All Comments and Fishing Reports
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All Comments/Fishing Reports
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Loch Cul FraoichHave fished this many times over the last 10 yrs or so with numerous blanks....
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Loch a ChoireachainAfter a comparatively mild winter they are likely to be bad in 2019. Tuck...
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Loch a ChoireachainI was up for a month in June 2018 and had no ticks at all which is unusal as...
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General CommentsHi That sounds very unusual and out of character for the hotel - have you...
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General CommentsI enjoy an annual trip to the amazing lochs some more challenging than others...
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Loch Cul FraoichI went several times in september following the worst of the heatwave, i was...
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Below you can find all comments and fishing reports left on the site (most recent first).
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!
I'm up on my fishing week to Assynt. As usual, I arrive on Saturday evening, then stroll down to the Tourist Info Centre on Sunday morning to buy weekly permits - and this time I headed to its new location at the Mission around mid-day - only to find that it is shut on Sundays! Ok - it has turned into a wild day and so I may only be tempted by a short spell of un-permitted fishing in late evening.
Maybe the permit sales should be relocated to the Spar, which seems to have more acceptable opening hours
The 2017 Assynt Fishing Feis Crowdfunding campaign is LIVE!
Please support this important local event which helps promote angling in the area and engage young people and families, visitors and locals alike:
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/2017-assynt-fishing-feis/
Thanks
Adam
Couple of hours in cold, windy and bright conditions, which are far from ideal for this loch. Absolutely nothing showing and not so much as a take (two of us fishing). Dour!
Followed advice that this loch fishes best morning and evening, and fished here from 9pm to 11pm. Caught a nice trout of around half a pound on an Invicta retrieved quickly, from the peninsula near the north shore. The fish jumped out of the water 6 times during the fight!
If you are not yet aware, the former Tourist Information Centre - which sells fishing permits for b oth Assynt Angling Group and Assynt Crofters Trust - has now moved to the Mission Building next to the playing field in Culag Park.
The details are:
01463 244118
e-mail: Lochinver [ at] Visit scotland.com
Address:
The Mission,
Culag Park,
Lochinver,
Sutherland,
IV27 4LE
Opening Times
Monday 10:00 16:30
Tuesday 10:00 16:30
Wednesday 10:00 16:30
Thursday 10:00 16:30
Friday 10:00 16:30
Saturday 10:00 16:30
Sunday 11:00 15:00
Please support this important fundraising campaign.
The Assynt Crofters' Trust are trying to raise funding to purchase a boat for disabled anglers, so that those who are less able can enjoy fishing in the North Assynt area.
The boat and associated costs amounts to £10919, and to date ACT have raised £7367, so £3552 is still needed.
Donate here:
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/assyntcrofterstrust
Thanks
Adam
Fished this loch from the boat on June 14th June. A quiet morning with light winds, quite overcast and I was in fear of the midges coming out until the breeze freshened at lunchtime and a hatch of mayflies got underway! I must have caught about 18-20 trout (lost count) in the afternoon, and should have done better as I missed plenty more. The largest were about 12 oz. Used barbless hooks and returned everything safely. I fished here many years ago and caught nothing, but this made up for that day! Great sport.
Colin Fionn
Fished here in overcast windy conditions and caught a lovely fish of about 1lb where the burn enters the loch in the north east corner, on a G&H sedge.
Visited PM on 29 May 2017 (after fishing Lexy's AM). This, for me, is a beautiful loch with so many places to fish. Well worth the climb. I lost count of the fish caught - well over 20, all returned. Unfortunately smaller than I hoped being 6 - 8oz, however, I only fished the southern end. Perhaps (with hindsight) I should have gone further northwards where it widens and maybe found larger fish. I experimented with numerous flies and they all worked. These fish were not fussy.
29 May 2017.
Fished the north shore in the morning. Slow going, the wind oscillating SE/SW unhelpful, but the sheltered south shore was glassy so I fished the ripple. Two fish of 12oz on Black Pennel and Silver Butcher - taken. Fished here about the same time last year and took two larger fish of around 1lb. After lunch followed the wire fence up the hill to Loch Poll - see separate report.
23rd May 2017 - very, very windy, swirling. Not the best day for to go to Bealach Cornaidh for the first time. Second mistake was not taking waders. Couldn't fish half of loch. Left early after catching (and releasing) eight fish, best 1/2 pound but most well under, one very thin. Small hatch of black flies - chironomid? Fish not fussy as long as it was small and black!
MalcR
Inverness
I was today at the Suilven through the hills for the first time since the fire and could see how it looks exactly.
There are large patches of burned heather (the grass and the trees escape the fire) in the valley opposite the Glencanisp lodge, sparse burned places between Loch Na Circe and the Suilven, and a large burned area around the un-named loch base of Suilven. The lower south side of the western summit of Suilven also burned. One can still smells the ashes more than a week after the fire ! But I must give up it doesn't look as terrible and mortiferous as I had expected, even if it is impressive of course. And heather will need long years to recover... I made a few pictures if need be.
Jérôme D.
Many of you will have seen the news about the wildfire in Assynt last week. A large area (est 12 sq km) bweteen Lochinver and near Suilven was affected including near Fionn.
it is really important that everyone is careful when out in the hills and follows advice given, especially when it is dry.
Thanks
News item on Assynt fire:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-39803163
Fire Scotland advice:
http://www.firescotland.gov.uk/news-campaigns/news/2017/05/sfrs-urges-pu...
Preventing Wildfires leaflet:
http://www.firescotland.gov.uk/media/574214/sfrs_wildfiresleaflet.pdf
Scottish outdoor Access Code:
http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/
Scottish Wildfire Forum:
https://en-gb.facebook.com/ScottishWildfireForum/
Suspect I was a little early in the year (4th May) but we'd had some good warm, sunny days albeit with a cold wind. Cathel was spot on with the time to the Loch, even for someone over 60 though it is a testing walk. The day was sunny with blue sky and very strong cool wind from north-east.
First fished un-named lochan to the north and did better than on main Loch. I suspect that as it was smaller than the main Loch it had warmed up quicker. There were some olives hatching and I saw several rises, lost one good one but landed another 2 just over the pound, both returned.
On the main Loch there were no rises, and no fly life hatching. The strong wind restricted where a "leftie" could fish so concentrated on South-west shore. Touched nothing until I spoke out and said that I would have one last cast. At literally that moment a fish was hooked. Was over 1lb but not 2lb.
My most successful method was with a small nymph dressed with a tiny tungsten bead on point and let the flies swing round on their own in the waves. Wide range of patterns tried. A bit disappointing re fish seen but that's fishing and I will be back once things warm up a bit and my legs have recovered. With good views of hinds, golden plover, grouse, a lizard and wheatears it was still another great day in Assynt.
Very difficult loch to fish due to the clarity of the water.
Best fished on a day with little wind and preferably from the north or north-east as swirling winds in the corrie can make casting near impossible.
A single dry fly just allowed to drift in the ripple has been my most successful method.
Was up here last year (2016) in early May - a very bright, warm week that came immediately after heavy snowfall the week before. Climbed up to this loch without realising it was the Red Corrie - only read about it's noteriety (and that of it's near neighbour) after getting back home to Northumberland. As previous posters state it's fiersomely windy in the bowl of the mountain and it was almost impossible to get a line out further than a few feet. Was fishing dries - mostly small sedgehog types - on the way up in the smaller lochans that lie below the Red Corrie and got three or four to 1/2 pound (all returned safely). But sadly nothing showing at the Red Corrie itself - perhaps a combination of early in the season and the recent snow. However the location, the view and the crystal clear water were alone worth the effort of the climb. A truly breath-taking and stunning place. I'd say make the effort if the weather is good but be prepared to catch the view and not much else if the wind is up.