The Jim Boyd Fishing Reports, Loch venacher

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The Jim Boyd Fishing Reports

Loch Venacher

Week Ending 22nd August 2010

We are still experiencing low water levels on the loch and for a week or so it definitely had an effect on our fishing. However the good news is that it appears that as Venachar levels return, the fishing improves. James Allen from Perth landed a 1lb 8oz brownie from the boat on Saturday 21 August, Peter Edgars, on holiday from Bristol, landed an impressive 1lb 12oz specimen again from the boat fishing in towards the South bank but the most impressive catch came from Aiden Tighe from Alloa who caught a fantastic 2lb brown trout - using a worm at the first car park. What makes this so impressive is that Aiden is 6 years old. Stuart McBeth from Loanhead landed a 1lb 4oz brownie at the second car park but he also landed an 18lb pike using mackerel tail – a 30 inch fish in excellent condition.

Phil Davies from Stirling caught a 13lb 8oz followed by a 14lb 4oz pike – both in excellent condition and Bernard Dolan from Salsburgh landed an 18lb 8oz pike measuring 36″ long. John Bennie from Lanarkshire caught a 14lb 8oz pike measuring 23″ long but the most exciting catch was by 10 year old Jay Hubbard from Blackburn who caught his first ever pike on the 10 August - an 8lb pike using mackerel tail. All pike caught were checked to ensure minimum damage and returned clean and unharmed to the water. Our Clean Policy on Venachar is to minimise the killing of any fish – this a sports fishing loch.

The management commends the work done by the bailiffs in ensuring the environment around Venachar stays as clean as possible. The National Park Rangers also do sterling work to correct any inappropriate behaviour and help our visitors to enjoy Loch Venachar and respect the countryside and banks of the Loch.

Week Ending 16th August 2010

Although the water level has dropped again the loch is at least back to some good fishing. Mr Cowan from Glasgow landed a 10lb pike using sardine on Saturday 6 August, Andrew Mearns from Coatbridge caught a good 15lb - 30 inch fish using a lure, Stuart McBeth from Loanhead landed an 18lb - 30 inch pike using mackerel tail and Robert Campbell from Paisley caught 20lb, 28lb and 15lb specimens using sardines. Still on the pike front Jim Brown from East Calder had a 14lb, 8lb 8oz and a 6lb pike using headless mackerel from the Invertrossachs bank.

Trout fishing from the boat has been the most successful with James Dow from Oban catching a very good 1lb 13oz brown trout - he came back 3 days later and caught a 2lb 2oz specimen. Alan Meikle from Dunfermline, again from the boat, caught a 1lb 8oz and a 1lb trout with both fish being safely returned. All catches have reported good healthy fish and the anglers have enjoyed good sport bringing them in. All this is good useful information which will be used to formulate the fishery policy.

The banks are clean and well patrolled by the fishery bailiff and the National Park Rangers and once again they have nothing but praise for the majority of our sports fishermen.

Week Ending 1st August 2010

The pike fishing was excellent this past week. Darren Reynolds for Fife had a 15lb fish using roach bait, Derek Gilmour from Motherwell had a magnificent 27lb 10oz (32″length) specimen using smelt and this pike was in peak condition. Peter Dlabic - on holiday from Czech Republic had a brace of pike for 18lbs – best 10lbs and his son fishing for trout caught 4 brown trout all about 1lb. This was all from boat fishing. Burrows & Andrew had an 11lb pike from the bank near the Harbour Cafe and this fish too was in good condition. Mr Taylorson from Paisley had a 9lb 3oz fish using mackerel tail and Jason Walls from Dunfermline fishing from the boat caught 3 pike averaging 9lbs.

The trout fishing has been a bit slower; however, Jason Barr from Perth caught a fantastic 2lb 4oz fish - fly fishing from the boat towards the south bank. The fish was returned unharmed. There were a few others reported trout catches all around 1lb - 1.5lb. The banks have been relatively quiet and there has been a good family atmosphere, where people have been camping. As usual the anglers prefer to go the quieter areas or fish from the boat. The management are continuing to work with the rangers to keep Venachar litter free and discourage anti-social behaviour.

July 25th July 2010

As with the weather the catches improve and last week Mr. Black from Skinflats, at his usual spot on the east bank, caught a very good 2lb brown trout however his grandson who is 6 years old, but has fished for 2 years, caught a fantastic bag of 4 brownies weighing in at 6lbs 8oz. Martin Tucker from Livingstone caught a 2lb brown trout from the north bank, Martin removed an old hook and line from the fish and released the fish unharmed. However the trout catch of the month is a 3lb 8oz specimen caught by Shannon Stokes at the week-end. Shannon photographed the fish and returned the fish to the water unharmed.

Alan McWilliam from Erskine had a super visit with his sons Chris and Jordan and his father in law Peter Klabic who was over on holiday from the Czech Republic. The youngsters had 3 brownies averaging 1lb 8oz whilst Peter took two pike estimated at around 9lb each that were safely returned.

The pike fishing has been very good over this last week as the water level rises with Ross Waterston from Alloa taking one at 16lbs 8oz, Mr. Rochan, Edinburgh, one at 14lbs, Mr. Steel (Carluke) one at 11lbs 8oz and Steven Dawson from Alloa took one weighing 12lbs. Daryl Strang from Alloa had one at 7lbs 8oz - this was young Daryl’s first pike so he was thrilled with this.

4th July 2010

The water level is still ridiculously low- however the catches have been reasonable considering the conditions - hot and sunny then wet and windy. Mr. McNeil from Edinburgh, fishing from the North Bank, caught 2 good sized Pike - 10lbs and 12lbs on the 5th July, Brian West from Dunfermline caught a fantastic 19lb specimen using a mackerel tail from the boat and Peter Ireland , visiting from Surrey caught a14lb pike using sardine bait from the boat on Friday 2nd July.

Trout catches have largely gone unreported and the management continually asks for the returns to be given to the boathouse as this information is vital to in helping to formulate the future fishery policy. Alan Prentice from Glenrothes landed a1lb 8oz brownie using a red/black from the Port Ellen bank and Mr. G Morton from Stirling landed a 1lb 12oz brown trout from the boat using a maggot. The survey reported on earlier has now been concluded and the results are awaited - this report and recommendations will greatly influence our future Fishery Policy.

Week Ending 13th June 2010

The water in the loch is very low still, however that has not deterred the anglers and there have been some good catch reports this week. James Randalls from Grangemouth caught a magnificent 2lb brown trout from the north bank using a maggot, Reece Gibson from Bo’ness - fishing from the bank at east lodge has been trying all week for a big pike. Earlier he had a few runs but his best was an 11lb junior. His best trout this week weighed 1lb and was taken on a maggot. Raymond Clarke from Paisley caught a 15lb pike using mackerel bait from the north bank and Thomas Krawec from Edinburgh caught 8lb, 10lb and a 14lb pike from the boat. All fish were returned to the water unharmed.

The management is continuing to work on the fishery strategy and policy and expects to finalise this towards the end of July when the results of the Loch survey have been analysed.

The National Park Rangers are continuing to monitor behaviour on the banks and they seem to be relatively happy that the management is striving to encourage sports anglers and families to the loch and that anti-social behaviour is being discouraged. The biggest complaint at the moment is the amount of litter left behind. Please help with this problem.

Week Ending 23rd May 2010

The last week has seen some glorious weather on the Lochside - the conditions have been perfect for both bank and boat fishing. The weekend saw every boat out on Saturday and 70% out on Sunday so, in order to avoid disappointment, if you can then please book in advance for the weekend.

Lewis White from Dumbarton took a 1lb 8oz brown trout on a worm from the east bank near the dam, Mr. Elliot from Cumbernauld had a brace of sea trout weighing 3lbs 8oz – best 2lbs on a Damsel and quite incredibly he also took a 12lb Pike. George Emslie from Valleyfield caught a perfect specimen of a brown trout weighing 2lb using a worm from the North bank and Chris Smith from Killearn caught 2 beautiful brownies with a black spider fly On the pike fishing front Alan Thomson from Grangemouth caught an 18lb pike in sunny conditions using a Comrade jointed lure and P. McGlone from Coatbridge caught specimens that tipped the scales at 15lb and 12lb respectively.

Once again it was a pleasure to be on the banks last weekend and the national park rangers and local police are regularly patrolling the loch to ensure no anti- social behaviour is taking place and fortunately for us the anglers and families on the banks were a pleasure to speak to - you will always be welcome here.

Week Ending 16th May 2010

With the improvement in the weather, the catches have improved and fly fishing is becoming more successful on the Loch. On Sunday the Welsh Fireman’s Association on the Loch - they are competing in the National Fire Service competition on Lake of Menteith (Tuesday 18th). Their catches were; Phil Hooper 2 for 4lbs – best 2lbs 8oz on a gold nymph, Karl Pugh 2 for 3lbs – best 2lbs on a Green Diawl Bach and Clive Pugh one for 2lbs on a Gold Head Daddy fished on a floating line.

There was a 2lb 8oz rainbow caught from the banks on Saturday, South bank near the East Lodge and the management reckon this may be an escapee from the lochan above. The sea trout are also making their way into the Loch via the dam access and David McStay from Carluke had a cracking 2lbs 12oz specimen taken on a dry fly from the boat along with a 1lb brown trout on the same fly. Most of the other catches have been brown trout weighing between 1lb and 2lb taken from the banks using a maggot.

As you would guess the Pike catches have not been so great with the sunshine, however there have been a few smaller 9lb to 12lb reported.

The management are still working hard to keep the banks clean and free of litter and we thank the majority of our anglers for their assistance it is greatly appreciated. They are also trying to assist the Police and the National Park Rangers to prevent and report any anti-social behaviour and again your help and co-operation is much appreciated. We can only ask everyone to respect our loch and the environment.

As stated before the management have been working towards having their own fishing strategy and stocking policy and are almost there and will be reporting on this shortly. However, since they have been logging returns and catches the signs are good - the brown trout are difficult to catch but they are here in good numbers and in very good condition, exactly what is required on a sports fishing loch. Rainbows will never be stocked turning this into yet another farmed fish outlet.

Week Ending 10th May 2010

Last weekend Colin Smith from Coatbridge landed a superbly conditioned pike that tipped the scales at 13lbs.

Week Ending 2nd May 2010

Greg Devlin with a Vennache rwild brown trout The loch is now fully open and fishing well. So far the loch has been comparatively quiet but now there is some serious fly fishing being done from the bank. The management has been encouraging anglers to report all catches but for some reason there is still a reluctance to do this. Best trout fishing catch this week was a 2.5lb brown trout caught by Kenny McAllister from Shotts using a maggot from the bank. Greg Devlin had a nice 2lb 8oz fish taken from a boat – picture attached.

The loch is fully open again for pike and the best catch of the week was a 17lb 8oz taken from the bank. There is some concern about the amount of litter that anglers are leaving behind them and all anglers are requested to take their litter home with them. The management is working closely with the National Park Rangers and the Police to discourage anti social behaviour as their aim is to promote and encourage good fishing practice on the loch. It is hoped to make fishing on Loch Venachar an enjoyable experience and everyone is working hard to achieve that objective - watch this space!!

Week Ending 28th March 2010

The weather conditions this week have varied between flat calm to wet and windy. On the trout fishing front Jim Richardson from Bonnybridge caught a 2lb 2oz brown trout fishing from a boat in dry but windy conditions. The fish was released and returned.

Pike fishing has produced a mixed bag with several pike jacks being taken on the south bank however the best of the week was a12lb 4oz taken with a lure from a boat on Wednesday 25 March. Today, Monday 29th March there are several pike anglers on the banks but the best catch so far has been Peter Kendrick from Southport with an 11lb fish taken on a sardine lure.

Week Ending 21st March 2001

The trout season opened with a flurry of activity and although the water may still be a bit cold some fish were caught. Dougie J from Coatbridge got the season off in good style by catching a nice 2lb brownie and most of the successes have been coming from those fishing from a boat.

Week Ending 11th October 2009

It was a steady week for pike fishing with some nice fish in double figures being taken but nothing reported over 20lb. The PAC group on Saturday found dead bait working best at the usual west end of the water.

Week Ending 4th October 2009

The end of the trout season saw a flurry of end-of-season anglers making their last pitch for the brownies in Venachar. Saturday’s gales sent many to the banks and although bank reporting is limited, we hear there was some good sport. Sunday was a good day for the boat fishers and best results came from George Howden and friend whose boat landed 5 nice fish with the best at 1.6lb. and they also returned a couple of smaller ones. Best results were in the popular Milton Bay and Bibio seemed to draw most attention.

The overall picture for this brown trout season is of mixed results and weather disruption. The best time was April to June with stable weather and some excellent catches. July was patchy and August with its awful weather produced generally poor returns. The end of the season saw a few nice catches on the days when conditions were decent.

The pike angling of course continues through the winter and the usual regulars are getting steady results. Recent returns have been variable with the strange weather but MK recorded 5 doubles of 19.10, 22.08, 14.15, 17.12 and 14.01. We shall be keeping the full boat fleet in the water until the end of November and then reducing to 4 or 5 over the winter while we do maintenance in readiness for next season. With only a few boats available be sure to book and remember that high winds can cause cancellations.

Week Ending 20th September 2009

As for last week, a lot of people took advantage of the last weeks of the brownie season but unfortunately the weather was being unkind with lots of calm sunny days making it very hard to achieve much. Through the whole week, only small numbers were landed with best catch of only 2 fish recorded. These were however very nice fish with one at just under 2lb and the other at 1.7lb. Many others had a bag of two but smaller. It was very hard to read the water and the usual drifts were hard in these conditions.

Pike were also more elusive than usual with poor returns and not large fish. The best we heard of was just 17lb which is small by recent standards. The change of weather should improve things this week.

Week Ending 13th September 2009

At last the better weather hit the loch on Wednesday but the change has been more to the benefit of pike than trout with a steady stream of positive returns showing fish from 10lb upwards being found at the west of the water. Best notified last week was not particularly large at 18lb but the quantities have been good. Trout fishing has been disappointing with only one day of good results on Friday with a few boats returning catches of around 2 fish to a rod. Again the southern drifts were dominating and both intermediate and floating lines in use. Grouse and Claret, Kate McLaren and Bibio were the usual selection. Best boat was Daniel Grumen and friend with 5 fish. Bright sun at the weekend was blamed for poor results.

Week Ending 7th September 2009

It was quite a steady week with the trout fishing reviving. There were quite consistent results from the popular drifts at Lendrick and Milton Bays. On the windier days, those on the more sheltered south bank were most successful near the sailing club and towards Beetle Bay. There have been quite a number of visitors to the area from the EU this year and it was a Dutch pair who registered the best boat with 7 fish averaging 1.4lb and best of 2.1lb. They used homemade flies that were of their own traditional design and most like Kate McLaren and Dunkeld. They were alternating floating and intermediate lines and catching on both. Don’t miss the last few weeks of the season as they usually fish well.

It was another steady week for pike. With the higher water level, the west end of the water has been impressive with a best of 25lb and lots near the 20lb. The East end was disappointing. Best fishing still from the boats although lots on the banks.

Week Ending 16th August 2009

The poor weather disrupted the week with few out on Saturday and those who braved the elements returned early. On the Sunday the water had to be closed due to the very high winds. Early in the week saw a big improvement in the trout fishing due to the higher water level. Many of the shore drifts are now back to their usual productivity and some lovely fish were caught. Regrettably the main weekend flow was disrupted but a good week on the brownies can be looked forward to. Early days of the past week saw a few over 2lb with the east of the water giving good results. Beatle Bay and the Portnellen drifts were good places to be and the best boat was father and son Hutton from Perth with 6 averaging 1.4lbs and they used the usual traditional flies and floating lines.

Pike returns were steady but given the limited week, there were no big numbers reported. Most fish were smaller with nothing reported over about 14lbs.

Boat booking getting busier again now that the holidays are finishing so the advice is to book your boat well in advance.

Week Ending 9th August 2009

Once again the coarse fishing is overtaking the game. It was an excellent week for pike with lot of anglers on the water. Reports confirm several over 20lb and the west end of the water dominant but there is not name detail on that.

Brown trout anglers had a much better week. The water level has risen with the recent rain and the sight of fish rising is delightful. Holiday time seems to limit the trout anglers but those who were out were well satisfied. The best boat had an excellent 8 fish and a best weight of 2lbs 4oz - the happy pair was father and son Jon and Douglas Bond from Edinburgh.

Floating lines teamed up with the Grouse and Claret, Kate McLaren and Dunkeld were reported to be doing best.

Week Ending 2nd August 2009

It was a very busy week on Venachar with lots of people on holiday who were mostly bank fishing for pike. Generally fish were being caught there but we were getting little in the way of detail feedback.

Brownies from the boats were much like last week with the usual ones and twos. Most fish were seen on the southern drifts with Otter Island a popular place. The Crown Lads AC from Northumberland managed 21 fish for 12 rods with the best at 2lbs 4oz and an average weight of 1lb 4oz.

Week Ending 19th July 2009

It was another when the pike fishing dominated with steady returns from both bank and boat anglers. Nothing exceptional is size but hardly anyone disappointed. The best pike reported was from a boat to the popular west end of the Loch with Brendon and Charlie from Helensburgh landing one at 21lb and another at 19lb with 3 others in the low teens.

Trout returns were again disappointing with the exception of Martin Dryden and a friend who found Clan Chiefs were doing the business on Saturday around the Milton Bay and Portnellen drifts, even as far as the dam. They bagged 6 between them with a best at 1.7lb.

12th July 2009

It was a poor week for brownies but excellent for pike. This week has seed the highest number of large pike that we can remember with at least 12 fish over 20lb and the best was nearly 30lbs. That was landed by a visitor from Poland whose surname we cannot decipher but his first name is Marcin. The returns have come from all over the water with increasingly consistent results from the dam end.

Brownies have been elusive this week. Those with catches had only one or two with the exception a single boat who bucked the trend and registered a bag of 6. The best was 2.2lb and the angler was Dick Lewis from Grangemouth.

5th July2009

Holiday time always thins out the available anglers but those on the water were rarely disappointed last week. The pike fishing was excellent with many parts of the water giving some excellent fish. Best we heard of was a couple visiting from Switzerland who landed a 28lb beauty from a boat near the dam at the east end of the Loch. They were using dead bait. The usual spots on the north shore gave quite a number in the teens.

Brownies were an interesting mix. Early in the week returns were poor but in the last few days we saw several with fish over 2lbs and one claimed at 3.25lbs. Best boat was also a visitor, Harry Wilkes from Leeds, fishing with his son; they bagged 7 fish in a 4 hour evening session.

Week Ending 28th June 2009

A quiet week on the water with fewer than normal out on the boats. Those who did were generally taking 1-3 brownies per rod. Pike anglers on the banks were having a good week with at least three fish over 20lb reported to us and some good pike were landed at the eastern end of the water near the dam.

Best bag reported was Brian Stewart from Cumnock with 4 nice brownies, the best weighing in at just over the 2lb. While the bright sun causes some problems, the long evenings has made for some excellent evening fishing. Floating lines, Kate McLaren, Bibio and Silver Butcher were all finding brownies. All drifts are getting their share.

Week Ending 21st June 2009

Quite a good week on Venachar with consistent catches coming from all over the water. Sunday’s outing for the Good Companions club gave 31 fish for 12 rods - total weight - 29lb 13oz biggest fish - 1lb 15oz and the best rod was Tam McGarry with 5 fish for 5lb 9oz. Others on the water had similar results with 1-3 fish per rod the norm all week. Wester and Easter Dullater drifts were proving good but Lendrick and Milton Bay are getting results right too.

Pike results were patchy last week with only one report of catches over 20lb.

Week Ending 18th May 2009

A week of steady but unexciting results except for pike anglers who were recording a good number of fish but we have not been notified of any specimens. The brown trout results have also been steady with the poor weather giving the boat anglers a hard test. The best bag reported was below par at just 5 fish for two anglers reported by Jon Edgar and Richard Mulhall visiting from Ireland. With the water warming, floating lines are starting to work. Clan Chief and Dunkeld were claiming success. Interestingly a complete beginner on his first solo trip landed a brownie of nearly 2lbs.

Week Ending 10th May 2009

A steady week on the water with pike anglers kept active taking quite a number of smaller fish and the best heard of was close to 20lbs.

Trout anglers were also bringing home a steady flow of fish with a few above 1lb 8oz mark and the best bag reported was 4 fish with a top weight of 1lb 12oz. The Forth Valley Angling Club braved the storm on Saturday and made the best of an atrocious day. In spite of that, they recorded twelve fish from eighteen rods with the heaviest being 1lb 9oz with 1lb 8oz second, with the smallest weighing in at 12oz.

Boat bookings are getting busier now so be sure that you reserve especially at the weekend. Loch Venachar is a practice venue for the world fly fishing championships and at the end of the month; you will find some of the world’s leading anglers testing their techniques on the water

6th April 2009

Not a great week in general but as usual some anglers managed to find the fish. More anglers are finding their way to Loch Venachar now that the Brown Trout season is under way and the pike fishing is showing good results. Having said that, this has been a quiet week in terms of catches with no pike over 20lbs recorded but quite a few smaller fish on the lines.

As for the brownies, it’s been mixed with the best results coming from a couple of guys up from Northumberland. Cyril Stafford and Dick Hendry kept their boat around the Milton Bay and Portnellen drifts taking 6 fish between them with the best a lovely 2lb 4oz specimen They were using Dunkeld, Clan Chief and Bibio flies keeping to 12’s and 14’s and intermediate lines.

Week Ending 6th April 2009

Things definitely picking up for fly fishers on Venachar this week with several anglers putting 2-3 nice fish in the bag around the north side with the Portnellen drift showing good results. Brown flies such as Invicta were getting the most interest and the best weekend boat took 7 with a best weight of 1lb 12oz.The South side of the water should be starting to come away quite soon now and bookings are picking up accordingly.

By contrast the pike fishing was quieter this week with many of the regulars disappointed although some large fish were seen. We are nearing the end of the spawning period so there should be some increased activity over the coming weeks. The largest reported this week was 21lbs caught with dead bait near the south west shore.

Up to 30th March 2009

Again the Lendrick Bay was doing the business this week. There are still not many trout anglers venturing out but there was a stunning 8 fish bag from two Edinburgh lads who braved the cold wind on Saturday; got shelter and enjoyed great sport in and near the Lendrick Bay including a cracking fish of 1lb 8oz.

It was a bit less exciting on the pike front but some nice fish in the teens were landed from the large numbers out particularly on Saturday.

Week Ending 23rd March 2009

There have been more pike fishers out than brown trout fishers as the water is still extremely cold and it will take about another month for the trout fishing to get going. The pike anglers continue to report some excellent fish with the 2009 record being smashed with an beautiful 29lb 14oz monster landed on a boat by Craig Faller with a Storm Rainbow at the west end of the water.

The first report of the brown trout season shows a quiet start with the cold water keeping the brownies deep and the anglers awaiting a warm up! Those who braved the chill were generally using intermediate lines teamed up with traditional wets such as Bibio, Zulu and Bloody Butcher. Best bag was Dick Harris from Paisley who landed a nice catch of 3 brownies with the best at 1lb 10oz He found the Lendrick Bay most productive.

Week Ending 1st March 2009

The 1,000 acre fishery is one of Scotland’s best brown trout waters and now the last remaining commercially operated brown trout only fishery in central Scotland. As well as bank fishing the fishery has 18 well maintained boats each fitted with a modern 4 stroke engine and there is a fully licensed Lochside restaurant – the Harbour Cafe – where a variety of drinks and excellent food can be enjoyed.

For the start of the season, the water will be very cold so the traditional shallow drifts are unlikely to be very productive. The Road Shore drift, which offers shelter, is often the most productive in these conditions with the Grass Bank and Sailing Club areas also worth a try. With the air and water temperatures being low most anglers go down that bit deeper so an intermediate line teamed up with size 12’s traditional wets such as the Bibio, Zulu, Kate McLaren and Bloody Butcher are likely to do well.

Venachar has an ever-growing reputation as a top class pike fishery with a superb 30lb plus fish being caught this season. Double figure specimens are frequently caught and fly fishing for this hard fighting is becoming increasingly popular at the venue. Pike fishing will now take place all year round and can be enjoyed from both the bank and the boats.

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