Sea Angling
The Outer Hebrides offer a massive variety of sport to the sea angler: excellent pollack and saithe in the tide races around the rocky headlands; haddock and whiting over a variety of sea bed conditions; cod and ling around the underwater reefs; and thornbacks and 'flatties' in the mud and sand.
The beauty of fishing in the Hebrides is not just the incredible variety of fish available but the spectacular wildlife and scenery around you and the friendly camaraderie between fellow sea anglers. Whether you are out on the sea or by the shore, there is so much to see, from dolphins, whales, seals and sharks to the incredible offshore islands with their puffins and gannet sea bird breeding stations. The views are fantastic: from the North West Highland mountains and the Inner Hebrides to the east to the offshore Atlantic islands such as St Kilda and the Flannans to the west. The waters are crystal clear and free of pollution and our shores are glistening. It is the ultimate 'wild' fishing experience, not to be forgotten.
Add to that the rod bending excitement of a fight with the tenacious conger and skate or fishing for all the family for the humble mackerel, a perfect addition to a BBQ on the shore on a summer's night: there really is something for everyone. The records of the local sea angling clubs show that the hunter will be fully engaged with species from the deep water blue mouth to the blue shark! Especially noteworthy are common skate but please contact Stornoway Sea Angling Club for tagging arrangements as common skate must be returned alive. For more information about the type of fish to be caught, where to catch them and records so far visit www.stornowaysac.co.uk.
Tackles and techniques tend towards the traditional, and a three hook paternoster simply fashioned from heavy monofilament with a lead at the bottom meets most needs. Bring your own favourite gear, try out your own methods and discuss them at length with friendly local anglers. Each can learn from the other. Bait is freely available from innumerable beaches, muddy flats and tidal rocks. An extensive range of rods, reels and terminal tackle is available from a number of outlets.
Stornoway Sea Angling Club offers temporary membership to visitors and organise the Western Isles Open Championship in July and the Western Isles Cod Championship in August, both established among the foremost events in the Scottish Circuit. Sea Angling trips take place most weekends: the club has a 36ft boat and they are more than happy to accommodate visitors on these excursions.
Harris Sea Angling arranges trips and competitions from June through August and are again delighted to help out visitors who are in the area and would like to do some fishing.
There are lots of boat operators in the Uist and Barra (in all the islands in fact!) who can take you out sea angling for the day and show you some of the amazing sights such as beautiful offshore, deserted islands and sea bird breeding colonies. Some offer scrumptious homebaking and rod and tackle hire.
For more information on sea angling, boat, rod and tackle hire, events and the clubs themselves contact:
Stornoway Sea Angling Club
South Beach Street, Stornoway
Stornoway Sea Angling Club has an excellent club house with social facilities and regular events. Temporary Membership available to visitors. For enquiries about sea angling contact the club's fishing organiser, CJ Buchanan after 7pm on +44 (0) 1851 706265
For other enquiries contact the club itself on +44 (0) 1851 702021
www.stornowaysac.co.uk
Harris Sea Angling Club
(Arranges trips and competitions)
Tel:+44 (0)1859 530 310 - Ian Macleod
Uist Sea Angling Club
Derek Collins
14/16 Balivanich, Benbecula
+44 (0)1870 602 109
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