The Rod & Gun Shop

Fort William

Introduction

In the lochaber area there is a wide variety of fishing in numerous freshwater lochs for traditional wild brown trout, two good local rivers for salmon, some excellent light shore fishing in the sea lochs and some top class specimen fishing for pike in the larger lochs. There are also two small stocked fisheries which offer fly fishing for rainbow trout with instruction and rod hire if required. In fact, in some of the larger lochs, there is the distinct possibility of finding record class specimens of both pike and ferox trout.

The season for brown trout runs from 15th March to 5th October and the salmon fishing does not open here April and closes in October. There is no close season on the lochs that open to the sea and there is also no season on pike or rainbow trout. The best trout fishing is always in the late spring and early summer and then again later towards the close of the season and the rivers fish much better after a spate.

What about a rod licence? There is no national rod licence in Scotland but you are required to pay for a permit on most freshwater lochs (see details in the guide) and there are a few places where there is no permit required such as Loch Lochy and the sea lochs. Spinning is still the most popular method and is allowed on most of the freshwater lochs but fly fishing can provide excellent sport especially from boats on the larger lochs and from the bank in the small hill lochs. Wet flies are favoured in smaller sizes such as 12, 14 or even 16 size hooks and there is ample opportunity for dry fly fishing later in the season.

What methods are allowed? Apart from restrictions stated in permits themselves baits not allowed by law include live minnows and shrimps in rivers for salmon are not permitted on most rivers. When fishing bait with spinning tackle live worms are allowed on most lochs but please note that it is not legal to set more than one rod at a time that means that no rod can be left on a rest unattended. Bait which is made from salmon eggs is illegal but the artificial bait known as ‘Power Bait’ is not. Care should be taken to use the correct tackle when fishing for species other than brown trout outside of the trout season on freshwater lochs such as pike and rainbow trout.

Is there any sea fishing? There is plenty scope for excellent fishing especially from one of the charter boats available. The photo on the left is a 190 lb skate caught in 1995 so that picture says a lot about sea fishing in this part of the west coast. Not everyone can be a record breaker but there is good fishing even from the shore further down Loch Linnhe towards Ballachulish and Corran and there is now a charter boat sailing from the town itself throughout the season. The favourite baits are mackerel, squid and sprats and frozen bait is available from the Rod & Gun Shop in the High Street.

A salmon from the

River Nevis

A pair of fine pike from Loch Garry

A large ferox from Loch Arkaig.