Lochs
There are literally hundreds of lochs in Shetland: enough to fish a different one every day of the year. Many anglers say that when fish aren't biting, you don't change your flies, you change your loch.
Can all anglers please ensure that they do not disturb breeding birds when fishing. It is an offence under the Wildlife & Countryside Act, 1981, to wilfully disturb breeding Red-throated Divers and Whooper Swans at, or near, their nests. The island at Tingwall Loch supports one of the largest colonies of Black-headed Gulls in Shetland, as well as Tufted Ducks and Red-breasted Merganser. Please avoid the island in May and June. Many wading birds, terns and gulls, will repeatedly utter alarm calls when you are close to their nest. If this happens then please move away from the area.
Can all anglers please ensure that they do not disturb breeding birds when fishing. It is an offence under the Wildlife & Countryside Act, 1981, to wilfully disturb breeding Red-throated Divers and Whooper Swans at, or near, their nests. The island at Tingwall Loch supports one of the largest colonies of Black-headed Gulls in Shetland, as well as Tufted Ducks and Red-breasted Merganser. Please avoid the island in May and June. Many wading birds, terns and gulls, will repeatedly utter alarm calls when you are close to their nest. If this happens then please move away from the area.
 |
But for the visiting angler, deciding where to go can be a daunting task. Shetland Anglers Association previously produced a book - Trout Fishing in Shetland - which covered many of the most popular locations, and although this is currently sold out, an updated version of the book is available for free download here. This download has no maps, only text. However, a new brochure, detailing more than 70 of the best angling locations is now available from this site for just £2 plus P&P. Click here to find out more.
|
Below are details some of the most popular lochs. In all of these locations, boats can be hired from the association. The Shetland Anglers Association has seven fibreglass boats for hire - one on each of the following lochs. To find out more about boat hire, click here.
Spiggie Loch
This loch is a bird reserve owned by the RSPB and is rented to Shetland Anglers Association. The lease stipulates fly fishing only. There are three areas of the loch where fishing is not allowed, please check the map at the boat house for further information and respect the prominent signs. Spiggie Loch has a long history of being a prolific brown trout and sea trout loch. However, over the past 5 –10 years there has been a marked decline in catches, probably due to complex issues relating to the ecology of the loch. There are still fish to be caught in the loch, but it is recommended that visitors take local advice before arranging a day on the loch. Spiggie trout are silvery in colour and fight strongly, the average weight is about 10 ounces and there are larger trout up to two pounds.
The SAA hire boat is moored next to the boat shed at the north end.
The SAA hire boat is moored next to the boat shed at the north end.
Tingwall Loch
The SAA has roadside parking, a boat shed andpier at this loch. Tingwall is one of the most popular lochs in Shetland and is good for bank and boat fishing. The trout average about 10 ounces and the loch has regularly been stocked with fingerling fish. The north end of the loch contains the bulk of the shallow water and drifts can be productive in any wind direction. The approach to the deeper south loch is through the clearly marked narrow channel at the east end of the island. In the south loch the best drifts are along the shore.
Many local boat anglers use sinking line tactics on this loch with a team of mini lures, however top of the water floating line tactics can also prove effective.
The island at Tingwall Loch supports one of the largest colonies of Black-headed Gulls in Shetland, as well as Tufted Ducks and Red-breasted Merganser. Please avoid the island in May and June.
Many local boat anglers use sinking line tactics on this loch with a team of mini lures, however top of the water floating line tactics can also prove effective.
The island at Tingwall Loch supports one of the largest colonies of Black-headed Gulls in Shetland, as well as Tufted Ducks and Red-breasted Merganser. Please avoid the island in May and June.
Benston Loch
This loch, owned by SAA, is Shetland’s principal big-fish water where fish of three pounds and more are not uncommon. Trout are found all over this shallow, fertile loch, but weed growth can hamper fishing from mid summer onwards. The SAA hire boat is to be found in the grassy car park in the north-east corner of the loch. Fishing is restricted to fly fishing only and there is a size limit of 12 inches, all under sized fish should be safely returned to the water with as little handling as possible. Bank fishing can be productive and wading is relatively safe.
Loch of Northhouse
The SAA hire boat is kept at the narrow point of this egg-timer shaped loch. Northhouse is a clear water loch and holds good fish of two pounds or more. but this is not an easy loch. The SAA has regularly stocked this mainly shallow water and fish can be caught anywhere. As with most lochs in Shetland bank fishing will also produce good fish.
Loch of Clousta
This is quite a large loch containing several picturesque islands that create fishy bays and corners. As with most lochs the best fishing is found in the shallower water. There are a number of boulders and rocky shallows and the unwary boat fisher needs to be careful. The SAA hire boat is kept at the south end of the loch, and is accessed via a track, through a gate to the south of the old manse. Typical pink-fleshed wild trout of 8 –10 ozs are the average and on a good day 6 or 7 fish could be expected. In the past the loch had a good run of sea trout and the SAA has recently stocked with sea trout fry in an attempt to try and restore the runs.
Sulma Water
This is a long narrow loch, which like Clousta, has a number of rocks and shallows that appear suddenly, mostly in the north end and in the narrows – its best to row slowly through the narrows the first time you are on the loch. The SAA hire boat is kept at the north end where the burn runs out to the sea. Park your car at the disused quarry and walk downhill to the boat. SAA have also tried to restore the sea trout run to this loch and would be interested to get returns from any anglers who encounter sea trout. The pink- fleshed brown trout are dark coloured and average about 8oz, but fish of up to 2lb are not unusual. A mainly rocky shore makes for some challenging wading.
Punds Water
This is a roadside loch with easy access. The SAA hire boat is pulled up in a berth at the beach at the north end. The loch is good for both bank and boat fishing and the trout average about 10 oz. The loch has been stocked with sea trout and your catch is therefore likely to consist of a mix of brownies and sea trout. It is worth concentrating on the shallows on all sides of the roadside island.