Salmon, Trout And Pike, Multiple Questions.

[Rabid 1,936]

I am looking for some serious help here.

 

After many years away from the course scene, (took up saltwater) I had a short holiday in Scotland and am getting itchy feet to get back there for some fishing on the lochs, the stories of salmon and trout are truly awesome, so I need to get kitted out, and any advice on tactics would be excellent.

 

I have a boat, and next time I go I am most likely taking it, so was thinking of doing some trolling, and drifting for pike.

 

What I want advice on, what would be the best rod and reel, what line to get, and any lures ?

 

The main loch I am thinking is loch awe, and the trout go to over 30lb, I believe it holds the record as well, so not looking to go under gunned, don't know much about the salmon yet ! Please bear in mind I am starting from scratch here so reckon I have lots to learn.

 

Thanks for taking the time to read, and if you have any thing to add I would be very gratefull.

 

Rob.

[nothernlite 18,260]

had my best days trout fishing on loch awe mid june the mayfly was hatching not done any pike mostly fly fishing from the boat round the islands time it right and you will have a good days fishing

[AirgunGuy 362]

If you're gonna do some trolling on Loch Awe for ferox you will need heavy spinning gear and downrigger equipement to get down to the fish. The ferox dont feed on flies etc as the smaller trout do...they feed on Char...smaller trout etc and at depth. The big fish dont come very often so be prepared for trolling for days/weeks without catching anything! These guys that troll the loch know where to troll through years of experience trolling the loch with echo sounders.

 

If its Pike your after up there then anywhere around Kilchurn Castle can be productive though it does get busy with Pike anglers so probably better to phone around and find somewhere a bit out of the way. Kilchurn Castle area has a few shallow bays where the Pike come in Mar/Apr time to mate and spawn. There's also the Salmon and Seatrout smolts coming down the River Orchy in May...hence the reason its so popular with Pike and Pike anglers

 

For smaller brownies Loch Awe is 1 of the best early lochs in Scotland. It fishes well from the start. As NL says...around the islands can be superb as can some of the bays around Ardbrecknish which is where you would hire a boat and the bays directly opposite Ardbrecknish. I fished it fairly regularly in the late eighties and early nineties as they had national qualifiers on there and you had to know where to fish. Drab patterns work well like March Browns...Blae & Hareslug...Blae & Black...Dark Olives...Connemarra Black...Kate Mclaren...Claret Bumble etc and my favourite Bibio but an old fashioned Peter Ross worked well on certain days also. If its really cold like now, a wetcel 2 line with attractor type wets work really well...Peter Ross...Silver Invicta...Silver March Brown...Doobry...Dunkeld etc. If there's any signs of flies hatching then a slow intermediate or floater.

 

Salmon in Scotland can be really expensive and the decent fishing is usually booked year in year out but you can get on some decent beats with a chance of a fish for 30-50 quid a day. The Fishpal website covers all the noted Salmon rivers in the country and you can check out the catches and book your fishing through them

Edited March 26, 2013 by AirgunGuy

[nothernlite 18,260]

good post bobby you still going up next week ? always liked the kate mclaren with a green tag on the dropper never fancied the trolling up there can be dangerous round some parts of the islands sunken rocks

[Rabid 1,936]

Thanks for the replies, I have never picked up a fly rod and not got a clue where to even start on that one, hence I was thinking trolling and spinning,, I have down riggers on my boat already for trolling for bass, and have a good grasp on how to go about that, hence it was the way I was looking to go forward.

 

I would not really be interested in boat hire as mine is kitted out to the hilt and I prefer to use it than hire one.

 

I had a look around ardbrecknish when I was up there, some very promising spots.

 

I heard a rumour an almost 30 came out a week last Friday, was just a few ounces short from what i Heard.

 

I believe salmon run through loch awe, and I would love to try for them, but the bigger trout really get my attention, and if the pike want to play I am happy to oblige.

 

 

Would a sea spinning rod be upto the job, or even over the top ? I have no idea what to expect from a good trout or salmon if I am lucky enough to get one.

 

My next trip I am thinking of going up for a minimum of a week, maybe longer. So really want to start getting some tackle together ready, I have heard the tomic lures are pretty good, but unable to find a uk supplier.

[AirgunGuy 362]

good post bobby you still going up next week ? always liked the kate mclaren with a green tag on the dropper never fancied the trolling up there can be dangerous round some parts of the islands sunken rocks

Don't know Davy. The wee fella wants to go but i dont want to scunner them with the cold. Phoned a few people up there and i've got an island sorted out down by Ardbrecknish. He lets a few parties from down south fish there every year and they supposedly do really well with the pike so i was really looking forward to it. I think next week is to be cold but they've got 2 weeks off so i'll see how the weather is on their 2nd week.

 

For the amount of troot fishin i did when i was younger i very rarely used a Kate Mclaren...always a Bibio with JC cheeks on the bob...always worked for me. Loads of guys i fished with swore by it...grean tag KM also.

 

Fcuk that trollin mallarkey...done it for the Salmon on Lomond for a couple of seasons...boring as fcuk haha...then the reel screams and its a fcukin big ugly Pike

[nothernlite 18,260]

as the saying goes anything black or broon lol on the droper

Edited March 26, 2013 by nothernlite

[AirgunGuy 362]

If you're gonna troll for ferox then you would really need to know exactly where to go or better still...get out with someone experienced but then again...those guys aint gonna put you over fish they've spent years trying to find!

 

The Salmon on the system is very poor now. I last fished the River Awe 2 years ago. We usually fish in Aug. if memory serves Euan the Ghillie was telling us that the amount of Salmon going throught the Pass was down by a 3rd for a few seasons. The Spring fishing isn't good at all as they have to ascend the Pass and they wont do that until the temp rises to mid 40's or so.

 

Might best to have a go at the Pike with the spinning rod and the Trout with the fly rod from the boat

Thanks for the replies, I have never picked up a fly rod and not got a clue where to even start on that one, hence I was thinking trolling and spinning,, I have down riggers on my boat already for trolling for bass, and have a good grasp on how to go about that, hence it was the way I was looking to go forward.

I would not really be interested in boat hire as mine is kitted out to the hilt and I prefer to use it than hire one.

I had a look around ardbrecknish when I was up there, some very promising spots.

I heard a rumour an almost 30 came out a week last Friday, was just a few ounces short from what i Heard.

I believe salmon run through loch awe, and I would love to try for them, but the bigger trout really get my attention, and if the pike want to play I am happy to oblige.


Would a sea spinning rod be upto the job, or even over the top ? I have no idea what to expect from a good trout or salmon if I am lucky enough to get one.

My next trip I am thinking of going up for a minimum of a week, maybe longer. So really want to start getting some tackle together ready, I have heard the tomic lures are pretty good, but unable to find a uk supplier.

[AirgunGuy 362]

Just to add...if you're looking for better info than i can give, i can give you the head wardens number. There's several wardens look after the loch and they cover an area each so they know there areas well. Its a very big loch to be going in blind

[Rabid 1,936]

That's excellent offer, thanks, I would like to speak to them if possible.

 

It also looks like I best get some fly casting lessons in down here pretty darn quick then.

 

I had also heard the salmon run was not like it used to be.

[AirgunGuy 362]

The River Awe has produced some of the biggest salmon in history would you believe. About half a mile down from the barrage there's a pool called the Rock Pool...some Major something or other got a 55lb'er from it...there's a plaque there. It used to be a superb salmon river but like the rest of the hydro rivers up here it got fcuked up with the hydro schemes. When i was last there it was full of small rainbows. They escape from Loch Etive i think and run the river hammering the fry...fcukin disgraceful!!! I lost a grilse and had about 20 6" rainbows...havent been back! 90 quid a day to catch tiny rainbows!!!

 

If you've got a trout fishery local you could get casting lessons and some practice there ;+)

Edited March 26, 2013 by AirgunGuy

[Rabid 1,936]

Thank you for the replies, can't wait to get back and wet a line.

 

I have graham water very close to me so will look into some casting lessons.

 

Rob.

[nothernlite 18,260]

the orchy can be a decent salmon river up at the awe after july and you can get a day permit for it caught a couple salmon from there with the worm and spinner so no need for the fly google it rapid good luck mate

[Rabid 1,936]

On another note, if I am up with my boat anytime and anyone wants a day or two out on the water then more than happy for some company.

 

17ft Wilson flyer ( cathedral hull) with cabin to get out the weather, 40 hp mariner, very safe reliable boat with 7 years sea fishing under the belt, fully kitted with GPS, sounder etc.

 

Not for hire, but like minded fishing company only, provided you don't mind fishing with a novice

[Rabid 1,936]

the orchy can be a decent salmon river up at the awe after july and you can get a day permit for it caught a couple salmon from there with the worm and spinner so no need for the fly google it rapid good luck mate

Thanks, will have a look now.