All my fly fishing to date has been stocked rainbow outings mainly in the South of England. This year I fancy trying some wild trout fishing up in Scotland; but where to start ?

As a complete novice to this type of fishing is it better to go for rivers or lochs ? Is a lot of local knowledge vital or is wandering around the bank trying different spots likely to be effective ? Is hiring the services of a ghilly for half a day or so likely to be worthwhile ?

And finally... can anyone recommend a particular venue that they have good experinece of.

Any help / suggestions keenly awaited.

Depends on where you want to stay, I always go for the Highland region and stay around Lochinver, permits at the TIC.

http://www.assyntangling.co.uk/

Caddisman

THe clyde is the very best brown trout river in britain , underestimated with no equal.

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I HATE BUNGS.........

There are endless amounts of trout fishing in Scotland, but for me there are a few lochs that stand out:

1 - Orkney has to be high on the list with some of the best quality trout in the UK.
There is an angling association and although the fishing is free, a donation is the usual practice. The lochs are all fairly close together with Loch Harray and swaney well worth a cast. http://www.orkneytroutfishing.co.uk/

2 - The Durness Lochs - The limestone lochs of the north west have some of the clearest water of all of Scotlands trout fishing, with the average weight on some of the lochs being 2lb plus. They are not easy lochs but you are well rewarded. http://www.durnesslimestonelochs.co.uk/ and first class Accommodation - http://www.visitmackays.com/

A typical Limestone trout



3 - Loch eye - Just north of Inverness. this is a big fish loch and fairly shllow, the average weight is probably just under the 2lb mark. Best fished before the height of summer as the weed can be a problem. http://www.troutquest.com/loch-eye-g.asp

If you haven't river fished before not sure I would recommend a holiday learning how to. Durness lochs- and their location - are utterly wonderful.Can be slow going but you will never forget it.But also think about some more traditional Scots fishing - where the fish are smaller but you catch loads.If you have only fished rainbow ponds you may be sceptical about the appeal of small fish but trust me you will love it.Boat fishing a must with one or two mates- I like 3 in a boat so someone can maintain the right drifts. I would look around Assynt- Inchnadamph- lochs like Little Loch Awe, Borralan, Cam , Sionasacaig and Veyatie.Wild and wonderful.Incidentally bank fishing generally not a patch on boats - with exception of waters like Borralie at Durness. Boats give you the full fat experience.

I first fished in the far north 25 years ago and it literally changed my life- it is that special.Feel free to pm me if you'd like a chat about it.

While they are not Brown , Scottish nor wild try the Test, its apparently good.

Come up here to Fife and fish the great lady herself...Loch Leven.
Be happy to give you any advice.

With so much good fishing up there that nearly eveyone will give a different answer I've always done well in the lochs around the Forsinard/Kinbrace/Badanloch area. The lochs there are generally shallow and moorland in character. If you go in July there can be some amazing mayfly hatches.

If you want to get a bit of practice in before you go have a look at some of the reservoirs in the southwest. Avon Dam and Meldon (both free) on Dartmoor are not unlike some lochs and Colliford down on Bodmin Moor is very similar to some of the moorland lochs up north. These three are brown trout only, keep on the move and fish the margins.


Andy

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Quite honestly you could visit anywhere in scotland and be close to some top class wild trout fishing. As a general rule though either go north of stirling or south of glasgow, that will narrow it down

One important point though, wherever you fish for brownies, you must keep on the move. They are territorial beasts and flogging the same bit of water all day is unlikely to produce the goods.

In my opinion you should aim to take in a mix of river and loch to get the full experience. Try one of the bigger rivers like the clyde, then try a wee hill burn the next day, trek to a wee remote hill loch and then go to one of the huge waters like loch leven. Variety is the spice of life, apparently.

Stick to the stillwaters. Lochinver is trout fishing paradise with hundreds of lochs to choose from for a fiver a day. Fishing for wild browns involves a bit of a learning curve, they're different from rainbows. If you can find a copy of Stan Headley's Loch Fishers Bible you'll be well prepared. Have fun.