May

Good news and bad news! First the good news. The April catch rate for springers from the river is 50% up on season 2007. The bad news the April catch rate for springers from the river is down 50% on season 2006. What does this mean in reality? This season's catches amounted to three. Season 2007 was two and season 2006 was six. A grand total of eleven in three seasons. This information is of course based on what I have heard about. Other sources may have more "accurate" figures. Not good news for hatchery returns? All the hard work for little return? Oh I forgot to mention March returns for the past three seasons, possibly because there were none. Once again other sources may have more "accurate" figures. Can the Leven be considered a river with early run springers? Not on this evidence. In the past it possibly was a river with early run springers. Hopefully May can produce some more springers but we will have to wait another thirty one days for that verdict!

At 13.00hrs Alun Pryce hooked and landed a springer about 11lbs on the flying C at the Top pool. It was covered in sea lice. There was a rumour of another fish about the same size being caught in the Renton area a couple of days ago on the flying C. Today I got confirmation that one had been caught. The water level over the weekend has been about six inches above the weekend height. It is expected to fall tomorrow to summer low. Good weather is forecast for the rest of the week so it probably will remain low for sometime? I was told that there was a good turnout of anglers on the river on Saturday but today was quiet. Hopefully this is a sign of the springers arriving in greater numbers?

The water level is now at weekend height after being at summer low since Tuesday. Once again nothing to report in relation to catches or sightings of springers. It is I am afraid a familiar litany possibly because of few anglers on the river. It is becoming a worrying trend. Nevertheless one can always hope. This time two seasons ago Brian McKinley was hooking and landing springers in these type of conditions along with other anglers!

I have just received a report of a springer caught on the Loch today by Alistair Bruce. A 10lbs fish covered in sea lice and it was caught on a brown and gold Rapala off Duck Bay Marina. Well done to him! Thanks for the information!

Yesterday evening about 17.00hrs Ian Marshall hooked a fish just above the Bonhill bridge on the fly. Unfortunately it parted company with him after five minutes. It broke the surface and gave a defiant shake of it's head before departing. The Bonhill pool area was fairly busy with anglers. Another springer caught on the Loch at the mouth of the river by Allister McMillan. It weighed 11.5lbs and was taken on the troll. I am now able to confirm that Jim McDonald caught another springer about 11lbs at the beginning of the week. There was some doubt as to when it was caught hence the delay. Hopefully catches will improve and encourage anglers to visit the river because there are a lot of anglers that haven't renewed their permits.

Yesterday was the quietest Saturday morning - for the time of the year - that I and others can remember on the river. I saw no more than half a dozen anglers between the Top pool and the Bonhill bridge. During the week there weren't any reports of fish from the river. Ironically the Loch is starting to fish better. To state the obvious these fish have went through the river, possibly during the high water. The absence of deep holes and croys mean that there are less places for them to stop. Friday and Saturday anglers on the Loch caught springers and that is a good sign. The LLAIA launch set sail from Ross Priory and made it's presence known on the Loch. There weren't any anglers fishing for salmon and sea trout without permits which means that it's presence was possibly pointless. Still a nice day for a sail!

Chic has caught his first spring fish of the season. 13lbs and 11.5lbs. One on the fly and the other on the flying C. Well done to him! I don't know if it was before the gates were raised.

Today, Tam Kirkbride caught a 14.5lbs springer from the Chapel hole on the worm. Tam is a well known angler on the river and has done well in the past. On the Loch there has been more catches. See the forum for news. Eric Donachie has caught his fourth springer of the season. 10lbs caught at the Aber rock on a Orange and Gold Rapala. Manus Shannon had a 10lbs springer as well. It is remarkable that in a period of twelve years Eric is the first angler to catch more than three springers from the Loch in one season. Thanks to the LLAIA for that interesting piece of news. Overall the angling activity is on the increase but not a bonanza by any means. Hopefully the Bailliffing on the Loch will be a bit more peaceful then last Saturday. It is worth noting that if anglers are challenged then a warrant card should be produced. Anything else is hassle and the Police should be contacted.

On the 01st February I stated that I would leave the politics to the forum. I am now making an exception to this. It is in regards to the bailliffing of the system. It doesn't in any way reflect on the bailiffs but the Association. Quote from the LLAIA site.

Both the full time professional bailiffs and the volunteers carry warrant cards and are ratified by the Scottish Office. Please comply if you are asked to show your permit as it is a small price to pay to help protect our system from those who would seek to abuse it!

There are currently 2 warranted Scottish Ministers appointed bailiffs nominated by LLAIA.

Water Bailiffs appointed by District Salmon Fishery Boards in adjacent fishery districts also have the authority to enforce the salmon and freshwater fisheries legislation, acting, of course, with the knowledge of the owners of the fishing rights. I do not know the LLAIA policy on this but this is worth bearing in mind.

If you are worried about anybody impersonating a Water Bailiff then that would be a matter for the Police as it is a serious crime as Water Bailiffs have many of the powers of Police Constables and this may be looked on as equivalent to impersonating a Police officer.

-----Original Message-----
From: robbieredball@blueyonder.co.uk [mailto:robbieredball@blueyonder.co.uk]
Sent: 21 May 2008 17:05
To: Robertson IA (Ian)
Subject: Re: Loch Lomond Warrant Cards

The anglers can make up their own mind regarding who is correct in their assertions, but I know who my money is on!

I didn't receive any reports concerning catches on the Leven yesterday or in recent days. The LLAIA concede that there weren't many anglers on the river in recent weeks. The loch however is producing more fish and that is obviously a good sign!

There are reports of a springer caught on Saturday on the spinner near to the Double Pipes. No details. It seems to be happening on the Loch. In the past when news of catches started to multiply reporting accurately became harder. This time isn't an exception. Eric Donachie has caught a fifth springer on a Rapala and interestingly it had lice on it. Willie Casey has had another making it three for him. There must be at least twenty off the Loch now but that is an estimate and now I can only give a "flavour" of what is happening. Sightings of fish on the river are non existent. Most of the fish must have run in the high water five weeks ago or they are running at night. What I don't know is if the catches on the Loch have enticed more anglers out? It hasn't on the river possibly because it remains at summer low, the lowest it can go. No reports of sea trout at night.

A report of a 12lbs fresh run sea liced springer caught on the fly at the Top pool. Alec Banbridge. Well done to him. Surely this kind of report from the river and the ones from the Loch should bring out the anglers in greater numbers?

The angler mentioned yesterday was indeed Mike Bainbridge. He has e mailed me with the details.

Hi Robbie,

caught a springer about 12 lb. from the pool above the Stucky Bridge. It couldn't resist a Cascade, eventually. It gave a good fight taking plenty line off the reel. Many thanks to the chap that tailed it after my landing net snapped. Think I owe him a pint for getting wet feet. Last season I didn't get my first fish until the last day of the season on my last cast. So I'm glad to be off the mark.

great site, thanks,

Mike Bainbridge. (Wed 28th.)

Nothing else to report unfortunately.