Much of the bank fishing at the
east end of Loch Tay is administered by East
Loch Tay Angling Club (ELTAC). Trout and coarse
fishings extend from Kenmore through to Fearnan
on the north shore and from Kenmore to the Achianich
Burn beat marker on the south shore. The ELTAC
fishings then continue through to the central
beat. There are 7 kilometers of bank fishing available
on the eastern beat and 9 kilometers on the central
beat. Most fishing is for trout. Pike have been
recorded to 20lb, but they are relatively rare
as there is little weed. There are a few perch
and eels. Arctic charr are present, but nobody
fishes for them.
Access to the North Shore
There is parking available in Fearnan, but along
the A827 it is at a premium. The loch is however
only a short walk away.
Access in Kenmore
Plenty of parking in the Square and next to the
beach. Along the small road around the Church
and by the beach it is possible to park right
next to the loch side.
Access to the South Shore
Parking is available in Acharn, but the minor
road along the south shore is narrow and parking
is at a premium.
Fly Fishing
Many of the banks are wooded which makes fly-fishing
a challenge. Perhaps the best line of attack for
this technique it to wear light chest wadders
and a ruck sack for odds and ends. This way a
lot of water can be covered while you keep on
the move. The chesties allow you to create a little
more space for a back cast. A good roll cast is
invaluable, especially at dusk when the better
fish move into the shallows. Mark Bowler and Andrew
Mactaggart, two locals regularly fish the Loch
by float tube and have had as many as 120 trout
to a rod of an evening. The trick is to find someone
prepared to give you a lift in a boat. This allows
you to fish parts that will hardly have seen a
fly. If they are not too busy try Croft
na Caber or the Loch
Tay Boating Center.
Bait Fishing
Bait fishing is popular. Many clubs arrange for
a bus to drop and pick up their anglers, thus
getting around the parking problem and making
it easier for large numbers to spread out.
Boat Fishing
This is by far the best way to approach the loch.
Boats can be hired from
Croft
na Caber also
Remony Estate, and The Loch
Tay Boating Center.
.
Boat Fishing Advice
Fishing is usually by trolling or drifting. When
trolling it is advisable to follow the drop off
which runs around the loch about 30-50m out. Hot
spots are many, but the best are off the pier
and island at Dalherb, Acharn Point, Hen Farm,
around the crannogs.
Boat Safety
Loch Tay is an immense water which runs for 14
miles from the south west to the north east between
high mountains. The weather can change dramatically
in the space of half an hour and with mountains
on either side a good wave can build up. If you
are not familiar with small boats or the loch
the best advice is to take a ghillie.
Boats should use the international system for
passing .. keep the other boat on your left.
There is a nasty submerged crannog just off Dalherb
which has broken more than a few props.
DO NOT under any circumstances go round the back
of islands in this part of the loch. It is too
shallow.
It is possible to enter the river by boat to use
the moorings outside the Kenmore Hotel, but DO
NOT go down further than the electric wire which
crosses the river as any upstream return is impossible!
Salmon Fishing
Salmon Fishing is almost exclusively done by boat,
with permits issued by riparian owners. Any boat
fishing for salmon must display a right number
on the hull. For salmon fishing the loch is divided
into three beats west/central/east.
Moorings and Slipway
Both Croft
na Caber and the Loch
Tay Boating Center have slipways on which
craft can be launched for a nominal fee. Neither
the beach nor the Dalherb parking place should
be used for launching.
Some bank areas are excluded for reasons of safety,
security and privacy. The areas excluded are:
-
From the jetty at NN714441 for about 2Km
to the Letterellan boat house. This area is
directly opposite the built up area of Fearnan
and consists mostly of gardens.
-
The Forestry Commission car park at Dalherb
NN759452 - NN754454. Being about 400 yards
of bank with easy parking - its a nice spot
but the Commision feel that angling is incompatible
with the many family activities which take
place there. But, it is a good place to park
while fishing either side.
-
The area within the Kenmore Club boundary
(approx 300m) from NN767455 to the Bridge
at Kenmore is reserved for their members and
visitors. There is no fishing allowed 100m
upstream of the Kenmore Bridge.
-
A 200m stretch in front of the Orphanage
house next to the Kenmore Bridge on the south
of the river which is a private garden. NN772456
- NN771455
-
The bank opposite the fish farm on the south
shore from NN767444 for about 600m to the
inflow of the Acharn Burn. No access is permitted
due to safety and security risks to the farm
Thus the club ensures fishing on 16km of bank
with 1km offered by Remony. Around 80% of the
East and Central beats are thus open to anglers..
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