Fishing Guidance

---

While the fishing season starts in March, serious angling doesn't get underway until early April. As a general rule, the lower altitude lochs are likely to be most productive in April and early May as the water heats up more quickly. May, June and July enjoy long hours of daylight and are generally the most productive months for brown trout. Higher altitude lochs can fish well during this period in settled weather. Migratory fish start to run at the end of June. Like many areas in Scotland, August can be a dour month for trout, perhaps because the fish go deeper due to warmer water. For this reason, early morning and evening fishing can be more productive than during the day. September usually sees a resurgence in sport as the trout feed in preparation for winter. The season closes on 6th of October.

Good hatches of insects can be encountered throughout the year. Early in the season there are good hatches of olives. Many lochs have a hatch of mayfly in June/July. Thereafter, sedges and crane flies keep the trout well fed.

Fishing style is largely a matter of choice. Wet fly, dry fly and nymph fishing is widely practiced. Most anglers use floating lines, although intermediates can be useful on occasion. Most lochs contain large numbers of average size trout in the 6-8oz range and leader size should reflect this. 4lb breaking strain is generally sufficient, although you may wish to scale up to 6lb b.s on some of the larger lochs holding ferox trout and migratory fish. All the usual wet flies in sizes 12-8 such as black pennell, black zulu, loch ordie, wickhams fancy, muddler minnow and doobry (to name a few) work in a good wave.

For those new to the area, the dreaded highland midge can be a problem in the summer months, particularly in warm, calm, humid conditions. Midge nets that are worn over the head are an absolute necessity for anyone venturing into the hills. Ticks can also be an issue in the summer, but simple precautions such as tucking trousers into boots can prevent any unwanted passengers! The weather can change dramatically at any time of the year and good outdoor clothing/footwear is recommended. For those heading to more remote, upland lochs, a map and compass should be carried.