Grid Reference: 016 604
Elevation: 110m
Bag Limit: Catch and release.
Information coming soon!
NO FISHING AVAILABLE
NO FISHING AVAILABLE
M.ASPEL
Grid Reference: 009 603
Elevation: 110m
Bag Limit: Catch and release.
Information coming soon!
R.FRISBY + 2
NO FISHING AVAILABLE
NO FISHING AVAILABLE
Riverside Cottage (Sleeps 5-6)
Forsinain, Strath Halladale
KW13 6YT
Contact: Kylie Sweeting
Tel: 07590987151
Email: sweetingsnorth@aol.com
Grid Reference: 001 477
Elevation: 167m
Bag Limit: 6 Fish limit (9″ inch minimum).
Leave the A897 at Grid reference 903485 (Forsinain) and follow the forestry track, a 4×4 or vehicle with high clearance is required to negotiate the bumpy track, to park at 002 470. Head North for a distance of 500m to reach the loch. Nam Breac is a pleasant little lochan to the west of Skyline, useful for restoring confidence if the skyline trout are proving difficult. Sheltered to the east by forestry, but open to the north and west, Nam Breac is a shallow loch with comfortable wading from the southern and eastern banks. The west bank is very soft and should be avoided. Don’t expect anything for the glass case but a good head of small but spirited fish should keep the angler entertained.
NO FISHING AVAILABLE
NO FISHING AVAILABLE
NO FISHING AVAILABLE
Grid Reference: 800 471
Elevation: 217m
Bag Limit: 6 Fish limit (9″ inch minimum).
Leave the A897 at grid reference 891 437 and follow the forestry track for a distance of 5.5 miles to park at 819 471. A 4×4 or vehicle with high clearance is required to negotiate the bumpy track. Walk west for a distance of 1.55km to reach the loch. Saobhaide is a delightful loch in the heart of the flow country, guarded to the south by the Beinn Griam Mountains. There are many inviting bays and promontories to keep the angler interested and trout average 6/8 oz. Large baskets are the norm.
NO FISHING AVAILABLE
NO FISHING AVAILABLE
NO FISHING AVAILABLE
Grid Reference: 917 506
Elevation: 167m
Bag Limit: 6 Fish limit (9″ inch minimum).
Leave the A897 at Grid reference 901 495 follow the forestry track, a 4×4 or vehicle with high clearance is required to negotiate the bumpy track, to park at 913 507. Walk a further 300m east to reach the loch. Fish can be caught all over this small loch with trout averaging 10oz. The area around the small island can be productive.
NO FISHING AVAILABLE
NO FISHING AVAILABLE
M.HENDERSON
Grid Reference: 975 474
Elevation: 166m
Bag Limit: All fish to be taken and accurate lengths recorded.
Leave the A897 at Grid reference 903485 (Forsinain) and follow the forestry track, a 4×4 or vehicle with high clearance is required to negotiate the bumpy track, to park at 974 459. Head North over wet ground for a distance of 1.2km to reach the boat in the SW corner of the loch which is free to use for all members. Club members have reduced the numbers of fish in this loch which has significantly improved the fishing and the habitat. Cloiche is a delightful loch and has a good head of bright, spirited, free rising fish in the 10-12oz bracket. Bigger fish of 1lb have been caught close to the bank, no doubt feeding on the numerous sticklebacks in the loch. Boat and bank both yield good catches, though care is needed when wading over rocky patches on the east side. All fish caught must be removed and lengths from the tip of nose to the fork in the tail accurately recorded and a catch return completed.
NO FISHING AVAILABLE
NO FISHING AVAILABLE
M.HENDERSON
Altnabreac Cottages (Sleeps 2-4)
Email: Celtina130@aol.com
Grid Reference: 030 468
Elevation: 155m
Bag Limit: Catch and Release
Approach from Forsinain via forestry track leading to and beyond Altnabreac. 4×4 or vehicle with high clearance is required to negotiate the bumpy track. Continue along track past Loch Caise for 1/2 mile where a sign for Grassie will be found pointing through a forestry ride. A short 5 minute walk through this very wet and boggy ride will bring anglers to the southerly shore – waders are recommended to ensure dry feet! Anglers will encounter fewer fish in the loch’s considerable amount of shallow water in the westerly bay which reaches towards loch Caise, the deeper water extending along the opposite shore will produce most success. A fantastic little loch to visit and combine with either of the nearby lochs for added variation to the day. Grassie holds a smaller head of fish than neighbouring Garbh or Caise but trumps them both on size and quality with fish of over a pound often encountered.
NO FISHING AVAILABLE
NO FISHING AVAILABLE
M.HENDERSON
Grid Reference: 872 614
Elevation: 133m
Bag Limit: Catch and Release
Leave the A836 Thurso/Bettyhill road at Grid reference 868651 and follow the road south. This is a rough track so a 4×4 will be necessary to drive to the end and park at 859626. Walk SE for a distance of approximately 1.8km to reach the loch. This loch has been seldom visited in recent times so little is known about the quality of fishing. Historical records have shown fish of over 2lbs being caught in the past, well worth a visit for the determined, adventurous angler.
Grid Reference: 870 623
Elevation: 132m
Bag Limit: Catch and Release
Leave the A836 Thurso/Bettyhill road at Grid reference 868651 and follow the road south. This is a rough track so a 4×4 will be necessary to drive to the end and park at 859626. Walk ESE for a distance of approximately 1km to reach the loch. This loch has been seldom visited in recent times so little is known about the quality of fishing. Historical records have shown fish of over 2lbs being caught in the past, well worth a visit for the determined, adventurous angler.
M.MCKAY
M.MCKAY
G.MCKAY/M.McKAY
Grid Reference: 857 612
Elevation: 153m
Bag Limit: 6 Fish limit (9″ inch minimum)
Leave the A836 Thurso/Bettyhill road about 600 meters west of Melvich at grid reference 868651. A gate code must be obtained to access the track that you follow south for about 4 or 5km. This is a rough track so a 4×4 will be necessary to drive to the end and park at 859626. Walk in a southerly direction, past Loch Baligill, keeping to the high ground for a distance of 1.2km.
Loch Achridigill is a very productive loch for all fishing levels. A boat which will be found on the NW shore is available if booked in advance, otherwise a rocky shoreline requires careful wading but the rocks hold many trout very close in from 6oz to 10oz with the odd larger fish further out. The loch level used to be several feet higher and the east end is shallow and studded with rocks so be very careful when boat fishing. Bags of 50+ may be caught and fish may be kept for the pot.
R.FRISBY + 2
J.Sharp
P.DUNCANSON + 1
Grid Reference: 856 620
Elevation: 153m
Bag Limit: Catch and Release
Leave the A836 Thurso/Bettyhill road about 600 meters west of Melvich at grid reference 868651. A gate code must be obtained to access the track that you follow south for about 4 or 5km. This is a rough track so a 4×4 will be necessary to drive to the end and park at 859626. Walk south and west over the hill a distance of approximately 800m, and the view opens up to reveal lochs Baligill and Ackridigill to the south with the Orkney Islands also visible over the North Sea on a clear day.
Loch Baligill is one of the most challenging of club waters with some steep banks After it was dammed for the local water supply in the late 1970s, there were a few good years of large trout taken from 2lbs to 3.5lbs with one exceptional fish landed in the 1980s of over 8lbs (believed to be the record trout for club waters). However, it is rare to find any other entries of trout over 3lbs in the old game books and in recent years (since the 1990s) very little if any fish have been caught here, although some have been seen on warm, calm evenings. Nothing is known about the best approach to fish this loch but it is certainly one for the hardy specimen hunter and worth a cast when tied in with a trip to the very productive loch Ackridigill. Expect more blanks than productive days – catch-and-release only.
I.WHITE + 2
J.SHARP + 2
NO FISHING AVAILABLE
Grid Reference: 843 581
Elevation: 155m
Bag Limit: Catch and Release
Leave the A836 Thurso/Bettyhill road in Strathy at Grid reference 841650 and drive south on the east side of the river Strathy for a distance of 7km to park at 828583. A 4×4 or vehicle with high clearance is required to negotiate the final part of the bumpy track. Head east up the hill for an energetic 25-30 minutes, a distance of approximately 1.5km, to reach the loch. Visiting anglers should carry the relevant OS map and a compass.
Caol has a small head of fish and is undoubtedly an expert’s water. In recent years the loch has suffered from a number of unlicensed fishermen over-exploiting the loch. Please be vigilant and challenge anyone on the ground to produce the FFFC credentials! No wading is needed here as the banks drop away to several feet in depth and fish often cruise the margins so stay back from the banks and fish carefully. It is worth targeting any rising fish that occasionally appear in flat calms.
Expect more blank than productive days but Caol has a reputation of producing fish of outstanding quality up to and over 3lbs in weight. One for the determined, experienced angler.
M.WHITE
NO FISHING AVAILABLE
G.WILLIAMS + 2
Website: www.rspb.org.uk
Website: www.strathhalladale.com
Website: euanmyles.co.uk
Grid Reference: 039 452
Elevation: 144m
Bag Limit: Catch and Release
Leave the A897 at Grid reference 903485 (Forsinain) follow the forestry track, a 4×4 or vehicle with high clearance is required to negotiate the bumpy track, to park at 043455. Follow the fence line/forest ride for a 300m walk to reach the loch. The very southern part of the loch is shallow and wading is safe and advantageous though the angler is better off staying on the bank on the east and west banks. The east bank has proved to be productive in the past though fish have been caught all over the loch. Due to the nature of this loch it is unlikely to hold a large head of fish, expect fish in the region 10oz-1lb though don’t be surprised by something significantly larger!
A. PORTEOUS
G.McKAY
A.MUNRO + 1
Grid Reference: 036 468
Elevation: 147m
Bag Limit: 6 Fish limit (9″ inch minimum)
Grid Reference & Parking 12/036468. Approach from Forsinain via forestry track leading to and beyond Altnabreac. 4×4 or vehicle with high clearance is required to negotiate the bumpy track. Park in small trackside area opposite sleeper built footbridge. A short 3-4 minute walk north over tussocks and uneven ground will bring anglers to the loch’s southerly shore, boat users should follow the loch a couple of hundred yards around the east shore to find the boat mooring. Loch Garbh, with its large head of spirited, free rising fish in the 9″-12″ region is the perfect place to introduce anyone to fly fishing. Boat and bank both yield good catches, though care is needed when wading over rocky patches on west side.
Grid Reference: 025 466
Elevation: 153m
Bag Limit: 6 Fish limit (9″ inch minimum)
Grid Reference & Parking 12/023467. Approach from Forsinain via forestry track leading to and beyond Altnabreac. 4×4 or vehicle with high clearance is required to negotiate the bumpy track. Both bank and boat fishing is available on this little gem of a loch, and with loch side parking in the SW corner, this is one of the most delightful pieces of water an angler could visit. Fat, brightly marked, little fish rise readily and give a good account of themselves in the process. With the exception of the less productive west bank, fish are caught all around the loch in good numbers, larger concentrations are often encountered in both the north and south ends.
G.PAGOAGA
J.DANDY + 1
G.PAGOAGA
Grid Reference: 025 485
Elevation: 158m
Bag Limit: 6 Fish limit (9″ inch minimum)
Leave the A897 at Grid reference 903485 (Forsinain) follow the forestry track, a 4×4 or vehicle with high clearance is required to negotiate the bumpy track, to park at 018473. Follow what was a forest ride for a distance of 800m to reach the stile over the deer fence. The loch lies a further 400m to the north. The narrow, southern part of the loch is shallow and the least productive, otherwise the angler can cast with confidence in any part of the loch. Caol is one of the few lochs where fishing from a boat is a significant advantage. There is a good head of bright, hard fighting fish with the average size in the region of 10oz with fish up to 2lb not being uncommon.
B.MCNEIL + 1
L.HERBERTSON
R.FRISBY + 2
Grid Reference: 011 479
Elevation: 196m
Bag Limit: Catch and Release
Leave the A897 at Grid reference 903485 (Forsinain) follow the forestry track, a 4×4 or vehicle with high clearance is required to negotiate the bumpy track, to park at 011475. The loch is a short 150m walk in a NE direction. There is not a large head of fish in Skyline and anglers can expect more blank than productive days though fish caught are of outstanding quality up to 2lb in weight with the occasional larger specimen. Fish can be caught all over the loch but start fishing well back as fish can lie tight to the bank. Please note that the bank can be rather ‘soggy’ which some anglers could find difficult and may prefer to use the boat available.
B.MCNEIL + 1
L.HERBERTSON
R.FRISBY + 2
Grid Reference: 965 481
Elevation: 177m
Bag Limit: 6 Fish limit (9″ inch minimum)
Leave the A897 at Grid reference 903485 (Forsinain) follow the forestry track, a 4×4 or vehicle with high clearance is required to negotiate the bumpy track, to park at 951468. Following the lightly trodden path NE on an easy 5-10 minute walk over flat ground will bring anglers to the stile at Loch Slethill. Cross the stile and keeping the deer fence to your left walk a further 1km, where the fence turns in a NW direction leave the fence line and walk the further 600m to the loch. Ealach Mor has a large head of bright fish the average being 8-10oz with large baskets the norm.
NO FISHING AVAILABLE
NO FISHING AVAILABLE
G.PAGOAGA + 1
Grid Reference: 957 471
Elevation: 175m
Bag Limit: 6 Fish limit (9″ inch minimum)
Exclusion zone applies in SE half until mid August.
Approach from Forsinain via forestry track leading towards Altnabreac. A 4×4 or vehicle with high clearance is required to negotiate the bumpy track. Using a map for reference, park in the ample space found 50m after crossing the burn which flows solely from Slethill. Following the lightly trodden path NE on an easy 5-10 minute walk over flat ground will bring anglers to the loch’s outflow in the SW corner where the boat may be launched from. A highly regarded loch yielding beautiful, hard fighting fish averaging 3/4lb – 1lb. Wading essential when bank fishing as shallow water extends well beyond casting distance in much of the very productive south and west banks. Large weed beds in the loch’s centre provide a rich habitat for the trout from June – September, concentrating all around the weed’s perimeter can be fantastic sport while trying to keep hooked fish from finding the sanctuary of cover.
NO FISHING AVAILABLE
NO FISHING AVAILABLE
G.PAGOAGA + 1
Grid Reference: 955 489
Elevation: 188m
Bag Limit: Catch and Release
Leave the A897 at Grid reference 903485 (Forsinain) follow the forestry track, a 4×4 or vehicle with high clearance is required to negotiate the bumpy track, to park at 948484. Walk in an ENE direction for a distance of 600m to reach the loch. Tallaheel is a shallow loch which has a large head of fish averaging 8-10oz. Wading is safe though a little soft in places. Fish can be caught anywhere on the loch though the east bank can be productive.
R.BRODLO
G.PAGOAGA
NO FISHING AVAILABLE
Grid Reference: 955 457
Elevation: 174m
Bag Limit: 6 Fish limit (9″ inch minimum)
Approach from Forsinain via forestry track leading towards Altnabreac. A 4×4 or vehicle with high clearance is required to negotiate the bumpy track. The parking in an area overlooking the loch leaves a simple 100m walk down to the water’s edge, making this one of the easiest lochs for anglers to visit. In recent years Leir has developed into a productive early and late season loch, unfortunately, the months in between have seen the water plagued with algae during which time fishing efforts have been better concentrated elsewhere. Best bank fishing is found along the south side into SE corner where wading is easy. Although large numbers of smaller fish can be caught in the NW corner where the loch narrows, the wading here, over big boulders, is as difficult as an angler will find anywhere – boat users should take extra care to avoid the number of large rocks found in this area. Average fish size has improved to 12oz with fish of 1lb not uncommon now. Leir fish are still, without question, some of the hardest fighting trout that can be encountered!
R.BRODLO
G.PAGOAGA
NO FISHING AVAILABLE
Grid Reference: 945 519
Elevation: 175m
Bag Limit: 6 Fish limit (9″ inch minimum)
Leave the A897 at Grid reference 903485 (Forsinain) follow the forestry track, a 4×4 or vehicle with high clearance is required to negotiate the bumpy track, to park at 925492. The loch lies a distant 3.2km in a NE direction. It is fair to say that Saird and its nearby neighbour Sainn are for the more adventurous angler who enjoys a good walk in the heart of the stunning scenery of the flow country combined with some fishing. Don’t expect anything for the glass case but Saird has a good head of spirited free rising fish. Relevant OS map and a compass are a must for the visiting angler.
