Loch Ken Bream
Considering kayak fishing in Scotland is fairly new , no one would have predicted a competition this year . David took the effort and invited us to Loch Ken a 9-mile long freshwater loch in Dumfries and Galloway .This 2015 edition was a great success from start to finish .Each competitor had a task in hand , trying to catch many different freshwater species , measuring those and quickly returning them to the water . I drove early in the morning through hilly countryside , wooded area waiting for autumn to begin .Nine o’clock start in a beautiful campsite , everyone was preparing each kayak .Most people came from England , some Scotts ,myself and a welshman too .The weather looked perfect , no wind , no rain and light cloud cover .Around 25 kayaks ready to paddle out , the loch is quite narrow ,Glen and myself heading south east progressively .My plan was to catch perch and pike first and then go for a bream and eventually a trout .We paddled slowly exploring the margins , I cast close to the lilly pad and my first perch engulfed the tiny lure . I net the stripy creature and process and measuring the beast . A cool 13 inch and that’s a good start .Glen meanwhile hook into a pike , good little battle ,measure and release his fish .We paddle further down the loch and I try to maximise my chances trolling two smalls lures out . A very small pike took the lure and again ,processing and measuring the fish , I use a board in this case and the whole process is tricky with a live ,slimy fish .Two species now and then we process into catching some bream .At this time more kayakers have joined and we anchor in deeper water . Bait fishing is fun ,I fill up a good swim feeder with groundbait ,one size 14 hook , a maggot and a single sweetcorn . A little wait later and the fish are on the move . A first Bream reach the surface and species number three .We carry on fishing in the same spot , Kenny float fishing even manage a pike .The weather is fantastic , and none of us is actually competing .Watching someone catching fish is thoroughly enjoyable even if down the line all this could turn into a prize .Many bream later we are on the hunt again and now trolling for pike .I use a heavier shad for this task and hook into a fish , grab my rod ,reel in ,the fish gets closer , jump in the air and , yes it’s free ! Soon after ,a few paddle stoke further and another pike hit the lure .Again the small creature slip out of my hand ! No photo for those two fish lost and no prize .Everyone is having a great day and eventually we all paddle back to base .Time to report our catches ,fill up the forms and get all the gears packed in the car . Hot soup , prize to the winners and a Barbecue , a good friendly chat with all the competitors and just the time to head back home .This event was very well organised ,the weather was great , the fishing was tight and I am sure every one will love to just go back .Till next year 2016 then , Loch Ken here we come again .With the Video youtu.be/Rxa7IUI4BuI
Loch Ken Bream
Considering kayak fishing in Scotland is fairly new , no one would have predicted a competition this year . David took the effort and invited us to Loch Ken a 9-mile long freshwater loch in Dumfries and Galloway .This 2015 edition was a great success from start to finish .Each competitor had a task in hand , trying to catch many different freshwater species , measuring those and quickly returning them to the water . I drove early in the morning through hilly countryside , wooded area waiting for autumn to begin .Nine o’clock start in a beautiful campsite , everyone was preparing each kayak .Most people came from England , some Scotts ,myself and a welshman too .The weather looked perfect , no wind , no rain and light cloud cover .Around 25 kayaks ready to paddle out , the loch is quite narrow ,Glen and myself heading south east progressively .My plan was to catch perch and pike first and then go for a bream and eventually a trout .We paddled slowly exploring the margins , I cast close to the lilly pad and my first perch engulfed the tiny lure . I net the stripy creature and process and measuring the beast . A cool 13 inch and that’s a good start .Glen meanwhile hook into a pike , good little battle ,measure and release his fish .We paddle further down the loch and I try to maximise my chances trolling two smalls lures out . A very small pike took the lure and again ,processing and measuring the fish , I use a board in this case and the whole process is tricky with a live ,slimy fish .Two species now and then we process into catching some bream .At this time more kayakers have joined and we anchor in deeper water . Bait fishing is fun ,I fill up a good swim feeder with groundbait ,one size 14 hook , a maggot and a single sweetcorn . A little wait later and the fish are on the move . A first Bream reach the surface and species number three .We carry on fishing in the same spot , Kenny float fishing even manage a pike .The weather is fantastic , and none of us is actually competing .Watching someone catching fish is thoroughly enjoyable even if down the line all this could turn into a prize .Many bream later we are on the hunt again and now trolling for pike .I use a heavier shad for this task and hook into a fish , grab my rod ,reel in ,the fish gets closer , jump in the air and , yes it’s free ! Soon after ,a few paddle stoke further and another pike hit the lure .Again the small creature slip out of my hand ! No photo for those two fish lost and no prize .Everyone is having a great day and eventually we all paddle back to base .Time to report our catches ,fill up the forms and get all the gears packed in the car . Hot soup , prize to the winners and a Barbecue , a good friendly chat with all the competitors and just the time to head back home .This event was very well organised ,the weather was great , the fishing was tight and I am sure every one will love to just go back .Till next year 2016 then , Loch Ken here we come again .With the Video youtu.be/Rxa7IUI4BuI