Stocking

Ten thousand brown trout were stocked in the 2017 fishing season averaging between 16ozs and 32ozs almost 5¼ tonnes in total weight. Stockings took place on 13th March, 20th March, 8th May, 7th July and the 14th July. The average weight stocked in 2017 was 1lb 2ozs. The table alongside shows the average catches 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. This table also gives the % of returns we receive back from our Associate Member Season Ticket holders.

Catch Returns Show Catch Return Data  

As Season Ticket holders you averaged almost 13 days fishing in 2017 which means you have had savings of around £13 plus the convenience of getting on to the water at any time.

This years information represented 88 days fishing effort where a total of 536 fish were landed giving an average catch per visit of 6.1 fish compared to 5.1 fish in 2016 5.2 fish in 2015, 4.3 fish in 2014, 6.5 fish in 2013, 4.5 fish in 2012, 6.8 fish in 2011, 11.2 fish in 2010, 9 fish in 2009 and 7.5 fish in 2008.

By species, 529 brown trout, 3 rainbow trout, 3 Char and 1 eel made up the total numbers caught.

The total weight caught was 617lbs 2ozs giving an average of 1lb 2½oz. Breaking these numbers down further:

• 70 brownies were killed for a total weight of 80lbs 2ozs (ave wt 1lbs 2ozs) and 459 were returned for a total weight of 525lbs 12ozs (av wt 1lb 2oz)
• 3 rainbow trout were killed for a total weight of 8lbs (ave wt 2lbs 11ozs)
• 3 char were registered on 2017 returns and returned for a total weight of 2lbs 8ozs ( ave wt 13.3ozs )
• 1 eel around ¾lb was registered this season and returned.

Total fish killed 70 (14% of total) and fish returned 463(86% of total) which indicates 13% more fish being returned in comparison to the 2016 figures.

Another interesting statistic for this past season is the percentage catch per species by numbers with brown trout 98.7%, rainbow trout 0.56%, char 0.56% and 0.18% eels

For the avoidance of any doubt Loch Earn Fishings only stocks Loch Earn with triploid Brown Trout.

Angling Clubs

Angling Clubs also had their fair share of success.

230 Browns caught by 56 rods = average of 4.1 fish per rod. Total of 87 fish killed for 98lbs 4ozs = average weight 1lb 2ozs.

As you can see from the above figures Angling Clubs are also playing their part in conserving fish stocks by returning over 60% of their fish.

Other News

Wild Brown Trout Spawning

These photos show wild Loch Earn Brown trout moving up one of the feeder streams to spawn in the gravel beds on the 22nd November 2017 and judging from the numbers seen there is a very healthy stock. The top right hand picture shows a female brown trout scraping out a redd in the gravel to deposit her eggs.

Floating Jetty

The main project for this winter was to look at upgrading our jetty facilities. It was fifteen years ago since we first put in our floating bridge and it has served us well, however over time the amount of boat traffic has increased dramatically and the polystyrene flotation has lost a lot of it's buoyancy.

We first looked at the plastic option for fairly obvious reasons and there are many good examples of these around Scotland however after consideration the cost was well outwith our budget.

We have now decided to go down the route of refurbishing our existing platform by replacing all the polystyrene sections and adding a new beefed up platform at the front which will be three times the length of the present one.

The jetty was removed from water on the 12th December and we hope to start our refurbishment at the end of January 2018.

Drummond Fish Farm Caravan Park

During the early spring of 2016 we completed a small extension to our caravan park which increases our capacity to ten pitches.

We still have our original CL but now have an additional five pitches. You need to be members of the Caravan Club to use the site and at certain times of the year, especially peak periods, it might not be possible to guarantee a pitch on the original CL.

There are stunning views of Loch Earn and the surrounding hills from the pitches on our caravan site in Ardveich Bay. A very popular site with walkers, cyclists, canoeists, golfers, fishers, dog owners and birdwatchers. From April to September most people who stay with us will see Ospreys fishing in the bay in front of the pitches.

Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park (Bye Laws)

Camping Bye Laws implemented by the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park Authority came into effect on the 1st March 2017. Reaction to these new rules has been mixed to say the least.

From a fishing point of view it has had a major effect on our business with a 15% drop in day ticket sales with some of the retail outlets around the lochside experiencing a 20% drop in footfall through their doors.

Perth & Kinross Council have 23 Wheelie Bins on the North Shore of Loch Earn and 35 Wheelie Bins on the South Shore. Stirling Council have no litter facilities around Loch Earn except in the Car Park opposite what was the former Lochearnhead Watersports Centre.

Loch Earn Fishings, which is a partnership between Drummond Estates and Ardvorlich Estate, also have 35 Galvanised Plastic Sack Holders around the shores of Loch Earn which we maintain. As you can see there really is no excuses for discarded litter. Myself and Raymond Baynes (Ardvorlich Estate) are both fishing wardens and have helped on a voluntary basis to try and keep Loch Earn as tidy as possible for the past 36 years by collecting the rubbish left by daytrippers. Can you imagine what it would be like if it wasn’t for our efforts. I should also point out you shouldn’t make assumptions as to who is leaving the litter. Most fishermen are very in tune with nature and their environment.

To put this into perspective every year Loch Earn Fishings purchases 1200 compacter sacks and this equates to approx. 30 tonnes of rubbish each season and this does not include any abandoned campsites (Tents/chairs, airbeds etc ) or fly tipping which goes on.

This year the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park Authority brought in byelaws to limit the number of people camping on the shores of lochs within the National Park. As part of their "Camping Management Plan" a charge is made for every tent, bivouac, gazebo or any form of shelter on the lochside between 7pm and 7am and this has resulted in a serious decline in our fishing business.

We have informed the Park Authority we will continue to maintain our galvanised sack holders on the lochside locations however we will not deal with any additional rubbish which has been thoughtlessly discarded as this should be part of their "Camping Management Plan" and through their booking system should be able to identify the offenders assuming everybody who is camping is in possession of a camping permit.