Species Hunt: Loch Leven

With this year’s list of catches a little sparse on salt water species and on the back of our recent, rather bountyless trip to the cliffs of St Abb’s, this week we ventured 100 miles in the opposite direction into Lochaber and once again hit the Bladderwrack clad rocks in a bid to bolster our dwindling tally.

Although we had highlighted a few primary targets, the main objective was to find as many species as possible. The chosen venue for this mini species hunt was Loch Leven at Ballachullish, an area renowned for providing plenty options for the visiting sea angler.

Not only does Loch Leven provide a number of rich ecosystems, holding fish of all shapes and sizes, it is also surrounded by some of the most breathtaking and dramatic scenery in the country.

As we approached the towering peaks of Bidean Nam Bian and the Lochaber highlands, leaving the sweeping mosaic of lochs and heather of Rannoch Moor behind, the impressive sight of Buchaiille Etive Mor, framed with blue skies and standing over a blanket of mist set an optimistic scene for the day ahead.

As we passed through Glen Coe with the Three Sisters illuminated in the morning sunlight, little did we know that before the day’s end we would be soaked through and shivering in the strengthening and bitter northeasterly wind. However, not before we found some fish.

Our first port of call was a mark on the steep, slate strewn slopes of the south shore, a place where terminal tackle often goes but rarely makes it back. However, with huge slabs of grey slate cloaked in forests of Bladderwrack and Kelp pitching sharply into the depths, this mark has all the hallmarks of a prolific hot spot and with the right approach has the potential to provide superb sport.

Fishing on the bottom here is near impossible therefore we opted for lure and float tactics and planned to fish the last of the ebb and the first few hours of the flood before heading to another area of the loch with a third line of attack.

With a sliding float set at 20–25 feet we were almost instantly into some small Pollack and Coalfish followed by some ravenous little Poor Cod and this set the scene for the initial couple of hours.

However there was one fish that appeared to be unusually absent. The Ballen Wrasse was a species we had specifically identified as a target for the day, for they and other Wrasse species, are abundant throughout the area. One possible reason for their lacking could have been our choice of bait. Although Wrasse will take a fish bait, they appeared disinterested in our Mackerel strips therefore some initiative was required and foraging we went.

Our rigs were re-baited and depth adjusted and a cocktail of Whelks and Limpets were sent into the abyss. Bites came quickly but with our baits now being fished deeper amongst the structure and Kelp fronds, hooking these fish and getting them into clear water was an obvious challenge and ultimately one we found hard to overcome. This was typical Wrasse behavior and frustrations started to mount.

Eventually I did manage to haul a small fish from the sanctuary of the huge masses of weed and boulders and it was a Wrasse, albeit the much smaller Goldsinny. This little set of teeth and eyes was quickly followed by a much heavier fish. Again not a Ballen but a nice red Cod, perfectly coloured for hunting in the Kelp.

A opportunistic couple of casts with some soft plastics swiftly brought yet another fish, a hard fighting little fish that I initially thought to be a Pollack or Coalie but what broke the surface came as a bit of a surprise. Eventually we had our Ballen Wrasse. A small one, perhaps with eyes bigger than it’s belly, but nonetheless, it was a Ballen.

After a few hours and with 6 species under our belt it could have been all too easy to stay and fish on in hope of a bigger fish, but we had a plan and a 10 minute drive across and around the loch saw us stick to it. This time it was out with the heavy rods, Pennell Pulley rigs and big baits in search of something a little larger.

Unfortunately the possibility of perhaps a Ling, Conger, Skate or Thornback Ray were all but extinguished by the relentless presence of the dreaded Lesser Spotted Dogfish.

Although these fish can be a nuisance at times, one must admire their tenacity and on closer inspection they can surely be said to be lovely looking little fish. With the last throw of the dice a heavier fish was hooked, most likely a Ray. However with cold and wet fingers by this point, a failure to ensure a level wind on the reel resulted in the line getting trapped in the edge of the barrel and with a snap it was gone, a slightly bitter end to a fairly successful day.

If it wasn’t for the seriously deteriorating weather there would definitely be another few hours spent on the rocks but as darkness approached the decision was made to head for home. Loch Leven continues to be one of my favourite sea lochs and I look forward to returning.