[codyarrow]

All my early season loch fishing is done exactly as you describe Stewart. I've never fished a sinker, because as Andy says 3 - 6ft of water is best. IMO floater is far more versatile than an intermediate.
Some days, with a bit of sun you will find a decent rise, and things will become pretty easy on pennels and other black flies. On days when it's not easy I've found dead slow hugging the bottom gets to the snail eaters. You will loose flies, but sometimes it is the only way.
Fish the afternoon. 12 - 4pm.
Size 12, even size 10 works - no need to fish 14's.