Oban and Lorn Angling Club
Guide to the Lochs
The Club was formed in 1972 with the object of improving fishing in the Lorn district of Argyll for the benefit of all anglers. From the outset, visitors have been welcome to fish club waters. All those who fish club waters should show consideration for others who live by or enjoy the countryside by observing the following rules:
1. Do not park your car where it
causes an obstruction
2. Shut all gates
3. Do not take a dog on to the hill
4. Do not light fires, drop cigarette ends or matches
5. Take all litter home, including plastic bags and discarded monofilament
6. Do not disturb stock, interfere with wildlife or destroy plants.
Try to ensure your own safety and comfort on the hills. It can snow until the end of May and there can be frost from the beginning of August. Windproof and waterproof clothing should always be worn or carried. It is advisable to wear stout walking boots or shoes and carry waders to the loch. Wear something which is easily seen. Have a complete change of clothing in the car.
If you must go fishing alone always tell someone where you are going and when you intend to return. Always keep to the access routes as shown on the maps and return by the route you came. Avoid steep slopes and flat marshy ground with peat bogs. Carry with you a map, compass, torch, whistle, and chocolate to replace lost energy. In the summer it is always advisable to have insect repellent and clothing with a hood to combat midges and horseflies.
Bait fishing is not allowed on Club waters and fishing with more than one rod at a time is illegal. Except for Loch Nell and the Oude Reservoir, where spinning and bubble and fly are permitted, all lochs are fly only. The most successful trout flies are the Butcher, Peter Ross, Greenwell's Glory and Grouse and Claret size 10-14. Butchers, Teal wing flies and Zulus size 8-10 are best for salmon and sea trout. Reservoir lures are only worthwhile where rainbows are stocked. Please send in all Fishing Returns even if nil, in order that we can improve the waters. Especially note on the return any brown trout with a clipped adipose fin, the small fin on the back.
All lochs are fly only except Loch Nell and the Oude Reservoir where spinning and bubble and fly are permitted. Return all fish with clipped adipose fin.
Click the Map Reference to see detailed maps.
Click here to download PDF of the Guide (223Kb).
LOCH AVICH (Loch No. 27, Map 1)
Species: Trout.
Access: Proceed as for Loch a' Phearsain but continue past Loch an Losgainn Mor for about 2 miles. Park in the quarry at the western end.
Fishing: Contains many small trout but also fish of over a pound. The extent of the bank fishing leased by the Club is shown on Map 1.
Flies: Standard patterns sizes 12 and 14.
LOCH NANT (Map 4)
LOCH NELL: (Loch No. 1, Map 2)
Species: Salmon, sea trout, trout and char.
Access: Take the A816 south for 3i miles from Oban to Kilmore. Turn left at the signpost marked Barran, Glen Lonan, Musdale. Continue for 1 mile to a T-junction marked Barran, Connel, Musdale. Turn left again and continue for i mile to the lochside. The boat is moored at the trees on the south shore of the loch.
Fishing: Salmon only reach the loch in significant numbers about the third week of June and fishing should continue to improve until the end of September, declining through October. Large sea trout will be present all through the season but finnock run into the loch from the middle of July until the end of September. Brown trout fishing is mediocre. Char, which are usually caught accidentally in August when they come into shallow water to spawn, are of a better size than the trout.
Flies: Standard pattern salmon and sea trout flies sizes 8 and 10.
SIOR LOCHS: (pronounced 'Sheer' Lochs) (Loch No. 24, Map 3)
Species: Trout.
Access: As to Loch Nell but turn right at the T-junction and continue on the Musdale road for 4 miles. Park car in the quarry past the signpost indicating the footpath to Kilchrenan. Walk on this footpath for ^ of an hour; having walked up the gully with the pipeline, turn left on to the surfaced Hydro-Board road.
Fishing: The lochs are situated in a remote glen with prolific bird life. It is well stocked with small but easily caught trout. It fishes best in April and May but afterwards weed becomes a problem.
Flies: Standard trout flies, wet or dry, sizes 12 and 14.
LOCH A' BHARRAIN: (pronounced Loch 'Ah Varr-ane') (Loch No. 25, Map 3)
Species: Trout.
Access: Follow the burn due north from the Sior Lochs, see Map 3.
Fishing: Peaty loch with small fish. Rarely fished.
Flies: As for the Sior Lochs.
LOCHAN AIRIGH-SHAMHRAIDH: (pronounced Lochan 'Ah-ree Sour-ee') (Loch No. 26, Map 3)
Species: Trout.
Access: By road as to the Sior Lochs but continue down the hill to Musdale Farm. One hour's climb from the farm. Only for the fit. (See Map 3).
Fishing: Full of easily caught trout. Fishes at any time during the season.
Flies: As for Sior Lochs.
OUDE RESERVOIR: (pronounced 'Ood' Reservoir) (Loch No. 2. Map 1)
Species: Trout.
Access: Take the A816 south from Oban for 14 miles. The loch lies at the roadside on the right.
Fishing: Well-stocked little loch with free-rising trout averaging 3 to the pound. Fishes well all over and throughout the season. A club boat is often located on this loch for periods. Bank fishing can be difficult because of the fluctuating water level.
Flies: As for Sior Lochs.
LOCH AN LOSGAINN MOR (pronounced 'Loch.an Lus-gan More') (Loch No. 4 Map 1)
Species: Trout.
Access: Take the A816 south from Oban to Kilmelford. Turn left at the Post Office up the road signposted Loch Avich. The loch is by the roadside at the top of the hill.
Fishing: This loch contains trout of I Ib but they are difficult to catch.
Flies: Standard trout flies, wet or dry, sizes 10 to 14.
LOCH AN LOSGAINN BEAG (pronounced Loch an Lus-gan Beag) (Loch No. 5, Map 1)
Species: Trout.
Access: Follow the tractor track due north from the northwest comer of Loch an Losgainn Mor over the hill and down to Loch an Losgainn Beag.
Fishing: This loch contains very large trout that are difficult to catch. Reputed to fish best in the evening during June.
Flies: As for Loch an Losgainn Mor.
LOCH A' MHINN (pronounced Loch Ah Veen) (Loch No. 6, Map 1)
Species: Trout, Char.
Access: As for Loch an Losgainn Beag but turn right at the top of the hill and proceed down and across to the large loch in front of you.
Fishing: Contains small fat trout, frequently difficult to catch. Fishes throughout the season.
Flies: Standard trout flies, wet or dry, sizes 12 and 14.
LOCH NA CURRAIGH (pronounced Loch na Coor-rach) (Loch No. 7, Map 1)
Species: Trout.
Access: As for Loch an Losgainn Beag but turn right at the top of the hill and continue on the tractor track, skirting Loch a' Mhinn, until you come to Loch na Curraigh on your right.
Fishing: This loch has some fat half pound to one pound trout that sometimes rise freely. The south end is floating bog and fishing from this bank is not advised. Becomes weeded but has open fishable water.
Flies: As for Loch a' Mhinn.
LOCH NAM BAN (Loch No. 8, Map 1)
Species: Trout.
Access: Proceed along the road beside Loch an Losgainn Mor but stop just before the narrow part of the loch. A moderately steep defile leads up behind the hill overlooking the narrows. Climb this to the top and walk northwards across the top for about 200 yards. This small loch is in a hollow.
Fishing: Fish up to 2 Ib have been caught on occasion.
Flies: As for Loch a' Mhinn.
LOCH A' CHLACHAIN (Loch No. 11, Map 3)
Species: Trout.
Access: Go back westwards for about 300 yards along the road from Loch an Losgainn Mor. To the north, a stream comes down a defile and enters the one from Loch an Losgainn Mor. Take the western (right-hand) slope of the defile and climb upwards parallel to the stream. Bear right near the top to follow the right fork of the stream. The loch is in front of you.
Fishing: Fish of up to 2 Ib have been caught on occasion.
flies: As for Loch a' Mhinn.
LOCH CONASTAICH (No number, Map 1)
Species: Trout.
Access: Drive 250 yards past Loch an Losgainn Mor to the layby at the top of the hill. Walk SW along the north side of the big glen until you reach a burn. Follow the burn up to this small weedy loch.
Fishing: This is a dangerous loch to fish because it is surrounded by bog. Fishing should only be attempted during a long spell of dry weather.
Flies: As for Loch a' Mhinn.
LOCH AN DAIMH (pronounced Loch an Dive) (Loch No. 9, Map 1)
Species: Trout.
Access: Follow the burn up past Loch Conastaich. The loch is reached through a steep defile.
Fishing: The loch contains small trout up to ½ Ib weight.
Flies: As for Loch a' Mhinn.
LOCH A' CRUAICHE (Loch No. 10, Map 1)
Species: Trout.
Access: Go to the southwest comer of Loch an Daimh. A stream enters the loch at this point, hollow the stream upwards.
Fishing: This is a small weedy loch with small trout.
Flies: As for Loch a' Mhinn.
BIG FEINN LOCH (pronounced Fee-an Loch) (Loch No. 12, Map 1)
Species: Trout.
Access: Follow the tractor track from the northwest comer of Loch an Losgainn Mor due north, skirting Loch a' Mhinn and Loch na Curraigh on your right. Continue down into Gleann Mor past the ruined sheiling. Cross the glen and climb the other side to the left of where the burn runs down. Up on your left is a rocky escarpment on top of which lies the loch. It is a one hour walk from Loch an Losgainn Mor.
Fishing: This loch contains very large trout which are very difficult to catch. It fishes best at the beginning of the season in windy conditions.
Flies: Use large salmon flies, demons or terrors.
WEE FEINN LOCH (Loch No. 13, Map 1)
Species: Trout.
Access: The loch lies 50 yards above the Big Feinn Loch to the west.
Fishing: A small loch that contains good sized trout up to 2 Ibs.
Flies: Standard trout patterns sizes 10 and 12.
IASG LOCH (pronounced EE-ask Loch) (Loch No. 14, Map 1)
Species: Trout.
Access: This loch lies 250 yards northeast of the Wee Feinn Loch.
Fishing: This is a mysterious loch, very few small fish can be caught, mainly on the north shore. As the Gaelic name means 'Fish Loch', it may contain very large trout like the Big Feinn Loch, but in recent years none seem to have been caught.
Flies: The small trout take standard patterns sizes 10 and 12.
LOCH A' CHEIGEIN (pronounced Loch Ah Heek-gan) (Loch No. 22, Map 1)
Species: Trout.
Access: As to the Big Feinn Loch but instead of climbing the escarpment to your left follow the burn past the waterfall to your right.
Fishing: Reedy loch full of small trout with the occasional fish of ½ Ib.
Flies: Standard trout patterns size 14.
LOCH NA SAILM (pronounced Loch na Psalm) (Loch No. 21, Map 1)
Species: Trout.
Access: Follow the main burn running into Loch a' Cheigein. The loch lies 50 yards above the waterfall.
Fishing: This loch has been dammed by the club to improve the fishing. Contains nice average-sized trout and the occasional fish of a pound.
Flies: Standard trout patterns sizes 12 and 14.
LOCH A' CHAORAINN (pronounced Loch Ah Hoo-ran) (Loch No. 15, Map 1)
Species: Trout.
Access: By road as to Loch an Daimh but continue down the hill for 250 yards and park at the entrance to the Forestry road on the left before the bridge. Walk up the forestry road to the wide parking area and carry on due north into the glen over the flat marshy ground. At the far side where a burn comes down a gorge, climb up this gorge keeping the burn on your left. Follow the path till you cross the burn and you climb a stile over a deer fence. Continue on north parallel to the fence on your right until you reach the loch. Three-quarter hour walk on fairly difficult terrain.
Fishing: The loch contains a good stock of fish up to 2 Ibs weight. Can be moody but persistence can reward you with a good fish.
Flies: The trout seem to prefer imitations of natural flies.
LOCH A' CHREACHAIN (pronounced Loch Ah Creech-an) (Loch No. 16, Map 1)
Species: Trout.
Access: Follow the burn flowing out of the north comer of Loch a' Chaorainn for 150 yards.
Fishing: Easiest loch to fish in this group. Although there are a lot of small fish, trout can be caught up to 2 Ibs in weight.
Flies: Standard pattern trout flies sizes 12 and 14 should normally be used but also try big lure type flies for the bigger trout.
LOCH DUBH-BHEAG pronounced Loch Doo-beg) (Loch No. 17, Map 1)
Species: Trout.
Access: When Loch a' Chreachain is reached follow the burn that flows into the first bay on the right for 100 yards crossing the deer fence by the stile.
Fishing: The loch has steep heather banks and contains trout up to 1 Ib in weight. Wading is difficult.
Flies: Standard patterns sizes 12 and 14.
LOCHAN CRUACH MAOLACHY (pronounced Lochan Croo-ach Moo-Iachy) (Loch No. 18, Map 1)
Species: Trout.
Access: Follow the burn that flows into the bay on the east side of Loch Dubh-Bheag for 200 yards, then climb the slope to the left.
Fishing: Stocked trout reach 2 or more pounds in weight.
Flies: Standard patterns sizes 12 and 14.
GULLY LOCH (Loch No. 19, Map 1)
Species: Trout.
Access: Follow the burn that flows into the north end of Loch a' Chreachain.
Fishing: This loch is weedy but contains some very good fat trout.
Flies: Standard patterns sizes 12 and 14.
LOCH DUBH-MOR (pronounced Loch Doo-more) (Loch No. 20, Map 1)
Species: Trout.
Access: Climb the stile (?) over the deer fence at the north end of the Gully Loch and follow the burn for 200 yards.
Fishing: This is a very deep loch. The average weight is about ½ Ib and on a good day 10 fish can be caught.
Flies: Standard patterns sizes 10 and 12.
LOCH A' PHEARSAIN (pronounced Loch Ah Fear-san) (Loch No. 3, Map 1)
Species: Trout, Char.
Access: Proceed up the hill from Kilmelford as if going to Loch an Losgainn Mor but only go halfway. Park before the first bridge after the left bend round the top of the cliff. Go north from the road down to the loch.
Fishing: Mostly ½ Ib fish but some over a pound.
Flies: Standard patterns sizes 12 and 14
