Loch Loch

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Published on Wednesday, 26 April 2006 15:13

Written by Steve Smith

Wednesday 8th June 2005 saw my pal Alan and myself heading up to this remote loch having left Blairgowrie at about 8.30 AM. Taking the turning just after Straloch on the Bridge of Calley to Pitlochry road, we headed along the private road up into Glen Fearnach.

Fortunately Alan had spoken to the gamekeeper at Daldhu, so we had permission to take the car right up to his cottage. This gave us a pleasant 3 mile stroll to the loch. instead of an eight mile slog  The morning air was a good temperature for walking and the road made for a quick ascent. 45 minutes saw us closing in on the loch. A 4x4 would easily take you within touching distance of this remote loch. 60 minutes of a fairly good stroll gave us our first glimpse of the loch, much narrower than either of us had expected.

The loch was easily reached and an enjoyable hike managed. On arrival we had a quick bite to eat before taking stock. There was quite a stiff breeze blowing from the north, right down the loch. I was a wee bit worried as I had only brought up my 8' #4 rod and didn't know if I would be able to get a line out. Alan had his 9' #7 and a smug look. With the wind blowing down the loch we decided to head to the first of the arms that reach into the loch, on the east side, in the hope of finding some protection. Tackling up I was first on the water and had a wee 2oz brownie on my 3rd cast to my 'Mcbibio'. A couple of casts later and another similar sized fish was returned. Meanwhile Alan had his first Loch Loch trout to a Kate McLaren followed up by a double. That's two fish in one go by the way, not a double in the stock fishery sense of the word!

The wind was becoming capricious at this stage swirling into our faces then at our backs again, something that was to happen for the rest of the day blowing strongly from the north for 20-30 minutes then from the south with the occasional flat calm, very frustrating. Another pit stop for food was made, elevenses.  We decided to head for the middle section and were surprised to see that the loch was split into two by a very narrow stretch of water about 30 feet long and 3 inches deep; almost burn-like. Easily traversed at this point to fish either bank. Considering how high some of the hill lochs were at the time, I think this loch may completely split in two when the level drops. Walking up the east side revealed a constant shelf about 30 feet or so and it was at the edge of the shelf that most of the fish were taken during the day. We decided to head right to the bottom of the loch to see what it was like. Traversing the last section saw deeper water, the shelf only 15 feet or so out with very dark water over the edge. Reaching the north end saw yet another pit stop, lunch this time. 
Trout were rising right at the bottom of the loch while both of us partook of some grub. Alan, with 'jammy piece' in hand and still sitting at this point, took off his hat threw out his line and hooked up!

I decided to change tactics. I put a dry Greenwells on the tail, the Mcbibio on the bob and proceeded to have a field day. The trout took it static, tweaked, pulled under and loch style, cracking fun. I worked my way up the west bank and Alan joined me with both of us catching right up to the "river" section. Alan crossed over and fished the east bank and I stayed on the west. My most barren period of the day then followed. I didn't even turn a fish for 15 minutes! Meanwhile Alan caught the 'fish of the day', a monster of about 1/2 lb he reckoned. Alan shouted me over to a very localised rise where sedges were coming off. Tweaking the Greenwells over the water was deadly and Alan was even hooking up with trout going for the fly before it had touched the water. He eventually changed to dries and caught his first by this method fairly quickly.  The diversity and amount of insect life around the loch was surprising. There were several up-winged species and sedges (even a Great Red made an appearance). Alders were a bit of a nuisance getting down my neck more than once and stonefly were in abundance. I saw 3-4 different chironomids (not the dreaded biting ones though) too. Newt spawn was also seen and 'puddocks' were there in fairly large numbers. On the walk up a diminishing puddle saw a race against time for some legless tadpoles. If the weather had been drier they would definitely have fried. Alan also saw a shoal of that highland loch "indigenous" species, the minnow! Working back to the top end saw several more trout fall victim to both Greenwell and Mcbibio. Around 7.30 PM Alan eventually caught up with me on the southern shore. It was time for the off.

On the way back down the hill a good 100 red deer were seen, to go along with the dozen or so we saw looking down on us from Coire cas-eagallach during the day and the numerous fallow deer on the drive up and back. 
Back to the car by 8.20 PM and home by 9.15, tired but feeling great.

All in all a cracking day. Loch Loch may have bigger fish in it but all we caught were under the 1/4 lb mark, save one. Between us 80 fish easily with about that amount turned/missed/lost, not big but great fun.

More Information
It is essential to get permission before visiting this loch and do not even contemplate driving up the private road without first asking the estate. The 'keeper' is very accommodating. Please do not spoil it by barging in, that will just lead to locked gates and bad blood!

Contact :
Gordon McGregor
01250 881205

 

 

Steve Smith grew up in Dunkeld where he was taught to fish by his father. As a youngster, he fished mainly for pike, eels, perch and trout in the Tay, Braan and a few hill lochs. Currently, Steve fishes mainly on the Perthshire lochs and rivers with forays to Orkney and Caithness whenever the chance arrises. Steve has worked in Edinburgh with the old North of Scotland Water Authority as a microbiologist, but moved back to Perthshire and now works as a forensic scientist. Steve lives in Blairgowrie with his wife and two young sons.