September

02nd September

Yesterday morning was busy at the top end of the river. As I was walking down I saw an angler at the Chapel hole playing a fish. He duly landed it and it was estimated to be 11lbs. Robert Kane was the happy angler. He took it on the worm and it was his first salmon. Slightly coloured with no signs of disease. At the run above the Bonhill pool a young angler hooked a lively grilse on a single handed rod which gave him a good fight before being netted. Aron Malloy was the delighted angler and it was his first salmon, again no sign of disease. Brian McCaskie caught and returned a 4.5lbs grilse to the Bonhill pool. It had a reddened anus but otherwise good looking with sea lice on it. There must have been other catches because the river was showing fish almost wherever you looked! An e-mail from Malky in reference to Friday.

Robbie

Finally managed to land a fish, having lost 4 in the last month. Fish was an 8 1/2 Lb fresh cock fish, and in excellent condition, it took a size 12 allies. Caught it in the run above Ritchies, ably landed by Colin Smith.

Fished most of the day and couldn't believe the number of fish I saw from Bonhill Bridge down to the Renton. The most I have seen in one day for years. Some are starting to colour, but there are still a lot of fresh fish out there.

Malky

One more in reference to Friday.

Dear Robbie,

I am delighted to tell you that I caught a 4 lb Grilse this morning in the Renton area. After last years blank season I feel I am back on form.

On a size 12 Ally Shrimp off a floating line. The fish was in perfect tide condition with Sea Lice. I was not sure whether to keep it or not as I could not determine if it had the parasite or not. So I took a quick pic with my mobile phone and opted for the Malky.

On gutting I noticed small spiral objects in the gut but no excessive reddening at the rear vent (which is posh for anus.)

Ralph

And yet another e-mail . This time from Jimmy Johnstone in reference to Friday.

Hi Robbie,

 just to let anglers on the Leven I have removed one man trap from the river bed, alas it was only after I joined Sid's club, tonight at 20:30 hrs. I was fishing the fly at the chestnut tree bellow the laid on the craft stream was wading down when my foot got caught on something bellow tried to get free only to get other foot caught, splash!! yep right under, lucky the water was low or it could have been nasty. I got to bank composed myself and returned to river and pulled out a wire fencing with six by six squares on it perfect for catching the unaware angler.. I am ok but I think my phone is going to need some care. needless to say I could not continue to fish a wasted evening, I dragged the wire to the car park and put it at the side of the steps, hope it stays there.. 

Jimmy-j

A lucky escape. A regular angler on the Loch has told me that the Chairman was on the Loch yesterday. I assume he was checking tickets and seeing if everyone was wearing life jackets. Yesterday morning an angler told me that there was a diesel spillage at McKinnons. I tried phoning Sepa but being a Saturday it was closed. Hopefully the water level won't fall to summer low on Monday. Apart from poor fishing conditions it means that any hope of the water authorities being generous in the water levels will have wrongly been placed. On a more pessimistic note - if that was possible - when was the last time that the anglers saw anyone in a wheelchair fishing the river? It is a while since I last saw one. I believe that wheelchair access should be provided by the Association under health and safety regulations. Not much chance of a disabled angler fishing the river when the banks are mostly like THIS. Thanks to all for their contributions which are needed to keep the site interesting.

03rd September

This afternoon the river level fell to summer low. I didn't receive any reports of fish being caught but fish were still showing. Perhaps the night time sea trout anglers will lucky. It looks as if the water authorities are doing what the usually do. Pleasing themselves! Thanks to Jack for the information.

04th September

The LLAIA has had another up date, 04th September, which attacks my good self and is factually inaccurate

The Water Board have to be thanked for their efforts in this respect. It is far easier for them to stick to their legal statute and operate as they please. The vast majority of decent minded association members and leven permit holders will appreciate this, others who infer the water board are pleasing themselves are misguided individuals with their own destructive agenda.

Below is useful information for those who are not familiar with the water levels on the loch, re- river leven relationship.
Water Board Statute: Compensation water.

Compensation water levels during the week days Monday to Friday (Friday early morning) ……………………132 million gallons of water. This is what we know as “Summer Low”

Compensation water levels at the weekend i,e, freshet level 235 million gallons. This is what we know as “The weekend height”

There is an inherent contradiction in the above.

The Water Board has metal plates going down the slipway just below the Barrage Gates.

Plate one = 350 million gallons

Plate two = 235 million gallons

Plate three = 185 million gallons

Plate four = 157 million gallons

Plate five = 132 million gallons (Compensation level)

The compensation height is the weekend level. This compensates the anglers for enduring the level during the week which is known as summer low. The level today is summer low. Not compensation height. You can't have two compensation levels. See the SEPA site and come Friday the river will - without rain - rise to weekend height which means that the anglers have been compensated. He completely ignores the fact that the water board were - in his statement a few days ago - going to operate the Loch at four inches lower than usual which meant that there would have been an even better water level to enjoy. He implies, wrongly, that the anglers have been enjoying good water levels for several seasons thanks to an agreement brokered by Tommy Walker. Occasionally there has been better levels but it has been far from the norm. The water authorities have largely pleased themselves which the regular anglers on the river are well aware of. He is putting a smoke screen in place. As to the " misguided individuals with their own destructive agenda." I will ignore the jibe and the anglers can make up their own mind who better fits that comment. Other pressing matters such as cutting of the banks and disabled access have been completely ignored. Today I looked at figures for last season and by my calculation the Association received from river anglers between £35.000 and £40.000. Do we get value for money? You betcha we don't!

Up-date

More nonsense from the LLAIA.

The water level was at PLATE TWO on Monday morning before the gates were raised. It had been at PLATE TWO since Friday.

On Monday 3rd September 2007 the water board raised the gates and the water level fell to Plate two, which represents 235 million gallons per day. At this level, it is well above the summer low water levels. In fact this is what the water board refer to as “weekend freshet” level.

The loch level as of yesterday was around the 25ft 3inch -25ft 4inch level. This is EXACTLY in line with their agreed guidelines between llaia and the water board.

The new agreement guidelines launched several years ago between llaia and Scottish Water, thanks to Tom Walker (llaia member) for all his efforts in this respect, has been acted on throughout this period.

Here is the proof that they are talking nonsense Click on the Sepa link which clearly shows the river level at summer low yesterday A close look states that the date is 3rd September and the information was recorded at 03.00hrs on the 4th September. The higher horizontal line on the Graph represents weekend level  - PLATE TWO - and the drop represents summer low. If this is "weekend freshet" level perhaps they can tell the anglers what level  is the river going to be at when the gates are lowered on Friday and approximately eight inches of water will be added to the water level? I have been reporting river levels in tandem with Jack Ferguson for around five seasons now. Jack is very knowledgeable on the river levels. He saves and prints the Sepa charts on an almost daily basis. Old saying when in a hole stop digging! If their new site is to be taken seriously they will have to start telling the truth.

05th September

The LLAIA are now backtracking on their statement that the river is at weekend height. See their site for an explanation. This morning I visited the river and took an image of the five markers on the slipway. The marker on the left - nearest the Barrage - is number one and the one at the right hand side is number five where the water is lapping it. The five markers are there to be seen. The one on the right hand side represents summer low. The weekend height is the marker second from the left. When the water authorities operate the gates a worker can be seen looking over the railing and judging water height by the markers. The problem about stating that the level is at weekend height is that it will encourage salmon anglers to visit the river and they will be disappointed, to say the least, at the low level which few of them are happy to fish. Conversely the night time sea trout anglers will be put off visiting the river because many of them think they can only catch fish at summer low. In a nut shell two sets of anglers will be pissed off! To reiterate the river is at summer low, the lowest it can go and the lowest it has been this season. There are however fish still showing but starting to turn coloured. The Chairman was observed looking ruefully at the water level above the Bonhill bridge at 12.30hrs. One wonders what was going through his mind?

Up-date

The LLAIA has held an enquiry into their wrong reporting of the water levels in the past two days and the outcome is that the chairman isn't to blame for anything. There is a list of others who are carrying the can. The continual listing of "millions of gallons" going down the river means nothing to the anglers. For an accurate understanding of river heights consulting the Sepa charts is a must and none of the charts in the last few days match up with the LLAIA version of what happened. As to the "agreement" with the water board the anglers can make up their mind as to accuracy of the Association's claims. As to 

Guilt perhaps, or being caught out telling lies again?

Coming from a past master who has for years peddled half truths and exaggerations in the Trout&Salmon to sell tickets to unwary anglers to boost the coffers is laughable. The laughter coming from the anglers is loud and clear. He cannot for one second deny that he is guilty of the above assertion. In respect to the Chairman my conscience is clear. I host a forum to give the anglers a voice that he and his Association deny them. He should listen to them instead of ridiculing them and treating them with contempt. They are voicing their anger at him and he is deaf in respect to their complaints. If they could vote he would be long gone.

06th September

The Association has a news letter in circulation part of which 

states "For private circulation only" For anglers on the Leven it is an eye opener if they can find a copy. There is one statement, among many, that they might find incredulous.

Quote

No amount of money could ever compensate me for the unpaid time and sacrifices I have made over the years and never have I taken or wanted anything from the association or its members in return for my dedication. A simple thank you is all I have ever asked for....

Unquote

To me he is stating that he has never asked for or received money from his efforts Personally I don't know  if this is true or not. But if there are any anglers that can  prove otherwise I would be happy to hear from them and no doubt it would be disastrous for the Chairman.

In respect to disabled access on the Leven I have received some interesting feedback. Last season I think there were at least sixteen disabled season tickets sold by the LLAIA. I have in recent days walked from Balloch down to McKinnons looking for places on the bank that could have been seen as access points for the disabled and more importantly signs stating that. I believe that there is a statuary need to provide such places and signs I have received an e mail that states other venues have had legal action taken against them If an accident were to happen then a chunk of the money the LLAIA have in the bank would disappear. Hopefully someone from the LLAIA can say where these access points exist, now or in the past. There are other issues that need to be addressed but that will come in due time. I await the response from the LLAIA and anglers with great anticipation

07th September

The gates were lowered this morning and the level rose to weekend height. There are fish showing throughout the river but they don't seem to be interested in taking anything that is chucked at them. I don't have any positive reports only one or two unsubstantiated rumours. No reports of night time sea trout fishing despite the fact that the river is "experiencing the best runs for several seasons." The last part was stated elsewhere. Maybe tomorrow!

Up-date

This site has been reporting water levels for five seasons now without complaint. The LLAIA in the last week have attempted to do so. A bad start was made which ended in an apology They have another update today.

The water board have adjusted the barrage gates today. The river is now at “weekend freshet level”

The water board worker is now reading the level at it should be read. Number five plate is the lowest plate with number one plate being the highest up the tow path. We would much prefer the water board to fit a water level marker at the upper barrage area that corresponds with the loch level when it is at 26 ft. This would avoid others making statements that are untrue, the water level marker could consist of a red line when the loch is at 26ft and could easily be read by all concerned.

The marker plates is sitting at plate number 2.

Can anyone state what the last sentence means? I spoke to the water worker today at 09.30 when he arrived at the Barrage and he assured me that they have been reading the plates correctly! After all they have been doing it for years. I won't say anymore because it would be embarrassing.

09th September

I wasn't on the river yesterday, too nice a day! However I have received two reports. First up is from Friday.

Dear Robbie,

I am delighted to tell you that I caught a 6 lb Grilse this afternoon in the Renton area

on a size 12 Cascade off a floating line. The fish was in good condition.

I covered it on Monday in the low water and it would not take. This afternoon the height is a good weekend level and it took with gusto the first time I covered it.

 It’s is amazing the difference a good water level makes or is that just stating the bleeding obvious!

 Regards,

Ralph.

and another from yesterday

Robbie

Just a quick note to let you know I got a 6Lb fish late this afternoon (Saturday) in Ritchie's. Fish was fairly fresh and I caught it on a small cone head tube, fished with a size 16 treble. Plenty of fish still showing.

Malky

Thanks for the reports. For the benefit of any doubters out there this site is NOT anti LLAIA. A strong LLAIA is a necessity otherwise there would be anarchy. The way that it is run is the concern of most anglers on the river. This is their only voice. The feedback to the site is about 95% positive. There are of course supporters of the Chairman. That is their prerogative and they are welcome to air their views here. It would give a more balanced slant to the site.

10th September

Today, as expected, the gates were raised and the water level fell towards summer low. I haven't received any reports of fish being caught today. I don't expect there will have been many anglers on the river because of the bright conditions. Despite there being reports of good runs of sea trout I haven't received news of nocturnal catches. Back to the Doldrums?

13th September

This morning I walked from the Renton along the river down to the Slaughter house pool. There weren't any anglers fishing from McKinnons round to the Boat pool. At the Grassy bank in the field I met Jim Conroy who was spinning. He told me that he had visited the river on several nights fly fishing for sea trout without success. The river had been busy but catches were scarce. An other angler fishing below the Blue bridge was fishing the grub but said that he hadn't fared well despite fish showing. At the Stane  hut, slightly further down, I met George McCreadie with a grilse. It was a hen fish about 6lbs and wasn't showing too many signs of colouration. He had caught a 5lbs cock fish yesterday. Both fish were caught above the Blue bridge on a flying C which had lost it's black sheath but he had decided to fish on with it. George had dedicated the fish to Mark Gibson. He was at pains to tell me that Mark hadn't caught a fish this season! The grilse caught yesterday had been gutted and a worm was evident. For anyone who hasn't fished this area this season there has been a few changes due to the winter flooding. The river at the Grassy bank is deeper and some of it has fallen into the river. There is a big pool above the Blue bridge. Previously it had been below the bridge but silted up. Near to the Stane hut the river is a lot deeper and last but not least the banks further down at the Golf course have fallen into the river making it dangerous to walk along the path, especially after dark. Further down is almost stagnant in the summer low water. There are one or two stretches worth ago in the low water but IMHO most are too slow for reasonable fishing. Conversely the Back Stream is deeper and faster and looks like it could hold fish. Anglers should do what I did and have a look see and make up their own mind.

14th September

This morning the gates were lowered and the river level rose to a higher than normal weekend height. Possibly three or four inches above the level the anglers normally enjoy. There is rain forecast for the weekend, so next week could be good? Unfortunately no further reports of catches has come my way. There are still fish being seen so higher water levels should be a help except if you are a nocturnal sea trout angler.

15th September

The forum will be down for forty eight hours for maintenance.

17th September

This morning the water level was above the height that the gates are normally lowered completely. About 11.00hrs the water level dropped to plate one height. This was a cause for concern but almost immediately the level rose to above what it had been earlier. The possible reason was that I observed someone working at the Barrage, possibly maintenance work. The level is now several inches above plate one height and could change later in the day, if so an up date will be posted. It is arrant nonsense to suggest ( read the LLAIA site ) that reporting of water levels on this site will mean that the water board out of spite will change their policy in respect to water levels. This site has been reporting water levels for five seasons without any change in the water authorities attitude. If anything the water authorities are upset because the LLAIA stated that one of their workers couldn't read the plates correctly! Nuff said. An e mail from Jim Craig.

Hi Robbie,

message to inform you that i managed to land a salmon of 6Lbs on the fly (silver stoat) at the bonhill bridge at10:30 am this morning. The fish was tailed by Hugh Quinn and was kept. Unfortunately no picture to forward to you. Thanks Jim Craig

John McMillan has informed me that he caught two fish on Saturday. One 7lbs and the other 5lbs. Both caught within twenty minutes of each other on the flying C at the Stuckie bridge. Chic had a 7lbs hen  fish on Saturday morning on the brown floating devon which he returned and another good fish was lost on the flying C. The anglers on the river know which site to trust in respect to reports and the sniping from the LLAIA won't change their minds!

19th September

At 11.00 hrs I spoke to the water authorities worker at the Barrage and he told me that the Loch height was 26ft and he would be lowering all the gates and it would probably be Friday that they would be raised again. At 13.00 hrs the river level was about four inches above the closing height so it could be Monday before the gates are raised, or even longer if there is rain. I was talking to an angler this morning who told me that he and others had been hooking grilse in the wee small hours. The grilse seem to be still in the river. An angler yesterday told me that he had caught one at the Pikey on the fly and another was caught at the Glebe. On Monday Rab Melville caught a salmon about 8lbs. There have been other catches but details are sketchy. There seems to be evidence of netting at the estuary. I believe that the Association found a net. Hopefully this isn't a sign of the times and it is an isolated incident. I am still experiencing problems restoring the forum. I am waiting for a back up database from my internet provider. At the very worst I can start again ( not the end of the world ) but never fear, it will arise from the ashes!

22nd September

The river level is now four inches above the closing height and the water temperature is 56 degrees Fahrenheit. The middle of the week seemed very quiet in respect to catches but it changed at the end of the week. This morning at 10.30hrs an angler caught a 6lbs cock fish at the Glebe corner on the fly. A fish about 6lbs was caught at the Double pipes on the worm which was returned and Chic caught a good fish which was reputed to be fresh run with sea lice on it. There was one or two other sightings of fish caught but I don't have details. Yesterday Chic caught a 6lbs hen fish on the floating devon which was returned. Alec McElwee caught a 6lbs cock fish on the worm which was also returned and Andy McElwee lost two fish, one about 10lbs and the other about 4lbs on the worm. Keith Adams lost a fish. Keith has yet to catch one this season but I am sure it won't be long! At the Top pool Dunky Campbell caught a 6lbs salmon on the worm and big Frank caught a coloured fish on the floating devon which he returned. Alun Pryce caught a 7lbs coloured fish from the Chapel hole on the flying C which he returned and a hen fish from the Top pool on the floating devon which was also returned. An e mail from Graham Dunsmore.

Hi Robbie,
Not many sea trout of note reported I guess this season, so thought this one worth reporting.
Taken this morning (21st) down Dumbarton end. 4lb 1oz, taken on a gold head black nobbler fished off a floating line. Probably my biggest Leven sea trout and real nice for a september fish.
Although numbers of sea trout seem to be low, what is encouraging this year is the excellent condition of the fish caught. The lice infested fish of a few years ago seem to be gone, hopefully for good!
Cheers
Graham Dunsmore

A nice fish indeed! I have no doubts that there will be more fish caught today. Hopefully I will receive more up dates. Thanks to everyone for their efforts.

24th September

More news from Saturday. The cock fish caught at the Glebe corner was taken By Kevin McCormick on a loop tube, black and yellow and it had sea lice on it though it was starting to turn coloured. Unfortunately it had a worm in it's gut. The angler who caught the fish, about 6lbs, at the double pipes also caught a 8lbs clean hen fish which was kept. A young angler caught his first salmon, about 6lbs, on the wasp grub. Rab Haining caught a 12lbs fish, which turned out to be a farmer, on the devon at the Renton. Paul McEwan caught a 5lbs fish on the worm at the Top pool and Mark Gibson had a hen fish about 13lbs on the floating devon. And last but not least Chic lost a good fish on the fly. Thanks to all for their up dates. This is what makes the website. The reports are realistic but not pessimistic as one or two individuals working for the LLAIA are stating on the river banks. The optimistic reports tend to be exaggerations as seen in the T&S in recent seasons. The latter drives visiting anglers from the river when they find out the truth! As to returning fish, coloured or not, the LLAIA would like them to be returned. They should have the courage of their convictions and make it compulsory, but that might mean a loss of revenue?

Up-date

On the introduction page I have added a link for knots. If the image of a particular knot is clicked then an animated version of that knot can be viewed. It obviously makes it easier to follow the instructions. An outstanding site!

25th September

I wasn't on the river yesterday but I have received reports of catches.  Early morning seemed to be quiet up until 11.00hrs - an hour before the tide - and then fish started coming off. The double pipes in particular done well. Ten or eleven fish were taken off the river. Chic caught a 7bs cock fish, described as a bar of silver, on the fly. I believe that his tally is now thirteen. Peter Jordan caught two on the worm, both 6lbs. Alec McElwee caught two on the worm and Andy McElwee caught another on the worm. Sizes of fish unknown. Jim Campbell caught a 5.5lbs fish on the fly at the Chestnut tree on a Orange pot belly pig. Another angler by the name of John caught a fish, on a Cascade fly, above the Double pipes, which was described as a bar of silver with sea lice. I spoke to Rab Haining this morning and he told me that the farm fish he caught on Saturday could have been mistaken for a springer such was the bright colour of the fish, but the tail was ragged. There were others caught but I don't have any details. I was told that O'Briens sold a lot of day tickets, possibly because it was a holiday and probably because news of catches had circulated the river. This will be good news because sale of day tickets has been slow recently. This morning was reasonably busy but there weren't any reports of catches at the top end before 13.00hrs. The water level is now four inches above the closing height so it will probably be Friday that the gates are raised. Thanks to all for their information. There are rumours circulating the river that the LLAIA want a four man committee to be set up to represent the angling interests on the Leven. The work will be unpaid. Surprisingly there isn't any mention of it on their website. I think that they will struggle for volunteers. One of the tasks is to organize the cutting of the banks. Is this an admission that the banks are in need of a trim?

27th September

It looks as if the cold and bright weather of the last two days have affected the catch rate. It puts off some anglers but others will persevere. Talking of perseverance Jon Hammerman has sent me not one but two images of a salmon caught on the fly above the Double Pipes on Monday. It certainly looks a good specimen and shows that not all the salmon are coloured. Thanks Jon. It is images like this that I have been posting for the last six seasons that helps keep the site popular.

Up-date

I have received an e mail that is hard to believe. A rumour is going around the river that the Chairman has went ahead with the purchase of the video camera at the cost of £17.000 and has been seen on the Loch using it. The camera is a Steadicam, something that most people including myself probably haven't heard of. As stated it is a rumour. If the information isn't true then I will happily inform the anglers of the false and malicious nature of the rumour. That is if the LLAIA issue a denial stating that they haven't purchased the camera and the cost isn't £17.000, or somewhere in the region and it hasn't come from the Association's funds? It could be that the Chairman has bought it out of his own pocket which means that a strong denial should be forthcoming. Personally I don't believe the rumour and look forward to posting some rebuttal.

28th September

The gates weren't raised this morning. There is still an inch of water above the closing height so it looks like Monday that they will be operated. This morning there weren't any reports of fish being caught at the top end of the river. Yesterday Brian McCaskie caught a grilse about 4lbs which, wasn't in good condition, on a 1/2 inch copper tube silver stoat's tail fly from the Bonhill pool. The fish was returned. Chick had a 8.5lbs fish on the fly on Wednesday evening. Otherwise nothing to report! At noon time someone optimistically asked when the "backend runs" would be starting? The answer was that there hadn't been any for several seasons, probably the early nineties was the last run. The fish are now residents but some of them will be silver looking up until the end of the season but most will be coloured. As to when the forum will be up and running? 1&1 promised a backup database base this morning within three days but I am not holding my breath. One other solution is to attempt a repair myself but that is problematic. The final solution is that next week I will sign up with an other provider but that will mean a fresh start and all the information will be lost. For certain by the end of next week the forum will be live again. I have learned lessons which will be useful for the future!

29th September

My last up date has brought a swift reaction from the LLAIA. In respect to "backend runs" I was quoting an ex Bailiff with more than twenty five seasons of fishing experience on the river who fishes the river mostly on a daily basis, not someone who lives thirty miles from the river and very rarely visits it! Experienced anglers on the river define "backend" fish as fish that are silvery coloured, usually larger than grilse and run the river in the last month of the season and into November. The fish in the river at the moment are mostly grilse that are now residents and are colouring up. These are not backend fish as most anglers know it. Never the less they are worth fishing for. The comments in the last up date stand!

Quote ... Ultimately this action will lead to a loss of income which will mean either less resources put into the leven or much higher annual leven permit prices ... Unquote

Would the chairman please state what resources are going into the Leven at the moment? Bailiffing is system wide and doesn't count. The low expenditure should mean a reduction in permit prices!

Quote ... We wonder what all the leven anglers will think of this website owner when they realise the damage he is doing to their river. The man has a destructive agenda and our message to him and his tiny band of followers…..go elsewhere you are no longer welcome on our waters ... Unquote

The band of followers make up the majority of anglers on the river and if they went then it would have a severe impact on finances. I have fished the river for over thirty years and unless my ticket is withdrawn then I will continue to do so! It is sad that the Chairman has instructed the Bailiff, who is a decent and hard working guy, not to talk to me. Ironically some of the fishing up dates on the LLAIA site have come from me via the Bailiff. Last but not least in the last up date I printed information regarding the purchase of a video camera. There hasn't been any feedback from the LLAIA on this expenditure of £17.000 and more. Has this camera been bought? If so how can the Chairman justify spending the angler's hard earned cash from ticket sales on this folly? Has it got a wrist strap, waterproofed and insured against ending up on the bottom of the Loch. I believe the last camera wasn't insured. Will the camera remain the property of the Association and not the Chairman? This comes at a time when money needs to be spent on the Leven. The destructive element is at the top of the Association and most of the anglers know it! He is clearly rattled and it shows. He has everything to lose. I don't have anything!

30th September

Unfortunately I didn't receive any reports of fish caught yesterday despite the fact there were a good number of anglers on the river. Aron Malloy, mentioned in the 02nd September up date, told me that he recently lost a clean looking fish at the Linbrain hole on a floating red devon. He was using 8lbs nylon which resulted in the fish breaking him after a good fight. The fish was estimated to be about 15lbs. Jack has sent me an e mail telling me that on Friday evening John Gallagher, who fishes mostly in the evenings, caught a fish on an Alexandra fly using 20lbs nylon at the Factory wall which was returned. The fish wasn't weighed but using his hands as a measurement he was able to estimate the length of the fish. It was a cock fish with a big kype. Anyone wondering about this method can rest assured that the size of a big fish can be reasonably estimated by length and girth. Jack has a converter. The big fish featured on the site that Old Rab caught was forty four inches long. When Jack found out about the length he entered the measurement into the converter and the answer was within 1/2 pound of the weight which was I believe was just over 33lbs. John's fish was about 20lbs. This kind of fish is reminiscent of the size of fish that ran the river in the early nineties when the river anglers enjoyed good "backend runs". Is this a sign of the good times returning?  Hopefully the good water height will last after Monday? Yesterday I was approached by an individual, who will remain anonymous, who told me in front of other anglers that anglers on the river had told him that they believed that this site was giving out negative reports. The individual stated that he believed the anglers. I asked him if he had seen the site and read it. He stated he hadn't. Nuff said!

Up-date

After many trials and tribulations the forum is up and running once more.