Loch Assynt

The biggest loch in the area, 8kms long by 1.5km wide, with both bank and boat fishing available. Brown trout, ferox, arctic char, salmon and sea trout, with a huge head of averaged sized trout. Very much better fish inhabit the waters obviously too with the odd double figure monster being taken from time to time, so watch out with every cast. Dangerous in high winds but easily accessible.

Details

OS Grid: NC207248

Decimal: 58.175498, -5.050544

Degrees: 58° 10' 31.7928'' N, 5° 3' 1.9584'' W

Fishing details: Assynt Angling Group, Western Zone

Permit details: £7.50/day, £40/week from from these outlets

Comments

Please tell us about your experience of fishing at this loch. This will help other anglers as well as local angling groups.

Your feedback is important so please tell us:

Where you fished, when, what conditions were like.
What you caught, when and on what (be a little vague if you don't want to give it all away!)
Anything other anglers should be aware of - access, reeded up waters, difficulties etc.

Got photos? Email them to us: anglingresearch@substance.net

On Wednesday 5th June in the evening I headed off to Loch Assynt for a spot of bank fly fishing. I tried what seemed a likely area, a bit East from where the boats are normally anchored (around NC 2131 2508). I fished up and down this area with a variety of flies. A N wind helped with the casting. I gave up around 11pm, having had one splash, two tugs and some nibbles - but I didn't catch a single trout. A consolation was the glorious sunset around 10pm, and I also saw a pair of black throated divers.

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

In the evening of 14/6/2016 I headed along the north bank of Loch Assynt – beyond where the boats are normally launched. My intention was to try out a new light spinning rod. However after a few casts and two small trout, I retired the spinning gear. My problem was that it was too difficult to unhook the trout from the treble hooks on the lures– even if they were debarbed. Maybe replacing the trebles with a single debarbed hook would make spinning more acceptable. I returned to my fly rod and fished for an hour around 10pm with flies tied on debarbed hooks, and tormented a number of small trout, but landed only one which was safely returned.

Hi All,
I'm planning my vacation and very keen on spinning fishing. I've read the previous replies re trolling and boat spinning. However are there any more places with a bank spinning in addition to Loch Assynt? Is camping allowed?
Thanks in advance
Regards,
Dima

reply (1)

Hi Dima

The only bank spinning allowed is on Assynt.

Camping is allowed, but follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Some links which might be of use:
http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/
https://www.visitscotland.com/accommodation/caravan-camping/wild-camping/
http://static.visitscotland.com/pdf/camping-pocket-guide.pdf?_ga=1.234495518.1659025071.1441289087

Adam

reply (1)

Hi Adam,
Thanks for your answer. A few more things, what will be the best way to hire a boat (with engine)in case I'm interested in fishing on Lochs Beannach (W5), Cam (E21), Veyatie (E22). Are there a phone numbers/e-mals, so I can book the boat in advance?
Thanks,
Dima

reply (1)

Dima

The details for all permits and boat availability are on this pageon this website:
http://www.assyntanglinginfo.org.uk/outlets

To book, contact Peter Hendrich - The Cottage Culag Square, Lochinver (01571 844076).

Also you might want to check the Assynt Angling Group website: http://www.assyntangling.co.uk/

Please report back on here how you got on!

Cheers
Adam

reply (1)

Just off the phone to Peter to sort the usuals and he’s informed me that now I need to go through the Chandlery for all things fishing, just thought I’d mention for others who may be reading.

Cheers, Max.

Hello - I am staying just norh of Lochinver for the week starting July 9 and am keen to have a day (or part day) fly fishing for Salmon on the river Inver. I email Galbraith's in Perth last week but got no reply. Does anyone know how I might ger a permit.
Thanks
John
Perthshire

reply (1)

Hi

Try 01738 451111 for Perth office.
Alternatively you could enquire at the Inverlodge Hotel (not sure if they do permits for non-residents).

There is also salmon and sea trout fishing on lochs and other sections of river. Go to places to Fish section and select salmon and sea trout from the Angling Groups drop down.
http://www.assyntanglinginfo.org.uk/?q=location%2Fviews&tid=10&tid_1=All&tid_2=All

- Adam

I am up in a couple weeks and my dad and son don't fly fish I would like to take them out on the boat trolling, which area is best for this?
Also is there a number for peter at the cottage or do u just contact him up there?

reply (1)

Hi
Peter's number is on the permits page on this website (scroll down): http://www.assyntanglinginfo.org.uk/outlets

The lochs you can spin/troll on are in the Assynt Angling Group and are:

Spinning/Trolling allowed from boat on Lochs Beannach (W5), Cam (E21), Veyatie (E22) and Assynt (S10/E6). Loch Assynt has a 4 mile bank zone where spinning and artificial lures is permitted. http://www.assyntangling.co.uk/
Regards
- Adam

reply (1)

Thanks so much for the quick reply, I have booked a day on assynt, one other thing as my dad is also very keen but does not use a fly rod much, is it allowed to use a bubble snd fly in any of the lochs?

reply (2)

I have been fishing Assynt Lochs for over 40 years. My father who was from Lewis, had family in Ullapool and Elphin, introduced me to fishing. Days on Borrolan and Urighill .At 6 years old. From an early age,I could catch trout on the fly .But my dad was happy using fly and bubble or a worm on Stuart Tackle .I think that the old timers should be allowed to catch their last trout by the way they learned. If they catch one at all.

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Fished the northern bank of Loch Assynt on 13th May 2016 in the afternoon through to sunset from the northern bank (adjacent to the A837) starting approximately 3 miles west of Ardvreck Castle, moving back to the Castle (i.e. the stretch of bank where spinning is permitted). Attempted to fly fish but struggled with vegetation/banks behind and with the wind (strong easterly). Air temperature was approximately 24 degrees, water much colder with very bright sunshine. Used 8wt line with wet flies and nymphs, no takes. Then tried spinning with great success; had approximately 12 Brown Trout from 0.5 lb to 1.5 lb but lost a much bigger fish late in the day opposite Ardvreck Castle. All fish were taken on a small (8g?) silver vibrax type spinner on light/medium spinning tackle. All fish returned to the water.

Noticed a very distinct pattern to the fishing: arrive at a spot, take 1 or 2 fish almost immediately then goes quiet so move on. Most fish were taken where the banks clearly dropped off quickly into deep water and at least half the takes were on-the-drop immediately after casting.

Tried spinning again the following day in the afternoon, had 1 follow from a small fish but no takes. Note, overnight the air temperature had dropped approximately 10 degrees.

Probably the most enjoyable days fishing I have ever had!

August 2015

Had a great day afloat on Assynt. Superb loch with a great head of fish that fight like demons when hooked. Claret flies worked best on our day.

Such a shame 2 out of 3 boats on Assynt (and all on Awe) are controlled by the Inchnadamph Hotel. Residents obviously get first shout for the boats which meant only 1 day afloat on Assynt for all of us and we never managed to get a boat on Awe at all! Surely Assynt Assosiation should control all of the available boats on Assynt and allocation should come down to a first come first served basis. I for one would not want to stay at the Inchnadamph just to secure a few days fishing on Assynt (or Awe).

reply (1)

Hi

In reply to the query about availability of boats on Assynt.

Confirmed the following details with Peter at the Assynt Angling Association:

The boats on Cam, Veyatie, Mid & Head Assynt , Awe & Sandy lochs are administered by the Inchnadamph Hotel on behalf of the Assynt Angling Group.

They can be booked in advance by contacting the hotel, but as Awe in particular is very popular some anglers will be disappointed. You do not have to stay at the hotel to book the boats. The other boats on Awe are not owned by the group.

Anglers planning fishing can contact Peter at the Cottage, Culag Sq or contact the hotel to book. Contact details on www.assyntangling.co.uk and on this site: http://www.assyntanglinginfo.org.uk/outlets

The boat at Assynt tail is administered by Peter.

Thanks

We'll I've been fishing up her for 30 years and I have a bit of fly and maybe a spin and I do no harm. It's all about respect and I respect the place and the fish, but if you want your tea and the fish aren't taking the fly, get a couple on the spinner

Yet again visit somewhere, where clearly if you dont fly fish, you are unwelcome. Hardly any spinning availability but bet Mr Ghillie likes to have a wee spin or chuck a bunch of worms in a nice deep pool on the river.

Anyway, not for me, you lot would get more anglers parting with money if everything wasn't so god damn elitist with 'Flies Only'. Next time I'm up, I'm targeting Bass and will be using methods that wont be liked but are quite legal in the salt.

Another visiting angler annoyed!

reply (2)

There are waters in Assynt where spinning is allowed. Cam, Veyatie, Assynt and Beannach from boats and 4 1/2 miles of bank on Assynt as shown in the brochure of fishing in Assynt Angling Association waters.

We have no problem with having fly only on the majority of waters or with the vast majority of the 1500 anglers who fish here, some of whom have been doing so for 30 to 40 years. Many of them would be outraged if we allowed spinning in more areas - they value the very cheap but unique wild fishing that is available and want it preserved.

Please fish in the River Test with a spinner if you feel that we are not welcoming in Assynt.

Secretary Assynt Angling Association.

reply (2)

The Assynt area is an anglers paradise , £25 for a weekly permit that opens up more water than you could fish in a week.
From roadside lochs to remote ones, and totally isolated ones if that's your desire and you can read a map and compass.
Paradise on earth for me . On my numerous trips to Assynt I have tried spinning and fly , depending on rules of what water I am on.
Cannot comprehend why anyone would wish to change what Assynt A.C have achieved and are trying to preserve for future generations.

Ian Johnstone
Visiting angler from Ayrshire
30/5/15

reply (1)

I've been following the "spinning-debate" on your website. For sure, the area has to remain fly only.

I found a Mepps spoon today on the bank of a loch of the Clashnessie area. So this is not only a theoretical problem of rules, the practice of what is going on now should also be considered. I'm afraid some people are already fishing with Mepps here in Assynt. So what are the two main Fishing associations going to do to stop that ? This is an urgent question...

Jerome

(posted on his behalf by Adam (admin))

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Loch Assynt

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