| The Killin
and Breadalbane Angling Club administers most
of the bank fishing for trout and coarse fish
at the west end of Loch Tay. There are some excellent
pike (best in recent years 34lb) and good trout.
In the last three years roach have been introduced
illegally at the west end causing major concerns
for the indigenous species. For example the artcic
charr now seems to be in decline. Perch are also
present, but rarely fished for. It is also thought
that there are very large eels present.
On the North shore the fishings extend from the
mouth of the Lawers Burn (below the Ben Lawers
Hotel) westwards for about 11 kilometers to the
Killin end (see exclusions below)
On the South shore their fishings extend from
the mouth of the Lochay/Dochart for about 9 kilometers
to the Allt Mhein burn by Manse Bay .(see exclusions
below).
In addition to the fishings offered by the club
Kinnell
Estate provides a further 500m, Finlarig
Estate offers a further 1 kilometer and Highland
Lodges fishings about another 500m. In all
some 22 Kilometers of shore fishing is available
at the west end, while the east end is administerd
by East
Loch Tay Angling Club
Areas at the west end of Loch Tay where fishing
is not allowed:
There are a few short stretcches which are excluded
by reason of safety, privacy and common sense.
The harbour at Fir Bush (approx. 300m)
The harbour at the Boys Brigade Center at Ardeonaig
(approx. 500m)
The private frontage at Fiddlers Bay by Fat Man
(approx. 500m)
The private frontage at Camusurich (approx. 200m)
The private frontage close to Finlarig (approx.
300m)
'The private frontage(approx. 650m) at Edramucky
and the Edramucky Burn from the headdyke to the
Loch.
Access from the North Shore
Access on the north shore is not the easiest since
the sides of the Loch are steep and there are
few if any tracks which lead down to the shores.
It therefore means a stiff walk from the A827.
Locals have quickly learned that the best way
to fish the north shore is probably by boat. Boats
can be hired from Loch
Tay Highland Lodges and the Ardeonaig Hotel.
The Ben
Lawers Hotel used to operate a boat, but it
is no longer thought to be available. Perhaps
the easiest access is via the Finlarig
Estate waters, where a car park liies 100m
from the beach at the end of Pier Road.
Access from the South Shore
The minor road which runs from Killin to Kenmore
along the south shore approaches th Loch more
closely and there are a few parking places which
make physical access somewhat easier.
Permit outlets are listed on the Killin
AC page.
Salmon Fishing
Salmon Fishing is almost exclusively done by boat,
with permits issued by riparian owners. Any boat
fishing for salmon must display a right number
on the hull. For salmon fishing the loch is divided
into three beats west/central/east. See the Loch
Tay page for information on where to hire
boats for salmon fishing.
Boat Fishing Advice
Fishing is usually by trolling or drifting. When
trolling it is advisable to follow the drop off
which runs around the loch about 30-50m out. Hot
spots are many, but he best are the harbour wall
at Fir Bush, Stringy Rocks, Black Rock, Copper
Mines and Gull Island
Boat Safety
Loch Tay is an immense water which runs for 14
miles from the south west to the north east between
high mountains. The weather can change dramatically
in the space of half an hour and with mountains
on either side a good wave can build up. If you
are not familiar with small boats or the loch
the best advice is to take a ghillie.
The area at in the bay close to Killin is shallow
and frequently contains remnants of trees brought
down the river by storms as does the small more
northerly channel. These areas should be approached
with caution. Even the most experienced ghillies
have been known to get stuck or shear off cotter
pins (take spares and a pliers!).
There are a few crannogs and rocks dotted around
the shores. Most are well marked and can be avoided.
There are two nasty ones which lie just below
the surface, which can cause havoc. One lies a
150m west of Highland Lodges on the north shore
while the other is in Dall Bay.
Boats should use the international system for
passing .. keep the other boat on your left.
Except in very low or very high water it is possible
to take a boat up the river to Killin where there
are moorings outside the Killin Hotel if you fancy
a bit of lunch there. Navigation up the river
Lochay is tricky and should not be attempted by
the inexperienced. The disused railway bridge
over the Lochay can prevent passage in high water.
Navigation up the Dochart is impossible.
Moorings and Slipway
The slipway in Killin is owned by Killin
AC while the moorings are owned by the Killin
Hotel. Permission must be sought from the owners
prior to making use of their facilites.
|
