How to Go Trout Fishing in Scotland

With its many rivers, lochs and stocked fisheries, Scotland is a veritable paradise for anglers. Try your hand at fishing for the native brown trout, sea trout and the non-native rainbow trout.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fishing rod
• Suitable fly reel
• Floating line
• Backing line
• Flies
• Leader material
• Scissor pliers
• Clippers
• Fishing bag
• Life jacket
• Thigh wader boots
• Waterproof jacket
• Over trousers
• Polarized sunglasses
• Hat
• Insect repellent
• Comfortable clothes in muted colors
• Packed refreshments

1. Familiarize yourself with trout species and trout fishing methods in Scotland. If you are a novice to fishing, read all you can on the subject. Consult experienced anglers. Ask for advice when you buy or hire your fishing gear. Hire a fishing instructor when you get to your fishing destination.

2. Make arrangements to visit Scotland anytime from 14 March to 7 October. This is the open season for trout fishing.

3. Select the region where you want to fish. Trout fishing is excellent in rivers and lochs in Orkney, Durness, Perthshire, Argyll, Caithness, Sutherland and throughout the Highlands. The rivers Tay, Tummel, Tweed, Glass, Clyde, Nith, Annan and Don are bountiful. You can also try the commercially stocked fisheries in Aberdeenshire and the Central belt.

4. Inquire about getting a fishing permit. You need permits for trout fishing on rivers covered by the Protection Order. Permits are inexpensive and available from tourist outlets, tackle shops, tour operators or angling clubs. A standard permit is enough for fishing for wild brown trout and rainbow trout, but you require a migratory fish permit for sea trout fishing.

5. Learn to fly-fish on the lochs first and go fly-fishing on the rivers when you have gained some experience.

6. Cast a few times from the bank. If your technique is up to mark, set out in a boat.

7. Turn the boat 90 degrees to the wind and cast downwind. It helps to have someone along to hold the boat in position.

8. Concentrate on the shallower water, where the fish are generally more likely to be found. Build up a steady rhythm of casting and retrieving. Let your fly skim the water and create an enticing wake.

9. Catch your trout. Draw a line at keeping all you catch. Release most of them back into the water for another day.

Tips & Warnings

• Wild brown trout are native species of Scotland. They usually grow to sizes between 25 cm and 45 cm. Sometimes they grow even larger; such trout are called “Ferrox”.
• Sea trout are the same species, just fish that have traveled to the sea in search for better food and have grown to large proportions. It is not uncommon for sea trout to weigh over 1 kg.
• Rainbow trout are only found in stocked fisheries; they do not naturally occur or breed in Scotland. Rainbow trout were imported into the country from North America in 1888.
• It is an offense to fish for trout during the winter close time.
• Don’t fish on Sundays. It’s not a legal requirement, just a polite convention.
• Experienced anglers from abroad, especially if they have been fishing for Atlantic salmon, should ensure that their fishing gear is not contaminated with the dreaded Gyrodactylus salaris parasite.

Resources

• Fisheries Research Services, Scotland
• Fishing in Perthshire, Scotland
• Guide to fly fishing in Scotland
• Learn fly fishing techniques

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!