Some 24 miles long and quite narrow, Loch Awe forms a considerable catchment area for the many feeder burns flowing from the surrounding mountains. Water quality is high and the fish population thrive in this rich, natural feeding area. The many bays vary in size and depth and each has its own particular attraction – shallow, sandy, rocky, reedy.

Loch Awe has always been famous for its wild brown trout, both large and small, and in 1996 the British Record was set with a wild brown trout weighing in at 25 lb 6oz. Several large, double-figure, wild brown trout have been caught both prior to and since this record catch, and on the opening day of the 1999 season a wild brown trout of some 22 lb was recorded.

Brown Trout: The brown trout season runs from 15 March to 6 October. Methods of fishing vary, and whilst fly is generally accepted as the best method, many anglers use worm or maggot (either ‘ledgered’ or on a float). Spinning with lures (Mepp, Rapala, Toby) is also successful, but it is always advisable to fish on the light side – up to 6lb test. Flies should be of the wet variety (10–16), of standard or loch pattern and in harmony with the months applicable to hatching flies. Irish patterns also do well, and for the angler wishing to lose him/herself in the many bays ‘nymphing’ can be very rewarding.

Rainbow Trout: Escapees from the two fish farms on Loch Awe also provide sport and should be fished in the same manner as brown trout.

Char: A natural and historic species often caught by trout anglers, especially as the season progresses and the water temperature rises.

Perch: Tend to be seasonal; in warm weather often found in reedy bays and around old piers.

Pike: Loch Awe also boasts some very large pike. Like the brown trout they are wild and extremely wide ranging in their hunt for food. The current record for Loch Awe stands at 35.5 lb. Pike fishing is open all year and can provide some excellent winter sport – mainly in the larger reedy bays either from the shore or by boat. The most popular method is dead bait – such as mackerel, herring, lamphrey or eel section, sardine, sprat, smelt – set on a wire trace and using two or three treble hooks (size 6, 8 or 10 depending on the size of the bait). Only live bait caught in Loch Awe can be used.

Fishing permits are available at several outlets throughout Central Scotland. Local outlets are Cruachan Filling Station and Loch Awe Stores in Lochawe, Loch Awe Boats at Ardbrecknish, and Awe Service Station at Bridge of Awe. (£4.00 per day, £8.00 for three days, £15.00 per week, £45.00 for the season; juveniles and concessions half-price)