Loch Rannoch Stunning views

I was on day 2 of my fishing trip and another bucket list tick when I fished this stunning loch. I had cycled in this area but never fished it. A days permit bought on-line from the Pitlochry site cost £8 which is reasonable. The weather forecast was good so with a good Scottish breakfast inside me off I went.

The 1st bay looking south

Loch Rannoch is a big water about 10 miles long and about 1 across. There is not a great deal of fishing information on-line, most recommend fishing by boat with the hope of getting a monster deep lying ferox trout. But I was fishing the bank so it was a case of stopping and trying my luck. Brown trout was my quarry but it is a known pike water so would try to spin for them as well.
I went across the bridge at Kinloch Rannoch to start on the south shore and head west. Just over the bridge a few pike guys were settled down playing their waiting game, not really for me.

Bay 2 looking north note some snow on hills

The first bay I stopped at looked perfect. The water was gin clear. There were old camp fires so probably used by some pike guys. I waded out for a distance. cast all round and waded down the water but never saw or touched a fish. I tried spinning for 10 minutes but the bay was too shallow and rocky which the lures kept snagging on. Still the views were stunning, absolute peace and tranquillity I was in heaven.

The rocky bay

I moved a couple of miles to another glorious bay and started again. It looked an even better spot that the first but exactly the same fishing outcome but even better views looking east with Schiehallion's top peaking over the top of the smaller hills. The wading was trickier in this bay as although the water was still crystal clear there were many large boulders that needed careful manoeuvring up and/or around.
Decided to move over to the other side of the loch. At the most southern part of the loch a pair of golden eagles flew over from Rannoch moor area, circled about then went up in a thermal to disappear, just breathtaking. I found what I considered to be a cracking looking bay to fish just past Bridge of Gaur. Again more evidence of fires and the parking areas were trampled. Sadly there was litter lying about despite an empty council rubbish bin less than 10 metres away. I cannot understand people who will take the time to travel to lovely spots like this and leave their litter and mess. No wonder the Loch Lomond park area are trying to ban irregular camping to clamp down on the rubbish.
Rant over I waded into the water. For over an hour a great insect hatch was on but I only saw one fish rise and it was way to far out. I couldn't believe it. I fished up and down the bay, dries and wets but nothing was moving or taking. Unbelievable. A nice chop on the water it should have been perfect. It was great wading with an excellent sandy bottom and no rocks here. Still the views were stunning and I spotted a red throated diver on the water. Quite a while since I saw one of them so another bonus.

Schiehallion peaking above the hills

Decided to go up to Rannoch Station for a snack, always worth a visit, remote and rugged and great baking.
Back to the same spot for another bash. An hour of fly followed by an hour of pike spinning still saw nothing move in the water. A local came down who told me that the trout here were notorious for not rising to feed whilst snow remained in large quantity on the hills. This bay I was fishing had magnificent views of the snow clad Glencoe hills. An old wives tale or not it was true for today.
As I was having my final casts I noticed some shapes on the hills opposite. Had they been there all the time? No they moved. At the car I got out the binos to confirm a red deer herd about 40 strong. Great to watch. Just as I was packing up some German tourists arrived in a camper-van. Being a friendly native I pointed the deer out to them and his originally broken English became a lot more fluent. Excited they were but I was not expecting his next question which was 'Are they farmed'? They were more happy when I told them they were wild. Got waves as I left the parking area.

Red Deer herd

Overall not a fish caught and only one sighted but paradoxically I had a great day. The views were stunning at every part I fished. The traffic, particularly on the south side was non existent. Peace and tranquillity. The wildlife was a bonus. I was on a high for my drive back to the hotel.
Just needed the fish!!

Perfect bay looking towards Glencoe

Perfect bay looking towards outward activity centre (I think)