Trout Fishing in Orkney

We recently spoke to Ian Robertson, a keen fisherman, who offered some tips about fishing in Orkney.

The best way to fish in Orkney is to step and cast – don’t stay in the same place. Brown Trout are very territorial. Cover as much ground as possible until you find a couple of hiding fish!

We hope these tips help those visitors coming to the isles in search of a Brown Trout!

Brown Trout in Orkney
Brown Trout in Orkney photo © Copyright Orkney Trout Fishing Association

Ian’s favourite fishing loch in Orkney is the Loch of Harray. This has varied ground, deep holes and skerries – there’s always a fish feeding somewhere.

Aerial view of Orkney lochs
Aerial view of Orkney lochs photo © Copyright Charles Tait

The Loch of Harray is clean and clear with a large population of brown trout. When it’s windy and other lochs become turbid, there’s always a quiet corner away from wind in Harray Loch.

Fishing from a boat on the Loch of Harray, Orkney
Fishing from a boat on the Loch of Harray, Orkney photo © Copyright Charles Tait

The Brown Trout Season has just started (15th March 2015) and for the first couple of months it’s best to wade in the Loch of Harray as the shallow water close to the shore is warmer and the fish feed there. Towards the end of May, and through June, July and August, it’s best to use a boat on the Loch of Harray as the Brown Trout move out to deeper cooler water as the weather warms up.

Boat moored by the side of the Loch of Harray
Boat moored by the side of the Loch of Harray photo © Copyright Bill Boaden and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

The best way to fish in Orkney is to step and cast – don’t stay in the same place. Brown Trout are very territorial. Cover as much ground as possible until you find a couple of hiding fish!

Loch of Stenness, Orkney
Loch of Stenness, Orkney photo © Copyright Charles Tait

The Loch of Stenness is also one of Ian’s favourite lochs. It is a difficult loch to fish but Ian regards it a good challenge which requires knowledge of timing, tides, and the moon. The Loch of Stenness is a unique habitat and a site of special scientific interest with brakish water and a mixture of brown trout and sea trout.

Fisherman on the Loch of Stenness, Orkney
Fisherman on the Loch of Stenness, Orkney photo © Copyright Charles Tait

The Loch of Stenness is best fished from the shore as fish can be found in shallow water, sometimes barely enough to cover their backs. Fish hide here because they are safe from seals in the shallows! August and September are the best times to fish the Loch of Stenness, when the sea trout come in to spawn.

View over Loch of Swannay to Costa Hill
View over Loch of Swannay to Costa Hill photo © Copyright Philip Cornwall and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Other recommended fishing lochs include: the Loch of Boardhouse, the Loch of Hundland and the Loch of Swannay (pictured above). These are peat water lochs with darker water and darker fish, but the fishing and fish are lovely! The Loch of Kirbister (pictured below) is a good place to take beginners and juniors as it is full of small fish which are easy to catch.

Loch of Kirbister, Orphir, Orkney
Loch of Kirbister, Orphir, Orkney photo © Copyright Charles Tait

It is recommended that any fish you catch under ten inches are returned to the loch. Ian has a personal catch and release policy, but keeps a few for the pot.

Brown Trout in Orkney
Brown Trout in Orkney photo © Copyright Charles Tait

Though fishing in Orkney is free, membership of the OTFA (Orkney Trout Fishing Association) is recommended to help restock the lochs with eggs (pictured below). As part of your membership you will receive a key to a hut and toilet at the Lochs of Harray, Stenness, Boardhouse, Hundland, and Swannay. For first-time visitors to Orkney, sometimes it is difficult to know where to start when fishing a loch. The OTFA member’s hut and car park is a good place to begin! The OTFA website is located at http://www.orkneytroutfishing.co.uk/

Restocking Orkney's Lochs
Restocking Orkney’s Lochs photo © Copyright Orkney Trout Fishing Association

Flies recommended for each loch can be found on the OTFA website. WS Sinclair’s Shop in Stromness and William Shearer’s Shop in Kirkwall both have a very good selection of flies.

Flies and bait can be bought in Orkney
Flies and bait can be bought in Orkney photo © Copyright Orkney Trout Fishing Association

Boat and equipment hire and ghillie services are available in Orkney – check the OTFA website for details.

Boat on the Loch of Stenness, Orkney
Boat on the Loch of Stenness, Orkney photo © Copyright Charles Tait

Ian likes Sea Trout fishing in Orkney too, but it is harder as Sea Trout are in decline. Sea Trout are found in shallow water such as sheltered bays and beaches, usually where a burn meets the sea. It’s best to fish for Sea Trout in early Spring or late Autumn.

Sea Trout, Orkney
Sea Trout, Orkney photo © Copyright Orkney Trout Fishing Association

Good Sea Trout fishing spots include the Bay of Ireland, Waulkmill Bay, Bay of Isbister in Rendall, Bay of Firth, Finstown Brig, Inganess Bay, Deer Sound, Sebay, Scapa, The Bush (pictured below), and on Hoy, Mill Bay, Pegal Bay, Creekland, Moness and Lyrawa.

Brig o' Waithe, Stenness, Orkney
Brig o’ Waithe, and the Bush Stenness, Orkney photo © Copyright Charles Tait

It is recommended that any Sea Trout you catch under twelve inches are returned to the sea – please be sensible and only keep one or two for the pot.

Magnus DixonBy Magnus Dixon
Orkney and Shetland enthusiast, family man, loves walks, likes animals, terrible at sports, dire taste in music, adores audiobooks and films, eats a little too much for his own good.

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Header image: Fishing in Harray loch in Orkney photo © Copyright Charles Tait