All Comments and Fishing Reports
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To access information about accommodation, activities, food and drink go to
www.assynt.info
All Comments/Fishing Reports
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Leave Your CommentsIt's that time of year again to give some support to the Assynt Fishing Feis....
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Loch Poll an DroighinnOn the afternoon of Friday 7th June I headed off to Loch Poll an Droighinn. I...
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Loch na hi-Uidhe DoimhneI previously have not tried these Lochs because of the long walk in, so this...
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Loch AssyntOn Wednesday 5th June in the evening I headed off to Loch Assynt for a spot of...
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Loch Culag (The School Loch)I fished Loch Culag from the boat on Tuesday 4th June. The booking of the boat...
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Loch Leathed a'Bhaile Fhoghair (Lexy's Loch)On Sunday afternoon, 2nd June, I set off for Lexy's Loch. It was overcast with...
Research Resources
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research. To access all the research on Assynt and elsewhere, go to Research Resource site.
Below you can find all comments and fishing reports left on the site (most recent first).
As the nearest loch to our accommodation, I fished here several times, with and without my grandchildren. The loch is stuffed with hungry and obliging trout. Although we caught nothing over 6 oz. it is a splendid beginners loch. It is easier to fish it from a boat as most of the banks are steep and/or wooded. I found the north shore to be most productive and most of my fish came to a Bibio or Kate McLaren although they were not fussy. Although it is only 20 minutes from the road we had it to ourselves on every occasion.
Used the boat to get to the far end of Bad na Muirichinn and fished the two nearest hill lochs. Lots of small trout which came enthusiastically to anything fished on the surface.
Great news for anybody needing an accessible boat where they have mobility issues (including wheelchair users). The Assynt Crofters' Trust has just launched a 'wheely boat' on Loch Drumbeg:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-44717185
http://www.theassyntcrofters.co.uk/25th-anniversary-events/the-week-at-a...
Just following up this post about ticks. For advice and a free tick removal tool, go to:
https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/1211/animal_welfare_and_pest_control/64...
Not sure if they're worse than normal this year - what's people's experience?
Adam
I fished this loch for an hour in late evening on 23/5/18. There was a moderate East wind, and I restricted my casting to the south west corner. I landed 4 fish ranging from 2 to 8oz on a size 12 with a silver body, red tag tail and teal wing. On my way back to the road I stumbled and fell in the heather. On the following day I discovered that my legs were covered in lumps from tiny ticks, which my wife carefully removed.
I usually wear waterproof over-trousers which make it difficult for ticks to get a grip, but this time I was careless, and didn't wear them.
Monday 21/5/18 - a very wet start to the day.In the evening I tried bank fishing on Loch Assynt along where the road goes up to Kylesku. A stream enters at this point, so I tried (fly) casting around this area. One splash, but no takes. I headed out to the nearby point. but found that the rocks were lethally slippy, so I returned back along to where the boats are usually moored, and eventually hooked one small trout. Maybe at this time of year the fish are lying further out in the deeper water
On Saturday 19/5/18 I headed for Loch Poll an Droighinn. It was mild, but with a strong SW wind, and I fished from 11am to 4pm. The wind made casting impractical from the north and east banks, so I restricted most of my fishing to the west bank. I landed a sizeable (almost a pound?) trout on a longshank teal red and silver, and I lost a similar one when it leapt and cast off the debarbed hook. However I didn't get any offers from the smaller fish that usually inhabit this loch. There was a solitary great northern diver on the loch.
On 22/5/18 I headed off in mid afternoon back to Loch Poll an Droighinn. It was overcast with a strong east wind, so I fished the south and east banks. Once again I landed a lovely trout in the pound class, and later a much smaller trout. The great northern diver had gone, but a pair of black-throated divers flew in, and they seemed as interested in me as I was in them. Indeed they came so close that I had to stop casting in their direction. Following advice from a local, I looked over to the small un-named loch to the north-east, but I didn't risk my flies in the shallow reedy water. I then dropped back down to Lexy's loch - report elsewhere.
Back in Lochinver for a week's fishing.
Off to Lexy's loch in mid afternoon of 18/5/18. There was brisk West wind, with a slight rain which disappeared and there were glimpses of Sun. I fished the South Bank - there was a fair wave, and no fish moving. Around 6pm at the far SE end a lovely trout took a size 12 fly (metallic green body, silver rib, tippet tail and black hackle). It was about the length of a pounder, but possibly a bit too slim to make a full pound. Then later, back half way along the South bank, I hooked another similar sized trout on a Teal Red and Silver longshank 12. I finished around 8:30pm
Once again off to Lexy's loch in late afternoon on 20/5/18. It was rainy with a SW wind, so I fished the South bank. I landed a trout in the pound class, and lost another similar trout when it leapt and lost the debarbed hook. Both took the Teal red and silver. I also landed a tiddler and another small fish (unusual for Lexy's Loch).
On 22/5/18 I fished the loch above Lexy's, (Loch Poll an Droiginn), and in the evening I dropped down to Lexy's Loch, and with a strong, cold, east wind, I fished the North East bank, but had no takes.
All fish safely returned.
One of the problems of fishing alone is the difficulty of using a boat. Most of the boats need at least two persons to drag them from the bank into the water, and vice versa. However the two boats on the Little Assynt all abilities path are more easily handled. Last year I took the boat on Loch Leitir Easidh, since it is moored conveniently beside a landing stage. This year on 17/5/18 I visited Peter to request the same boat, but it had not yet been launched, however I was offered the boat on Loch na h-Innse Fraoich. This is moored up on a ramp, and is relatively easy to launch, but it did require a bit manhandling to return it at the end of the day. The boat is excellent, but is suffers the same problem as the boat on Loch Leitir Easidh - the oars are too short, and are difficult to prevent jumping out of the rowlocks. This time I was prepared - and tied cord across the top of the rowlocks.
I fished from about 5pm to 10pm. There was very little breeze, and splashes began to show as the sun went down. I tried a variety of flies, but the most successful were mini streamer files tied on debarbed longshank size 12 hooks. The most favoured had a black body, silver rib, black wing and red throat. It usually received attention if presented near a rising fish. The 8 fish landed (and released) were all small, and thin - probably around 4 to the pound. As the season progresses they probably will become three to a pound fish.
HD
May 31st 2018 Evenfull day bright. Red throated divers still there. Two fish one 1lb half biggest 6half pound taken on a Conamara dabbled ,other CDC
The new gradings of Scottish rivers means mandatory catch and release on the Inver catchment in 2018 , which includes Loch Assynt and tributaries (it was downgraded from Category 2 to category 3).
The Kirkaig remains Category 1.
http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0053/00531117.pdf
Hi, the remote lochs are just that, remote. Whilst there will be the odd track that a 4x4 might help, you won't get one to most of the lochs, including many of those relatively near to the road. You are much better parking and walking in.
Hi, coming up to Assynt in June arriving at Inverness airport. Is it worth the extra hire charge for a 4x4 or are the more remote lochs walk in?
Thanks for any info/advise.
Please see below for details of a crowdfunding scheme to help maintain Assynt Leisure centre.
The centre is not only areally important local asset, it has been a vital resource for visitors as well. Indeed, back a few years, the development of this website and the wider research project was dependent on it for internet access - and Kelly and all have been hugely helpful over many years, including promoting this website.
Please help if you can.
Adam
Crowdfunding for External Paintwok at Assynt Leisure Centre
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/assyntleisure
We're raising £2,500 to Repaint the exterior of Assynt Leisure Centre in Lochinver
Assynt Leisure is a community run, registered charity, providing Sport, Youth and Learning opportunities for the community of Assynt and surrounding area.
Assynt Leisure offers something for everyone in our community and is a lasting testament to the resourcefulness and industry of the people of Assynt.
This well used facility would not exist were it not for a large and determined group of volunteers.
With reducing support from the local authority, and limited income, Assynt Leisure is struggling to meet ongoing running costs, and maintenance costs in particular. The exterior of building is in great need of a coat of paint, and we are now looking to raise funds to do this.
We will enlist the help of volunteers to help with the painting, but we need to buy the paint and appoint a local contractor to co-ordinate the work.
Every penny will help!!
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/assyntleisure
Same thing happened to me, so just went fishing and went in the next day and paid. They did think I was a bit too honest and mad when I explained that I wanted to pay for fishing the day before, but it is very important to put your money in for the upkeep.
Just fished large bay below inchnadamph hotel caught and released 9 browns around 12 inches best flies skinny bodied black hopper with lime green tag and peter Ross emerger fished between 9.30am and 1 pm weather sunny with slight breeze
Just fished large bay below inchnadamph hotel from 9.30am til 1pm caught and released 9 browns all around 12 inches best fly was skinny bodied black hopper with lime green tag and peter Ross emerger nice day little breeze fish lying well out from bank
Absolutely brilliant! Went and visited Peter to get the permits sorted then myself and a friend headed up for some camping and boat fishing. First day I caught 11 and he had 2, second day was 20 for me and 10 for him with many others missed/lost including a Char hooked right into the boat by my friend that shook the hook as it was being brought up. Seen it though, nice and pink, chubby looking fish, took a pennell/zulu cross after it had been left to sink then retrieved. No fish bigger than the pound but plenty sport and great fun and memories made in front of Suilven. Lost a landing net in the water off the boat though, so if you end up fishing the far bank opposite the boat with a sinking line, you may hook yourself a prize! Flies used and accepted readily were Pennell/Zulu wet, Sedges (deer hair, daddy long legs and a yellow/red winged one) Bibio, Soldier Palmer, Mayfly emerger and as it was getting dark I used a white minnow wet fly which landed one and had three offers. Surprisingly small fish showing hard carnivorous tendencies up here! We have found our anglers paradise and will most definitely be back!
David & Adam.
I was back at this loch on July 2017, and there was little improvement in access - the fence had been broken down a bit more, presumably by frustrated bank anglers.There was a strong East wind, so I fished the east bank from 9:30 till 11pm. I hooked and lost a trout on a debarbed teal red and silver mini-lure, and I landed one on a black mini-lure (returned).
On a bright sunny and warm (27C) July 2017 day, I decided to fish this loch moving up the east bank from the jetty. Immediately I realised the difference in an area protected by deer fencing - the heather and thyme was nearly waist high, and fishing from the bank was extremely difficult. I landed one small trout on a yellow palmer, and I hooked another very lively trout which took to the air and released itself from a debarbed black mini-lure. But I spent much of my time untangling my line from the heather. I don't know what the wading is like - I was wearing boots.
On the following day (wednesday), there were gale force winds - so no fishing, but these moderated on the thursday, dropping to a near calm at times, so I decided to try the boat on this loch in the afternoon and evening. The boat is extremely stable, and is moored beside a jetty - so there is no need to pull it down from a bank - which can sometimes defeat a sole angler. But the rowlocks and the (new) oars were not ideal. I found that I needed to row with my hands uncomfortably high to bite the water, and on attempting to apply significant force, the oars jumped out of the rowlocks. I talked to Peter about this, and he advised starting off gently, and letting the speed of the boat build up, without the need to apply much force.
I found little interest to flies pulled across the surface, and only started to contact fish when I let my flies sink slowly (on an intermediate line). I landed, and returned 5 trout, one of which was the blackest trout I have experienced. I carried out most of my fishing up the far end and along the east spur. I had most success with a size 12 long shank teal red and silver.
Back again in July 2017, I fished this loch in a strong SW wind for a couple of hours in late evening. The wind limited the area I was able to fish, and I caught (and released) one 3-to-a-pound trout, plus had many tweaks from tiddlers
I fished Lexy's Loch on the afternoon (noon to 6pm) of Monday 27th July 2017. There was a very strong WSW wind, so I restricted myself to the south bank, mainly up the east end. There was a large wave, and casting across-wind was tricky. Unusually, I touched no fish. I would probably have had better luck in the evening when the wind moderated - but I was off surveying other lochs.
Yes - Peter is fine for Assynt Angling, but Assynt Crofters is a bit more problematic. The chandlers are not open on Sundays, and the Stoer Office has very limited hours (I'm reasonably certain - no Sunday Opening). Anyway, I'm sure no one will object if I fish until I can buy a permit!
I understand that the former Tourist Info building was sold without consultation, and it is a skeleton service that is now operating from the Mission - which, on reflection, I would like to continue supporting.
Hi
You can also get permits from other locations - for Assynt Angling Group, from Peter at the Cottage Culag Sq (just behind the Mission), Achins bookshop, Inchnadamph Hotel and the chandlers (not sure of Sunday opening); as well as Assynt Crofters permits from their offices in Stoer. I am not 100% sure if the post office (now at the Spar) is still selling but will check.
All permit outlest are on this site - tho one or two might need updating.
http://www.assyntanglinginfo.org.uk/outlets
We will try and make this page a bit more prominent.
Thanks for info on the TIC - I'll check on opening and amend. The fact that it has had to move and has more restricted opening is far from ideal for all concerned!
- Adam
Recently completed the North Coast 500 in a motor home and en route fished at Clashnessie. The beach itself is very shallow so I headed further round the bay on the left using a fairly overgrown path. I chose a suitable rock, and found a good depth of water in front. I only had spinning tackle but it was almost a fish a chuck. Only small coleys to 1lb but gret sport. Would love to have a crack here again with bottom fishing gear. Tight lines!