around 12lbs caught 28th June 2008 Loch Lomond.

Committee member Duncan Ferguson and Ryan Brady gave the loch another go with the fly on Thursday 26th June (perhaps they should have waited a day!) accompanied by Michael Brady (chairman) as their boatman for the day. They elected to fish the tap end of the loch (boatman’s choice we might add). The thinking behind the selection was the fact that the loch had risen some 7 inches and the endrick Bank area might still be slightly coloured so they decided to head up to Rowchoish and work their way down towards Strathcashel by the evening time. A wind speed of 17 mph plus as the weather forecast was also a deciding factor. They got the wind at Rowchoish but rose nothing and seen nothing. As they worked their way down the loch the various bays and sections were fished with the fly. A heavy fish was seen heaving out of the water just above Ptarmigan Point they reckoned it was at least 16lbs. It did not want any of their flies. They fished the section above the Youth Hostel which is a good area for salmon in the autumn. The conditions were acceptable though somewhat squally winds made it awkward. They never even rose a brownie which was unusual. Lomond is like that at times and you wonder if there are ANY fish in the areas you are fishing? (well there was one large salmon!) but you carry on regardless. Lunch at the Ross isles and a wee break was timely as the wind was becoming very blustery.

The Ross Isles: A nice part of the loch for lunch break. June 2008.

The traditional lunch for most boats on lomond.

The usual sausage and bacon with onions cooked by Young Ryan and fresh coffee made them confident that the second half would be more productive. As usual the seagulls never miss a chance of a tit bit.

Eagle eyed seagulls never miss the opportunity of a snack.

They fish the rocks below Altvoulan Bay and at last there is some activity with a few small fish rising.

Ryan hooks into a hard fighting sea trout below Altvoulan at the point.

Then a beautiful quick head and tail rise to the top dropper sees Ryan into a sea trout. It fought hard and deep never showing or jumping at any time.

Ryan is left to land it himself: The boatman is busy with the camera!

Ryan lands a nice sea trout of 2.5lbs. The best rise he has had on the loch swift and with precision the sea trout nails the bob fly.

Ryan with a nice sea trout from loch lomond June 26th 2008.

armed with confidence they fish the rocks above and below the Carrick Bluff in excellent conditions but not a fin stirs. There last chance at Stathcashel point. they fish hard but nothing. The day is now finished with one fish risen and a few small brownies risen. Well at least the day is not blank.

On Saturday 28th June our Vice chairman had his first day out on the loch in his own boat since his stroke some 16 months ago. It was a milestone achievement. He was accompanied by Michael Brady, his boatman for the day.

A milestone achievement for Peter Lyons after his stroke. June 2008.

They quickly got everything in the boat and headed out to do some fly fishing on the Endrick Bank. Unfortunately the engine warning light came on indicating no water was getting to the engine! A quick row back to base and after a few hours of work the engine was repaired and they were ready once again to get out and get fishing. Conditions were if anything a touch too rough on the bank so they gave up after an hour and headed for the Claddich shoreline. There Peter fished the various parts but nothing seen or risen. Later on with the wind more settled and less fierce they headed back on to the endrick bank and in what they would describe as perfect conditions but alas the fish were not in the mood? Nothing seen or nothing risen, lomond is like that, no man exists (to our knowledge) that goes out on lomond and never blanks. Its all part of the season to be expected on this beautiful loch.

The Committee LLAIA

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River leven: The water board has lowered the barrage gates today Thursday 26th June. This will give weekend water until Monday morning provided the water level does not rise to 26ft in which case the gates will be fully lowered.

This is entirely due to operational reasons within the water board. We get an extra day of weekend water which is good news for most anglers. The loch has risen roughly seven inches since Sunday and possibly rising further again?

The Committee LLAIA

Loch Lomond: The “big loch” was the place to be over the weekend. Three salmon were brought into the VOLDAC HQ. Eric Donaghey got one and Sid Gath also had another salmon. We indicated on an earlier report that Eric had got his sixth salmon. it now transpires that Eric lost a salmon that day rather than land one! Oh well you cant get it right all the time.

Albert Biddulph also had another salmon it weighed about 10lbs. So far as we gather Eric and Sid’s fish were around the 10-11lbs mark and taken up the loch and Albert’s fish was on the Western shoreline. A Balmaha boat also was reported as having caught a salmon. Four salmon off the loch in one day is good going even when the grilse runs are well under way, to hear that four “summer salmon” have been taken is absolutely great news indeed.

Trolling up the tap end of the loch: Nice scenery and good prospects.

Fly Fishing the famous Endrick Bank: To spend a day fly fishing the endrick bank requires someone on the oars if one is to make the best of your days fishing. Duncan Ferguson and young Ryan Brady spent Saturday 21st June doing just that with Michael Brady as the boatman on the oars. With most of the resident salmon likely to be further up the loch this was a risky strategy perhaps, but one their boatman felt offered their best chance of sport and less probability of disturbance from passing trolling boats.

Duncan has his boat moored at Aldochlay at Luss. It is one of the nicer areas on the loch. Luss used to be the busiest angling port on the loch at one time before the Endrick Bank became famous and Balmaha then became much busier at the expense perhaps of Luss.

Aldochlay is a beautiful part of loch lomond:

It was 9.30am as the boat left for the endrick bank. Duncan had a new rod to try out and Ryan was using a 14ft salmon fly rod. As the boat reached the endrick bank the boatman decided it would be a good tactic to row against the south easterly breeze and work our way up through the net bay. In less than 3 minutes Duncan had hooked into a sea trout.

Just started the drift: A sea trout hooked in less than 3 minutes.

The fish fought quite well and gave a good account of itself. The new 11ft 3inch rod held up well.

Young Ryan eager to net the fish for Duncan.

The fish was drawn to the waiting net………..the new fly rod had been duly christened in super quick time.

Duncan pleased as punch with a nice sea trout about 2lbs June 2008

The sea trout is returned to the water. A good start to the day gives both anglers a boost of confidence. The boatman unimpressed tells the two of them to concentrate and remember not to strike unless the line moves. No point in losing a good salmon for a sea trout……we are after salmon.

Both Ryan and Duncan rise a sea trout apiece before the wind starts to ease off and the sun comes out…..time for lunch.

Lunch at Gartocharn: Peace and tranquility with a fish landed. June 2008.

As they sat there immersed in such beautiful surroundings the mind wanders. Michael the boatman remarks that this whole area gives him immense deep inner satisfaction, there is something about this area he cannot describe but it just draws him in like a huge magnet. He declares that he will be fly fishing this area next year onwards from the 1st day of April through to the end of June or thereabouts. It is time to be back on the loch he has missed so much.

They spot an Osprey coming towards them, it’s lazy strange wing flap making recognition from a distance fairly easy. It looks like it has been successful with a fish in its talons.

The Osprey with a successful catch: Loch Lomond June 2008.

The wind starts to get up once more, fed and watered they are ready for the return journey. This time they drift the Net Bay keeping the boat in about six feet of water. A large splash just in line with us but perhaps thirty yards further on a salmon about 15lbs leaps clear of the water. As they get to the spot Ryan rises a fish but it is another sea trout.

Ryan plays a small sea trout on the 14ft fly rod: It still manges to bend the rod though.

The sea trout is about the pound mark and it too is returned. It fought well on the big salmon fly rod whcih allows you to get the bob fly up well away from the boat.

Returning sea trout makes sense as each sea trout returned provides sport for the future.

As they drifted towards the mouth Duncan rose several fish and Ryan rose another fish, they were all sea trout. Then Duncan rose a cracker of a fish which did not touch the flies but came rushing with its back out of the water to have another go. The fish was about 8lbs or so but it was difficult to say whether it was a salmon or a large sea trout. Another fifteen minutes had passed when Duncan rose another fish, it too was a big fish but it never connected. By 6.30pm they decided to call it a day as it looked like the rain was heading their way and the wind was getting up. All in Ryan had landed one and rose another four. Duncan had landed one and rose another nine. Two of them possibly salmon but they were inclined to think they were large sea trout. It was a good day for all and it made a change for Duncan to be fly fishing instead of trolling. We hear he is tying up some more flies for another venture out sometime this week perhaps…….is the boatman available?

The Committee LLAIA.

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UPDATE: LOCH LOMOND
The fish that was reported caught by John Connelly as being 11lbs was actually 20lbs. Thanks to Eddie for this and other reports given. We can only report what we are told in good faith occasionally we get it wrong but that is to be expected when you are relying on information from anglers who themselves might well have been given the wrong information. Sometimes you have to speak to the angler concerned to get the exact information. The email below suggest the fish was caught on Thursday not Wednesday unless there were two 20lbs salmon caught!!! Very unlikely.

An email from a member on Thursday at 8.30pm quote: …..I just came in off the loch, fried by the strong sun which ruined the fly fishing. However I dropped a fish on the troll ( the third time this year) and, more important, I passed a boat - a long green job with a low cuddy, which I think is a Balloch boat, and the guy held up an enormous salmon. It was very deep but he was a bit far away when he signalled the weight. It was either 15lbs ( three open hands) or 20lbs ( four hands) - I could not be sure. They just keep coming which is great.
Cheers, Jim Freeman

Loch Lomond also produced a fish on the Friday, it came into Balmaha but as yet we do not have a name to put to the fish. There were two more salmon brought into Balmaha on Saturday. We were told that one of the fish which was seen by another boat was around 10lbs-12lbs with the other fish being 5lbs. No names as yet to the captors. We mention these fish simply because they have been seen by other angling boats out on the loch.

Duncan Ferguson was out on the loch on last Thursday and trolled up past Cuilness and Rowchoish, he had two good runs but both fish departed once he got the other rods wound in. Reports from a number of boats fishing the loch have indicated that the the upper loch is now holding good populations of salmon. These fish are being seen on a regular basis by the boats mentioned.

The tap end of the loch is now reckoned to be holding a good stock of salmon.

Our Angus MacRitchie went out for a spot of dapping on Saturday but found the strong sun hard going. He did mange to raise a nice sea trout later on when the wind arrived but it was a difficult day for the fly fisher. Not to be beaten though Angus ventured out again yesterday (Wednesday 18th) but the waves at Inch Moan and Cruin were a bit on the rough side the white horses rolling in meant a change of tactics. Angus headed off to Inch Lonaig which in a strong south westerly the wind is at a nice level on the mid bank area. Alas the day ended blank, a better day perhaps for trolling?

Note: We feel it is important for anglers to understand the situation with the sea trout on loch lomond. Although we do get fresh run early sea trout from the beginning of the season onwards the numbers are generally low for that period of the season. What you do get though is sea trout that have spawned and overwintered in the loch right up until late May. These sea trout have began to feed in the loch and are in far better condition than what you would get in most other river systems. Most of these sea trout are returned by anglers. The overwintered fish are largely gone by the middle of June and there is generally a lull in the sea trout fishing until the Glasgow Fair (see leven report) when the fresh run sea trout begin to run the leven again and from then onwards the sea trout runs increase throughout the season.

This Week : The strong winds will have reduced the number of boats out fishing we have yet to hear of any catches but it is generally Friday or Saturday before any catches from Monday onwards filter through.

UPDATE: RIVER LEVEN. There was another salmon of 10lbs caught from the leven by Tony (forgot his surname) at McKinnons during the week. Speaking to a well known angler/caster David Bell, Tony was saying that the fish just head and tailed beautifully and took his lure. He also reported that salmon were moving through the pool.

The vast majority of anglers are just biding their time waiting for the grilse to arrive or perhaps more accurately waiting for rain to raise the water levels. Anyone looking for exclusive fishing on six miles of river with just the odd angler to share then head down the leven during the day from 9am till 6pm on most week days. If you can fish with confidence and fish hard throughout the day you are in with a chance of getting a salmon, most anglers take one look at the water levels and they are in the car heading back home…….such is life.

Once you reach the end of July the grilse start to lie in the river in greater numbers and this builds up as the season progresses. Once this happens anglers start to fish the river on a more regular basis…….thats how it has always been. Though under severe drought conditions who knows? Sea Trout runs: Many years ago most anglers reckoned that the sea trout did not really start to run the leven in decent numbers until the Glasgow fair! so anglers delayed their fishing until then. Though we had a period between 1982- 1985 when the sea trout ran much earlier than normal!

Confidence plays a major part in our fishing armory and with weeks of low water and lets face it plenty of sun most anglers go into depressive mode and give the river a miss.

Loch Lomond on the other hand can be a nice place to go for a wee sail up the loch with a chance of a salmon or sea trout. More anglers this year than for many a year have been fortunate to have hooked into a fish or landed one. Confidence is increased when others you know have met with success. it has been a long time since the loch has fished so well this early on so lets hope it continues.

The grilse runs last year was reckoned to be the best in 20 years according to some of the most experienced anglers that regularly fish the leven. It was also clearly apparent that the grilse runs were extended right through the autumn period.

Strangely though the loch did not appear to reap the benefits of the good runs of grilse last year. The obvious reason was that we had several spates when the main runs are coming through and the fish had decided to head up the rivers instead. Hopefully we will get another good run of grilse and if the weather pattern continues then loch lomond could be the main beneficiary. With last years resurgence in the sea trout runs looking good for a repeat this year, especially with the news about the sea lice treatment (slice treatment) being hailed a big success on the firth of Clyde area the sea trout could also provide excellent sport throughout the autumn right through till the last day of the season.

The Committee of the LLAIA are working hard behind the scenes to ensure that the most important items are dealt with and we continue to move forward. There are hundreds of things to do but never enough time to attend to all the things we would like to attend to. That will always be the case as we are sure it is the case in most other fisheries. Anglers can decide what they want from their fishery in relation to the price they pay for their annual permit. We know we offer excellent value at the current price of a permit all things considered………..

On the loch lomond system we feel we have got the balance about right. In the next few years we will be moving up a gear (or two) and hope to improve the overall quality of sport. The committee is confident that this will result in existing anglers fully backing our moves with the result that the loch lomond system could potentially move up to a greater expectation of sport and subsequently moving up the invisible league table of value for money and quality of fishing it provides.

When that happens there will be NO shortage of newcomers wanting to get a piece of the action hence the increase in the joining fees in the future.

Naturally such moves requires more work and more careful planning. This is taking place……….. RIGHT NOW!

The Committee LLAIA

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The month of June can on occasion be rather quiet in the first half, with the spring run now over and the grilse not due for at least another month. If sightings of fish are to be believed it looks like the runs of fish are continuing to enter the leven.

Loch Lomond: Catches on the loch certainly confirm that the fish are going through the leven.

Sid Gath was reported as landing his first salmon this year and Eric Donaghey landing his sixth salmon so far. With George Fyfe landing a cracking 12lb fresh beauty at Rowchoish on Saturday 7th June and Crag John doing the same on Monday 9th, Craig also lost a fish at Cuilness. Steven Gillfeather landed one at 5lb on the 10th June and John Connelly an 11lb salmon on the 11th June.

In this report we also have several fish caught from the leven in this last couple of days one of them a fish of 5lbs. Grilse is what the vast majority of anglers will say when they hear of this fish being caught, early grilse at that?

In truth without scale sampling no one really knows. Some experts reckon that the fish is more likely to be an early summer fish as evidence suggests the smaller male summer fish run first. In fact it is suggested that these early runners are the fish that spawn with the female springers. Perhaps in time we shall find out….perhaps.

As it is there are reports of small shoals of fish running the river leven and a few hanging about as well. This is encouraging news indeed. We have just had a decent run of springers and it now looks like the summer fish could possibly give us even more sport.

We have been very busy boys of late so not much effort has gone into finding out who has caught what?

On the River Leven on Monday Paul McMahon landed a nice salmon of 8lbs at the Flowers Stream. This was followed up by another salmon taken by Danny Connelly at McKinnons On Tuesday, it weighed 5lbs. Other fish are being seen and some small shoals are being observed moving through the river. So despite the low summer levels, fish are being caught which is good news for the river leven anglers. Reports from one fishing tackle shop that the river leven season permits have sold out has prompted the secretary to get some more permits ready for sale. There was talk earlier in the season that a number of leven anglers had decided not to take leven permits out this year. It would appear that some of them are …..changing their minds, why would that be we wonder? Whatever the reason we are very confident indeed that there will be no shortage of new anglers willing to sample the river leven and realise it it offers much more than what they were used to elsewhere.

The River Leven where in some cases eyesores are being replaced with private housing.

The leven is now a much nicer place to fish than what it was many years ago. Not just because of the work done to improve the bankside by the LLAIA but also because some eyesores are being replaced with …well new private housing which is at least much nicer to look at than what was there before. The Renton area has also improved no end in this respect with old housing being replaced with new housing. pollution used to be major problem on the leven, that too has improved though we continue to get isolated incidents each year in common with most rivers. The River Leven is now simply nicer to fish.

The River Leven: Great streams and pools a fly fishers delight. Now more attractive too.

Despite the qualities of the leven we would suggest newcomers invest in the big ticket and sample the tributaries later on in the season. These spate rivers over this last couple of years have been late to provide good sport but nevertheless even a fortnight on these streams can provide a delightful peaceful break away from the pressures of work.

The River Endrick: Pots of Gartness. A great little stream to fish.

The association now OWNS three stretches on the endrick and leases other stretches, it gives the angler the choice of fishing the larger river or the two smaller streams and loch lomond. We doubt you would find more varied fishing to cater for all tastes and provide a change of scenery or challenge if you are fancy your chances on either water. Some anglers do extremely well on the river leven, they fish it hard and the top six or seven anglers on the leven last year had over 100 salmon between them! It is a similar story on the Endrick and Fruin whereupon the regulars who have got to know these small rivers really well take good catches of fish almost every season. Loch Lomond herself provides the best sport to those that have learned how to fish the loch. Whether you troll or fly fish each has its devotees and no matter what some people will say there is skill in trolling just as there is skill in fly fishing and the consistently successful anglers know what they are doing

Loch Lomond at any time of the season is well worth a try. The great beauty of lomond is exactly that…its beauty.

Naturally some anglers impression of beauty can be different to others. Like wee Geordie Fyfe seen below with a fresh run beauty of 12lbs. which was caught amongst the breathtaking scenery at Rowchoish beneath the Craigroyston slopes on Saturday 7th June 2008.

Wee Geordie Fyfe with a cracking salmon seen here at Balmaha Bay June 2008.

Aye Loch Lomond is hard to beat no matter what anyone says!

The loch is still manging to outfish the leven. More and more anglers are realising the sheer enjoyment of fishing the loch. The fishings season like the leven is a long one on loch lomond and can be as varied as you want it to be. Most anglers start off on the lower reaches from Balloch Castle through the Boturich shoreline up to the Endrick Bank area or perhaps around the western shoreline at the moth of the Fruin and Arden etc. Then later on the boats move up the loch and cover perhaps the Ross Isles though some go right up the loch and as can be witnessed this year they can also catch fresh springers up the loch as well. Once Autumn arrives many of the salmon fishers turn their attention to the sea trout fishing and concentrate around the islands. It is a magical place to fish and to fish in, with sunsets and sunrises that can rival any other place in the world….Aye the lure is upon us.

Loch Lomond: Fly Fishing the islands for sea trout and a possible salmon.

So there goes another report and a few more wee photos to browse through. The committee are very busy just now so we do not know when we can give you another report. We will try but make no promises. There are exciting times ahead for the angler who chooses to fish the loch lomond system in the years ahead. We strongly suggest that if you want to be thanked by your mates then get them to join up this year. Do not wait until later years, it could cost them dearly!

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Loch Lomond: The remaining seven days of the spring salmon fishing season proved rewarding for a number of anglers. Euan McGrandle added to his two fish tally by landing another springer on Monday 26th May during an evening stint it weighed 13lbs. Willie Casey had two fish not one when he was out on the loch during the week. That makes FOUR springers for willie. Top dog for the system was Eric Donaghey with FIVE springers all taken from loch lomond.

We were told by a group of voldac members having a brew up on the loch on the final day that Billy Quinn had taken two springers on the loch mid week either Tuesday or Wednesday we think both fish weighed around 12lbs.

We had a report from elsewhere that a William Thomson had taken a springer off the loch mid week but we spoke to William On Saturday 31st and he was still blank.

Colin McCrory went out on Thursday for a day with the fly. Colin reports it was pretty tough going with the bright sun but he managed to net a clean run sea trout of 1lb 10oz, Colin returned the fish which he does with just about every sea trout he catches.

The bailiffs patrol boat was out on the loch again on the 31st May. It was a warm and sunny day though there was a decent wave on the loch. Most boats had formed small groups and were having extended lunches with some refreshments. It has certainly changed days when it comes to lunches, we are referring to the contents of one’s lunch. Our chairman was having a good chin wag with some of the lads and noticed that one of them was having steak for his lunch! hey what happened to the good old roll and sausage or bacon roll?

Andy Campbell also got himself another springer we are not sure of the weight but it was into double figures anyway. We think it was on Wednesday 28th May.

We did not come across any boats with a salmon on the last day but We did get a report of one taken by a grey coloured boat as he passed two boats trolling down the bank. The fish was reckoned to be 11lbs. We still have no name to put to the fish yet……There was a couple of sea trout taken by trolling and a few of the boats had mentioned that the sea trout fishing was the best it had been for some years now.

River Leven: On the River leven we had a fish by a Mr Bainbridge on the Thursday on the fly it weighed 12lb and was taken at the top end of the river. We also had another fish on Friday by Brian McCaskie it was taken on the fly from the Bonhill Bridge pool. it weighed 11.5lbs.

Well that just about sums the spring fishing season on the loch lomond system. We say spring fishing rather than spring salmon fishing because we had some of the best spring sea trout fishing for some years during this spring. Below we have added the tally up but we are sure there will be a few that are not reported but that is to be expected.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE SPRING SEASON 2008:

River Leven:The season began on 11th February with fairly high water levels right through until the third week in march. The usual kelts were landed but no springers to report. The number of anglers fishing during this part of the season is generally low with only the real die hards coming out to play. We had reports of fish showing in the river during this high water but the likelihood is that on most occasions they were kelts rather than springers but you never really know? A number of sea trout were caught and returned which was most encouraging. The last week in march is usually a good period for a springer on the leven but it was not to be. The water levels and the cold winds were the controlling factors with regard the fishing. Just as the water level started to fall to a nice level near the end of March more rain arrived raising the river height. so not unexpected the river never gave up any springers for February or March.

April on the Leven: The first week passed by quickly with not much to report other than more kelts and more sea trout. Most of the sea trout were caught around the Renton area. News that Eric Donaghey landed the first springer from the system off the loch prompted a brief flurry of anglers on the Monday but the cold weather must have sent them home pretty quickly. The second week saw a good turnout of anglers but it was short lived and the river reverted back to the few who had been fishing it fairly regularly over this period but had yet to connect with springer. The river leven had been fairly high over this period but had now started to fall to a nice level at last. The llaia committee were quick off the ball and organized a river leven clean up. By the middle of the month the water level was really looking quite good. One fish was reported lost at the Bucks which took about sixty yards of line before parting company with the unlucky or lucky angler depending on how you view things. Another couple of fish were reported lost so it was only a matter of time before the first official springer would be taken on the river leven. There was good news as we moved into the end of the second week in April was that Eddie Lees trolling home from a day on the loch had hooked and landed a springer of 16lbs on the River Leven just as he was heading for the voldac HQ. It was now becoming apparent that the springers were not wasting much time in the leven before heading for the loch this year! On the 26th April James McDonald took a springer at the managers it weighed 8lbs. Gordon Pollock also took a springer it weighed 9lbs. Three fish off the river is pretty poor for April by any standards for the leven. To be fair though the number of anglers out fishing was very low. This is normal during cold periods or when the river is very high for instance. The weather could be partly to blame as cold winds seemed to be a major factor throughout the month of April. All the evidence points to the fish having moved through without remaining in the river for anything other the briefest of stops.

May on the leven: We did not have to wait long in May for a springer with Alan Pryce landing one at 11lb. Danny Connelly landed a cracker at the washhouse it weighed 13lb and Jim McDonald got another springer at 11lbs. By the middle of the month another couple of fish had been hooked and lost. On the 10th May there was a great turnout of anglers on the leven which saw one fish lost and about six sea trout landed some of the fish around 3lb. At long last perseverance had paid off for Chic McLean when on the 19th of May he landed two springers on the river they weighed 11.5lbs and 13lbs. Well done they were well earned. On 23rdMay Tom Kirkbride landed a nice springer it weighed 15lb or thereabouts. On the 24th May Craig Johnstone landed one at the double pipes it weighed 10lbs. On the 28th May Mr Bainbridge landed a springer it weighed 12lbs. On the 30th May another fish was caught, this time by Brian McCaskie it weighed 11.5lbs.

The river leven at Bonhill Bridge.

So May proved a much better month for the leven with nine springers landed. The spring total for the leven stood at 12 springers. If we ignore the very poor run experienced just about everywhere last year (2007) then we can compare it with 2005 and 2006. In that light it was a poor year for the leven. Anyone with any semblance of knowledge will tell you that some years are better than others irrespective of fish runs whilst some seasons are better largely because of increased runs! The river leven anglers for a number of years now have come to expect the leven to outfish the loch! Not this year though and by a large margin at that. So we can conclude that for a wee change the loch man has enjoyed good sport at the expense of the leven anglers. You pays your money and you take your chance.

Loch Lomond: To save time and space we will gloss over the sea trout fishing. Suffice to say the sea trout during the spring of 2008 has been better than many a year and it is massively encouraging as we feel it is likely to be so throughout the rest of the year. We will be doing a committee report shortly with exciting news so we will touch on the upsurge on the sea trout in that report.

On loch lomond throughout the opening period to about the third week in March there were few boats launched. Those that were out were surprised with the number of kelt sea trout hooked as well as fresh sea trout were being taken on the trolls fairly regularly. The cold winds certainly made the loch an inhospitable place to be in the prevailing conditions. One boat that was out from Arden had hooked what they were certain was a fresh springer on the Western shoreline and another boat (friends of Jimmy Raeburn) had also hooked into what they were sure was a fresh springer on the Eastern shoreline. There were reports of fish been seen jumping in the loch but they could have been kelts? So March passed without any springers taken off the loch.

April: We felt it was the loch that was going to produce the first springer and the more we moved into April the more confident we were of the first being taken off the loch. Eric Donaghey landed the first springer in the first week it weighed 11lbs or thereabouts. Matt and his son Alan Stewart reported seeing fresh springer jumping just off Inch Murrin. It was disappointing that a few more did not follow but perhaps the higher water levels encouraged the fish to enter the endrick. As the water levels dropped down the loch was looking good as most lomond regulars will tell you the loch fishes much better when it is low rather than high. We still only ended up with one springer for April though!

Balloch boats showed the Balmaha boys how it was done this spring season.

May: Alastair Bruce landed a springer of 10lbs and Alan Robinson landed one at 8lbs. Alastair McMillan landed a springer guestimate 12lbs. Jim Freeman landed a nice fish it weighed10.5lbs. Eric Donaghey landed another springer of 10lbs and Frank Donnelly also took a springer of 9lbs. By the middle of the month the catches were steadily improving. Albert Biddulph took a springer on the Saturday along the west shoreline opposite the Fruin, it weighed 8lb. Fish were reported hooked and lost in several parts of the loch.

Euan McGrandle took a cracking 16lbs springer on the Monday 19th May it was quickly followed by another the next day it weighed 9.5lbs. Euan also returned a cracking sea trout. Willie Casey took two springers mid week followed by another springer from Eric Donaghey. Frank Donnelly took another springer it weighed 7lbs. Andy Campbell also landed a springer and Eric Donaghey landed his fourth springer. Willie Casey took another two springers and Eric Donaghey took another springer making five springers for Eric and four for Willie Casey. Over the May holiday period Alan Raeburn landed a springer weighing 10.5lbs as did Peter McLean. We have since learned that Billy Quinn took two springers off the loch. Manus Shannan took a springer. it weighed 10lbs.Donald McKellor landed a beauty at 15.5lbs. Kevin Gath took springer at 12lbs. Andy Campbell took another springer. Euan McGrandle took another springer (his third) it weighed 13lbs. There is another boat on the last day that took a salmon it was witnessed by another two boats.

By our counting that is 28 springers for May taken on loch lomond. The best for some years now and just fails to make the magic thirty figure by one! if you count the one fish taken in April.

So we had 12 springers from the river leven and 29 springers from loch lomond. We also had numerous sea trout caught by our members and permit holders, the best also for some years.

That will do just nicely for the loch lomond system in 2008…………SO FAR!

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We can confirm that Frank Donnelly had another fish on Monday 26th May it weighed 7lbs. Andy Campbell our from Balloch also had a springer and Eric Donaghey landed his FIFTH SPRINGER so far this season with a fresh springer on Tuesday as did Willie Casey. Not sure exactly where the fish were caught but one boat said Eric’s fish was caught at Portnellon just before the point and Willies fish was taken at the Ross Priory though someone else said it was taken further up the loch? Looks like it is a guess wherever it was caught! We will settle for Loch Lomond and leave it at that.

Update Willies fish was taken at the net bay.  fellow Balmaha boat watched as he played the fish. Here is a wee photo of a boat trolling at Ross Priory.

A Balmaha boat trolls around the Ross Priory hoping for a springer

There are a mere three days to go till the end of the spring salmon fishing season. So we might see yet another couple of fish caught?

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It is difficult to imagine with the fish being caught that we are still effectively talking about the first part of the season the spring season. We still have the summer fishing and the autumn sport to come!

The loch lomond system is on the “West Coast” of Scotland and as such cannot ever compare with the East coast when it comes to spring salmon fishing. There are relatively few rivers on the west coast that receives spring fish and even fewer that have a sufficient run of springers to make it worthwhile to fish for!

So the loch lomond system is special in that we still get a reasonable run of springers as well as early sea trout runs that make the lomond system that bit more special than most other places. Choice is always a good thing and this is where you can be literally spoilt for choice. Enjoy!

Articles tips and tricks: Dont forget to take a wee look at the newest article in the web. This is the second part of the sprat article and shows you how to make your own sprat mounts and how to fish the sprat.

River Leven: Craig Johnstone usually fishes the loch, but this year his mate has ordered a new Sweeney boat and Craig whilst waiting for the launch day decided to give the leven a try. Arriving at 11am on Saturday (24 th May) might not give yourself the best chance, but he felt confident anyway and like the look of the river. He was fishing the Double Pipes stretch and was casting under the trees on the other side( all overhanging trees have been pruned recently) using a mepps spinner and by 1pm hooked a fresh seal liced 10lb springer which he landed. Craig said he would send us a photo which we will put on the web once we get hold of the photo. Well done!

The early morning and late evening periods and the hour before and hour after high tides are always worth a try on the leven BUT as Craig’s fish demonstrates there are times when you miss out the expected poorer periods and in doing so miss out on the opportunity of a fish. The way to avoid this is to just fish the whole day and see what happens. Salmon fishing can at times be more about perseverance than anything else!

We did not hear of any fish taken on the holiday Monday on the river but there was very few anglers out! The bright scorching sun put off most anglers and the rest were probably out with the wife letting her know she really is important in the greater scheme of things.

Loch Lomond: In our last report we covered Saturdays sport so now we cover the Holiday Mondays sport on Loch Lomond. Considering the weather we have been having with bright sunshine the norm, it is amazing we have anything to report over this last week or so.

Alan Raeburn went out on the Holiday Monday. Trolling down the endrick bank he hooked into a fish and soon landed a sea liced springer of 10.5lbs.

Alan Raeburn with his 10.5lb springer: Loch Lomond 26th May 2008

The photograph was taken by Peter McLean a friend of Alan and his brother Jim. Alan suggested to Peter he take a troll down the bank and see what happens. Peter had reached the Claddich Point when suddenly, shocked and excited one of the rods screamed and he was into a fish! We can report he successfully landed an 8lbs springer, it too was fresh with sea lice. Peter McLean is a fairly new recruit to the ranks of lomond having just joined last year so he was more than just pleased when he landed his fish.

We have heard of another two springers taken off the loch yesterday in addition to the two mentioned here. We will update the report once we find out who the captors were but we believe one of the fish was from another balmaha boat.

A balloch boat trolls down the Claddich shoreline.

A few more sea trout were also caught even though the conditions were scorchingly bright.

Surely we have now reached the climax to a very satisfying spring season? We will let you know

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