News and Reports
Looking back on the 2009 Season
Stocking
Ten thousand brown trout were stocked in the 2009 fishing season averaging between 1-2lbs and almost seven tonnes in total weight.
From the information returned by associate member season ticket holders a new record was achieved during 2009 with an average of 9.0 fish per visit. For comparison the previous seven years averages are as follows :- 7.5 fish per visit in 2008, 8.5 fish per visit in 2007, 5.7 fish in 2006, 4.8 fish in 2005, 3.2 fish in 2004 and 3.0 fish in 2003 and 2.4 fish in 2002.
Catch Returns Fishing Season 2009
Thank you to everyone who took the trouble to send in their catch returns on time despite all the industrial action with the Royal Mail. This years recipient of 10yr old Glenturret whisky goes to Stuart McInnes of Lasswade. Congratulations!!
Please remember when sending in your returns to include your name and address on the form, just in case you are a winner!!
Catch return numbers this season were the lowest ever recorded at a very disappointing 3.7%, compared to 6.4% in 2008, 6.7% in 2007 ,3.9% in 2006, 4.9% in 2005, 8.4% in 2004, 9.3% in 2003 and 11% in 2002.
As season ticket holders you averaged just over 12 days fishing during season 2009. This was down on the previous season by four days but very wet weather July / August did not help matters. 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 2010 and you will be entered into our prize draw.
This years information represented 85 days fishing effort where a total of 768 fish were landed giving an average catch per visit of 9.04 fish compared to 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, 565 brown trout, 172 rainbow trout and 31 char made up the total numbers taken.
The total weight caught was 873 lbs 12ozs giving an average of 1lb 2¼ozs.Breaking the data down further 98 brown trout for 141lbs 14ozs (average 1b 7¼ozs ), 30 rainbow trout for 30lbs (average 1lb ) and 3 char for 2lbs 14ozs ( average 15¼ozs ) were killed.
This accounted for 17% of the numbers, 83% of the catch being returned to fight another day.
467 browns for 604lbs 12ozs ( average 1lb 4¾ ozs ), 142 rainbows for 88lbs 12ozs ( average 10ozs ) and 28 char for 5lbs 8ozs ( average 3¼ozs ).
The best reported overall bag for the season was taken by Chris Collins from Crieff who had a total of 390 fish for a total weight of 584lbs ( average weight 1lb 8ozs ). This represents just over 16 fish per visit. All 390 fish ( 336 brown trout and 54 rainbow trout )were returned.
The entire catch was taken on fly and lures.
His best day was the 5th April with 72 browns and 1 rainbow returned
The heaviest fish a 3lbs brownie was taken on the 17th May along with another 32 brownies and a rainbow.
Heaviest rainbow reported in season 2009 was a 4lbs 6ozs specimen taken by Keith Reid from Muthill on the 15th March , fishing from a Drummond Estate boat in Ardveich Bay. The fish took ledgered maggots in about thirty five feet of water about a hundred yards off the boat hire jetty.
The heaviest char reported this season was a fish of 2¾lbs taken by Jim Dixon from Tranent on the 20th April fishing from a private boat in Ardveich Bay. Again this fish was taken on ledgered maggots in about thirty five feet of water.
Heaviest brown trout reported in season 2009 was a 20¼lbs fish taken by 14 year old Kyle Ireland from Dunfermline out in his grandfather's boat on the 16th April. The huge trout took a 10cms green/orange tiger rapala just as the boat passed the mouth of the Kendrum Burn as they were heading towards St. Fillans. From scale analysis at the Freshwater Fish Laboratory in Pitlochry it was established that the huge brownie was the same age as its captor 14 years.
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'll put your pictures into the gallery on our website along with details of weights, numbers, how you caught your fish and where about.
Angling Clubs also had their share of success throughout the season
2nd May - Kelvinside Academical AC ( 3 boats ) - 30 browns for 50lbs 8ozs
7th May - Loch Inch AC ( 4 boats) - 39 browns for 63lbs 10ozs
9th May - Laurencekirk & District Angling Association (4 boats) - 10 browns / 5 rainbows for 16lbs 14ozs
23rd May - St. Mungo AC ( 2 boats ) 5 fish for 5lbs 9ozs
24th May - Invergowrie AC ( 3 boats ) - 2 browns / 3 rainbows for 3lbs 14ozs
11th June - Strathclyde Police AC (8 boats ) - 37 browns / 36 rainbows for 91lbs 7oz ( also returned a further 20 browns and 26 rainbows )
20th June - St. Mungo AC ( 6 Boats ) - 34 browns for 33lbs 11ozs
20th June - Phoenix AC ( 5 Boats ) - 20 browns / 6 rainbows for 24lbs 6ozs
5th September - St. Mungo AC ( 6 Boats ) - 3 browns for 2lbs 15ozs
23rd Sept - Central Scotland Police AC ( 6 boats ) - No return was received!!
230 fish for 292 lbs 14ozs total weight - average 1.25lbs ( 1lb 4ozs )
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 2010 until 6th October 2010 on hard standing at Drummond Fish Farm -£200
Season Launch ( 15th March to 6th October )+ Storage from 15th March 2010 until 14th March 2011 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 - £12 per night
Additional Adults - £2 per night
Additional Children - £1 per night
Boats - £1 per night
Demand for pitches during season 2009 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 2010 season so the advice is to book as early as possible to secure a pitch.
Other news
5th June to the 12th June 2009 brought the FIPS Mouche World Flyfishing Championships to Scotland for the first time in its historyThe actual event venues took place on the Lake of Menteith, Loch Leven, Loch Awe, Carron Valley Reservoir and the River Tay.
The participants in the competition were not allowed to fish any of these locations for a minimum time of 60 days prior to the main event.
Loch Earn was chosen as one of the official practice venues on the 6th June.
In the morning session there were 41 rods representing Luxemburg, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Japan, Norway and Finland.
In the afternoon session there were 39 rods representing Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Malta, Wales, Croatia, Holland, Slovakia, Sweden, Australia and Belgium.
Many of these international anglers were extremely complimentary on the quality of the fishing on Loch Earn with some boats taking up to fifteen trout in a three hour session.
In the main team event the winners were England with France in second place and Scotland a very respectable third.
In the best individual rods the gold medal winner was Ian Barr ( England ), the silver medal winner was Donald Thom ( Canada ) and the bronze medal winner was Christian Jadoyille (Belgium).
All the results are available to view on the website www.worldflyfishingchampionships2009.com
Drummond Estates will be purchasing three new boats and outboard engines in 2010 as part of the continuing replacement programme of its fleet of hire boats and engines. During 2009/ 2010 three 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 & Drummond Estate Boat Hire in Lochearnhead and Village Store, & 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 4000 browns at about 1¼lbs put into Loch Earn.
Wishing you all an enjoyable and successful season in 2010
Yours sincerely,
Alex. Murray
For Loch Earn Fishings.
Permit Charges 2010
Permit Charges for the 2010 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, By Crieff, Perthshire PH5 2AA. Telephone 01764 681257. A passport sized photograph is also required.
Boat Hire Charges 2010
4hr hire - £24 (minimum charge)
6hr hire - £29
8hr hire - £34
Loch Earn Moorings
Loch Earn Moorings for the 2010 season are available at St. Fillans in the lee of Neish Island.
For season 2010 we are offering a 10% discount on mooring charges for any angler taking out an Associate Membership Season Ticket.
Mooring Charges for 2010
Boats fifteen feet and under in length : £215
Boats over fifteen feet in length : £268
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 2010 - April 2011
Up to 14.99 feet - £143
15ft. To 19.99ft - £172
20ft + - £216