North Uist
Fishing
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Fishh North Uist
North Uist is a fantastic location for fishing enthusiasts, with plenty of lochs, sea pools, and brackish lochs providing an exceptional fishing experience. The area offers an ultimate challenge for fly fishers who want to catch Hebridean brown trout, sea trout, and salmon. North Uist is particularly famous for its sea trout waters and attracts many fly fishers who wish to test their skills. With its vast skies and stunning landscape dotted with numerous lochs and lochans, fishing in North Uist is an unforgettable experience. If you're looking for the perfect destination to fish in pristine waters, North Uist is the ideal place to be. Book your trip today and get ready for an adventure like no other!
Amazing Nature
Experience the breathtaking beauty of the North Uist fishing waters from May to October. Behold the magnificent wildlife thriving in the coastlines and remote moorlands. Take a row up a moorland loch and witness the majestic golden and sea eagles soaring above you. Hear the haunting sounds of the black-throated and red-throated diver echoing through the stillness of the lochs. Catch a glimpse of these magnificent birds as they fly to the coast to fish before returning to their chicks out on the distant lochs. On the west coast and at the sea pools, observe the energetic common and Arctic terns searching for sandeels while the tranquil cooing of rafts of eider ducks can be heard as they swim past in the pools. North Uist's fishing waters offer a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty and wonder of the Scottish wildlife.
Best Time To Fish
If you plan a fishing trip, you don't want to miss the prime season! Mark your calendar for early May to October - the fish move into the sea pools, the trout actively take flies, and the weather is just right. With long daylight hours North Uist offers the fly fisher an amazing choice.
LOW EMISSIONS & EFFICIENCY
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Fishing in a pristine environment
On the Atlantic edges, grey seals and common seals are spotted lazily basking on reefs or popping up in the surf, while on many lochs where there are streams, otters can be spotted playing in the sparkling waters.
Walk out to any Machair loch, and you will encounter oystercatchers, Lapwings, snipes, golden plovers, redshanks and, if lucky, a glimpse of the rare corncrake. As you drive back to your hotel after a successful day, you may spot short-eared owls, merlin, hen harriers and kestrels hovering above the heather.
North Uist fishing is a truly wonderful and fulfilling experience for those who appreciate the great wild outdoors and its beauty. How often have we spotted fish leaping as we stop for a coffee on a small island and watch the wildlife around? From these moments, great days have unfolded.
Book Your Fishing Accommodation
Tidal Jewels
As the tide recedes across the vast tidal flats of North Uist, sea pools begin to emerge. These tidal pools are incredible spots for fishing, with some areas even having tidal rapid systems. During the fishing season, fish gather in the outer pools, making their way to the upper pools as the waters warm and sandeels appear in large shoals in the shallow waters. Sea trout found in these pools can range in size from small finnock to larger fish that exceed 7Ib and sometimes well over 10Ib, with the average weight being around 3Ib. The excitement of catching these powerful fresh fish in the sea pool is truly magical. A fish weighing over 3 pounds will give you a good fight on the reel, and with the added challenge of fishing around seaweed, skilled fly fishers need to be alert to land these beautiful creatures.
Pristine Waters
Fly fishing in the crystal clear waters of North Uist is a truly wonderful experience. You can often see fish moving along the weed edge, resting lazily on the edge of sandy bays or at the side of rocks. At times, they can be seen swirling and jumping throughout the day. Being here in this moment is utterly incredible. In some pools, when salmon are present, they often leap beside the wading fly fisher, startle them as they splash back into the water and swim past. Nothing can truly compare to sea pool fishing in North Uist. It makes fishing in North Uist utterly magical.
Should you use a Ghillie
Fly fishers often choose to use a local Ghillie's services when fishing, but it is highly recommended to do so, especially when venturing out to farther sea pools. A local Ghillie's knowledge of the tides and likely fishing spots can significantly increase the chances of success on a fishing trip. Regardless of the decision, it is crucial to be aware of the tides' ebb and flow during the flood.
The Ghillie
Numerous fishers have become regular visitors, returning year after year on their fishing pilgrimage to experience one week of heaven from late summer to October. During this time, they get to know the Hebridean Ghillie, spend time with them in the local hotel or out on the lochs, and gain an insight into the fishing waters and techniques. Many have formed long-lasting friendships that have lasted for over forty years.
Value of a Ghillie
Hiring a ghillie when fishing in North Uist is highly recommended for a better chance of success. Big lochs like Geirean Mill, Obituary, Scadabay, Fada, and others take a lifetime to become familiar with. The sea pools are constantly changing after winter storms, some filling up and others becoming deep pools for sea trout. A wise angler should always use a ghillie to access far-flung pools. Alternatively, some pools lie closer to the road, and fly fishers sometimes fish these alone or with a ghillie.
Its Team Work
When fishing with a Hebridean Ghillie, you work as a team. The ghillie takes you out onto the open water, rowing steadily and engaging you in polite conversation while keeping a watchful eye on your every cast. They observe the water carefully and track your fly as it floats on the surface, noticing even the slightest movement beneath the surface before you can see it. They provide guidance on technique and assist in selecting the right fly. They navigate the boat along the shore, adjusting the angle to offer a more challenging experience, such as fishing against the wind or holding the boat over a rock when they sense a fish is present. Instinct and local knowledge are essential in this kind of fishing.
Knowledge
The Hebridean Ghillies are highly experienced in their craft, having spent their entire life fishing in these lochs and pools. They have been nurtured by the shared understanding of previous Ghillies, making fishing their way of life. They take great pleasure in your success and are delighted to offer their services to those who are coming to fish in North Uist. Book a Ghillie service and experience the freedom to fish with local experts.
Cost
The cost for hiring a Ghillie for one or two rods is £150 per day. However, if you have more than two rods, there will be an additional charge of £50 per rod, with a maximum limit of four rods. If you're planning to fish in North Uist, please note that there may be additional fees involved, and you can find the details at Lochmaddy Hotel or North Uist Estate.
Availability
Please email us for availability and advice.
Weather
One of the biggest challenges for flyfishers in North Uist and across the Hebrides is the wind. There are days when fishermen stand in the eye of a storm casting into murky water and find the fish are taking, while on other balmy and seemingly perfect days, nothing moves. However, the beauty of fishing in North Uist is that even on stormy days, there is still water to fish. So, if you're properly wrapped up in waterproof clothing, your fishing adventures can carry on!
North Uist Lochs
A Mosaic Landscape
Those who enter into the moorlands discover a world of many ecosystems and a vastness that seems never-ending. It is a challenging place with untold beauty and hundreds of lochs and lochans.
North Uist Loch Fishing
North Uist has been a mecca for fishing on our brown trout lochs since early May. The choice is endless, and they say a fisherman can be here for four years and fish every day on different water and still not have fished all the lochs. With our trout lochs on the East and West Coast, both sides have a beautiful world of contrast. The trout fishing on the west side occurs in the famous MAchair lochs. These fertile waters have trout up to six pounds in weight with an average of 3/4 Ib to 11/4 Ib. The trout fishing in the East is in the moorlands, and from the tops of the hills, there appears to be more water than land. The vast, unique labyrinth of Loch Sgadabhagh almost defies belief with its enormity. When one goes fishing on this incredible body of water, the joy of North Uist Fishing truly comes alive.
Wildlife Paradise
The moorland lochs of North Uist are great places for the naturalist/fisher as they are home to some of the island's iconic wildlife. Summer sees the remoter lochs with beautiful black and red-throated divers, greylag geese, and Arctic skuas, while the heather banks have noisy wrens, stonechats and red grouse. Fly fishing on these trout lochs is an experience in the heart of nature and surrounded by the calls of the wild. The fishing can be tremendous with the average trout / 1/2 Ib to 11/4 pounds.
Experience Fishing Freedom
Whether you head into the remote hills or stop by a loch close to the roadside, there is always a sense of freedom as you walk across the North Uist landscape. That journey into the unknown is full of expectancy and excitement as the water appears before you. You stand by the edge of the water and cast your flies across the gentle waves anticipating with every cast a take. Around you, the vast skies illuminate the horizon and you become absorbed in this world of North Uist loch fishing.
North Uist Loch Fishing
Available Ghillie Dates 2024
Whether you are looking for a couple of days fishing or a week fishing, then drop us a line with the required dates, and we will let you know of availability. We can cater for groups of up to 4 fishers and novices to experienced fly fishers. North Uist is a wonderful environment to experience the wild brown trout loch fishing and the beautiful tidal sea pools. We will always confirm all booked fishing days by email.
Fishing Days/ Fishing Weeks - May to October
Our Fishing Rates 2024
Please find below our rates for the 2023/24 fishing season and Ghillie guiding services. Please note that this does not include any accommodation or fishing permits issued by Lochmaddy Hotel or North Uist Estate. These need to be arranged on your arrival, and we can advise the best way to do this. Please note that there is a limited number of Ghillies on North Uist, and it is always advisable to book well in advance.
Weekly Rate
6 Days Fishing Guide
£900
For those fishermen and women, our weekly rate is for a ghillie for two rods and covers loch fishing, sea pools and brackish waters. It does not include accommodation or permits from North Uist estate or Lochmaddy Hotel.
Basic Day Rate
£ 150
This is the cost for one or two rods and is a cash payment on the day. This includes fully guided fishing with a local ghillie for either, Brown trout, Salom or sea trout.
Day Rate
Additional Rods
£50
If there are more than 2 rods, there is an additional charge of £50 per day per rod with a maximum group size of 4 rods.
Additional Rods
Lochmaddy Hotel
The fishing on North Uist is owned by North Uist Estate but administered through the Lochmaddy Hotel. Lochmaddy Hotel was established in 1863 and is the oldest hotel in North Uist. Recently the hotel has undergone refurbishment. You will find the owners, John and Lorna - who currently have 13 years of experience running Lochmaddy Hotel - on duty most days. John looks after all the fishing guests, giving them plenty of advice and often providing a ghillie service. Lorna is at reception most mornings and is often a great source of local information.
The Experience
Fishing in North Uist is a fabulous experience in a pristine environment with endless choices of trout lochs, excellent sea trout waters, and challenging salmon fishing lochs. Out on the water with friends and a local ghillie is something special. Those afternoons in a remote hut for lunch, reflecting on the mornings' fishing and the prospects ahead, listening to fishing stories, and fond memories of beautiful days are something to cherish.
Fishing is not only about catching. It's about experiencing and appreciating the world around you on these peaceful days. Catching a glimpse of a sea eagle, listening to the roar of the stags in the Autumn, or the silent flight of a hen harrier as it floats across the moors are moments to treasure and savour in North Uist.
Books on North Uist
For further information about North Uist, its loch and sea pool fishing, please refer to the following books by John Clapham, a regular North Uist visitor for many years.
1. North Uist Travel Guide.
2. Loch Fishing - Brown Trout, Sea Trout & Salmon.
3. Sea Pool Fishing - Sea Trout and Salmon.
The Sea Pools
Tidal Gems
Gin clear waters
North Uist's sea pools offer fly fishers a unique and unforgettable experience. These tidal jewels attract salmon and sea trout during summer and autumn, making for an exceptional fishing adventure. With over twenty recognized pools to fish from, North Uist has something for every angler. The sea pools are spread across vast open beaches, making for breathtaking scenery and serenity. It's essential to plan your trip around the tides, as each pool is different, and never fish the same way on different tides. Ebbing tide to low water is the ideal time to fish; you can expect to catch plenty of fish during this time. So why wait? Plan your fishing trip to North Uist and experience the thrill of sea pool fishing for yourself!
