Portree Angling Association SCIO

HILL LOCHS

The Association leases all the loch fishing on the east side of the Trotternish Ridge (except for Loch Liuravay) and, on the west side, the loch beside the Coastguard Cottages at Duntulm and Loch Sneosdal above Balgowan north of Uig.  We also have the fishing in Lochs  Connan and Ravag, accessed from the minor road from Portree to Struan, in Bracadale.  All the lochs contain brown trout except Loch Mealt, which is unique in Europe, containing Arctic Char and no brown trout.

The hill lochs are a delight to visit offering peace and tranquillity with the opportunity to see Golden and Sea Eagles while catching wild and hard fighting indigenous brown trout, or to give them their more appropriate Gaelic name 'Breacan' meaning 'Speckled' Trout.They rise readily to the fly in good conditions and for their size give excellent sport on light tackle, but they are lightning fast and you have to be very quick to hook them.

Some of the lochs are remote and are only reached by a long walk, sometimes over difficult terrain.  However, you will find perfect solitude, save for the occasional eagle or red deer.

Boats are available on Loch Connan (permits available from Inside Out) otherwise all the lochs are fished from the bank.  All lochs are fly fishing only.  

Loch Cuithir: - NG475596 

The loch was once an industrial site for the extraction of Diatomite and is accessed by a reasonable track.  You can park in the Lealt Falls car park by the A855 and follow the track to the loch, it is a 40 minute walk alternatively, access by 4x4 is possible with care to within easy reach of the loch.  FLY ONLY.

Maligar Lochs:-  Loch Cleap -  NG467662,        Loch Dubhar-sgoth - NG457640,        Loch Corcasgil -  NG452642

Three hill lochs in the shadow of the Trotternish ridge, all yielding good brown trout in the right condition.  Park at Maligar road end and walk in, a long walk over rough ground from Glen Connon walking through Bealach Uige.  Dubharsgoth and Corcasgil can be accessed.  Loch Dubhar-sgoth and Corcasgil provide good early Season fishing. FLY ONLY

Brogaig Lochs:-  Loch Cleat - NG447672,     Loch Leum na Luirginn  - NG447676

Two lochs by the minor road from Brogaig to Uig.  Both have very good fish with Cleat a good late evening loch.  Walking to the lochs needs care.  You can park at the cemetery car park on the Broraig-Uig road or at the botom of the harpin bend, which is the easier access and the lochs are a short walk.  FLY ONLY

Flodigarry Lochs:- Loch Fada -  NG458696,    Loch Droighinn - NG455712,   Loch Langaig -  NG467707,   Loch Hasco  -  NG456701

A group of lochs between the A855 and the Quiraing which can yield good catches of small but lively brown trout. Well  worth a visit. These are ideal to introduce youngsters to fly fishing.  You can park at grid ref: 464709  on the A855 by the track to Loch Langaig.  The other lochs are a short walk away.  FLY ONLY

Coastguard Loch:- NG416742

A small loch beside the costguard cottages at Duntulm.  You can park with care by the loch. FLY ONLY

Loch Sneosdal:- NG414692  

A Hill loch on the west side of the Trotternish Ridge. You can park with care at Herbusta and walk in. FLY ONLY.

Loch Connan:- NG387430

A productive hill loch off the B885 Portree to Struan road which may be fished by bank or boat.  Park at grid ref NG394425 by the B885 and follow the indistinct track going NW over boggy ground to the loch.  The terrain around the loch is very rough and boggy in places, and the banks can be fragile.  The bed of the loch is also very uneven, so exercise great care if wading. A boat is available on this loch. FLY ONLY

Loch Ravag:- NG380450

A remote hill loch almost completely surrounded by forestry plantation.  You can park at grid ref.NG397430 at the track end on the B885. Follow the forestry track going NW and take the track leading off to the right after about 1.25 miles. This peters out, but you should be able to see the loch below you.

Loch Duagrich:- NG400400 access from NG371394 up track about a mile.

A big loch with an outflow to the River Snizort allowing access to salmon and sea trout. There are also brown trout which can be fished from the bank.  Worth the effort to fish this one with the chance of salmon or sea trout, the brown trout are mostly 1/2 pounders  but bigger ones can be caught.               

Loch Caiplach:- NG475311 by permission of the Coghill family.

A small hill loch. You can park by A87m or A863 and walk in. Fishes better later in the season.

Loch Mealt:- NG505650

Just south of Staffin the loch straddles the A855. It is unique in Europe as being the only loch that has a population of Artic Char and no brown  trout.  There is ample parking is available in the car park at the sea end of the loch.  The wary and rare Artic Char can be tempted with small trout flies or nymphs and are generally found close

John Muir Trust Fishing

Loch Coruisk, Loch na Creitheach, Loch na Creritheach, Loch an Altham above and the connecting river but EXCLUDING the outflow from Loch na Creitheach to the sea.  

These lochs have in the past had a reputation for huge sea trout. They also have a run of salmon of decent size.  In the effort to encourage greater numbers of fish the fishing is entirely catch and release, and strictly FLY ONLY.  

Loch na Sguabaidh and the river from it to the sea.

This loch has the easiest access, less than half a mile, with a track right to the loch side and is level. This one is fished fairly regularly and produces good sea trout.  It is appreciated that the first mentioned lochs represent a long walk in, or in the case of Loch Courisk a boat ride. Its is probable you would need to camp, which is permitted.

The Johnston's who own Camusunary House near the river from Loch na Creitheach have the rights exclusively on the river and also rights to fish the lochs. Please observe the usual courtesy when dealing with them or their guests on the loch side.

These extra fishing locations represent continuing efforts by the committee to increase the range and scope of fishing available to members and visitors at reasonable cost.