Why Scotland Is a World-Class Destination for Salmon Anglers
Scotland truly is an angler’s paradise. If salmon are your quarry, then you are truly spoilt for choice. There are so many prolific salmon rivers across the country. These rivers vary greatly in size as well as character and so offer the visiting angler different challenges. With such a long salmon fishing season in Scotland, you have the chance to chase silver for eleven months of the year.
If you enjoy fishing for wild Brown Trout, there are numerous beautiful hill lochs situated all around the country, set in some of the most remote and peaceful locations. Some of these lochs are so remote that a good hike is often in order, just to reach them. Many of the fish have never seen an artificial fly before, therefore you are fishing over almost virgin territory. In addition to the loch fishing for Brown Trout, most of Scotland’s rivers also have healthy population of wild fish, which are hard fighting and provide terrific sport. During the winter months there is also grayling fishing in Scotland. These beautiful fish, fondly known as the “lady of the stream”, due to their elegance, are a very popular game fish amongst anglers. Fly fishing for pike is also becoming more popular. Many of Scotland’s beautiful still waters have large populations of hard fighting pike, which can give a fantastic fight, especially on a fly.
When Is the Best Time to Catch Salmon in Scotland?
Plan Your Trip Around Scotland’s Salmon Fishing Seasons
Away from freshwater, there are also some fantastic sea fishing opportunities in Scotland, whether that be from the shore, or from a boat. Common fish caught around Scottish coastal waters include, Cod, Haddock, Pollock and the giant Common Skate, which can weigh in excess of two hundred pounds. Fishing from Scotland’s beautiful secluded sandy beaches provides a spectacular backdrop for any shore fisherman. There are also a number of charter boat companies that arrange sea fishing trips from a boat.
When you are thinking about creating your ideal fishing trip in Scotland, you first need to decide what species of fish you want to target. This can help you choose the location and time of year for your visit. Of course, a lot depends also on whether you are going on a fishing-only holiday, or combining it with some sightseeing and family-friendly fun. There are a number of fishing tour operators in Scotland that can help you design your ideal fishing holiday, so that you can get the best from your break. However, it is important to be aware of the best times of year and locations, to fish for the different species.
When it comes to salmon fishing in Scotland, there is no shortage of rivers to choose from. As the season is long, extending from January through to the end of November, it can be hard to decide when and where to go.
Famous Scottish Rivers for Atlantic Salmon Fishing
Choose the Best Salmon Fishing Locations in Scotland
For many anglers catching a spring salmon is the ultimate prize. Salmon fishing early in the season can be tough, as there are not usually large numbers of fish around at this time. However, the fish during this part of the season are usually big and extremely hard fighting. The prime spring months on most Scottish rivers are usually between mid-March and the end of May. Productive rivers in the spring include the Dee, the Spey, the Tay and the Naver amongst others.
During the summer months, the fish are usually plentiful and there are good numbers of grilse and summer salmon entering most of Scotland’s rivers. The prime summer months are usually from July through to the beginning of September. At this time of year, rivers like the Spey, Thurso, Helmsdale and the Findhorn can produce good numbers of fish. Also, the weather is usually more favourable during the summer months, which makes it an ideal opportunity to enjoy a family holiday, coupled with some fishing.
September and October are usually the prime autumn months. At this time of year, often large numbers of fish are caught from many Scottish rivers. The likes of the River Tay, Teith and Tweed are famed for their large runs of late autumn salmon.
Wild Brown Trout Seasons Across Scotland
When Is the Best Time for Grayling and Brown Trout Fishing in Scotland?
If you are looking to fish mainly for wild Brown trout during your fishing holiday, then May, June and July are probably the best months to visit Scotland. A lot depends on the individual loch, as once the water temperature begins to rise the trout can be difficult to catch. For trout fishing, the Scottish Highlands is the perfect destination. There are hundreds of remote hill lochs to choose from and many of these produce large hard fighting wild fish.
The grayling is another popular game fish in Scotland. These fish reside in many of the rivers in central and southern Scotland. Grayling are caught over the winter months, from rivers like the Tay, Tweed and Clyde, and can provide some fantastic sport for fly fishers during the depths of the Scottish winter.
Fly fishing for pike is becoming ever more popular in Scotland. As there is no close season, you can fish for pike all year round. Pike inhabit many of the lochs in central and southern Scotland and there is no shortage of venues to choose from. As you cannot fish for salmon in Scotland on a Sunday, many anglers choose to chase pike instead, and are rarely disappointed.
Fishing Lodges, Country Hotels and Self-Catering Options
Find Luxury Accommodation for Your Scottish Fishing Break
When it comes to sea fishing there is also no close season. People can fish all year round targeting Cod, Mackerel and Pollock amongst many other species. When it comes to fishing for the giant Common Skate, the best times of year are usually late spring and then again in early autumn. These fish are usually caught when fishing from a boat off the West Coast of Scotland.
As we all know, when planning your fishing holiday, the quality of the accommodation can often enhance your holiday. There are so many wonderful accommodation options in Scotland to choose from, whether you are looking for a small family run B & B or a luxury five-star hotel, the options are endless. There are also a number of beautiful self-catering accommodations, lodges and chalets available. If you are on a family holiday, it is important to make sure there are plenty of activities for the non-fishers in your party. If fishing is the main pastime during your holiday, try not to stay too far away from the fishing venue itself.
In terms of dining, there are also plenty of options. Scotland has endless fantastic restaurants, bistros and bars which serve good local fare. There is no shortage of good places to eat when you come to Scotland and some of the food on offer is second to none. There are so many famous Scottish specialities to try like smoked salmon, haggis, black pudding and of course you can’t forget the world-famous Scotch whisky!
Build a Tailor-Made Salmon Fishing Holiday Package
Combining Scenic Landscapes with Exceptional Fly Fishing
So, when you are planning your ideal fishing holiday, first decide which species of fish you want to target. Then choose a time to visit that coincides with the best fishing time for that species. You can then arrange for your accommodation to be close to the fishing venue. If you are planning on staying for a few days, you can always target different species as this can add so much more variety. Many anglers that come for a week’s salmon fishing will also enjoy a couple of days trout or pike fishing. If, however, you do not want the hassle of having to book your fishing, or arrange your transport and find suitable accommodation, why not let one of the Scotland’s fishing tour operators do all the hard work? All you then have to do then is to sit back, relax and enjoy your made-to-order Scottish fishing experience.