FISHING ON DURNESS LIMESTONE LOCHS

Contact martin@durnesslimestonelochs.co.uk  Telephone 01971511255 Accommodation

In the far north west of Scotland the turning point of the road network is Durness Village where set amongst breathtaking scenery are some of the most wonderful limestone lochs where Brown Trout fishing is available.

Durness in North West Sutherland is a crofting village set on a limestone outcrop.  As a result its green fields contrast with the surrounding heather covered peatlands and mountains. This gives a rich diversity of plant, bird and wildlife with numerous fine sandy beaches, dunes and cliffs, an endless source of interest and beauty.  There is evidence of very long term occupation in this fertile area dating back to the Bronze Age. Set amongst this spectacular environment are four of the most famous limestone lochs legendary for their fishing.

Lanlish 

Croispol

Borralaidh

Caladail

The four Durness limestone lochs located on the North coast of Scotland, in the county of Sutherland which vary greatly in their character and size of trout and is the place to go for challenging trout angling in gin clear limestone waters. The lochs produce wild brown trout of unmatched quality. The limestone lochs of the Durness peninsula are world famous with unique brown trout renowned for their size and fighting characteristics. They are found in any of the four limestone Lochs. With water crystal clear and an abundant natural food supply each Loch has unique features offering a different challenge.
They vary in their look and feel but all share similar characteristics: an alkaline limestone source; crystal clear water; generally shallow with a few deep holes; prolific insect life; challenging and often difficult fishing with superb quality wild brown trout. This area has a famous name in the trout angling world. A geological treasure from the angling perception resulted in a large area of limestone being exposed around Durness consequently the waters around the area are alkaline, a rich and fertile environment where trout grow fit and large. Durness is uniquely special in that the lochs sit out on a semi peninsular of limestone surrounded by peat and gneiss studded hills. The area can be a bleak corner of mainland Britain and Durness is a wild and windy place but offers the most exquisite turquoise blue waters.

The lochs here, Borralaidh, Caladail, Lanlish and Croispol are classic challenging waters; anglers need dexterity here for success. The call of these lochs is powerful and gripping with anglers returning to them every year in their quest. The trout are smooth, extremely well fed (the caddis alone can be 2 inches long never mind the shrimps and snails!), and they grow to excellent average weights of 1.5lb and are caught as big as 5lb plus. They can be exceedingly difficult to attract and you need every bit of an armoury of wet, dry and nymph flies. Small flies seem to work much better than large. Anything from a Sedge Pupae to a Teal and Green will catch but the weather has to be just right.  As the average size of fish increases, the numbers reduce and the fishing generally gets harder. Tactics for the lochs usually depend on the weather conditions. In calm conditions or light winds surface dry fly (buzzers) or nymphs will likely be most successful, in medium winds and a light to medium wave traditional Scottish wet fly tactics will probably be best.


The season runs from April to September

The fishing is controlled by the Keodale Sheepstock Club,  01971 511255.

 

 

 Joe Gilius  a Durness 5 pounder

Caught on Borralaidh by Bill Horsburgh

Trout caught by Adam Wright weighing over 4 pounds and one caught by Eddie Sinclair which is the most perfect shaped trout I have seen for some time. These were both caught on Borralaidh the big one on a size 14 Connemara black and Eddie's on a size 14 hares lug.

To reach these distinctive parts of the world take the A9 north from Inverness to the Tore roundabout. From here there is a choice of the east coast or the west coast route to continue the journey, both are through stunning scenery but the east coast route is about 30 minutes shorter. The shortest route follows the A9 to its junction with the B9176 over Struie Hill to Bonar Bridge and then follows the A836 through Lairg. At a point about 2 miles north of Lairg turn west on to the A838 and from here, the stunning scenery guides you pass Loch Shin, the mountains of Ben Stack, Arkle and Fionaven, before reaching Laxford Bridge. Turn north once more and head for Durness

The west coast route, although longer, also passes through superb scenery. From Tore go west on the A835 towards Garve and then on to Ullapool and remain on the A835 until you reach Ledmore Junction. There you turn north on to the A837 driving via Scourie to Laxford Bridge and on to Durness the most north westerly point on British mainland and the turning point of the road network.

Rules and records of the lochs

  • ·         no petrol outboards are allowed

  • ·         All the lochs are fly only, and boats are available for hire.

  • ·         The record stands at 14.5 lbs and 2 to 4 lb fish are a regular occurrence, not one of them has seen a feed pellet.

The lochs can be found on OS Map 9 "Cape Wrath" 1:50,000 series.