RSPB Lochs. Fishing season 1st April to 5th October. Three ‘clear rest days’ between angling days.
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.
RSPB Lochs. Fishing season 1st April to 5th October. Three ‘clear rest days’ between angling days.
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.
RSPB Lochs. Fishing season 1st April to 5th October. Three ‘clear rest days’ between angling days.
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.
RSPB Lochs. Fishing season 1st April to 5th October. Three ‘clear rest days’ between angling days.
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.
RSPB Lochs. Fishing season 1st April to 5th October. Three ‘clear rest days’ between angling days.
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.
RSPB Lochs. Fishing season 1st April to 5th October. Three ‘clear rest days’ between angling days.
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!
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.
RSPB Lochs. Fishing season 1st April to 5th October. Three ‘clear rest days’ between angling days.
Grid Reference: 935 494
Elevation: 194m
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 925492. The loch is a short 900m walk in an easterly direction. There is not a large head of fish in Clach Geala 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 close in. Wading is safe and possible in the northern part of the loch otherwise stay on the bank. The south east bank is very wet and soft; waders would be recommended to fish here!
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 3.1km in a NNE direction. It is fair to say that Sainn and its nearby neighbour Saird 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 Sainn has a good head of spirited free rising fish. Relevant OS map and a compass are a must for the visiting angler.
Follow A897, Melvich to Helmsdale road, parking in area on the north side of cattle-grid just before electrical substation Grid reference 904599. Akran is an energetic 2km walk. Pass through the double gate, head uphill and along argo track ensuring forestry is to the left of the track. Pass through the gate and follow the route of the pylons to reach the NW bank of the loch. Akran is a good beginners loch, wading is safe with a large head of free rising fish, average size 8oz with the occasional bigger fish.
Follow A897, Melvich to Helmsdale road, parking in area on the north side of cattle-grid just before electrical substation Grid reference 904599. Caol is an energetic 2.2km walk. Pass through the double gate, head uphill and along argo track ensuring forestry is to the left of the track. Pass through the gate and follow the route of the pylons to pass Loch Akran on your right, walk a further 400m then head north a further 250m to reach the loch. Caol is historically known as ‘Champagne’ nobody is sure of the reason why, perhaps successful anglers celebrated in style! Little is known about the fishing in this loch though historical records show fish of 2lb plus being caught in the past. This loch has been rarely fished, one for the determined angler who enjoys a challenge. Let us know!
Grid Reference & Parking 11/923586. Follow A897, Melvich to Helmsdale road, parking in area on the north side of cattle-grid just before electrical substation. Through double gate, head SE uphill and along argo track ensuring forestry is to the left of the track until Lochan nan Clach Geala is reached, this Lochan is of no fishing interest. The track now leads a gentler, more direct southerly route to the NW corner of Seilge, where the boat can be launched from – overall walk time approx 35-40 minutes. Not a deep loch, reaching only depths of 10-12′ even in the middle, however, the best of the fishing is normally found closer to shore in waters of 6-8′. North bank always proves productive, especially around the point, as does the SE corner of the loch beyond the island. Producing superbly pink fleshed fish between 1/2lb – 1.5lbs from both boat and bank, Seilge can definitely be labelled as a premier Halladale loch where the balance of quality and quantity can be achieved!
Follow A897, Melvich to Helmsdale road, parking in area on the north side of the cattle-grid just before electrical substation. Through the double gate, head SE uphill and along the argo track ensuring forestry is to the left of the track until Lochan nan Clach Geala is reached, this Lochan is of no fishing interest. Continuing along the flatter, gentler track will lead to the last gate on the hill from which both Na Caorach and Na Seilge can be overlooked. The last, short leg of the walk is downhill in a southerly direction towards the north shore – overall walk time 35 – 40 mins. Boat users will find the boat in the NE corner. A great loch to visit on its own, or for larger fishing parties combine with nearby Seilge where each loch can accommodate anglers with use of a boat. Excellent sport can be had just about anywhere in the loch and with the addition of a boat this year anglers can expect great fishing over water and fish which have remained untouched for some time. Excellent, hard fighting trout averaging 10-12oz will delight all and anglers fishing in this beautifully bleak landscape will be left with a true hill-loch-experience from their day.
Grid reference & Parking 10/903647. Park opposite the right turn junction on the single track road leading down to Bighouse Lodge. Anglers should follow the electricity pylons eastwards on a short 10-15 minute gentle walk uphill which will bring them to the loch’s southerly shore. With plenty of small bays and points to use as cover, fish are often found tight under the bank intercepting wind-blown terrestrials all around this interestingly shaped loch. With banks shelving straight into 3-4 feet of water wading is not recommended! Although not a loch which yields large baskets, fish average over 1lb with the real chance of landing one over 2lb. Rising fish can be difficult to spot when even the slightest of breezes is on the water, faced with a flat-calm, anglers will witness fish cruising their territory while sipping insects caught in the surface film.