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Assynt
May 12, 2006 9:57:27 GMT -5
Post by traprain on May 12, 2006 9:57:27 GMT -5
We are heading up to Sutherland, to Assynt in fact, at the end of the month for the usual fishing and drinking excess. Unfortunately for me I am somewhat limited in mobility at present and so certainly won't be hiking round Fionn Loch or anything like it. The most I can manage is probably about a mile or so on fairly level ground. So I was wondering whether anyone had any recommendations for fishing spots which meet that main criteria - i.e. fairly near the road. Other desirable criteria are a preferance for smallish lochans sitting on a bed of limestone, that are generally unknown and unfished and contain free-rising monster trout. Failing that anything will do.
Thanks, in hopeful expectation.
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Assynt
May 12, 2006 10:06:13 GMT -5
Post by John Gray on May 12, 2006 10:06:13 GMT -5
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Assynt
May 12, 2006 13:51:26 GMT -5
Post by deergravy on May 12, 2006 13:51:26 GMT -5
Hi Traprain, Awe and Ailsh are both outstanding lochs and very accessible - boat fishing only. I would have advised you to book the boats now, but with the sad passing of Eric Ferguson at the Alt bar and the subsequent sale of same, it's all a bit up in the air at the mo'.
Actually, all the boats on the west-zone lochs can be easily reached; Assynt and Veyatie you can drive right up to the moorings, Cam and Urigill are but a short stroll - there's a tiny bit of steep, eroded path on the way to Cam, hopefully not prohibitive.
Urigill offers very easy bank fishing, but mostly small fish. Same for Borralan - it's stacked with 8-9" fish, but you couldn't get a more easily accessible water.
The Dam lochs, above Strath Kanaird, might be worth a look. You can drive right up to them and they hold some excellent trout - 14oz average, I was told when buying the ticket on my first (and so far, only) visit last September. And so they were. I'll be back. As John Gray says above, Cul Froach is another possibility, easy underfoot conditions and big fish, if you get one!
Hope you have a great trip Dave
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Assynt
May 15, 2006 6:24:34 GMT -5
Post by traprain on May 15, 2006 6:24:34 GMT -5
Thanks for the suggestions. We'll probably fish Awe and Ailsh anyway. I am looking for a pleasant spot to amuse myself while the other guys head up to some desolate, windswept mountain corrie. The North Assynt lochs look interesting and Strath Kanaird sounds like it is worth a trip.
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Assynt
May 16, 2006 11:58:58 GMT -5
Post by FionnLoch on May 16, 2006 11:58:58 GMT -5
Loch Cul Fraoich is one of the best accessible small lochs in the area. Not exactly limestone, but it lies on a bed of Torridonian sandstone like the lochs in Orkney, so its a good deal more fertile than the Lewisian gneiss on which most of the lochs in the area lie and contains a distinctly superior class of fish. You can get close to the shore via a peat road on the Culkein side. Don't go right to the end as the last half mile is very boggy. There is even a bit of a boat on the loch, though it was one of these vile plastic tubs last time I was there.
The loch is something of a cult classic in the area. It's rather unpredictable: it can be dead for days then suddenly all hell breaks loose. If it is on, you will have an unforgettable time. However, many people come away swearing there is not a single fish in the whole damned pond, which may explain why it doesn't get fished too heavily.
You rarely come away without a fish from nearby Loch na Claise, which is also on the standstone. You can get down to the north shore from the Clashmore road end. It's hardly ever fished, being very reedy and weedy with little clear fishing water, but it has some very good fish in it. One memorable day three years ago my daughter caught a 1.75 pounder off it (her first fish) while I caught three 1.5 pounders. Try fishing the dry fly, or NZ style, to avoid snagging the underwater weeds.
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Assynt
May 16, 2006 13:30:47 GMT -5
Post by Duncan on May 16, 2006 13:30:47 GMT -5
Invest in a copy of the Trout Lochs of Scotland by Bruce Sandison. There is a wealth of knowledge contained in the pages and locations, map references etc. You should be able to locate a copy, however if you have difficulty try www.abebooks.com
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Assynt
May 16, 2006 18:22:07 GMT -5
Post by mattwright on May 16, 2006 18:22:07 GMT -5
Traprain,
Urigill is not quite as easy a walk as was suggested especially if you are carrying an outboard!
Matt
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Assynt
May 17, 2006 3:13:38 GMT -5
Post by altnaharra on May 17, 2006 3:13:38 GMT -5
also easily accessible is Leitir Easaidh- decent boat and you can park right on the loch side , can be dour but has some cracking fish , and chance of a char if that tickles your fancy. beautiful loch to fish, and lovely falls at the north east corner to picnic for lunch.
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Assynt
May 17, 2006 6:26:42 GMT -5
Post by traprain on May 17, 2006 6:26:42 GMT -5
Thanks again chaps. Some very interesting suggestions there. Definitely going to try Cul Fraoich.
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Assynt
May 17, 2006 12:09:13 GMT -5
Post by FionnLoch on May 17, 2006 12:09:13 GMT -5
Remember May is still earlyish for the northern Highlands. You'd be best sticking to the low-lying lochs unless there's been a spell of unseasonably warm weather.
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