I was once a regular on loch Eck but haven't been on it for a number of years. 20 - 25 years ago it was a good bet for salmon and sea trout on the troll and in certain areas these fish could be taken on the fly from the boat. Like many other places the quality of fishing on the loch has sadly declined but I dare say if your line is in the water you've got a chance. My favourite haunts with the fly from the boat were at the mouth of the Cur at the top end, the area around Bernice Burn and the shallows around the island near the picnic area. Bernice can also fish well from the bank with the fly if you concentrate on the area of the drop off just as it's going into dusk. Standard loch patterns, the Kate McLaren, bibio and the black pennel were good for both salmon and sea trout and on occassions a texas rose muddler on the bob was a great attractor of salmon. I really only fished it from late summer into the back end. The loch is not noted for brown trout, in fact they are very scarce indeed. Permits are available from Purdies, Dunoon and I think the Coylett and Whistlefield hotel also. I believe boats are still available for hire from the hotels.
There was an old pier structure which was a popular mark for bait fishers at the strachur end of the loch on the road side. I was flyfishing there one day with a mate when we drifted past a guy on the bank who asked if we could get a hold of a large jiff lemon which he had been using as float and which was bobbing around free after having been broken by a fish. We duly obliged and on grabbing said plastic lemon discovered it was still attached to a large and very angry salmon which promptly leapt into the air and shook itself free of the hook. within a foot or two of the boat. Got the fright of my life!
Hope this helps
Jim
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