Loch Lomond Angling Improvement Association

Fisheries Improvement Group

Introduction

The freshwater environment is critical to the life cycle of all fish populations. Salmon

and sea-trout require high quality streams with unimpeded access to and from the

spawning areas. Ensuring the best possible habitat is available is fundamental to

maximising fish production. Once habitat surveying is completed, a practical

programme of habitat enhancement is planned to restore impacted areas. This will

include bank protection to mitigate against the effects of erosion and removal of

obstructions to ensure migratory fish get free passage to their spawning grounds.

The previous committee embarked on an expensive smolt farming experiment where

brood stock from the Lomond catchment area were taken up to Fort William,

stripped of their eggs/milt then reared to pre smolt stage. The pre smolts were then

brought back down to the Lomond area to be held in holding tanks to imprint them

before release into the Endrick or Fruin.

This committee are promoting catch and release by offering incentives and are eager

to embark on a program of habitat improvement. Many association members have

contacted the committee and are eager to help.

The Vice Chairman of the LLAIA recently conducted a survey of various stretches or

the River Fruin, an area largely neglected by the previous committee and found

some areas badly in need of remedial work at the earliest opportunity

Conclusion

It is the intention of the committee to work closely with Dr Andrew Burrows of the

LLFT, Scottish National Heritage, Landowners, National Park Authority, Marine

Scotland and local farmers to improve the river habitat in the areas which we either

own or lease. The LLAIA / LLFT will draw up a site-management plan that assess the

state of the Lomond system and plan appropriate improvements.

River Fruin April 2012

This is the largest of a number of trees that have fallen into the river at the stretch

known to anglers as the” Horseshoe”, this tree will need cut into sections and

dragged out by a tractor / digger. The tree spans the complete river width.

River bank erosion, soil getting washed into river and clogging gravel

River Fruin Tributary April 2012

This is one of the main spawning burns on the Fruin.

It was blocked from bank to bank with dead wood preventing the free passage of

Salmon and Sea Trout.

Debris removed from blockage

River Fruin April 2012

Spawning burn now free from obstructions after only 45minutes work

20 tons of boulders ready for bank maintenance

River Fruin April 2012

The Vice Chairman of the LLAIA, Sid Gath checking the gravel for compactness

Invertebrate life, vital for juvenile fish was also catalogued.