Please Email us or phone our lochkeeper for boats and permits. Ian Fernyhough or if you prefer E mail- lochkeeper@stmarysanglingclub.org.uk Boats are only available from our lochkeeper.Anglers are reminded that permits for the fishing are also available from The Glen Cafe, The Gordon Arms Hotel, The Tibbie Shiels Inn and Cast Around in Peebles. Fishing History There are many documented reports of organised fishing at the lochs from the 1820s onwards. The actual St Mary's Club came into being in 1933 as a Trout fishing Club and continues to the present day. The Pike in the lochs used to be netted out and this practice continued until 1995 whereupon it ceased and the lochs were given back to nature to manage, and good old mother nature is making a fine job of it. All species appear to be thriving perhaps an indication that nature knows best!
The Perch and Eels are very rarely fished for but the occasional "accidental" catch points to there being some very heavy specimens out there. If you target any of these species you will be coming to uncharted waters because no one really fishes for them. Come up in the summer on an early morning outing and you will see a surprising number of Brown Trout rising to the fly, they are very well educated Trout and are not easily fooled. However patience is a vital part of the make up of the wild Trout hunter and usually the angler is rewarded with a Trout or two for his dilligence. There are also shoals of fish in very deep water around 70-80ft and at this time we do not know what species they are. There used to be Arctic Char in the lochs but it is said that they were netted out in the small river that joins the two lochs. Perhaps one day an angler will connect with one of these fish and the mystery will be solved.
Boats
The boats represent the clubs biggest asset so please do not abuse them and in the interest of safety please report any damage so that remedial action may be commenced swiftly.
Our boats are now available all year round to cater for visiting Pike anglers see our news page for any devlopments.
We now have a boat on the Loch o the Lowes available for hire.
In keeping with the wishes of our Riparian Owners No private boats are allowed on the lochs.
In the interests of safety we recommend a maximum of 3 anglers per 14ft boat and 4 anglers per 16ft boat and that lifejackets are worn (these are now supplied and must be worn). Please note the loch can be unforgiving in inclement weather always err on the side of caution!
Caddis fly larvae Aquatic life The lochs are rich in organisms and aquatic life, mostly so around the margins which are well populated by worms, crustaceans and molluscs. Fly life is prolific with the correct conditions, and it is then that Trout can be seen rising voraciously taking their fill. There is a hefty population of 3 spined Sticklebacks and large shoals of coarse fish fry both of which form part of the diet of the larger residents in the lochs. It warrants mentioning (even though it is subjective) that many of our members who Pike fish other Scottish lochs say the Pike from our two lochs are amongst the hardest fighting fish of all.
At last the myth of Pike decimating fisheries is being laid to rest with the help of intense research initiated by the Pike Anglers Club GB. Please visit the site and see for yourself the latest research.
Voles/Field Mice are often heard rustling around under the bank vegetation and can often be tempted to come and feed in the open by scattering bread or pie crust which they seem to really enjoy. An Otter has also been seen fishing in the lochs.
Chaffinch and Robin are also attracted by the above and often feed happily only inches away from the angler especially in the winter months when natural food is scarce. Goldfinch and Greenfinch can also be seen feeding on seeds along with Blue, Coal and Great Tits.
Osprey carrying dinner
 Blackbird
For the early morning angler the Dawn Chorus is a most enjoyable melody with Blackbird, Thrush, Robin and Chaffinch being the most prominent with occasional bursts from Oyster Catcher and Cuckoo. Roe Deer are often seen early in the morning along with some large hares and hooting owls. An Otter has also been spotted fishing in the loch. Please let us know if you spot any Mink. The loch in freezing temperatures. It is a rare occurence indeed for St Mary's Loch to freeze over, the last time was in 1986 when temperatures plummeted to minus 18 degrees centigrade. The smaller Loch o the Lowes freezes over more easily but usually only at the bottom end near the Glen Cafe. However in very cold weather it is advisable to check with one of our outlets before setting out, especially if you are travelling a good distance. The Glen Cafe also have a webcam directed at the bottom of the loch o the Lowes which can be most useful to anglers to view the current condition of the lochs. Visit their site via our links page.
The Ettrick Shepherd There are a number of historic sites in the vicinity and for a comprehensive resume click on Genuki on the links page. There is also an information board at the top of St Marys loch with a concise description of the areas history.
Folklore
Rodono House We used to think that the following was an old wives tale but its true! In 1934 the inhabitants of Rodono House a Victorian Hunting lodge on the banks of the loch were having one of their famous partys when a couple of inebriated guests drove the car (a model T Ford presumably in Black) out on to the frozen loch and left it there and when the thaw came it sunk. Now exactly where it is today god only knows, but the local sub aqua club have had numerous dives in the area in which it was known to have sunk to see if they could find any remnants of the car and to date have come up empty handed. So if you have difficulty in pulling in your anchor it may just be that a model T Ford is on the end of it, if so let us know. According to the locals, the bottom of St Marys loch is also home to an old tractor which was pushed out on to the frozen loch one day when its useful working life had come to an end. The loch is also known as the "silent loch" and is reputed to be the coldest loch in Scotland!
Roads
Roads in the St Marys Loch area often have sheep wandering on the public roads, please be vigilant and drive appropriately. The roads also attract a large number of motorcyclists, please exercise caution on these roads.
Fuel The nearest petrol stations are situated in Selkirk and Moffat both around 16miles away. Medical Emergencies All emergency services dial 999, the nearest Hospital Accident & Emergency unit is the Borders General Hospital in Melrose around 18miles away (head for Selkirk then Galashiels, then Melrose/Borders General Hospital on reaching the outskirts of Galashiels the hospital is well signposted).This unit includes emergency Dental services. A Defibrillator is located at the Tibbie Shiels Inn at the top of the loch.
OPERATING POLICIES Child Protection Being the anglers of the future we actively encourage youngsters to fish, (Under 16s should be accompanied by a Responsible Adult) and their wellbeing is our prime concern. We operate the child protection policy issued by the Pike Anglers Club (Click here).The policy is currently undergoing revision but will appear here.
Anyone convicted of an offence against children will automatically have their membership rescinded and this ban will remain in place for the lifetime of the offender. A similar stance is taken with persistent troublemakers. We will share this information with other clubs!
All our Scottish Office Wardens have been vetted by Disclosure Scotland! Anglers fish at their own risk!
Bathymetrical Survey
ANGLERS MUST OBTAIN A PERMIT BEFORE COMMENCING TO FISH UNLESS A PRIOR ARRANGEMENT HAS BEEN MADE BY PHONINGOUR LOCHKEEPER Ian Fernyhough or if you prefer E mail- lochkeeper@stmarysanglingclub.org.uk
|
