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Loch Tay is not usually associated with ferox
trout fishing. Specialist anglers usually
make a bee line for Loch Awe or Loch Rannoch.
But, Loch Tay also holds charr and thus also
ferox. There is very little angling pressure
and as a result few captures are reported.
In the last few years I have caught three
crackers from Loch Tay of 12lb 13lb and 16lb.
All have been returned unharmed. Their method
of capture bears examination. We rarely fish
especially for ferox. All have fallen to lures
intended for salmon. All three have been caught
on static rapalas! It usually occurs when
we have stopped the boat to untangle the usual
mess at the back of the boat. In a matter
of minutes of stopping the boat a rod which
has been left in the water suddenly goes berserk
The last one was the 12 pounder (all weights
have been estimated as we try not to take
the fish out of the water to release them)
and was taken on the 5th May 2000. It fell
to a bright orange rapala. The weather was
sunny and the loch was flat calm! The fish
was beautifully marked with golden flanks
and large deep spots. Next time we will try
to remember the camera!
Over the years we have lost count of the number
of five and six pound trout from the Loch.
The best areas seem to be off Ardtalanaig,
Copper Mines and Bay of Plenty.
If you want to learn more about ferox fishing
I can recommend Ron Greer's book "Ferox Trout
and Arctic Charr - A predator, its pursuit
and its prey". Published by Swan Hill Press
(1995) ISBN 1 85310 486 8.
Paul Fishlock 9th May 2000
See also:
Loch
Tay
Trout
Fishing
Trolling
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