February

01st February

A new season is nearly upon us and it certainly will be a defining one! It is my intention this season to report on the site matters purely relating to angling and save the politics to the forum. The permits aren't on sale yet and I will post the news when I receive it.

08th February

At noon time the tickets weren't available in O'Briens shop at the Bonhill bridge. The water level is exceptionally high. Come Monday it will be too high for wading except for the Dumbarton end Last season there were a lot of changes to the river bed over the winter There could be more this winter but they obviously can't be seen so wading could be hazardous Hopefully Monday will be a reasonable day and I am looking forward to renewing old acquaintances even though I won't be fishing

10th February

The permits are now on sale O'Briens shop took delivery of them yesterday afternoon To the best of my knowledge there wasn't a banned list accompanying the permits The weather report is good for tomorrow so hopefully there will be a good turnout

11th February

The Bonhill bridge area was almost deserted up until about 11.00hrs then some of the regulars put in an appearance To be honest there was more blethering than fishing as usually happens on opening day Reports of a couple of kelts being caught and a brown trout about 2lbs was reported There is 30 inches of water above the closing level compared with 8 inches on opening day last season More concerning was the clearance of the banks at the chapel hole area and the Factory wall and further down that has taken place in the last few days The trees from the bottom end of the Factory wall have partially been removed as well as the large tree that was situated next to the top end of the wall A phone call was made to the authorities and two officials appeared and they promised to have some words with the builders on the Bonhill side of the river Too late now I am afraid! It will be a couple of weeks before the river is at a more sensible height for fishing

16th February

This morning a ceremony took place at the angling club The first boat to set sail for the Loch had on board the three survivors of the tragedy last season when two anglers lost their lives There was a wreath and a dram was poured over the boat by Stewart Ingles Prior to the boat setting sail John Clark, resplendent in his full regalia, played the pipes in memory of the two anglers Shortly after setting sail the rods were trailed behind the boat and a kelt was hooked which was safely returned All in all it was a touching and worthy way to begin the first Saturday of the season At the Stuckie bridge a kelt, which was described as well mended was hooked and landed During the week Jimmy Lunney hooked a kelt on the fly at the Church Laid which was returned It has been a quiet start to the season possibly because of the height of the water. It is about six inches above safe wading The middle of the week should see anglers wading and better prospects for fishing