SUMMER FISHING IN SUTHERLAND: PART 2
PLANNING FOR SUMMER 2003
Last week I described some of the trout fishing administered by the Assynt Crofters’ Trust which lies north and west of the main A837 (Ullapool to Lochinver road) in Sutherland. To the south of this road which runs along the north bank of Loch Assynt there is another huge selection of brown trout, salmon and sea trout waters which are controlled by the Assynt Angling Association. Once again the trout fishing is a very modest £ 5 per day with boats available on some waters at £ 10 per day.
LOCHS DRUIM SUARDALAIN & CULAG
Loch Druim Suardalain is located by driving through the village of Lochinver, past the Tourist Information Office and past the driveway to the Inverlodge Hotel. Just a few yards on the left there is the entrance to a minor road with a sign post for walkers indicating a pathway to Suilven, Elphin and beyond.
You can take the car along this road for about three quarters of a mile and park in a lay-by. The loch is to your right, nestling in a large valley and surrounded by trees. Bank fishing is not allowed and there are only two boats available so book in advance to make sure of your day out on this beautiful loch. It is the home for hundreds of rare ducks and I’ve spied golden eagles and deer on several occasions whilst fishing and walking around the Glencanisp Lodge area at the end of the loch.
The loch is fed by waters from the high mountains and is connected by a spate river to Loch Culag which is also a boat only fishery which must also be booked in advance. Both lochs have a good head of native brown trout. thearea around the island in Druim Suardalain is particularly fruitful with the trout attacking a a two fly or three fly team of wets containing local favourites like Greenwell’s Glory, Peter Ross, Dunkeld with a nice bushy hackled bob fly, for example, a Black Pennell, Kate Maclaren or a Claret Bumble.
FIONN LOCH
This remote loch has special attractions along with the fishing. It is at quite a high level and can be dour in cooler weather. To reach the loch you have to drive from Lochinver following the signpost from the village for Inverkirkaig. It’s twisting two or three miles to the sandy bay on your right and continue on the same road for few more hundred yards until you see the car park on the right just by the river bridge. Park you car here and call in at Achins Bookshop across the way for a hot coffee and toast and a wee chat with the proprietor.
Take the gated pathway that runs along the right bank of the Inverkirkaig River and you face an hour-plus of steady climbing along the most picturesque pathway that gives views of river and waterfall, mountain and forest and, from near the top, a view over the sea to the Western Isles in the distance.
Fionn Loch lies in the shadow of Suilven, a great sugar loaf of a mountain and drains the surrounding area before emptying into the Kirkaig River.
There are lots of small brown trout that compete for the fly and, after the first few casts in any one area, you may well make contact with larger fish about twenty yards out. The water is so clear and the cover is so sparse that sudden movements or standing full against the skyline is apt to put the fish down. Move along a few hundred yards – you’re not likely to be sharing this huge loch with anybody else although I do remember seeing a boat in the distance on one particular visit.
Take some refreshment with you and make sure you have clothing for all weathers because you are a long way from your hotel when you fish Fionn Loch. The same methods apply here as for the two previous lochs and it’s worth starting off with a small dry fly to see what kind of mood the fish are in.
LOCH ASSYNT
This is the easiest of lochs to fish because the A837 road passes alongside for many of its miles. the best place to park is on the lay-by on the Lochinver side of the junction with the A894 at Skiag Bridge. From here you can explore the shoreline for a good distance on either side.
Assynt is a magnificent and slightly forbidding loch, easily the largest in the area. However, apart from the ferox which inhabits the deeper waters of the lake, the brown trout forage for their food mainly within yards of the shore line and long casting is not only unnecessary but likely to disturb the adjacent trout.
A nine foot or nine foot six rod with a floating WF or DT6 line and a four pound tippet is my favourite equipment with a team of two or three wet flies. If you can see trout feeding on the surface it’s well worth trying a small dry fly or, on windy days, a Muddler works well dibbled along the surface. There is a little bay where a couple of rowing boats are moored; have a close look, for there are often several good sized brown trout feeding around the boats. It’s a longish cast but, with a light line and good technique, you can just about get the fly to turn over and land in the feeding area. I’ve been lucky here on a couple of occasions but be warned, the first clumsy cast and the fish disappear to safer waters.
FISHING COURSES
Some very interesting fishing courses are offered by Stephen Smith who is SGAI and STANIC registered. The first one gives the opportunity to learn how to fish for salmon; the equipment, casting, fishing methods and some fishing on one of the principal rivers in the area, the Inver, the Kirkcaig and the Oykel. This is based at the Inverlodge Hotel and runs from 18-23 August. I’m trying to re-arrange my Summer just to get on this course!
Stephen also offers trout fishing courses at various times during the season and also on offer is a six hour excursion during which time he will help you brush up your techniques and demonstrate the best ways of catching the local brown trout on one of the magical lochs that abound in this area. Strongly recommended and, if you decide to contact Stephen mention the Fishingmagic page – you never know, he might offer you a discount!
Contacts
Assynt Visitors Centre at Lochinver: 01571 855330
Achins Bookshop at Inverkirkaig: 01571 844262
Inverlodge Hotel at Lochinver: 01571 844496
Stephen Smith: 01854 666334
Website: www.flyfishing-scotland.net
Caithness and Sutherland Trout Group: contact Lesley Crawford for details of tuition, hire of boats and ghillies, fishery information e-mail info@fishing-highland.co.uk.
Tight Lines!
Eddie Caldwell.
