Linlithgow Loch - 15 June 2011

David and Tom checked out Linlithgow Loch earlier this week and were delighted with a fine day's angling. The Forth Area Federation of Anglers runs the fishing and thoughtfully provide trolleys to transport all the kit to the boats, which are reasonably well appointed. We took a club engine and a couple of batteries and managed to fish on the drift all day, unlike most of the anglers who remained anchored up. Very boring. The conditions were good, with some cloud coupled with a reasonably high air temp, particularly given conditions in the last few weeks. I fished a floater all day, on my 5 wt, coupled with 2 size 12 nymphs. Tom started off on his intermediate, with blob, cormorant and cruncher, as recommended on the FAFA website. David had a savage take 3rd cast which succeeded only in removing the red headed DB and dropper from his cast. At least we had a clue what they wanted!  Tom then lost one after a short fight, but it was obvious already that these were quality fish. We got one to the net as we neared the north shore and it turned out to be a fish of at least 3 and a half pounds, which gave my 5 wt a good workout, and went all round the boat in the process. After another couple of fish and another breakage I scaled up to 10lb leader and had one more before another relaxed lunch. Tom tried a floater with no success but took a couple of fish on a blob and cat's whisker combination after lunch. By the time we came off the water at 4pm we had netted and released 8 fish, averaging, I estimate, around 3 lb. The fish were as good quality as I have seen all year. Linlithgow Loch didn't disappoint in any way. I understand that they may have water quality and weed issues if it gets really warm, particularly later in the season. For now, then, based on this week's experience, Linlithgow Loch is highly recommended.