Yesterday it was the 1st time that I attended a club day out and it was at the Lake of Menteith which is billed as Scotlands Premier Trout water. As my stepdad couldn't make it I asked Walker if he wanted to come along and I had an extremely enjoyable and enlightening day in Davies company.

We had our boat limit and I managed to equal my personal best haul of 4 for the day which included 3 in one ten minute spell so I was well happy but something just wasn't "there" for me about the place. A few of the fish that we caught were pretty small for stockies which I was surprised about as I have always heard good things about the lake. I will be the first to admit that it would be economic suicide to only stock it with massive fish but for £28 a skull I expected more.

My only other experience of a large fishery on a boat is at Harelaw and for me I know where I would rather go. I know that Davie will give me a roasting for **** kissing but in my limited experience nothing beats a day at Harelaw. I have blanked there too so I have not always had success. I have even seen Alex say on the forum that Menteith is the best large fishery in Scotland but I would be interested to hear what others think Scotland's premier fishery is.

Oh, and next time remember to bring your rod Davie. Its a pretty essential bit of kit you will need if you want to go fishing.

The reason why they are small is that the fish have been in the cages over the winter and with the water being covered with thick ice for most of the winter the fish are not going to have much feeding if any and wont of been able to grow. Iam sure it will pick up soon.

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"There is no greater fan of fly fishing than the worm."

Ya brown nosing bas...... haha.

The LOM is in my top 3 stocked waters in Scotland, Carron being the first. Not a bad day, plenty of fish dropped.

In all days of fishing thats the first time I have forgotten my rods! And I still pumped yeh..........

Yep good day Stef, cheers.

Walker

Which Carron is it? The Reservoir or the Loch?

I'm just wondering how the Loch stays as freshwater when its open sea?

Most, if not all large stocked waters who raise there own fish on site have had a problem getting the fish up to standard weight this year for the reason stated above. Still think the lake is one of the best fisheries around.

P.s someone said to me the other day that the lake is a good ego leveler, one day you go and have a red letter day, the very next day fishing the same spot, same line, same flies youve a good chance of a blank. I think this is part of the appeal of the lake, trying to fathom it out. I doubt anyone will ever have it totally sussed.

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Theres a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore looking like an idiot!!

You telling us that the lake breeds iTs own fish from eggs and cant put extra weight on over cold winters?
LMAOAOTF
BERT

---------- Post added at 12:01 AM ---------- Previous post was Yesterday at 11:52 PM ----------

Depends on wether you want farm reared, stock fish at certain sizes, as seemingly required by most stocked water anglers, or pure bred wild fish of all sizes which have been in water all their days!
Stocked waters tend to be only as good as the size of fish stocked, as most of them are removed/caught relatively quickly.
Wild waters are more of a challenge and produce fish of all sizes, depending on actual growth availabillity of said water.
regards
bert

Didnt say they rear fish from eggs, but are you trying to tell me that lower than average temperatures will produce fish of the same weight as favourable temps. over the same period of time. LMAO

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Theres a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore looking like an idiot!!

I had a week at Lochend Chalets 2 years ago and had a few outings on the Lake. A day session had a couple of rainbows and a 12.5lb pike. Took the better half out for an evening and had 3 browns and never touched a rainbow. The Lake never fails to surprise me.

Back again for a week on 1st May - can't wait. Definitely one of the best.

Fished the club championships last year on the lake, had a practice day two or three days prior and was bagged up by twelve oclock. When it came to comp. day I had 0 troot and one very large pike, about 10lbs. Knew it was either a big brown or a pike because of the fight it gave me, my heart sank when I saw what it was..........remind me again why I go fishing!

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Theres a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore looking like an idiot!!

You've said it yourself, that's why we go. No two days on the Lake are the same, unless your a high flyer from one of the 'super clubs'.

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Who casts, wins!