latest Report

The sport has been slow to start. So far this season I have managed to land 4 ferox trout biggest at an estimated weight of 12lbs taken on the downrigger using a tomic lure. I tried to photograph the fish in the net but as the wind was blowing it was rather difficult to control the boat and picture the fish. Just one of those things when you are out fishing on your own. There have been plenty of escapee rainbows taking the lures with the biggest at around the 6lbs mark. I will be out fishing this coming weekend so hopefully I will manage to post some pictures.

Not a lot to report from opening day. A few escapee rainbows caught. One hit on the downrigger from a most probable ferox trout. Overall had a great day trolling Scotland's lochs

Opening Day Tommorow

Tomorrow is the opening day of the 2009 trout season. I wish all anglers tight lines and best wishes for the season.

I will be out trolling on the opening day. Lets hope that the fish like the lures as much as I like them.

2 days to go

There are now 2 days to go the opening of the 2009 season. Lets hope the weather stays reasonable for Sunday 15th March.

Tommorow I will be getting the boat etc, ready for my 1st trip of the season on Sunday.

3 days to Opening Day

Only 3 days to the opening of the 2009 season. Here are a couple of the spoons that I use for trolling. I use these either flatline trolling or on a slider when using the downrigger.

Rapala Lures for 2009

Here are some of the Rapala Lures that I will be trying during 2009.

Purpledecent Deep Tail Dancer

Brown Trout rapala Countdown and Floating

Purpledecent Shad Rap





Countdown Rainbow Trout

Opening day

The opening of the 2009 season is only 5 day off. I am looking forward to getting back out on the loch's.

I have been busy adding pages to the website. it is growing day by day. Click the link to have a look www.trollingscotlandslochs.co.uk

I wish all who are venturing out on the 15th tightlines for 2009.

Trolling Scotland

Downrigger

A Downrigger is a great accessory when trolling. The Canon Easy Troll is one of the most popular downriggers. There are many different makes and styles to choose from. Downriggers are available either manual control or electric.

The rod sits in the down rigger holder (poker rod) and the line is set out 30-40yds. The line is clipped to an 8lb lead weight attached to the downrigger cable. The line is attached to a release clip which is set to allow the line to release when a fish is hooked. The tension needs to be enough to set the hook, but release the line once the fish is hooked. The downrigger weight is then lowered to the desired depth. When you are trolling and a fish hits the lure, ideally the fish will be hooked and the line released from the clip. All you have to do is wind up the downrigger weight and play the fish.

2009 Season

One week to go until the new season. I am hoping to be able to venture out on opening day. I hope to be able to post some photographs of a fish.

Tightlines

Luhr Jensen Diver

This is one of my favourite bits of tackle. I often use a diver when trolling for ferox trout.

This true-tracking, diving sinker/planer has an adjustable positive trip mechanism. It sinks around 1ft for every 2ft of line that you have out. Once a fish hits the lure, the diver trips making it easier to reel the fish in. The diver makes it easier to fish depths unexplored before. You can use kynoch's, tomic lures, rapala's or any lure. I would not recommend using a deep diving lure with this diver. If you use a deep diving lure then it would be guess work to exactly what depth the lure is fishing. I like to use a floating rapala when fishing with a diver. I often set the depth of fishing to around 45 feet. The beauty of the diver is you can send it down to where the fish are - 10 feet, 20 feet or 60 feet

www.trollingscotlandslochs.co.uk

Work has been commenced on building and producing the new website -www.trollingscotlandslochs.co.uk There are now pages accessible including the photo gallery with some images availabe to view. More images will be added as they become availabe. There are a lot more pages to be added in the near future.

Tightlines

This was one of my days during 2008 trolling for Ferox. A fish has just hit the lure and the rod tip is bouncing like mad.

The fish has taken a pearl & blue Tomic lure on a diver. The lure,was fishing at around 35 feet.

After a really good fight a ferox trout of approxamately 8lbs was safely netted, unhooked and returned to the loch.

I return all my ferox, at the side of the boat, without lifting the net out of the loch. I will try to take some photographs of the fish I catch during 2009 and I will post the photographs on the blog.

Here are some of my 5 inch Tomic lures that I use for spring salmon, pike and ferox when fishing some of the larger lochs.

I often fish these with the downrigger, divers or with leadcore. These are the largest lure that I tend to fish. Some anglers use lures similar to these in sizes up to 7 inches.

One of my favourite tomics in this box is the Artic char Pattern (4th row down) this lure was responsible for taking some cracking ferox trout during 2008.

My website is currently under construction.

The home page is available only at this time with a link to this blog.

The address for the site is:

http://www.trollingscotlandslochs.co.uk/

The site will hopefully be fully completed in the near future. This blog will give an up to date account of me "Trolling Scotland's Lochs" during 2009.

Tight lines

This has to be one of the best lures ever made for trolling for Ferox trout. This is the original Dam Lure with its deep diving blade. This lure will certainly get down to the fish and experience has shown is definitely irresistible to Ferox. I have crushed the barbs on the hooks with a pair of pliers to ensure that the fish is easily unhooked and returned without any unnecessary handling.

If you ever come accross any dam lures, snap them up as there are not easy to source.

Trolling for Salmon - Loch Tay

Pink/Pearl Tomic Lure 4" one of the best lures on Tay system for Spring Salmon

If you fancy the chance to catch one of those elusive spring salmon. A real "Springer" why not give Loch Tay a troll.

You can hire a boat and permit from various places or arrange a trip with Grant Tigwell (fish n' trips) in his boat.

All you need is a decent sized rod or two of around 10 + feet, a reel fixed spool or multiplier that will hold around 150yd's 15lb+ monofilament line or braid, a few swivels, and some lures such as tobies, Rapala's, Tomic Lures and Kynochs are you have the chance of one of these Loch Tay Springer's - if you do hook one hold on tight as it might well be "over 20lbs in weight"



I normally use rods starboard (Right) and Port (left) and a rod out the back of the boat (poker rod) I tend to fish a Tomic on one side, Kynoch on the other side rod and a Salmo Toby on the poker rod.

Click this link that will take you to the fishing availability and for more info on Loch Tay.

http://www.fishpal.com/Scotland/Tay/Fisheries.asp?dom=Tay

Trolling Scotlands Lochs

My new Website is under construction and will hopefully be available in the near future.

The website will hopefully show my passion for trolling Scotland's Lochs. It is not just the fishing. the scenery, wildlife to experience is amazing.

Click the link below to visit Scotland's best Trolling shop to buy any equipment or tackle you require for 2009.

http://www.trollingshop.co.uk/

Techniques

There are many techniques than can be used when trolling. These methods include:

• Flatline - Running a lure from behind the boat on normal braid/mono
• LeadCore - Line that has a leadcore- depending on amount of line out depends on depth lure sinks to
• DownRigger - a lead weight is attached to the cable and attached to leader that goes to a desired depth. The beauty of this is the lure tends to swim better and straighter.
• Divers - These take the lures down to desired depths. Attached to the main line instead of being attached to the boat.

Here are some of my favourite lures for trolling. The "Tomic Lure"

Venues for 2009

Just some of the venues that I will be fishing During 2009 include:-

Loch Lommond
Loch Arkaig
Loch Lochy
Loch Quoich
Loch Garry

Loch Awe
Loch Tay
Loch Earn

These lochs will offer the angler the opportunity to catch Salmon, Trout, Pike, Perch and that legendary "FEROX"

The current UK rod caught Record ferox trout weights in at 31lb 12oz (14.4kg) and was caught by Mr Brian Rutland, fishing Loch Awe March 15th 2002. Who knows maybe there is an even bigger Ferox swimming about in one of the Scottish Lochs.

Click this link below for research information on Ferox Trout.

http://www.marlab.ac.uk/Uploads/Documents/FW24%20%20Ferox%20Trout%20mx.pdf

All FEROX TROUT that I catch are quickly returned to the loch. I always unhook my fish whilst in the net at the side of the boat (if the water is rough I use an unhooking mat in the boat) and are released immediately back to their natutal habitat. I take a photograph of the fish whilst in the net. I try never to hold the fish as this can cause damage to the fish which increases the risk of infection and reducues the chances of survival.

I never knock anyone for keeping a "fish for the pot". There are plenty of escapee Rainbow trout in the lochs. I tend to keep these as they are good eating and not native to the loch. Some would agree that escapees can affect the habitat for the wild ferox trout that are precious to "Scotlands Lochs".

My Philosophy for Trolling for Ferox Trout is "CPR" (Catch, Photograph & Release)

Tightlines for now

Start of Season 2009

The start of the season is nearly here. I have been getting my boat and all the equipment ready for the 2009 season. It is imperative that the boat is checked over and the engine, trailer etc are all serviced. Lines changed on the reels and hooks are changed on the lures.

Watch this blog for the latesest up to date information from "Trolling Scotlands Lochs"