Fishing Season Report 2014 Dec 30, 2014
Stocking
Ten thousand brown trout were stocked in the 2014 fishing season averaging between 16ozs and 32ozs almost 6 tonnes in total weight. Stockings took place on 4th March, 11th March, 16th April, 26th June and the 16th July. The average weight stocked in 2014 was 1lb 3¾ ozs.
Moorings on Loch Earn (East)
Some of the char that were caught this season
Catch Returns
| Year | Average catch | % returned |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2.9 | 2.7% |
| 2017 | 6.1 | 4.5% |
| 2016 | 5.1 | 2.5% |
| 2015 | 5.2 | 6.4% |
| 2014 | 4.3 | 3.6% |
| 2013 | 6.5 | 4.4% |
| 2012 | 4.5 | 5.6% |
| 2011 | 6.8 | 7.2% |
| 2010 | 11.2 | 0.6% |
| 2009 | 9.0 | 3.7% |
| 2008 | 7.5 | 6.4% |
| 2007 | 8.5 | 6.7% |
| 2006 | 5.7 | 3.9% |
| 2005 | 4.8 | 4.9% |
| 2004 | 3.2 | 8.4% |
| 2003 | 3.0 | 9.3% |
| 2002 | 2.4 | 11% |
Catch returns this year were back again at 3.6% compared to 4.4% in 2013. Please remember when sending in your returns to include your name and address on the form, just in case you are a winner!
As Season Ticket holders you averaged just under 23 days fishing this season which means you have saved a whopping£100!!.
Please try to spend a few minutes after each trip and log in what you have taken and also returned.
The format of the return form now allows you to enter the number and weight of each species of fish killed and also to enter the number, species and approximate weight of fish returned, as well as what they were taken on. This will give us more meaningful data as quite a number of anglers return all their fish, whilst others keep one or two and return the remainder and some will take their limit and return none.
The information you supply is important, so please as many returns back before 31st October 2015 and you will be entered into our prize draw.
This years information represented 137 days fishing effort where a total of 589 fish were landed giving an average catch per visit of 4.3 fish compared to 6.5 fish in 2013, 4.5 fish in 2012, 6.8 fish in 2011, 11.2 fish in 2010, 9.0 fish for 2009, 7.5fish for 2008, 8.5 fish for 2007, 5.7 fish in 2006 and 4.8 fish for 2005.
By species, 505 brown trout, 80 rainbow trout, 1 charr and 3 eels made up the total numbers taken.
The total weight caught was 957lbs 8ozs giving an average of 1lb 10oz.
Breaking these numbers down further:
- 149 brownies were killed for a total weight of 224 lbs (ave wt 1lbs 8ozs) and 335 were returned for a total weight of 396lbs 2ozs (ave wt 1lb 1¾ozs)
- 63 rainbow trout were killed for a total weight of 311lbs 2ozs (ave wt 4lbs 15ozs)
- 17 rainbow trout were returned for a total weight of 18½lbs (ave wt 1lb 1¾ozs)
- 1 charr was killed for a total weight of 1lb ( ave wt. 1lb )
- One angler registered 3 eels for approx.. 6lbs 12ozs and were returned. Total fish killed was 212 ( 36% of total ) and fish returned 377 ( 64% of total )
Another interesting statistic for this past season is the percentage catch per species with brown trout 85.6% and rainbow trout 13.6%
A significant decrease in the number of rainbow trout in the water in 2014 would indicate that there had been an improvement in the containment at the fish farm this year although the fish which had escaped were of a significantly higher average weight.
For the avoidance of any doubt Loch Earn Fishings only stocks Loch Earn with triploid Brown Trout.
During May & especially June quite a number of char were taken from boats trolling lures some as large as rapalas.
A good number of these fish were in the range ¾lb - 1lb.
Angling Clubs
| Date | Club | Boats | Count | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20th May | West of Scotland AC | 4 | 24 Browns | 15lbs 10ozs |
| 7th June | St. Mungo AC | 7 | 41 Browns (21 killed) | 19lbs 1oz |
| 28th June | St. Mungo AC | 4 | 18 Browns (13 killed) | 12lbs 2ozs |
| 29th June | Laurencekirk & DAA | 4 | 16 Browns (all returned) | |
| 1st July | SPRA(West)AS | 6 | 36 Browns/2 Rainbow (25 killed) |
Other News
Consultation on Byelaws
The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park is carrying out a consultation on possible byelaws to regulate irresponsible behaviour and camping but at the same time investing in more formal provision for camping, caravans and motor homes. It is important that everyone who uses or proposes to use Loch Earn takes time to find out about the proposals and responds. The consultation closes on Monday 12 January 2015 and you can respond in a number of ways.
Online Consultation: www.thisisyourpark.org.uk
Emailing the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park: getinvolved@thisisyourpark.org.uk
Call: 01389 722600 (ask for the Your Park team)
Write to:
Your Park
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park,
Carrochan,
Carrochan Road,
Balloch, G83 8EG
Lochearn Fishings view on the proposals
The byelaws should not deter anglers or angling and we feel that regulating anti-social behaviour will make Loch Earn a more pleasant fishing destination. We are responding to the consultation and are broadly supportive but have concerns about how the regulations will impact on the keen angler. Take for example someone who buys a permit with the intention of fishing the evening rise, resting then fishing early in the morning. Under the current proposals resting in the car or in a simple bivouac would be breaking the proposed byelaws. We urge you to make your views known.
What is happening in 2015?
The consultation closes on 12 January 2015. The Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park will write a report with recommendations which will to go to a Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Board Meeting probably in March. The decision of the Park Board will then go to Scottish Ministers to be worked up into legislation which will require further consultation. Realistically this means that bylaws will not be in place until 2016. The behaviour of Loch users during 2015 may have some impact on the final legislation so please encourage responsible behaviour on the Loch side.
Competition Winner
This years recipient of the 10yr old Glenturret Malt Whisky goes to Jim McKenzie from Stirling. He was first out of the hat for this years prize draw. Congratulations Jim.
Heaviest Catches of the Season
Heaviest rainbow trout
A 17lbs 4ozs specimen taken by Associate Member Season ticket holder Matthew Devlin from Dunfermline. Out in his own boat in Ardveich Bay on the 23rd September 2014, Matthew took this huge rainbow after seeing it moving in the shallower water between the Fish Farm and the Fish Farm Exclusion Zone Fence. A cocktail of Power Bait and maggots ledgered close to the bottom eventually lured the big fish in. It took about ten minutes to get the fish under control as Matt was only using 4lbs bs line. As you can see from the photo he was struggling to hold this, his best ever fish.
View in Gallery
Heaviest brown trout
A 17lbs 2ozs specimen taken by Associate Membership Season Ticket Holder Dougie Lawrie from Motherwell out fishing in his own boat Dreamcatcher on the 8th September 2014 along with a gang of dachshunds.
Dougie was fishing his favourite lure the 12g Zebra Toby when the huge fish struck in the shallows of Ardveich Bay. It took a full twenty minutes to get the fish under control.
View in Gallery
Heaviest char
This super char at a shade under 2lbswas the best reported in season 2014 and was taken by Ryan McShane from Carlukeout fishing in his Dad's boat Jo-Casey fishing Ardveich Bay on the 5th May 2014. A good number around the ¾lb - 1lb mark were also caught and returned.
View in GalleryThese fish and other catches are available to view in the Gallery. If you do catch a decent fish or a nice basket of fish or something unusual let us know and we will put your pictures into the gallery on our website along with details of weights, numbers, how you caught your fish and where about.