The week had started well when we arrived at our Chalet on Loch Awe.
Although Black clouds and a thick mist obscured the sheer size of this place, little did I know that I should consider that a plus! With rain beating down, and a strong North Westerly, it was decided to chill out, and keep the rods in for the time being.

Day 2

I awoke after a good nights sleep, with sunshine peeping through the window.
“Yes, this is what I had been waiting for” I thought to myself, and rushed into the living room of the Chalet. It was now, through the window that I saw the immense sheet of water in front of me.

Loch Awe…..It was all perfectly clear now how the place got it’s name!
It is a totally incredible looking water, which can only be described as ‘Daunting’

The wind was still strong and gusty, and I could hear the waves lapping onto the shore. Maybe a Beach caster and Multiplier reel was what I should have brought?

I suddenly wished I had an Internet connection, so I could ask what the hell to do next from the guys on NE-Fishing! Still, I set up two rods (glad I brought my Rodpod with me) the Gravel was impossible to get a bankstick in.

Two deadbaits were duly sent headlong into the Loch and Backbiter alarms set and ready. 12 take-less hours passed, and my thoughts drifted towards the real reason I had come…..Trolling! Rods were duly brought in, and it was 3 days before they were re-setup (it was a family holiday after all….My son Matthew and I didn’t really wish we had left the wife at home?!!!)

One selling point of picking the chalet we did, was a free day’s boat hire, and we decided to use this to troll the loch. Only one snag!
It was a rowing boat! “Sod that” I said…I want to motor around like Captain Pugwash, and if I don’t catch anything, at least I won’t be completely knackered!!!!

So we paid the extra to upgrade, and away we went.

Within 2 hours I was completely fed up!...The wife was tired of sitting in the boat, the little one had lost his bloody sandwiches over the side, and I had snapped the tip of one rod, when I failed to release the line quickly enough after snagging a deep obstruction.

So we headed off in, with me wanting to sell all my gear and bugger off somewhere hot and tropical!!

It was when we got back to the chalet, that Matthew discovered the ‘complimentary` Fishing gear supplied by the Chalet owners.
Naturally I had brought heavy Pike gear, and the young ‘un wanted to catch something…anything!

The rod was all of 5ft long, with the smallest reel imaginable, loaded with twisted, kinked 6lb (ish) line….rusty hooks, porcupine quill float and some various sized split shot.

Duly I set it up for him (fully expecting the tirade of abuse that only a seven year old can deliver upon blanking twice in one day)

Off he went, armed with this rod, and a couple of slices of bread (at best I thought he may just luck in with a Roach) I have to admit to feeling a strong sense of pride, as I watched him heading off to the pontoon with his faithful buddy ‘Max’ the Collie (inseparable those two)

The pontoon jutted about 20feet out into the loch. (safely surrounded by railings I should add!) I had called it a day, and yet off he was to try again.
“Sucker for punishment that one” I quipped to the wife!

Within 10 minutes there was a ‘commotion’ from the pontoon area.
The dog was barking, the Rod was bent double, and much shouting was heard. I rushed down in time to see a Trout leap clear of the water and a very excited boy seemingly hanging on for dear life. Sure, when he beached it I can safely say it was no monster….But I think he will remember it for many years to come. As for me, I think it is a timely reminder to never give up, and that we can learn things from people a lot younger than ourselves.

Loch Awe will remain a lasting memory, but it is unlikely I will go back to fish there.

It is just a bit TOO Awesome!


Simon Falla (NE-Fishing Member)