Planning Your Trip : Info and Tips
Access, Permits and Laws
Type of Fishing
Sunday Fishing
The Fishing Seasons
Flies
Daylight Hours
Tides and Currents
Saftey and Comfort
Estates and Lodges
The Barra Challenge
Access, Permits and Laws
There is no trespassing law in Scotland so you are free to walk the hills and glens, but be sure to check with estates for access during the shooting season. No rod licence is required but in common with the rest of Scotland, the fishing rights in the Hebrides for salmon and trout are privately owned and anglers must purchase a permit from their owners or agents before fishing these waters. Similarly, permits must be purchased when fishing for salmon and sea trout in inshore marine waters. However there is a public right to fish for Brown Trout in Estuaries, although you should always check locally before you fish. Detailed information on where to buy permits and who to contact is coming soon - watch this space!
Types of Fishing Available
Traditional fly-fishing is the most common method used for salmon and trout fishing within the islands. Boats of up to 5 metres in length are commonly used, often with a local ghillie for local knowledge, company and expert advice. Anglers who use fly and bait from the banks often use bubble floats and fixed spool reels to take advantage of the strong Hebridean winds to cover large areas of water.
Spinning for salmon is not allowed on estate waters but trout can be caught on spinners and worms. The sea angling in the islands is outstanding and makes a great day out for families and potential record breakers alike. In the islands you are never more than half an hours drive from the coast so whether you are on a boat, the rocks or the shore, you are guaranteed an excellent day out. Click here for more on Salmon fishing and here for more on Trout and here for Sea Angling.
Sunday Fishing
Sunday fishing for salmon and sea trout is illegal nationally and although it is legal to fish for brown trout - it is not the norm in the islands due to the strong Hebridean cultural values. This is a great day to relax and take a break from fishing and perhaps see a little bit more of what these treasure islands have to offer. The Isle of Barra allows Sunday brown trout fishing freely, so if you can't bear the thought of a day without fishing, then Barra is a good place to be on the Sunday!
The Fishing Seasons
Brown trout: 15 March to 5 October
Salmon and sea trout: 11 Februrary to 15/30 October with slight variations in some areas.
Flies
For more detailed information about which flies to use for specific fish see the trout/salmon/sea angling sections of this website. In general the angling visitor will find this basic selection in the recommended sizes suitable for all our game fish:
Butcher(s), Black Zulu, Soldier Palmer, Black Pennell, Peter Ross, Blae and Black, Cinnamon and Gold, Bibio, Grouse, Mallard and Claret, Invicta, Kate Mclaren, Camasunary Killer, Teal Blue and Silver, Alexandra, Claret and Golden Olive Bumbles, Irish Dabblers, Goats Toe, Connemara Black etc. Our own Western Isles Clan Chief and Green French Partridge are strongly recommended and try a size 10 Muddler (preferably pearly) on the bob for salmon and sea trout. Proper salmon flies around size 10 and 8 work well - Stoats Tail (and silver), Hairy Mary, Blueharm, Thunder, Sweep, Garry Dog, Kennys Killer and many more - but bring your own favourites and experiment!
Daylight Hours
At the height of midsummer there is up to 22 hours of daylight meaning you will rarely be awake when it gets dark. This means you can fish well into the small hours if the notion takes you and then get up around four in the morning and start again. The winter nights are long and care should be taken if you venture out into the moorlands on a winter's afternoon: it can get dark very quickly.
Tides and Currents
For the sea anglers it is worth remembering that our shores are washed twice daily with the 5 metre tides of the North Atlantic. Care should be taken on estuaries and when venturing out across mud flats and sands to seapools or tidal islands, always check the tide times which are printed weekly in the local newspaper, the Stornoway Gazette. Care should be taken if fishing on rocks which can be slippy and you could end up being stranded if you do not watch the tides.
Saftey and Comfort
- Carry Midge Repellent for when the wind drops, especially in the evenings. The Hebrides is no where nearly as badly affected as mainland Scotland, but you never know when the beasties might appear!
- Never stand up in boats. Yours may be the only boat on a lonely loch, far from any help. In any case you'll only frighten the fish away, especially if you fall in! Crouch low when changing positions.
- Always wear a life jacket when boat fishing.
- Make sure you know how to use a compass and OS Map. Carry both along with a whistle for emergencies.
- For more general safety hints, see our "Keep Safe" section in Outdoor Hebrides)
Estates and Lodges
Although fishing can be made available to non-lodge residents, this is at the discretion of the individual estates, and for almost all of the season, residents do get priority. The great fishing lodges of the Hebrides are famous for their spectacular fishing and Hebridean hospitality. Visitors fly from all over the world to fish here, often chartering flights and coming back year after year. Names such as Grimersta, Amhuinsuidhe and Langass are well known in fishing circles. The lodges can be booked by the week exclusively for fishing parties and costs are all inclusive of fishing, accommodation, meals, entertainment, ghillie and boat hire. When a large party hires out the lodge, the luxurious accommodation can be quite economical and it is a great way to have a truly memorable and sociable experience with your family and friends. If you are interested in staying in a lodge, you should book well in advance: some lodges are booked up years in advance for key weeks. Detailed contact information is coming soon!
The Barra Challenge
Are you fit enough for the Barra Challenge? This unique challenge involves fishing all of Barra's named lochs in one day, catching at least one fish from each. They can be fished in any order although the author recommends commencing your assault from Loch Scotageary on the east side and working your way in land to Loch an Duin taking in lochs nam Faolileann and nic Ruadhie en-route. If time allows it is worth a cast or two in Loch Obe which can occasionally produce a sizeable slob trout. From Loch an Duin head south across Grianan to Loch Uisge before descending to Loch na Doirlinn and finally Tangusdale and hopefully to the conclusion of one of the most memorable days fishing of your life!
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