Planning first trip to orkneysfrom Ireland) and wondered what was best time of year and best base? how does it compare to Uists?

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'There is not much doubt that a man sufficiently determined to do so will practise his vocation....in spite of his work' Ransome

Hi Baltic. A group of us went over a few weeks ago (last week in June) and the fishing was top class. As you know, there's no guarantees in fishing, but from our experience, and speaking with the locals, your safest bet is any time in June. The Orkney lochs can produce excellent sport for the locals and hard-core visitors in April... on the right day but you're really risking it with the weather. May more often than not produces high winds/gales which could wipe your week out completely. Things shold have settled down by June, and you'd be unlucky to loose much fishing due to the weather. We were blessed this year, with as close to perfect weather as the visiting angler can realistically expect to get. The main four lochs (Harray, Hundland, Boardhouse and Swannay) can fish well right through to September, but a June visit should maximise your productive time on the water, and minimise the risk of lethargic fish, weed etc that anywhere in the UK can suffer once into July/August.

To keep things simple, and for a first visit, you basically have two options... Self cater, as we did, and base yourself in either Kirkwall, or Stromness. Travel time by car from either town to the big four lochs will be between 15 and 30 mins. Both towns have all the facillities/shopping/petrol/digs/hotels etc you'll need. The best you'll get anywhere else on Orkney is a petrol pump that's open 2 hours a day, and a post office with nice hanging baskets.

Next option is to Stay at the Merkister hotel (Harray) and let them do everything for you. Your boats will be sorted, as will your meals. I dare say they could help you work in a visit or two to a couple of the other main lochs aswell, if you wished.

I can't comment on the Uists as I haven't (yet) got around to visiting. What I can tell you from reading/talking to freinds who have been, is that the best of it is sewn up with estates/hotels etc. Putting together your own package and expecting to get on the famous and productive waters can be tricky at best... and pricey too, as a lot of the fishing on the Uists is mixed stillwater Sea Trout/Salmon/Browns, and although, ahem, 'realistically' priced, is not as cheap as Orkney.... where the trout fishing is free.

As it happens, there's an Orkney 'rough guide' type of feature in the current (September) Trout & Slamon. Should give you a starting point and taste of what to expect, plus a few contact details.

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Too much Saturn, not enough Moon.

Buzzers 2012


Fly Clips & Stands

Nice plug...

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www.agiveyanglers.co.uk

I can't comment on the Uists as I haven't (yet) got around to visiting. What I can tell you from reading/talking to freinds who have been, is that the best of it is sewn up with estates/hotels etc. Putting together your own package and expecting to get on the famous and productive waters can be tricky at best... and pricey too, as a lot of the fishing on the Uists is mixed stillwater Sea Trout/Salmon/Browns, and although, ahem, 'realistically' priced, is not as cheap as Orkney.... where the trout fishing is free.

It all depends on what is considered value for money and the type of fishing that you want to do. The lochs other than the famous machair lochs are £6.00 per day or £30.00 per week to fish the banks and some of them have boats available.

A group of around 14 of us go down to the Midlands reservoirs each September for a long week and it costs around £300 each for mini-bus, fuel, 2days fishing and 3 nights b&b + evening meal.

Some of the boys were thinking about a change maybe to the Orkneys or Uist and I enquired about a booking and for about £500 each for a week including ferries, minibus, fuel etc you get this:

Many thanks for your interest in Grogarry Lodge and fishing for 2012. at the moment we have week commencing 19th May, 26th May, 16th June and 23rd June.



These weeks would be priced at £6000 & VAT for 6 nights and up to 16 guests. This would include all your meals, the use of a mini bus for the duration of your stay and includes 4 boats per day for the week. You could also take the Lodge at a cost of £5000 & VAT for the week and book your boats separately if this would suit you better.



Our boats are charged at £35 a day for the Brown Trout and this is for two rods fishing. Our Salmon & Sea Trout fishing starts at the end of June beginning of July at a price of £55 a day. We can arrange a ghillie for you at a price of £55 a day if so required.



We usually let the lodge on a weekly basis from Saturday to Saturday, however if you are looking for slightly less I could look into this for you if you let me know how many days you would be looking for.



Lorna and John do up the fishing rotas a couple of weeks beforehand and always try to accommodate peoples requests where possible.



If I have missed anything please just let me know and I look forward to hearing from you in due course.



Kind regards


Storas Uibhist

Oifis Storas

Daliburgh

South Uist

HS8 5SS

Tel: 01878 700 101

Direct Dial: 01878 708 000



jennifer.macleod@storasuibhist.com

Welcome :: Stòras Uibhist

Grogarry Lodge :: Grogarry Lodge

Welcome :: South Uist Fishing

P.S. storas uibhist is a community company owned by the islanders and Grogarry Lodge and the fishing are not owned by the hotels.

If you want to try South Uist, there is probably more water than you could fish in a lifetime. If you go as an individual or in a smaller party then I would recommend the Polochar Inn for good food, accommodation and excellent service.

Neil

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Keeping the Faith