The brown trout season at Loch Venachar has now finished with a final flurry of beautiful fish being caught as they gravitate towards the Blackwater River in preparation for the colder months ahead. Although the weather has been hugely unpredictable and, for the most part, terrible the overall health and numbers of fish in the loch are very encouraging. Many thanks to all the trout fishermen who paid us a visit and we look forward to seeing you again next season.

As one door closes, another opens in the shape of winter pike fishing. As any of our regular anglers know and anyone who has seen the photographic archives will testify, Venachar’s pike in the winter get BIG…VERY BIG! Every pike angler knows that the fish are far more active as air and water temperatures drop, feeding with an incredible appetite and putting on a lot of weight. That equals more runs, more action and more large catches for those tough and dedicated enough to brave the elements (although last year’s -16c was a bit much).

As far as the conditions at Venachar at the moment go there has been a huge amount of rain leading to a big rise in the water level and constantly fluctuating water temperatures. Again this has led to certain areas being submerged, but also allows the pike to feed in these newly created habitats, the best of which is probably the Blackwater Marshes up at Little Drum Farm which is completely flooded and deeper than usual. This new territory yielded a massive 25lb 2oz fish for Bryan O’Donnell from Bonnybridge and a cracking 20lb 3ozer for Rab McDonald from Broxburn. Milton Bay, where Stuart Greig’s magnificent 35lb 7oz pike was caught recently, is also still fishing well with two hefty 20lb+ fish courtesy of Euan Taylor from Airdrie and Dale Porteous from Dunfermline. The Invertrossachs area by the dam has also produced some fine mid-doubles lately. As always the fish were returned unharmed and were in perfect condition.

Finally, our fleet of boats have just had their engines serviced to the highest standard so they’re running perfectly, and shortly we will be refurbishing every boat so that they are all in pristine condition. So instead of letting the pike come to you on the banks, why don’t you swing the odds in your favour and go after them in the boat…good luck!

Some recent (reported) boat & bank catches :-

Bryan O’Donnell (Bonnybridge) 25lb 2oz, 16lb 3oz - lamprey, Euan Taylor (Airdrie) 22lb 5oz - joey mackerel, Dale Porteous (Dunfermline) 20lb 7oz - eel, David Hearns (Clydebank) 14lb 8oz - Lamprey, Alan Rankin (Bridge of Allan) 2lb 1oz & 2x 1lb 6oz brown trout - fly-fishing [Gartmore Palmer], George Richie (Crieff) 14lb, 12lb 10oz, 12lb 8oz - joey mackerel & trout, James Williams (Hamilton) 15lb - smelt, Derick Leiper (Falkirk) 18lb 2oz - lamprey, Paul Ross (Coatbridge) 20lb, 14lb 10oz, 10,6 - mackerel & herring, Scott Ross (Coatbridge) 12lb - herring, Andrew Gilbert (Bathgate) 1lb 6oz brown trout - wasp grubs, Brian Tulloch (Kirkliston) 18lb - fly-fishing from float-tube, Colin Wilson (Linlithgow) 15lb - fly-fishing from float-tube, Kevin Mackenzie (Falkirk) 16lb 8oz - mackerel, Mark Thompson (Falkirk) 19lb 10oz, 16lb 8oz, 13, 12lb 9oz, - sardine & smelt, Gordon Lees (Livingston) 14lb 12oz, 14lb - trout, Darren Inglis (Stenhousemuir) 6lb - trout, Stuart Malcolm (Falkirk) 14lb, 15lb - trout & smelt, Stephen McCalister (Edinburgh) 2x 1lb brown trout - spinning, Scott Dixon (Bellshill) 8lb - trout, Colin Sandles (Partick) 16lb 10oz, 15, 14, 15lb 80z, 15, 13lb 9oz, 12lb 7oz, 12 - herring & smelt, George Park (Polmont) 2lb 3oz brown trout - maggot, Rab McDonald (Broxburn) 20lb 3oz, 9lb 9oz - mackerel, Graeme McDonald (Broxburn) 12lb 7oz - mackerel, Stephen Wilson (Falkirk) 16lb - trout, Gareth Neilson (Stirling) 16lb 13oz, 10 - smelt, Ewan Collington (Kent) 2x 2lb - fly-fishing [Pearly Invicta], Stewart Mortimer (Cumbernauld) 15lb 5oz, Scott Millar (Cowie) 13lb - mackerel, Billy Cameron (Livingston) 10lb, 6 - joey mackerel & brook trout, Steven Sommerville (Tillicoultry) 12lb 2oz - trout, Paul Allen (Carron) 8lb 8oz - mackerel, Kenny McCaffery (Bannockburn) 12lb - herring, Barry Guthrie (Dunfermline) 10lb - mackerel, Kevin Graham (Carronshore) 10lb 9oz - mackerel, Derek Thomson (Harthill) 16lb - mackerel.

Please remember to treat Loch Venachar, the habitat, wildlife and other people using the area with respect at all times. This means no litter (leave the place as you find it), cutting down of trees, out of control fires or people, etc. All incidents will be reported. Anybody attempting to kill, damage or remove pike from the loch will be reported to the police and banned permanently. Also, please ensure that you have all the essential equipment necessary to protect the health and well-being of the fish. A full list of minimum requirements can be found at P.A.A.S’s site www.esoxecosse.com and also at P.A.C. GB’s site www.pacgb.co.uk. Thankyou.

Congratulations to Stuart Greig from Dunfermline who landed a huge 35lb 7oz oil-tanker of a pike using mackerel at 12.30 a.m. on Sunday the 14th August. It came in after a solid 10 minute battle and was quickly unhooked, digitally weighed and pictures were taken by his four colleagues. The fish, which beat his previous personal best by a full 10lbs, was in pristine condition, undamaged and returned to the gloomy depths of Loch Venachar to fight another day. Well Done.

Recently, as before, it’s been a tale of contrasting fortunes with some having huge hauls and others left broken and weeping into their waders. The weather and conditions at Venachar (and all over) have been as schizophrenic as ever with no two days lately being the same. This has led to some interesting fishing conditions although there have been quality catches under difficult circumstances, the best of which were a massive 27lb 3oz behemoth courtesy of Neil Kerr and a dirty dozen from brothers Chris & Gordon Sharp most of which were mid to high doubles. There have also been some fine brown trout taken after a brief lull due to cloudless sunny skies and high water and air temperatures. The loch is teeming with fish…outsmarting them’s a different matter.

As far as the conditions go for pike, Little Drum Farm’s water level has dropped slightly so the upper bay (Blackwater Marshes) is borderline, but the main area is still deep so the pike that were up there should now be moving down towards the lagoon away from the mouth of the Blackwater River. The Road Shore car parks, as ever, are still producing a solid number of catches with Beetle Bay and the Dam end also showing healthy signs of activity and regular feeding. As for the trout, numerous rises are still being spotted with huge amounts of insect life available (albeit quite far from the shore) with catches being reported in Milton Bay, Portnellan, Boathouse Bay and East Dullater. The recent drop in temperatures seems to have them feeding hungrily again.

And if you’re fishing for our magnificent pike at Venachar then please remember: “Hook ‘Em…But Don’t Cook ‘Em”.

 Some recent reported boat and bank catches :- Neil Kerr - 27lb 3oz, 20lb 9oz - mackerel, Gordon Sharp & Chris Sharp (Coatbridge) 19lb 5oz, 17lb 8oz, 17lb 6oz, 17lb 3oz, 15lb 2oz, 15, 14lb 6oz, 13lb 7oz, 12lb 4oz, 12, 12, 8 - sardine, mackerel tail, George Richie (Crieff) 20lb 2oz, 18lb 4oz, 16lb 3oz, 13 & 8 - mackerel, Donovan Trench (Moodiesburn) 1lb 6oz brown trout - maggot, Charley Valenti (Airdrie, 8 yrs old, 1st time fishing) 1lb 4oz brown trout - worm, Graeme McDonald (Uphall) 18lb 3oz, 7lb - trout, Robert McDonald (Uphall) 12lb 9oz, 6lb 8oz - mackerel, Graeme McDonald Jnr (Uphall) 5lb 10oz - smelt, Brian Anderson (Glasgow) 14lb - trout, David Dempsey (Airdrie) 16lb - mackerel, Colin Sandles (Partick) 8lb - smelt, Callum Allen (Wishaw) 17lb 9oz - lamprey, Brian McCourt (Glasgow) 10lb - smelt, Michael Weatheritt - (Alnwick) 4 x 1.5lb & 3x 1.2lb brown trout - spinning, Jenny Carter (Lymm) 8lb 8oz - lure, Sean Anderson (Glenrothes) 18lb - sardine, Piotr, Michael & Thomas Posiadala (Glasgow) 20lb 2oz, 11, 10, 9 & 6 - lure, James McNeill (Easterhouse) 18lb 6oz - mackerel, , Brian Alexander (Glasgow) 15lb 1oz, 14, 14, Mark McGowan (Carluke) 20lb 3oz - perch, Mr. Bell (Kirkintilloch) 14lb - lamprey, Mr. Morrison (Glasgow) 15lb 8oz - m. tail. Finally, well done to brave young Ben Campbell who reeled in a hard fighting 2lb 8oz wild brown trout using a rapala in some extremely choppy conditions from the boat. Good work son!

Well, it’s been a strange summer so far with the weather still being as unpredictable and changeable as ever, but with some fine fish being caught nevertheless, particularly from the boats. The shore-line around Venachar is still receding due to a very high water level but all of the most popular and productive areas such as Little Drum, The Road Shores, Portnellan and Invertrossachs are still available. Get there early to bag the best spots! The pike are getting back to something like their fighting weight which isn’t a surprise as the loch is teeming with prey fish, and the brown trout are in excellent condition after gorging on insects for months. There have been quite a few reports of high single-figure trout (8,9 lbers) being spotted all over the loch…they would make a fine catch!

Some recent reported catches :-

Andy Mearns (Coatbridge) 21lb 8oz pike, 20lb, 19lb 3oz, 18lb 4oz, 10lb - mackerel & sprats, Liam Mearns (Coatbridge) 13lb & 10lb - mackerel, Ryan Bain (Rosyth) 20lb 6oz - pollan, 18lb - smelt, David Stevenson (Dunfermline) 17lb 6oz, 17lb - smelt, Martin Callaghan (Airdrie) 2lb 8oz & 1lb 4oz brown trout - maggot, David Davies (Newtongrange) 10lb - mackerel, Mark Wright (Haddington) 9lb 8oz - mackerel, Roddy Steven (E. Calder) 15lb 9oz - lamprey, Sami Burden (Falkirk) 15lb 7oz - mackerel, Dean Ribaudo (Crieff) 8lb 7oz - b.trout, Mark Wilson (Crieff) 15, 10, 12 & 13lb - mackerel, Richard Smith (Buckinghamshire) 1lb 7oz & 2lb 12oz brown trout - jungle dabbler, Stuart Lang (Wishaw) 16lb 10oz - trout, John Lees (Airdrie) 1lb 7oz brown trout - worm, Owen Cook (Kelty) 1lb 4oz brown trout - worm, Gary Cullen (Coatbridge) 16lb - m. tail, Paul Ross (Coatbridge) 10lb, 6lb - m.tail, Daniel Birch - 11lb 8oz - smelt, Kevin Mackenzie (Falkirk) 17lb 14oz, 14lb 13oz, 11, 11, 12 - lamprey, m. tail & trout, David Noble (Kirkintilloch) 18, 15, 12, 10 & 7lb - mackerel & bluey, John Noble (Kirkintilloch) 15, 15 & 12lb 6oz - sardine & bluey, Angus Paul (Bathgate) 1lb 2oz brown trout - maggot, Conor Bartley (Bailliestoun) 2lb 8oz brown trout - maggot, Frankie Smith (Bellshill) 15lb 2oz, 8lb - trout, Jamie Differ (Milton Of Campsie) 12lb 7oz - sardine, Derek Sneddon (Falkirk) 15lb 9oz - smelt, Forbes Allen (Glasgow) 15lb 7oz - m.tail, George Campbell (Dunfermline) 14lb, 9lb - trout, Dave Penny (Warrington) 12lb 4oz - smelt, Davy Russell (E. Kilbride) 16lb, 15lb 10oz - lamprey, Phil Smith - 1lb brown trout - maggot, Joe Bohlen (Illinois) 2lb 12oz brown trout - black gnat parachute, George Richie (Crieff) 19lb, 13lb - mackerel, Mark Thompson (Falkirk) 18lb 6oz, 13, 13, 11, 10, 10, 9, 9lb - mackerel, sardine, lamprey and finally congratulations to Robbie Williamson (Ayrshire) who landed 3 x 1lbers, a 1lb 8oz, 1lb 11oz and a 12lb pike with his tiny mosaic gold-head fritz fly!

The fish seem to have got their appetites back with some fine pike and  brown trout being caught in the last few weeks using a variety of techniques from dead-baiting, lures and also on the fly. The conditions at Venachar are still quite changeable (when are they not!) due to the “Spanish Plume” weather system which is throwing up a bit of everything after a mini-heatwave two weeks ago. The water-level has also dropped by a few feet due to the opening of the dam, but this is not necessarily a bad thing as it opens up previously unfishable areas especially on the Invertrossachs side. There have also been some impressive boat catches with good trout numbers being caught at Portnellan (Professor, Green Peter and Gartmore Palmer flies seem to be doing the trick) a solid 15lb 8oz pike caught with a home-made perch fly by Alan Miller from Livingston and a powerful 18lb 9oz pike caught lure fishing by Ross Watterson from Alloa. Paul Ferris from Cumbernauld also had an excellent day’s sport catching four pike, including a 16lb 8oz and a 15lb 10oz (the fish were returned unharmed after a small ransom was paid).

 Some recent reported catches :- David Stevenson (Dunfermline) 17lb - herring, Gary Batchelor (Edinburgh) 21lb 7oz, 18lb 8oz - brown trout, Ross Winwick (Edinburgh) 16lb 10oz - roach, Ross Watterson (Alloa) 18lb 9oz - lure, Darren Inglis (Stenhousemuir) 3 x 1.5lb brown trout - maggot, Steven & Kelsie Candlish (Dunfermline) 2.25lb brown trout - worms, Declan Graham (Paisley) 9lb 3oz - mackerel, Derren Reynolds (Inverkeithing) 19lb 10oz - lamprey, Ross Lamont 12lb - mackerel, Craig Sharpe (Falkirk) 2 x 1.2lb brown trout - maggot, David Mulholland (Falkirk) 2 x 1.4lb brown trout, Gary Attridge (Falkirk) 9lb 3oz - mackerel, Paul Ferris (Cumbernauld) 16lb 8oz, 15lb 10oz, 10lb 2oz, 9lb - mackerel & sardine, David Anderson (Paisley) 18lb 1oz - smelt, A. Morgan (Glenrothes) 2 x 1.5lb brown trout - fly, Alan Miller (Livingston) 15lb 8oz - perch fly, William Murphy (Paisley) 7lb 10oz - mackerel, Sami Burden (Falkirk) 10lb 9oz - perch, Lee Allen (Falkirk) 8lb - mackerel, Alex White (Livingston) 15lb 8oz - roach, Preston Walker (Glasgow) 14lb 9oz - mackerel, Deborah Lambie (Armadale) 2 x 1.3lb brown trout - maggot, Alan Wighton (Grangemouth) 14lb - snake launce and congratulations to Mark Williamson (Glasgow) and Stuart Landsburgh (Edinburgh) for setting new PB’s by catching a 15lb 8oz and a 14lb respectively on their first visit to Loch Venachar. That’s what it’s all about.

After a long drawn out spawning season (still ongoing) caused by unseasonably cold weather and water temperatures, the catches are beginning to return to something resembling normality with progressively larger pike being landed in the past few weeks the best of which were a chunky 22lb 6oz from Alan Meechan, a 20lb 4oz from Ross Stevenson and a solid 20lber from Willie Salmond. Good trout catches are also being reported with the average weight being between 1 & 2 lbs in healthy numbers with the best being a lovely 2lber, spinning from David Potter.

It was good to see Dave Lindsay and The Pike Fly Fishing Association (P.F.F.A) boys at Venachar who, although fishing in difficult conditions, had a great day out. Check out the report of their trip at http://www.pffa.co.uk/lochvenacharapril2011.htm and visit their website for more information on this innovative and exciting way of pike fishing. With the consistent warmer weather arriving and more activity from the fish, especially at Little Drum Farm and The Road Shores, we are expecting some good results very soon, so remember to be there for the post-spawning feeding frenzies…it could be good!

 Some recent reported catches (boat & bank) :- Alan Meechan (Falkirk) 22lb 6oz - mackerel, Preston McGlone (Coatbridge) 16lb 1oz - mackerel, Kevin Mackenzie (Falkirk) 10lb 14oz -trout, 12lb 3oz - smelt, Craig Learmonth (Paisley) 16lb 2oz - trout, Mark Thompson (Falkirk) 9lb, 15lb 9 oz, 13lb 6oz, 7lb 8oz, 12lb 9oz - pollan & smelt, Scott McBride (Motherwell) 12lb 6oz - lure, Lawrence Broadley 1lb 3oz brown trout & Adam Yacoob 1lb 8oz brown trout- beaded wooly bugger, Adrian Ferguson (Greenock) 10lb 2oz - roach, Ian Purvis (Burntisland) 14lb & 6lb pike, 1lb 4oz brown trout, David Rough (Paisley) 14, 10 & 5lb, Steven Gibson (Paisley) 13lb, Ryan Tweedy (Paisley) 10lb, Michael & Ross Devaney 22lb 2oz - bluey, Dick Love (Airdrie) 16lb 1oz - lamprey, Ross Stevenson (Falkirk) 20lb 4oz - Eel, Willie Salmond (Dunfermline) 20lb - Roach, David Potter 2lb & 1lb 8oz brown trout - spinning and Ryan Bain (Rosyth) 17lb 4oz - smelt.

Remember to always adhere to proper angling practice (minimum requirements information leaflet available from boathouse or bailiff) and to leave the loch as you find it, i.e. clean! Don’t hesitate to report any anti-social behaviour, vandalism or wildlife offences to the police, park-rangers or the water bailiff. Thanks.

The season for Brown Trout has now begun at Loch Venachar with plenty of rises being spotted and numerous 1.5 to 3lb trout having been caught (and returned) by Pike fishermen already. This is a good early indicator of a healthy natural trout population and a busy season to come. Also, many thanks to the fishing experts at The Daily Record, The Sun & The News Of The World for their recent positive articles concerning Venachar. We’ll do our best to maintain these high standards. Further updates to follow, thanks.

At long last Venachar has thawed after a hard couple of months and is back to fishing it’s best with a huge variety of pike being caught from all the different areas of the loch, in particular the Road Shore car parks and Little Drum. It’s good to see the regular fishermen returning and also some new faces, in particular the Keswick branch of the PAC. The banks are also looking exceptionally clean and well maintained, so thanks to all responsible anglers for helping with this especially the PAAS and PAC members who always take their (and other people’s) rubbish away and dispose of it. Long may it continue. If you witness anybody mishandling/mistreating the fish, littering, cutting down trees or any other form of stupidity please report it to the Bailiff or the Park Rangers. Thanks.

Some recent catches :- Andrew Gray (Alnwick) 19lb 4oz - herring, George Lang (West Calder) 20lb 4oz & 19lb 4oz - herring, Davy Russell (E. Kilbride) 20lb 12oz, 20lb 3oz, 12lb 20z & 16 lb 3oz, Chris Ruddy (Carluke) 16lb 6oz & 14lb 2oz - mackerel, Derren Reynolds (Inverkeithing) 21lb 9oz, 20lb 1oz, 17lb 5oz & 15lb - mackerel tail, George McClay (Renfrew) 20lb 1oz - eel section, Colin Sandels and George Boyd (Airdrie) 3lb 6oz & 11lb 4oz - trout, Declan Graham (Paisley) 14lb - mackerel tail, Ryan Tweedie (Paisley) 17lb, 17lb 4oz & 10lb 2oz -roach, Andrew Macfadyen (Paisley) 20lb 4oz - herring, Andy Everett (Stirling) 10lb 7oz - bluey, Johnny Nimmo (Motherwell) 20lb 8oz - herring, Phil Davies (Stirling) 20lb 7oz - mackerel.

All fish caught and returned were in pristine condition with absolutely no damage/disease. This is due to excellent angling practice by our regulars, thankyou. If you wish to e-mail any photographs of recent catches from Venachar for our archives then we would greatly appreciate it. Best example wins a free fishing permit (please include your details with pic, our e-mail address on website). Any enquiries regarding boat-hire or permits please call 01877 330011. Discounts for fishing clubs or large groups.

Firstly, apologies for recent unforeseen technical problems with our website. The majority of Loch Venachar has finally thawed and is ready for bank & boat fishing, with only small parts of the Invertrossachs side still slightly frozen. This should melt in the next few days. It’s been a tough few months weather-wise for our anglers but I’m sure the fish will have appreciated the R & R and will again be ready for your best shot !

Congratulations to Brian Ferguson who made the trip from down south to land a 34lb 6oz brute in November 2010 just before the loch froze solid, and also his colleague Chris Taylor of Glasgow who sent in dozens of phenomenal pictures of specimen pike caught from Venachar for our archives. Pictures on wall in cafe.

Any enquiries concerning bank or boat fishing, availability, conditions etc. to the usual numbers and addresses. Thanks.

The majority of the loch is still frozen but the ice is beginning to break up due to mild weather, rain and wind. Little Drum and the Road Shores are showing definite signs of thawing and the harbour is clear. We are going to take boats out to try to clear channels in the ice and speed up the thawing process over the next few days. If the loch becomes fishable soon then an update will follow. Thanks.