News and Reports
Looking back on the 2011 Season
Stocking
Ten thousand brown trout were stocked in the 2011 fishing season averaging between 14ozs and 28ozs almost 6½ tonnes in total weight.
Stockings took place on 9th March, 16th March, 27th April, 15th June and the 27th July.
The average weight stocked in 2011 was a very respectable 1lb 6½ ozs. The normal average would be in the region of 1lb 0ozs.
The following table shows the average catch per visit to Loch Earn over the past ten years.
This is information supplied by Associate Member Season Ticket holders and includes all fish caught.
The table alongside gives the % of returns we receive back from our Associate Member Season Ticket holders.
|
YEAR |
PERCENTAGE OF |
|
|
CATCH RETURNS |
||
|
2002 |
11% |
|
|
2003 |
9.3% |
|
|
2004 |
8.4% |
|
|
2005 |
4.9% |
|
|
2006 |
3.9% |
|
|
2007 |
6.7% |
|
|
2008 |
6.4% |
|
|
2009 |
3.7% |
|
|
2010 |
0.6% |
|
|
2011 |
7.2% |
|
|
YEAR |
AVERAGE NUMBER |
|
|
OF FISH PER VISIT |
||
|
2002 |
2.4 |
|
|
2003 |
3.0 |
|
|
2004 |
3.2 |
|
|
2005 |
4.8 |
|
|
2006 |
5.7 |
|
|
2007 |
8.5 |
|
|
2008 |
7.5 |
|
|
2009 |
9.0 |
|
|
2010 |
11.2 |
|
|
2011 |
6.8 |
|
Catch Returns Fishing Season 2011
Catch returns this year showed a significant improvement at 7.2%, in fact the best for seven years. We still need more.
Please remember when sending in your returns to include your name and address on the form, just in case you are a winner!!
Speaking of winners, this years recipient of the 10yr old Glenturret Malt Whisky goes to Matthew Devlin of Dunfermline. He was first out of the hat for this years prize draw. Congratulations Matt.
As Season Ticket holders you averaged just over 25 days fishing this season which means you have saved a whopping £115 or put another way the equivalent of another season ticket.
This represents fantastic value in these difficult times.
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 2012 and you will be entered into our prize draw.
This years information represented 282 days fishing effort where a total of 1907 fish were landed giving an average catch per visit of 6.8 fish compared to 11.2 fish in 2010, 9.04 fish in 2009, 7.5 fish in 2008, 8.5 fish in 2007, 5.7 fish for 2006, 4.8fish for 2005, 3.19 fish for 2004, 2.99 fish in 2003 and 2.4 fish for 2002.
By species, 1046 brown trout and 849 rainbow trout and 12 char made up the total numbers taken.
The total weight caught was 1975 lbs 10ozs giving an average of 1lb 0½oz.
Breaking these numbers down further :
347 brownies were killed for a total weight of 502lbs 11ozs (ave wt 1lb 7ozs) and 699 were returned for a total weight of 751lbs 13ozs (ave wt 1lb 1¼ozs)
266 rainbow trout were killed for a total weight of 315lbs 4ozs (ave wt 1lb 3ozs)
583 rainbow trout were returned for a total weight of 398lbs 5ozs (ave wt 11ozs)
3 char were killed for a total weight of 1lb 8ozs (ave wt 8ozs)
9 char were returned for a total weight of 6lbs 1oz (ave 10¾ ozs)
This would suggest that in excess of two thirds of the fish caught on Loch Earn are being returned which surely bodes well for fishing in future years.
Heaviest rainbow reported in season 2011 was a 8lbs 6ozs specimen taken by William Beckinsdale from Balquidder out in his own boat the “ Friday Flier 11 “ in Ardveich Bay on the 22nd August and was taken on an orange countdown rapala near to the main fish cage block.
Heaviest brown trout reported in season 2011 was a 4lbs 12ozs fish taken by William Beckinsdale from Balquidder out in his own boat the “ Friday Flier 11 “ on the 29th July.
This fish was taken on ledgered maggot in about forty five feet of water.
Anglers reported good numbers of char being taken throughout the season with some up to a 1½lbs in weight. Quite a number of these were taken on the fly.
These fish and other catches are available to view on our website www.drummondtroutfarm.co.uk
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.
Drummond Estate Boat Hire
The boat hire cabin stocks a range of fishing tackle including rods for sale/ hire, bait and daily/weekly fishing permits. There is also a hot drinks machine. Seasoned firewood logs and coal are available to buy for those colder days/evenings or when the midges are on the go!!
The slipway built in 2004 has proved very popular with boat owners and provides a sheltered launching facility for both pleasure and fishing vessels.
Slipway Charges :
Day Launch for Fishing Boats / small craft + light capacity outboards : £ 9
* Day Launch for Larger craft, ski boats + high capacity outboards : £ 15
(* must have third party insurance )
Personal Watercraft not permitted. (jet skis / jet bikes)
Season Launch (Fishing boats / small craft + light capacity outboards) : £115
Season Launch ( Larger craft, ski boats + high capacity outboards ) : £145
(Season 15th March to 6th October inclusive)
Season Launch (15th March to 6th October)
+ Storage from 15th March 2012 until 6th October 2012 on hard standing at Drummond Fish Farm : £200
Season Launch (15th March to 6th October)
+ Storage from 15th March 2012 until 14th March 2013 on hard standing at Drummond Fish Farm : £350
Ardveich Bay Caravan Park(Certified Location)
A new certified location caravan park was opened at Ardveich Bay in July 2007.
This is available to Caravan Club members only and is restricted to a maximum of five vans.
The site is for recreational and short stay use only.
Charges include the use of electrical hookups and the toilet and shower facility.
Up to 2 persons - £15 per night
Additional Adults - £2 per night
Additional Children - £1 per night
Boats - £1 per night
Demand for pitches during season 2011 was very strong. This is likely to increase further this season as many more people decide to holiday at home. A good number of bookings have already been taken for the 2012 season so the advice is to book as early as possible to secure a pitch.
Other News
Drummond Estates will be purchasing three new boats and outboard engines in 2012 as part of the continuing replacement programme of its fleet of hire boats and engines.
During 2012 two ex hire boats will become available for sale. Please note these boats will not be supplied with a trailer. If you wish to register an interest please telephone 01567 830400
Daily / Weekly Permits are available from the Village Shop, Post Office and Drummond Estate Boat Hire in Lochearnhead and Village Store and South Loch Earn Caravan Park in St. Fillans.
The restocking programme will start again at the beginning of March and the first two stockings will see about 4,000 browns at about 1¼ lbs put into Loch Earn.
Wishing you all an enjoyable and successful season in 2012.
Yours sincerely,
Alex.Murray
For Loch Earn Fishings.
Permit Charges 2012
Permit Charges for the 2012 fishing season are as follows:
Adult daily : £ 9 Adult Weekly : £25
Junior daily : £ 4.50p Junior Weekly: £12.50p(16yrs. & under )
These tickets are widely available at shops, post offices, and caravan parks in St. Fillans and Lochearnhead.
Associate Membership Season Tickets : Adult : £115, Junior : £40
These permits are only available from Loch Earn Fishings, Drummond Estate Office, Muthill, Crieff, Perthshire PH5 2AA. Telephone 01764 681257. A passport sized photograph is also required. It is preferable that you send in a cheque made payable to Lochearn Fishings. However if a cash payment is made, we may not be able to deal with this on demand and would ask that you attach the correct amount to your completed application form and hand it in to the Estate Office. You will be given a receipt and your permit will be forwarded to you within a day or two. This also applies to applications for launching permits. As you can appreciate, there is a lot of paperwork involved over this season and we would be grateful for your co-operation.
Boat Hire Charges 2012
4hr hire - £27(minimum charge)
6hr hire - £32
8hr hire - £37
Loch Earn Moorings
Loch Earn Moorings for the 2012 season are available at St. Fillans in the lee of Neish Island.
For season 2012 we are offering a 10% discount on mooring charges for any angler taking out an Associate Membership Season Ticket.
Mooring Charges for 2012
Boats fifteen feet and under in length: £235
Boats over fifteen feet in length : £295
Please contact the Estate Office, Muthill, Perthshire PH5 2AA – Tel 01764 681257 or Drummond Estate Boat Hire, Lochearnhead, Stirlingshire FK19 8PZ – Tel 01567 830400 for further details.
Winter Boat Storage
A facility exists in St. Fillans for undercover Winter Boat Storage and is available from mid October to Mid April.
Charges October 2012 – April 2013
Up to 14.99 feet : £157
15ft. To 19.99ft : £190
20ft + : £238