Caithness Lochs |
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Trout Lochs of Caithness |
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The county of Caithness is home to over 100 trout lochs. Most of the Caithness is low lying and relatively flat, but from a topographic and fishing perspective there are 2 contrasting environments. To the west and to the south is the ‘Flow Country’ a large expanse of flat blanket bog scattered with peatland lochs. To the east and north, lies fertile gently rolling farmland overlying soft limestone marls. This creates extremely productive lochs rich in weed growth and invertebrates, including Loch Watten, Toftingall and St John’s. That does not mean that the peatland lochs should be ignored. The scenery and wildlife are unique, and although the average size of the fish is often smaller, the trout are there in great numbers, and there are also lochs with stocks of larger fish. The marl lochs can become discoloured after high winds, so Loch Calder, the Ulbster lochs and the Thrumster lochs to the south of Wick are worth keeping in mind for these conditions. Many of these lochs also offer good bank fishing, a useful option in wild weather. With so many lochs to choose from, Caithness makes a great excursion destination for trout anglers, though it can equally fill a week or longer fishing holiday. Loch Watten Loch Watten Watten is a marl loch, lying just 17m above sea level with an average depth of 10-12 ft (2.5 – 3m), which means that the water tends to stay clearer after prolonged big winds than on some of the shallower lochs. Described by local angler and author Neil MacDonald as the 'Jewel in the Crown of Caithness lochs', this is loch fishing at its best, though sometimes a lot of perseverance is required until there’s a hatch and the fish magically ‘come on’. Traditional 'loch style' and modern dry fly and nymph tactics can be equally effective depending on the wind/wave state. The wild brown trout are beautifully marked averaging just under a pound, with plenty of fish in the 2 to 3 pounds class caught annually. The season is short, running from May 1st to September 30th only. Loch Calder St John's Moorings Loch Heilen Loch Toftingall Ulbster Lochs |
^ These images © Colin Riach
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