Stocking

Ten thousand brown trout were stocked in the 2010 fishing season averaging between 11ozs and 15ozs almost 3½ tonnes in total weight.

Stockings took place on 31st March, 13th April, 28th April, 15th June and the 30th July.

The average weight stocked in 2010 was much lower at 12¼ ozs. The normal average would be in the region of 1lb to 1¼lbs. The reason for this was because of the severe winter conditions and much lower water temperatures resulting in poorer growth over the winter months. The first two deliveries of fish were five weeks behind schedule and 23% lighter in weight!

Loch Earn in season 2010 experienced its lowest water temperatures in twenty six years with the opening day temperature on the 15th March only 2½C (normally this would be 5C). This is why the season took such a long time to get going as many of you will be aware. At one point the temperature of Loch Earn was eight weeks behind the norm. According to the Met Office this winter has been the coldest since records began over 100 years ago so I would suspect it could be another slow start to the new fishing season.

From the information returned by one associate member season ticket holder, a new record was achieved during 2010 with an average of 11.2 fish per visit. For comparison the previous eight years averages are as follows:- 9.0 fish per visit in 2009, 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.