North Sutherland
With hundreds of trout lochs, half a dozen salmon systems, and some of the best sea trout fishing remaining on the UK mainland, North Sutherland is truly a fly fisher's paradise.
There are trout lochs throughout the area, but the most famous of these are the renowned Durness ‘limestone lochs’, located near Sutherland's most north-westerly point. Borralie and Caladail are the cream of these lochs, with good populations of fish averaging 1½ lb and over 2 lb respectively, and larger fish caught on a regular basis. There's more information on our Durness Lochs legacy web page.
To the east, along the central part of the north coast there are numerous lochs in the Tongue to Betthyhill area, many controlled by Tongue Angling Club.
The next major area of note is Strath Halladale and the lochs of the Altnabreac area to the south and east, that extend across the 'flow country' into Caithness. These peatland lochs could not be more different to those at Durness, but they have their own beauty and feature majestic skies, sometimes 180 degrees of it!
The quality of trout vary from loch to loch, but fishing here can be a true 'wilderness' fly fishing experience.
There are several notable salmon and sea trout systems flowing to sea along the north coast of Sutherland including the Naver, Halladale, Borgie and Dionard rivers, and the Hope system; most famous for its sea trout fishing on Loch Hope. There is also sea trout fishing available on the Kyle of Tongue.
Beats on these rivers are generally let in advance by the week, often to the same tenants year after year, so day permits are rarely available.
On the Naver however, one of the most productive salmon rivers in the Highlands, visiting anglers can access one of its lower beats, through the local angling club, who also offer sea trout fishing on its estuary. Additionally, guests staying at the Altnaharra Hotel are able to fish by boat on Loch Naver.
Here are some descriptions of some of the top trout and salmon fishing spots in North Sutherland:
North Sutherland Trout Lochs
Loch Caladail
Caladail is perhaps the "crème de la crème" of the limestone lochs of Durness. It's a good size loch of 62 acres and largely shallow at between 1.5 to 3m in depth. The water is crystal clear and alkaline, with patches of emergent weed, producing prolific insect and crustacean life. Superb quality brown trout averaging over 2 lb, with a few fish of over 4 lb caught each year.
Permits from the Keoldale Sheepstock Club, Tel: 01971 511255.
Loch Borralie
The largest and most varied of the Durness lochs, at just under a mile long, with a large island in the middle of the loch separated from the East bank by a narrow channel. Excellent trout averaging 1½ lb, with a few fish up to 3 lb and more.
Permits from the Keoldale Sheepstock Club, Tel: 01971 511255.
Loch Croispol
Croispol is less than 700m in length, lying at an elevation of only 14m above sea level. Of all the limestone lochs, this contains the smallest fish, but they still average a respectable 1 lb!
Permits from the Keoldale Sheepstock Club, Tel: 01971 511255.
West & East Halladale Lochs
A fabulous collection of more than 35 lochs typically lying 2 to 3 miles (up to 5km), to the west and east of the River Halladale, that are managed by the Forsinard Fly Fishers' Club. A huge variety of lochs in remote settings, however most require a 'walk-in' across peatland and heather moor. To fish these lochs you must first be a member of the Forsinard Fly Fishers' Club.
Members can book fishing and boat hire through the FFFC website.
Forsinard Lochs
Forsinard Fly Fishers' Club control access to 6 lochs in the Altnabreac area of 'Flow Country' to the east of Forsinard, once managed by the Forsinard Hotel. These lochs offer excellent bank and boat fishing, and many enjoy a mayfly hatch in June & July. Trout vary in size from loch to loch, but are generally of good quality averaging ¾ to 1 lb, with the occasional fish of 2 lb+. To fish these lochs you must first be a member of the Forsinard Fly Fishers' Club.
Members can book fishing and boat hire through the FFFC website.
River Halladale
| Main Season: Mar-Sep 30th | Category: 1 |
The River Halladale is a medium sized spate river, running north for 22 miles from its source in the Flow Country near Forsinard to the sea at Melvich Bay. Annual salmon catches are typically in the range of 450-600 fish/year.
All the fishing on the main beats are let by the week, with no day tickets available.
River Naver
| Main Season: Apr-Sep 30th | Category: 1 |
The River Naver is one of the best salmon rivers in the Northern Highlands and a reputed spring river. It flows 21 miles northwards from Loch Naver to Torrisdale Bay. There is one important tributary, the Mallart, and Loch Naver is also fished for salmon. All of the main beats are let privately with Estate accommodation, but there is some fishing available through the Bettyhill Angling Association.
The Naver system produces catches of 900-1200 salmon & grilse per year.
Naver Lower Beat - Bettyhill Angling Association
The upper stretch of the Association Water extends to 1.25 miles of double bank fishing above the road bridge.
Permits from the Post Office in Bettyhill. Tel: 01641 521201.
Naver Estuary - Bettyhill Angling Association
The estuary beat is downstream of the road bridge, and is tidal. Sea trout fishing only.
Permits from the Post Office in Bettyhill. Tel: 01641 521201.
Kinloch River
| Main Season: May-Sep 30th | Category: 3 |
The Kinloch River flows for just 4.4 miles from Loch an Dherue to the Kyle of Tongue and sits entirely within the Kinloch Estate. For the visiting angler, there is sea trout fishing available in its estuary; the Kyle of Tongue.
Kyle of Tongue - Tongue Angling Club
Permits for sea trout fishing are available on the Kyle of Tongue, via Tongue Angling Club.
Permits from Ben Loyal Hotel, Tongue. Tel: 01847 611216.
