Riverdancing Tobys, Salmon And Lomond (Page 1).

This is not the only way, it is only my way. I offer it for the guidance of the novice and for dissection by the veteran. When I started fishing Lomond in 1980 I found that the well known successful anglers of the day were all willing to share their methods and were keen to pass on their experience. At that time men like Alan Dunlop, Ray Armstrong, the McGrandle brothers, Michael Brady, Peter Stewart, etc, were all Balmaha regulars and all unselfishly passed on to me their hard won knowledge. All I had to do was ask.
Even so, success in the early years was sparing and I have often wondered how many keen Lomond novices give up in their formative years when even a small amount of advice and encouragement might have resulted in another life member of the "Faithful Few".
Here then is my version of "the knowledge", leaning heavily on the experience and advice of those mentioned above, although I am sure even they wouldn't agree with all of it.

My Introduction
I first became a regular Lomond fisher in 1980, shortly after reading Bill McEwans book "Angling on Lomond", and have spent the last 27 years trying to perfect the art of capturing Lomonds salmon. Whilst still by nature a fly fisherman, I learned early that many opportunities, and a large part of the season would be lost if I restricted myself to only one fishing method.
Trolling was the principal method which gave the opportunity to catch salmon in the spring months prior to the arrival in June of the main seatrout runs and the best of the fly fishing, and I therefor took the first tentative steps using a method which has now become practically an obsession. In the process I have learned and developed many invaluable techniques, but am still constantly amazed at the number of regular Lomond anglers who continue to think that trolling consists merely of throwing 3 assorted lures over the side and going for a sail.

Trolling
Trolling for salmon is a traditional method of fishing associated with only a few large Scottish lochs, typically Lomond, where over the years it has been developed into a specialised form. It has relatively few serious devotees, and reliable information on methods, equipment and techniques is limited. Trolling invariably requires specialised equipment, which is expensive both to obtain and maintain, and there are few anglers who have either the opportunity or the inclination to experiment to the extent that they become proficient and obtain consistent results. Any angler can throw three assorted baits out the back of a fishing boat and delude themselves that they are trolling. They may occasionally even catch a fish.

In reality the results obtained are usually commensurate with the amount of preparation, time and effort invested in learning about the method, and in putting that information into practice. Trolling is not the “easy option” usually depicted and requires as much, if not more, skill than fly fishing to achieve regular success. At certain times of the season it is the only method likely to succeed, and carried out by the experienced local angler, it is a completely different thing from the "chuck and chance it" efforts of the beginner.
To be successful nothing can be left to chance. Everything must be working to the peak of efficiency, from the boat engine to the swivels. The slightest defect in either tackle or equipment can cause the loss of the only fish of the day. The slightest deviation from the correct depth can mean missing the only takeable fish on that particular shore. There are so many things that have to go well to obtain consistent results that it seems a miracle that any fish are caught at all.

It is, however, an unbeatable way to learn about Lomond, together with the opportunity to meet other like minded anglers only too willing to share a brew up, a dram, information or, in the case of the novice, much needed advice.

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