Fishing Season Report 2010 Jan 20, 2011

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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.

A netful of Browns

A netful of Browns

Neish Island, Loch Earn (East)

Neish Island, Loch Earn (East)

Our caravan pitches

Our caravan pitches

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 return numbers this season were the lowest ever recorded 0.6% compared to 3.7% in 2009, 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.

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 2011and you will be entered into our prize draw.

This years information represented 21 days fishing effort where a total of 236 fish were landed giving an average catch per visit of 11.23 fish compared to 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, 198 brown trout and 38 rainbow trout made up the total numbers taken.

The total weight caught was 100 lbs 8ozs giving an average of 6.6ozs.

All the fish were returned to the loch including a 6½lbs brown trout taken from the south shore near to the Ardvorlich gatehouse on March 18th. All these fish were taken on bait, mainly maggot and from the average weight it would suggest that the majority of these fish were wild brownies.

Other News

Thirty five new and updated information signs have been put around the lochside to let visitors know where they can buy daily and weekly fishing permits.

Drummond Estates will be purchasing three new boats and outboard engines in 2011 as part of the continuing replacement programme of its fleet of hire boats and engines. During 2010/ 2011 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

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 2011.

Heaviest Catches of the Season

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Heaviest rainbow trout

Heaviest rainbow reported in season 2010 was a 4lbs 2ozs specimen taken by Bobby Snodgrass from Wishaw out in a Drummond Estate boat in Ardveich Bay on the 24th September and was taken on maggot in 10-12 feet of water.

View in Gallery
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Heaviest brown trout

The heaviest brown trout was 22½lbs taken by Robert Cunningham from Renfrew out in his own boat on the 17th April. The huge trout took a 5" orange Kynoch Killer just as the boat passed the mouth of the Beich Burn about 50 yards from the shore. After a 15 minute tussle the fish was weighed, photographed and gently returned to Loch Earn none the worse for the experience.

View in Gallery
Glenturret.jpg

Competition winner

Thank you to David Cleland from Camelon who was the only angler who filled in his return form! This years 10yr old Glenturret whisky goes to David, Congratulations! As a season ticket holder you averaged just over 21 days fishing during season 2010.

These 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.