I’ve caught trout from Loch Etive before, but never really targetted them or tried from my SIB. Normally I fish Etive over winter, so closed season for trout, and I’m aiming for bottom feeders.
It was mid-afternoon when I arrived, and Taynuilt was full of tents and folk wandering over the beach. However, I managed to get set up and out on the loch without killing any paddleboarders…
Much to my surprise I found the place empty once I headed inland from Bonawe. There was a kayaker camping and shore fishing a couple of miles up and I met a solitary canoe near Barrs. Apart from that I had the place to myself 🙂
Trolling for Trout
My plan was to focus on Etive trout, using the SIB to cover a bit more ground than I could from a kayak. Size-wise, I’d be delighted with any fish over 8oz. Sad, I know, but I like fishing for brown trout in a sea loch knowing I could as easily pick up a spurdog from the same spot.
I expected a few mackerel as there can be decent numbers in the loch in late summer. However this was the only one I caught, sandwiched between a couple of trout.
The latter part of the sandwich being this fine brownie. At 36cm it is probably north of 1lb in weight and way better than any previous Etive trout.
Basically I hugged the shoreline, casting or trolling a small Toby along any likely looking spots as I went. I ended up with 5 brownies, and easily beat my 8oz target for the day. 🙂 Just one mackerel though, and I had expected a few more.
My final fish of the day was a surprise – a little Grey Gurnard grabbed my spoon bait in shallow water close inshore.
Beach BBQ
Not long after, with the sun fading, I headed ashore onto a favourite beach I often overnight on.
It’s a pretty little spot, even if the midges like it too. I’m more used to winter camping here but it is quite nice to feel some warmth in the air!
My tent and sleeping gear were safely dry bagged, with food and cooking gear shovelled into a canoe barrel for the journey. Almost organised for a change!
First off, I got a small fire going to cook dinner and distill a much-needed coffee. With that underway I then popped up my old and much abused Vango Banshee tent. With luck the fire would help ward off the local vampires, just waiting to pounce when the sun dropped below the mountains.
Dinner tonight was chicken teriyaki, which tasted much better than it looked. Fortunately it was too dark to photograph well, but it resembled something you’d scrape off your shoe…
As usual on a lovely calm evening, midges tried to spoil the party, but the smoke and my head net kept them just below plague proportions.
I’d taken a beach rod in with a view to trying for spurdog in the evening but I didn’t bother in the end. By the time I was set up and cooked myself dinner it was the wrong side of eleven so I just hit the sack.
Bright and Early
Next morning was flat calm and beautiful as I struggled out my tent and checked no stags had gored my SIB.
The sun kissed the sand just as I readied coffee, bacon and eggs for breakfast. With its rays chasing away the midges I ate in relative peace 🙂
Slinging the tent over some rocks to dry off any dew and condensation, I knocked back another coffee as the day warmed. A few trout rose nearby and I chucked a lure over their heads, but without success.
Eventually I stopped dawdling, sorted out my camp and drained the dregs from my mug. Time to load up the SIB and chase a few more trout from further up Etive!
I meandered around the upper loch, adding a steady tally of trout and a micro-pollack weighing less than my Toby.
Best trout was just over the 33cm mark, so perhaps Etive has more potential than I thought?
Same tactics as yesterday, with a mix of trolling and casting with a 7g blue and silver Toby lure.
The body count rose steadily, even though I wasn’t trying too hard and stopped ashore at a few places along the way.
Most of the trout were respectable 6-8oz fish, a bit bigger than my previous average from Etive.
Rain Stops Play
The weather changed towards lunchtime with some heavy thundershowers drifting in as I plootered back along the other bank of Etive.
Between showers I stopped ashore to get a jacket on and brew a coffee over my little stick stove. This is one of my winter camping spots, and looks very different with leaves on the trees!
I think the last time I was here it was snowing…
Between showers Etive was still warm and calm as I chugged back towards Taynuilt. Latterly though, the fish seemed to lose interest and takes became more half-hearted.
Taynuilt was deserted when I arrived back, after spending the last 15 minutes in a torrential downpour. Normally I carry spare clothes in the car when I’m on the kayak or SIB, but of course I didn’t bother this time…
Overall my tally was 14 or 15 trout (all returned) so hardly red letter fishing, but good fun nonetheless.
I should say this trip was partly inspired by Paul, a viewer from my YT channel. Paul pointed out I’ve never posted a video of fishing from my SIB. This is quite true, so I thought I might as well sort that out!
Great report Doug & good idea Paul. Those trout look to be in tip-top condition to me too. I sold my big Avon SIB, but they are extremely capable boats. You’ll be back, the night’s are drawing in & winter’s coming!
Hi Ash, they were in good nick although it was noticeable that the the bigger two took a minute to recover at the side of the boat – probably because the water was warm and oxygen levels a bit low. Quite pleased with the outcome really as most of the other trout I’ve had from Etive were small or tiny!