Loch Awe
The world-famous fishing destination
Anglers come in search of the legendary Ferox Brown Trout, as well as pike and sea trout. Salmon pass through the loch, coming past the barrage in the River Awe and continuing into the River Orchy. The largest Brown Trout caught in the Great Britain was landed here in 2002! You can hire boats and fishing tackle, as well as buy fishing permits. The wider area also offers great fly fishing, with the rivers Avich, Orchy and Awe and the many hill lochans.
Fishing on Loch Awe
Some 24 miles long and quite narrow, Loch Awe forms a considerable catchment area for the many feeder burns flowing from the surrounding mountains. Water quality is high and the fish population thrive in this rich, natural feeding area. The many bays vary in size and depth and each has its own particular attraction – shallow, sandy, rocky, reedy.
Loch Awe has always been famous for its wild brown trout, having broken the British rod-caught record four times over the last decade. It is, however, its reputation for good mixed bags of 8oz – 3lb trout that still attracts the majority of anglers. Whether novice or purist, young or old, Loch Awe has a great deal to offer both game and coarse fishermen.
Fishing on Loch Awe is not only for the purist or well-seasoned angler. Whether you are experienced or a novice, young or old, Loch Awe has a great deal to offer.
Brown Trout
The brown trout season runs from 15 March to 6 October. Methods of fishing vary, and whilst fly is generally accepted as the best method, many anglers use worm or maggot (either ‘ledgered’ or on a float). Spinning with lures (Mepp, Rapala, Toby) is also successful, but it is always advisable to fish on the light side – up to 6lb test. Flies should be of the wet variety (10–16), of standard or loch pattern and in harmony with the months applicable to hatching flies. Irish patterns also do well, and for the angler wishing to lose him/herself in the many bays ‘nymphing’ can be very rewarding.
A British Record Wild Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
Escapees from the two fish farms on Loch Awe also provide sport and should be fished in the same manner as brown trout. (15 March – 6 October). Would anglers please kill ALL rainbow trout caught from the loch, whatever the size. This is to lessen the impact that escapes of rainbow trout have on the the wild brown trout population.
Char
A natural and historic species often caught by trout anglers, especially as the season progresses and the water temperature rises. (15 March – 6 October)
Perch
Tend to be seasonal; in warm weather often found in reedy bays and around old piers. (15 March – 6 October)
Pike
Loch Awe also boasts some very large pike. Like the brown trout they are wild and extremely wide ranging in their hunt for food. The current record for Loch Awe stands at 35.5 lb. Pike fishing is open all year and can provide some excellent winter sport – mainly in the larger reedy bays either from the shore or by boat. The most popular method is dead bait – such as mackerel, herring, lamphrey or eel section, sardine, sprat, smelt – set on a wire trace and using two or three treble hooks (size 6, 8 or 10 depending on the size of the bait). No live fish or other vertebrates to be used as bait.
All fishing on Loch Awe is covered by the Protection Order granted in 1992 which is enforced by the Loch Awe Improvement Association (LAIA) and its wardens. The aim of the Protection Order is to ensure that all fishing is done in a legal manner, to protect all species of fish against illegal fishing, to improve existing fish stocks and to enforce all laws and by-laws pertaining to fishing and the surrounding shorelines. At the end of 2000, the LAIA announced that it had organized the funding of a brown trout hatchery for Loch Awe (to be managed by the contract development officer, Nick Bevan, whose funding is also covered by the LAIA), as well as a habitat improvement scheme in one of the major spawning burns.
Alan Kettle-White of Argyll Fisheries Trust
April 2017 – 16lb 2oz Ferox
Fishing permits are now ONLY available to purchase online at : Fishing on Loch Awe – Loch Awe Improvement Association (LAIA) or ibookfishing.co.uk.
Pike fishing at Kilchurn Castle, Lochawe. Permits from £6/day, overnight £8. Areas for camping etc. Discounts for long stays/large numbers. Phone 07884 183905 for details.
Trout and Coarse season runs from 15 March to 6 October, the Pike season is all year round.
Fishing on the River Orchy
Over 6 miles of double bank fishing for 12 anglers is divided into three, four-rod beats fished in rotation. These lower reaches are on more level ground with 22 named pools, many of which have natural gravel beds. For the adventurous fisherman there are miles of attractive water that have never been fished. With caution and subject to river levels, wading is relatively easy in many locations. The Orchy is a spate river but the wide variation in pools, rapids, runs and glides combined with fly-fishing and spinning create fishing opportunities in most water conditions. There is excellent vehicle access for cars from the B8074 and by 4x4s along the private road on the opposite bank to the majority of the pools. Several pools allow vehicle access to the edge of the river making fishing accessible for the less mobile.
Salmon
The salmon season runs from February 11th to October 31st and early running salmon reach the Orchy in late May with the best months being July to October. Fishing with fly or spinner only is permitted and the use of worm, shrimp or prawn is not allowed.
The river is now Class 3 and therefore is 100% catch and release for salmon, grilse and sea trout for the entire season.
Why you need to fish here
For the adventurous fisherman there are miles of attractive water that have never been fished. With caution and subject to river levels, wading is relatively easy in many locations. The Orchy is a spate river but the wide variation in pools, rapids, runs and glides combined with fly-fishing and spinning create fishing opportunities in most water conditions.
All anglers are requested to read and act upon bio-security measures to prevent the introduction of Gyrodactylus salaris and other diseases to the Orchy. This will involve the disinfection of waders and landing nets and other tackle prior to fishing.
Accommodation is available at Liad Mhor cottage upon request please contact Fishpal for details.
Further information and permits are available through Fishpal or from Lochawe Stores.