I am spending a week near Ullapool at the beginning of August and was hoping to get a bit of information on the trout fishing on offer there. I understand there are numerous good Lochs to the North of Ullapool that hold plenty of small wild Brownies, any recommendations on which Loch/s to fish would be greatly appreciated as I probably will only get a couple of days to go at them. I am also interested in the Trout fishing on the Rivers there and have read about the Ullapool, Broom and Lael, has anyone had any experience fishing these rivers? It seems most of the information is orientated towards Salmon but I find it hard to believe that they don't contain good stocks of Trout.

Thanks in advance, N

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Fundamentally fishing is a philosophy. A philosophy of earth, and growth, and quiet places. In it there is a rule of life, a recognition of permanences. It makes you notice the little things of nature, wherever you may be. ~Bernard Venables

How's things,

If you can spare the three hour drive I couldn't recommend Watten,
St Johns or Calder in Thurso highly enough.

In Wick there is a tackle shop called Hugo Ross and in Thurso you have
Harpers who give out endless advice.

I am sure on the Highland west coast there must be a few gems and my first port of call would be to check the internet for tackle shops in Ullapool and give them a call, they would point you not only to the right Lochs but will know who rents out boats and stuff.

Sorry I can't help, only wish you were heading to Caithness then we would be in business!!!!!!!!

Not trout fishing - when I was a small boy my parents used to buy a rail ticket for me and the pushbike to Inverness - after weeks of cycling and trout fishing round the Youth Hostels I invariably wound up at Ullapool .
Happy days spent catching Saithe , Lythe and Mackerel off the dock , swapping them for bread , butter and essentials with other ( mainly German) Youth Hostellers and spinning my holiday money out to stay out for as long as I could . One year the warden asked me to leave as he was sick of the smell of the things frying of an evening in his kitchens.

Another year I got thrown off the Laxford River ( a bit further North ) as the next child coming down the beat had big ears and appeared to be the Heir to the Throne.

I think life was easier 50 years ago !

Best of luck and watch for that bloke with the big ears.

Steve P

East Coast (Caithness) has whopping big fish as they are limestone lochs. The scenery is at best bland and agricultural.

Personally I would prefer chasing smaller fish in the mountains north of Ullapool above anywhere else in the UK. Drifting on a boat with Canisp, Suilven, Stac Polly looming overhead

Scionascaig (sp?) and Cam loch are about 30 mins north of Ullapool and great from the boat. A massive network of lochan after lochan in the hills and best tackled with a map compass and tent (and float tube)....don't forget the Avon Skin So Soft and the cigars to keep off the midgies

I recently had a lovely day on Drumbeg loch , North of Lochinver (great gastro pub in Lochinver). Cracking medium sized boat water.

Spoilt for choice literally hundreds of lochs within an hours drive

Thanks for the replies, the Loch fishing in the area certainly sounds fantastic. I am still curious about the river Trout fishing in the area. Does anyone have any information on the Trout fishing on the rivers Ullapool, Lael and Broom? Also, I'm confused as to whether I need a ticket/permission to fish the rivers for Trout. It would seem like you can fish for free on wild hill Lochs that aren't stocked but I'm not sure whether the same applies to the aforementioned rivers? From what I've read it seems you need to either have permission or a ticket from the landowner in order to fish the river for Trout. Can anyone confirm this? Thanks, N

__________________
Fundamentally fishing is a philosophy. A philosophy of earth, and growth, and quiet places. In it there is a rule of life, a recognition of permanences. It makes you notice the little things of nature, wherever you may be. ~Bernard Venables

you needn't go far:

trout heaven:

Great Trout fishing in Assynt Scotland

Fishing on the North Assynt Estate

OK here's where to fish from someone who really does fish these waters.
Forget Watten. The river Ullapool is quite good, better still is Loch Achall 2 mins from the town that feeds the river. Both salmon and seatrout run the river fast so the lochs the best option. As you approach the loch fish the lefthand side from the small bay, where the boats is tethered,down to the river. It's only about 300m but that's where I catch most. I wouldn't bother with a boat just fish from the bank. You could fish the river in the morning and the loch in the afternoon/evening. An hour from Ullapool is Loch Ailsh. You can hire a boat for a tenner and there's plenty salmon/seatrout and bownies. Fish the bottom section where the boats are from the large island down right in to the banks. If you fancy Loch Inver go for the school and glen lochs. The school loch is very small and you can fish it out in a couple of hours. The Glen is much large and great to explore, lots of nooks and cranies. Head to the top of the loch where the river comes in. Keep to the lefthand side as you drift down. Near the bottom on the left a small burn runs in the loch, damn good spot for seatrout.

Thanks for the replies guys, I have quite a lot of information now which is great. PM sent D J Vass.N

__________________
Fundamentally fishing is a philosophy. A philosophy of earth, and growth, and quiet places. In it there is a rule of life, a recognition of permanences. It makes you notice the little things of nature, wherever you may be. ~Bernard Venables

Dear d_j_vass,

I realy need someone who fish theese waters near ullapool.

Hi, my name is elke (flyfishing girl /Münster/Germany)and I am only a visitor of your sides – but I read your comments about Ullapool and it will be great if you will answer some of my questions. (Sorry my written English is not floating)
We are travelling to Ullapool next Friday, and I am in advance of hiking and fishing this area. We are travelling by Ryan air and that is why we only can take a small tackle with us. I have so many questions!! Do we need waders – or normal hiking boots, what kind of rod 5/6 or 9' #7/8, floating (river) and sinking line (loch)? I prefere riverfishing and I saw a very interest walk from Ullapool (habour), along the river up to the loch…

Please be so kind and help a blind tourist.

Kind regards
elke

I am up in Assynt (half an hour from Ullapool) twice a year.
There are as mentioned before numerous hill lochs and of course Assynt
its self. I fish the river Inver and Kinkaig for Salmon/Sea Trout and have been allowed on for the trout which is brilliant.As these rivers are Salmon rivers and August is the start of prime time, Trout anglers are seen as a bit of a hinderance.In fact I dont think you will get on for trout after July unless you are in the know.
Best contact up there is Assynt Angling Association.
Its Trout Nirvana up there and you could spend half a lifetime and still not fish all the loch/lochans.A ticket for the lower Inver is dirt cheap with a great chance of a Salmon or Sea Trout They just sit there waiting on the right water.....Just dont attempt it without a ticket the Balliffs cottage looks on to it.

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BROWN TROUT:THE RED SPOTS HAND PAINTED BY GOD