Loch Quoich Two Day Trip.

[Norrie]

Hiya, Some members of Bonnybridge Angling Club, myself included, decided on another trip to Loch Quoich, which is 14 miles off the A87, after Invergarry. We intended taking my boat on the long haul north, as we were going to fish the far end of the Loch, some 3-4 miles further up. We arrived at the Tomdoun Hotel, to pay for the key to the launch site, and were told the water was wayyyy too low to launch the boat
So, we decided to go up anyway, and fish from the shore....what a shock when we got there, the water was at least 30 foot down on normal, this was caused by maintenance on the Power station, and the Dam Wall itself. The old road was visible, and drivable too and in one of the demolished farmhouses, which are usually at least 20 foot underwater, there was even a bedstead....left by the previous owners... The hotel owner said it was the lowest the loch has been in years...
Anyway, some fish were caught, all lovely wee brownies, with Mick getting the best of around 3/4lbs, and the most too, with him having a couple of dozen....we all had fish, and they were ALL returned fit and well.... Lots of wildlife seen too, including a Pine Martin sitting on the road just past the hotel.., the first I have ever seen.
So, heres some pics from our trip, which we will be repeating in September..

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x125/Norrie_album/lochquoichmay2008009.jpg

This Stag couldnt help itself ...

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x125/Norrie_album/lochquoichmay2008035.jpg

The course of the river, normally well underwater..


One of the better flooded homes...

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x125/Norrie_album/lochquoichmay2008040.jpg

The old road, which I drove along in the Jeep..for about a mile.

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x125/Norrie_album/lochquoichmay2008015.jpg

The family Pic..

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x125/Norrie_album/lochquoichmay2008004.jpg

One of Micks better fish..fantastic markings.

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x125/Norrie_album/lochquoichmay2008030.jpg

Now two Queries,,..a visitor to the campsite, any Idea what species of Dragonfly it is..:) it was perhaps 3 inches across.

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x125/Norrie_album/lochquoichmay2008027.jpg

And, what made these tracks?, we thought Otter, as we are sure we saw one a distance away..the prints were about 3-3.5 inches across..

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x125/Norrie_album/lochquoichmay2008031.jpg

[bigads]

Cracking pictures Norrie, it must have been really intresting to see what you're normally fishing over and all the old houses.

[Mr Steve Parker]

Excellent pics mate thanks very much.Good report cheers Steve.

[Ciderman]

Very cool :thumbs: As for the dragonfly, did the pilot fall off?

[Norrie]

Very cool :thumbs: As for the dragonfly, did the pilot fall off?

Thanks Chaps...We usually only see the Roads/buildings when the water is "low" mibbes 20 foot down, then you have to navigate round the houses etc....makes for a very interesting journey..:)

Might try and organise another trip later this year..:)


Love the Pilot comment... BTW....when we saw the Dragonfly sitting on the chair, we thought it was some sort of toy left by one of our "younger" anglers..;)

[Norrie]

Cracking pictures Norrie, it must have been really intresting to see what you're normally fishing over and all the old houses.

Hi Adam, One of our members. Martin, was very keen to see the houses, as its his first time in over 35 years fishing there, that he has seen them at such close quarters...:)

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x125/Norrie_album/lochquoichmay2008069.jpg

We even found a room with a bed!!! :):) or whats left of it..:)

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x125/Norrie_album/lochquoichmay2008068.jpg

[milkman]

Interesting reading Norrie, and good pic's.
Make's you wonder how long ago since somebody lived in those houses.
And they must have been right hardy scones!

Wonder what the fishing will be like when the loch fill's up again.
Was there not a record Brownie caught from Quoich once upon a time, or am i thinking of somewhere else :unsure: