The Fishing

“South Uist and Benbecula are an angler’s paradise;
and no fishing career is complete without a pilgrimage to these lovely,
sparkling Hebridean islands.”
Lewis-Ann Garner—The Best Fishing in Scotland 1990 

2020 Fishing Returns

For obvious reasons there were many fewer fishermen here in 2020. Those that did get here had some great fishing, and the Brown trout – undisturbed for most of the year were especially active. The signs for 2021 are very good indeed.

I have not shown 2020 catch returns as they are quite atypical.

Introduction.

South Uist, with its alkaline lochs, has some of the finest and most exceptional wild Brown Trout and Sea Trout fishing in Europe; plus, the bonus of the occasional Salmon. The only other fish that swim in the lochs are Sticklebacks and Eels – there are no coarse fish on the islands.

There are perhaps 800 lochs and lochans on the 2 islands (South Uist & Benbecula), all containing wild brown trout - but in very different numbers and of very different sizes - some contain a large head of small fish, others a smaller number of larger fish. In some of the lochs there lurk the odd monster but these are rarely caught.

A wild 9lb 8oz Brown trout was caught in 2006 – that is a story for another time.

All fishing is by fly only, with the exception of the sea fords where spinning and bait is allowed.

Catch returns:

See the www.fishhebrides.com which has a regular update of catch returns for the Estate lochs.

Note the following catch returns are for the Estate lochs only and exclude local Angling catches.

Be careful when interpreting this data – to some extent the numbers just represent the number of rods fishing – if very few rods come in April or July of course the catch numbers will be low – that does not mean that the trout cannot be caught!

Brown trout

	Magnificent 3lb West Ollay brown trout

The finest brown trout fishing is in the machair lochs on the flat pasture land on the west coast. These unique lochs are based on a shell sand bottom and are thus alkaline with superlative feeding.

The best of these lochs represent the “Estate fishing” although the Angling Club can provide access to a few selected machair lochs.

These lochs are shallow, rarely over 6 feet deep, and much of the best fishing water is even shallower. Drifting a boat across these lochs is a unique experience.

All fish are wild fish – and there are no stocked fish on the island. Fishing pressure is light, and given a high percentage of returned fish, the trout population is self-sustaining; enabled by some very high-quality spawning burns.

Brown trout returns - season ends September 30th

	Noddy with a big brown from West Ollay

The above numbers are for fish over ¾ lb. only.

In addition to the above, several 100 trout are caught on SUAC water – returns seriously understate the actual totals but vary between 300 to 600 fish over ¾ lb.

We have a very high average size relative to most other Brown trout fisheries in Scotland.

Sea trout

As with all Scottish systems, the size of the runs of migratory fish have reduced over the century, however as the catch returns show there have been significant improvements over the last couple of years.

Whilst the salmon runs here are modest in comparison with some other fisheries in the Outer Hebrides, the Sea Trout runs have held up extremely well and can justifiably be considered as some of the finest sea trout fishing in Europe.

Ian with Jo Rippier's 7lb sea Ttrout	A fine fresh Castle sea trout about to be returned

Sea trout returns - season ends October 31st

Note that prior to 2006 all Sea Trout under 1lb 8oz were reported as finnock – from 2006 the total catch return includes all fish over 1lb.

The Sea Trout come into the systems in good numbers from the end of July, and the run continues right through to the end of October, indeed we catch sea liced Sea Trout right up to the last week of the season.

Salmon

	Andrea’s big Sea Trout

July and August represent the ideal time to “mix and match” Brown Trout fishing with Salmon fishing when there tends to be very little pressure on the lochs.

The first fish come in after the mid-month Spring tide in July. Note that most of the fish from mid-September onwards tend to be very coloured.

Nearly all fish are grilse in a range of sizes up to about 10lb.

Salmon & grilse returns - season ends October 31st

Ownership/Management:

The fishing is split between “the "Estate fishing"” and the local angling club water managed” by "South Uist Angling Club" (SUAC).

All fishing on South Uist is owned by the community company Stòras Uibhist.
All bookings for the Estate lochs are through the Estate office.

Contact Christina Morrison 01878 700 101. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Note that bookings have significantly increased over the last couple of years and early booking is highly recommended.

John Steele the new fishing manager will arrange ghillies as required.

Rates shown are for the 2019 season and these are unlikely to change significantly.

Note that access to fishing is in no way conditional on staying at any particular establishment.

Bag Limits		Guy Greenway with a fine sea trout from Roag
Whilst we do not have specific bag limits, we are asking, and anglers are increasingly agreeing to, only kill those fish they require for the table. We have a uniquely rare wild resource, it needs protecting. If you have never eaten a red fleshed machair trout you cannot know how good they taste. Let me barbecue them by the loch, with some salad and a fine white wine, or smoke them for you.

“The charm of the Outer Hebrides for the true angler, the man who feels the full joy of the sport, lies in the sense of solitude which broods over their desolate moors. The island is a land of matchless cloudscapes above the western horizon, where the sea and sky meet. Days of calm and days of storm, days of sunshine and days of mist and rain come in alternate bewildering sequence, and each gives to the lone land of lakes a new delight.”

Hamish Stuart - Book of the Sea Trout 1916

70 Lochs - A guide to Trout Fishing in South Uist

Written by John Kennedy, then fishing manager for South Uist Estates, this guide is based on some 25 years' experience this guide is essential reading for the angler visiting the island for the first time, and an invaluable reference for the local angler. I would recommend it to you.

“As well as a comment on the general character and favourable conditions, each loch described in this guide has an O.S. grid reference, and many are accompanied by a neat sketch map showing approach from the road, boat site and the best areas for fishing. There can be no doubt that this handy pocket-sized book will save many a blank day for visitors and residents alike. This is thus worth every penny of its modest price, and is indeed, one of the best things of its sort that the writer has yet seen” D. B. West Highland Free Press

October		Over the last few years, the October sea trout run has been one of the most consistent providing a significant number of medium sized fish - 2 1/2 to 4lbs often with sea lice.	Andrea, Maxi and a fat Sea Trout

"Asked where to find Scotland’s finest wild brown trout fishing, I would have no hesitation in pointing anyone in the direction of South Uist.”

Stan Headley—Trout & Salmon

Permit availability and prices—2021 season

Estate Lochs

Prices for the estate lochs are based on the hire of a boat including fishing permit costs for 2 anglers.

Whilst there is some very fine fishing from the bank, a boat is essential to get the best out of the fishing.

There is no fishing on Estate lochs on Sundays, but one is welcome to bank fish for brown trout away from the road.

Bank fishing permit: £8.00 per day, £40.00 per week.

The Angling Club have 2 styles of boat – a standard boat at an extra £10 per day in addition to the bank fishing permit, and a number of Lomond boats (the same as the Estate) which are superior quality and cost £40 per day for 2 anglers which includes fishing permits. They are normally on the following lochs: East and West Bee, Druidibeg, Dun Na Cille, Clachan, West and North Olavat.

Note: Under 18s fish free.

Ghillies

I would strongly recommend you use a ghillie, most particularly if this is your first time fishing here.

Many of the lochs are relatively shallow and there are a significant number of skerries, often just under the surface of the water. If you do not know where they are it can be quite dangerous.

All ghillies will provide their own outboards.

Bear in mind that fish will not lie all over any given loch and unless you have fished them for many years you are unlikely to know the best lies. Hopefully my knowledge will significantly increase your catch, and the Kelly’s kettle can provide a welcome break on a cold morning.

The Estate Lochs

The Estate lochs are split between brown trout lochs and migratory fish lochs. Whilst the latter contain brown trout, they tend to be on the small side. It is essential before booking to decide which species one is after - and bear in mind there are times of the year when a mixture of days fishing for browns and the rather more elusive sea trout can make for the ideal mix.

Out of bounds

A number of spawning lochs are out of bounds. All guests should double check that they do in fact have permission to fish on any given loch.

Angling Club Lochs

It has to be said, however, that one needs to know the lochs and also be prepared to put in the time. This is similar to specimen hunting anywhere. I had fished this loch on 12 different occasions without a single take before catching this fish. It does however go to show the quality and size of fish in our water.

Angling Club Boats

The local angling club have 14 boats which are available for hire. Some of these boats and lochs are suitable for outboards - some are not. Whilst not all of the boats are the quality of the Estate “Loch Lomond” boats, they are essential to get the best out of many of the lochs.

Care of Boats

Boats must be returned to correct location, irrespective of where found. It must be pulled well clear of water, and secured to mooring stake. Oars to be tucked under boat seats.

Juniors

Under 18 Years of age must be accompanied by an adult.