I am off to a beautiful area of Scotland on the Sound of Mull where I have holidayed since a very early age. We are situated at the head of a small sea loch where Sea trout run with the incoming tide, and can be seen making spectacular leaps as they follow the coastline, to see if there is enough water in the small spate rivers or burns where their spawning grounds are located.
I have been told by the locals, who are far more knowledgeable in the art of fishing than me, that it is damn nigh impossible to catch these stunning fish in the loch, and in truth in over 30 years I have never heard of them being caught on rod and line. There is a lot of kelp around the shore, but this stops after about 30 metres, and fortunately I have the use of a small boat. I am far more interested in fishing with the fly rather than spinning and was wondering if anyone new how best I might fish these waters. So far the only fish I've managed to catch on the fly in this loch are Mackerel! Though tasty, not quite the fish I had in mind.
If anyone can help me with some advice I would be extremely grateful.
Yours Hopefully
Rob Willis

No direct advice as I have never caught one under those conditions - however Falkus has a whole section in his book for just that situation - perhaps some holiday reading?

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Time is a stream I go fishing in.

Falkus, although not flavour of the month with some on this forum, has much of interest to say on the subject of saltwater fishing, devoting a chapter to tactics, tackle and flies etc on this in 'Sea Trout Fishing'.

Also Sidney Spencer's words of wisdom in 'Game Fishing Tactics'.

I think you'll find one of the critical factors will be the state of the tide in your particular location. This varies from place to place depending upon the local geography, e.g. in a wide and shallow estuary such as the Erne on the west coast of Ireland, a couple of hours either side of low water is the 'magic moment' whereas in Strangford, Carlingford or Dundrum on the east coast, high water is more favourable in the deeper waters. Suck it and see when you get there

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Game fish are too valuable to be caught only once - Lee Wulff

Thanks a lot think, I will invest in some reading material.
Rob Willis

---------- Post added at 09:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:41 AM ----------

Thanks a lot. I think I will invest in some reading material.
Rob Willis

Link for you:





Good luck

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Time is a stream I go fishing in.

The vast majority of sea trout fishing up this way is in salt water so I can see no reason why there should be any problem in your sea loch.
I would fish on the edge of the weed and if you want to fish over the weed use something like a muddler or jambo style lure over it as the weed can get to be a pain.

Hi
here some reading for you..might be of interest..http://www.aghilliestale.com lots of good info...

Regards
JOHN

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This site has lots of info on salt water fishing for sea trout.
Fly Fishing And Fly Tying on the cutting edge - fly patterns, videos, pictures, wallpapers, reports, destinations, rods, reels, books, DVDs, equipment, reviews, weblog, podcasts - The Global FlyFisher
Can you tell what the main food-fish is for the sea trout? I should think if you can tie a fly to match and fish it along the edge of the weed you should be in with a chance.
Good luck.
All the best.
Mike

Seatrout are regularly caught in the sea off Orkney, Many Orkney folk specialise in fishing for them its not sorcery they can be caught,easker1

I've regularly caught sea trout & finnock in a sea loch here in Lewis, but from the shore. Muddlers, Claret Bumble, Donegal Blue and Teal Blue & Silver often work here. I imagine it varies from place to place, but I usually did better on the rising tide, dying off at the turn, back on for about half an hour and then off again.

If you find the TB&S works for you try adding a spot of clear varnish to the body, it helps stop the silver rib getting ripped by the fishes' teeth.

As others have said, concentrate on the weed fringes, also outcrops and any wee burns running in. You may want a drogue to slow you down? If there are jellyfish take some heavy-duty rubber gloves for when hauling it in.

Have a great time!