I am spending a week in Lewis with family towards the end of the month and I've heard that it is worth having a go for the Sea Trout off the coast, preferably around the mouths of small burns. This is not something I've ever done before and I'm not really sure how to approach it or what flies would be suitable. If anyone can recommend anything, particularly with respect to suitable fly patterns, it would be much appreciated!

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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

Rogan's Gadget is a small pattern with a big reputation in the salt.

Just been looking into this myself as I am just dipping my toes into saltwater sea trout fishing and Rogan's Gadget is certainly up there. The whiskey fly, snake flies and medicine all seem to find favour in the salt though I have yet to try them myself.

I like some of the recommendations here as well.

A

Try some pearl or pink shrimp patterns and maybe some of ChrisSaltwater crystal shrimp or sandeel patterns, stoats tail is a good 1 too.

If all that fails a blue and silver deceiver.

Remember to upgrade you leader to 15-20lb.

Good Luck
Kevin

I'm going up to the Western Isles in mid August and having researched the situation I have found that you need permission to fish in the sea from the landownwer or estate if you're fishing an estuary.
You can fish in the sea but you have to be a mile either up or down coast from an estuary if you want to do it for free.
Apparently local shops,garages and post offices are the best places to ask...
I have some fishing organised but it's through a ghillie up there so I know everything will be above board.

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Piscator non solum piscatur

Hi Nick, i'm not that much of a sea trout angler but i know a lot of guys who are, there is one pattern that gets mentioned over and over again and thats the pattegrisen. Not sure if it is a fly that is only succesfull at the Danish coast, but if not, go for it, otherwise see this post as one of the Dutch guys poor efforts to help out.. You still have to get the right burnt spey hackles and that is, from what i hear, quite the problem..



Jerry

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When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.

This is misleading............you need written permission to fish for sea trout within 1 mile of the shore regardless of how close to any river you are. ( I am a water bailiff from Stornoway).
The best places to ask where you can fish are either the local estates or the local Fisheries Trust. Contact details for both are on Fish Hebrides.
There is plenty of sea trout fishing available around the coast at little or no cost but you MUST ask for permission to fish from the owner of the fishing rights.
As for flies.........Biggish (1 to 2") sandeel imitation flies work well. But so can small (12-14) silver stoat/teal, blue and silver type flies. Keep changing your flies until you find ones the fish like.
I remember float tubing in the sea at Hamanaway several years ago with a friend. We had about 30 sea trout for the afternoon on all sorts of flies. The interesting thing was that any fly pattern caught a couple of fish then the trout switched off to that pattern. A change of fly usually brought an instant response. Apart, that is, from a sunray fished on a sinker which proved popular with the trout all afternoon!
By the end of July, the estuaries to the north of Stornoway will hold large numbers of sea trout. Especially if the current dry spell continues.

Whats misleading?? You've virtually repeated what I've said already

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Piscator non solum piscatur

What laxdale meant, was as long as it is in the salt, permission is freely given.
regards
bert

Thanks for all the advice. It sounds like provided you have got some ST in front of you they are not too fussy with fly choice provided it has a bit of movement and flash. I will certainly be tying up a few Rogans Gadgets as I have heard a few good reports about them. Looking forward to giving it a go!

__________________
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