My friend and I are planning a trip to Scotland for next year, probably mid to late September.
We want to rent a cottage to act as a base camp, but do some canoeing, a bit of wild camping, but mainly trout fishing.
I'm a member of a canoeing forum, and the general recommendation seems to be for Loch Morar, for the canoeing, at least.
We've neither of us been to the highlands, though my friend has been looking at Assynt. The wilderness of the far north really appeals to us, but what is the trout fishing like that far north?
Also, I understand the midges are a nightmare in summer, will they have died off by mid to late Sept?
The canoeing aspect is really less a part of the trip as a whole and more of a convenient, though enjoyable, way of getting to good fishing spots without having to hack through miles of undergrowth, so choice of location is really more trout dependent than good canoeing.

Thanks

Phil

If you'd like high quality trouting you could do a lot worse that Caithness. Some really fine lochs like Watten. You can also get off into the surrounding hills for traditional hill loch fishing for much smaller trout on the whole.

Generally the trout fishing gets better the further north you go For a wilderness you will find Assynt fairly busy. There are certainly much less visited parts of Scotland but evey trout fisher should go to Assynt at least once.
Midges will be reduced in late September but could still give you hell on a windless muggy day!


Andy

Assynt is a very good choice for your trip , the midges will be dying away by then, the fishing can be exccelent to but some of the better lochs can demand a good hike and would advise taking a compass with you as the weather can turn very quick in the hills , but als many lochs near the roadside. some good accom around stoer,clashnessie or camping at clachtoll,

I think you'll be amazed how civilised it is
Fabulous

It's not the Amazon. The midges will still be bad.

Round Morar /Arisaig the sea canoing is stunning.Loch Morar Is huge. there are plenty of hill lochs.no real rivers.

Assynt is pretty stupendous.as is Caithness (but I don't think you'd be very popular canoing down the river Thurso in september).Orkney is magic.The Oban area is really worth looking at.

Jim

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The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

Don't disappoint me, Jim. I'm looking for the whole Aguilla Wrath of God experience...Well, without the monkeys.

Head for Perthshire all the canoeing and fishing you can shake a stick at.
Stay near Grantully and then you can run the world class canoeing course.

Munro

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My friend was under the impression (mainly off the internet) that Assynt was one of Britain's last true wildernesses. is that not the case? Have you got any recommendations that fit the wilderness thing?

everyones of that impression, thats why its so busy

If you want a bit of wilderness,then go to Knoydart.but you'll have to leave the canoe at inverie and walk.
But if you canoe to the top of loch Morar you'll get a feel for 'remote'

Jim

__________________
The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.