LOCHORE MEADOWS - Location: OS 58/165955

Lochore is in really poor condition at the moment and one option is to use it for water-sports only.

Lochore has a peculiar history. Historically there was a loch on this site which was drained in 1792 to improve agricultural ground in the region. Subsequently, the spoil dumps from local mining and associated subsidence eliminated any potential for agriculture, and nature, with a human helping hand, reasserted itself. Now we have a first-class 260 acre fishery, a country park, and an important civic amenity in an area which is not overly endowed with recreational facilities.

The fishery is only part of the activities taking place on the loch. All types of water sports are catered for here, and regardless of the activity, anglers are rarely if ever inconvenienced. The facilities are excellent, and the Park staff are helpful, informative and welcoming.

At times the eastern portion of the loch may be being used by water sports activities, and at such times fishing is not allowed in this region, but the western portion of the loch is totally reserved for fishermen at all times.

The North and West Shores are generally excellent, as are close-in drifts around any of the three islands. The West Shore is part of the Nature Reserve, and bank fishing is not permissible, giving added benefit to the boat angler.

An atmospheric sunset over Lochore Meadows,
complete with fishing rod!

However, boat anglers are strictly banned from encroaching within 50 metres of bank anglers, and from grounding boats on Nature Reserve shorelines. Clune Point and Clune Bay are recognised hot-spots and, if no watersports are taking place, the area in front of the Park Centre and the drift out from the River Ore inflow are well worth a go!

Lochore is recognised as an excellent dry fly fishery in the mid summer months, and as a nymph and buzzer water in the shoulder months. As in all stocked waters of the region, lures and sinking lines will always provide general sport, but finer methods and appropriate techniques and patterns will, at the right times, outfish 'down below' stuff.