The Lochs of Scotland are one of the top dream Fly-fishing destinations in the world, harbouring the most beautiful wild Brown Trout you will ever catch. Check out our winter fishing packages below. Grayling are one of the favourite species at Scotia Fishing. What separates this part from much of the rest of the generally inhospitable coastline is it’s easy to negotiate. I was new to fly fishing. There is, however, another jewel in the Scottish angling crown: the exciting grayling. Winter is one of our favourite times of the year to be There are two main rivers that we target: the River Annan in South West Scotland and the River Tweed in the Scottish Borders region. Latest. A heavy tungsten jig head goes on the point, and the dropper is a lighter shrimp pattern or nymph. Techniques For Grayling Fishing The Hill Lochs that surround Inverness are … You can travel fairly light, so front pack is ideal, and all you really need to carry are tippet, flies, and spare indicators. More Fishing. The grayling has a soft mouth, so it pays to play them carefully. ‘Tis the season for winter fly-fishing. This magnificent silver-and-olive fish, with a huge dorsal fin, remains a memory that will stay with me forever and laid the foundation for a lifetime fascination. Written by: Stewart Collingswood, Alba Game Fishing. Scotland has the finest fishing in the United Kingdom. Upstream nymphing with tungsten-weighted bugs is the most common approach, and it’s best to fish close. Local & Travel Website. Went out for a couple hours, caught one small and one pretty huge. There are many different fisheries in Scotland and, if you are hoping to catch fresh fish that you wish to cook, the region has some of the best areas to do just that! Winter Pike fishing in Scotland can be challenging, but very rewarding if you are prepared to put in the time and effort. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. This is when trout become most active during the day. I loved it nonetheless, and its length proved useful when I was flicking bugs and nymphs into awkward spots, since little casting was required. Home Destinations Scotland Arbroath Winter Cod Haven. Winter can be the most rewarding season of the year for fly fishing although it can also be the most technically challenging season, demanding precision and skill. It’s rare to see another angler during a day of winter fishing. A guide to fishing, fly fishing and game fishing on Scotland's lochs and rivers. This stunning spring fed loch is located an easy 1-hour drive to the East of Edinburgh and was one of the first in Scotland to offer rainbow trout fishing. Winter brings cod and whiting, with big squid, lugworm and peeler crab baits being in with the chance of a big winter fish. For anyone thinking about winter fishing in Scotland, Grayling are simply a must! Partridge of Redditch. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. OR MAKE AN ENQUIRY HERE. Winter Trout Fly Fishing Tips As the colder months close in, trout become harder to catch as they become more lethargic and start heading to deeper water. Scotland features 30,000 lochs, filled with wild brown trout, and hundreds of salmon rivers, including the rivers Spey, Tay, Tweed, and Dee. Winter Cod Haven. This film below portrays winter grayling fishing in Scotland beautifully! Where Do We Draw the Line on New Hunting Technology? Scotland boasts some of the finest Grayling fishing in Europe and Alba offer trips in The River Tweed, River Annan and River Tay. Take my advice, get out in a Scottish winter and fish for grayling. Yorkshire Dales Fly Fishing. Winter trout fishing flies suitable fo still water fly fishing, help to purchase the correct flies Since 1856. Trout Fishing season in Scotland The traditional Trout fishing season runs from the 15th of March to 6th of October. can be excellent in winter... Winter fishing in Scotland is one of our highlights of the angling calendar. Winter fly fishing - fantastic day out! Pick the right place. ENQUIRE NOW. I ran down to the riverbank and positioned myself upstream. The devastating effect Christmas has on your wallet, the weather, the suffering of in-laws during the festivities . Our team of professional fishing guides are dedicated to providing you with first class service and showcasing the best fishing in Scotland. Learn the secrets of successful fly fishing in the Scottish Highlands, enjoy guided trips, based around a self-catering holiday and fly fish throughout Scotland for rainbow trout, brown, trout, grayling, salmon and pike. Dead baiting is also possible upon request. Required fields are marked *. Winter Fishing in Scotland. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Scotia fishing has a selection of guided Trout and Grayling fly fishing in Scotland. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. There is an abundance of water, and the fish are spread throughout the river. If your fly isn’t heavy enough and bouncing along the gravel bed, you’re not in the game. . Best fishing occurs when water temperatures are around 40 degrees Fahrenheit Scotland has a wealth of places to enjoy fishing, from lochs to evergreen rivers, the region is a hub for fishing in beautiful surroundings. The wilderness of Assynt in Sutherland, northern Scotland. We have access to some fantastic winter pike fishing in Scotland where you can lure or fly fish if you prefer the active approach. The loch is approx 10 acres and fishing is fly only. It’s been argued there is no one way to fly fish right or wrong. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish using your browsers settings. I wade carefully upstream and pitch the nymphs upstream, letting them float down on a dead drift. Rhue Point and marks near the lighthouse offer great spinning for pollock, coalfish and also wrasse throughout summer, as well as mackerel. As a novice fisher, I had no clue what I was doing and Callum was patient, very knowledgeable and an excellent teacher. When the Salmon season finishes, the Grayling season begins and our attentions turn to this awesome species. fishing in Scotland for big Grayling & Pike. Fly fishing for Trout in Inverness Guided & Unguided Fly fishing in Scotland. We have some of the best rivers in Europe for large Grayling, with our rivers producing specimen 3lb plus fish consistently each winter! You not only need the right fly fishing gear and flies but also the right cold weather gear. If you’d like to book a winter fishing trip in Scotland or find out more information, please use the enquire button below. In an even current like this, the grayling can use their dorsal fins in the current and put up a hard fight. This results in winter fly life often being physically quite small (especially for species which only spend one year maturing) making this an important consideration when delving into our fly boxes. This is the story of a Scottish fishing guide who relishes the end of the fishing season and onset of cold weather, to brave the elements and target the Lady of the Stream, the grayling, and believe it or not, Scotland has some of the finest grayling rivers in Europe. +44 (0)7415 974879 I stared down at that trout, watching it move slowly upstream. January 1, 2021. The Whisker was too heavy for trout, and designed for sea trout and small salmon rivers. Cat’s Whisker A Cat’s whisker in its various forms has been one of my favourite lures for many years, but it’s at its best during the winter. Naturally the greater the diameter of the tippet, the more drag in the current and therefore the more difficulty in getting the flies to sink, so sometimes it pays to drop down to 6X. This gives you greater movement when walking to the next pool.You definitely need studded soles on your wading boots, though. If you have any questions about our services, our company or bookings please feel free to get in touch. I could go on. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Nonprofit Organization. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. I began to work my way down to where I thought the fish might be, and within no time I connected and was playing a very big fish. Try float fishing with ragworm or fish strip and use light gear for maximum sport. Many grayling anglers swear by neoprene waders for winter fishing, but I prefer lightweight waders and good thermal leggings. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. In this article, we will cover 3 Winter fly fishing setups that will help you land more fish during those cold month sessions. Despite the cold, the Grayling fishing Fly fishing in North Yorkshire with Stuart Minnikin on some of the finest wild brown trout and grayling rivers in the UK. Fly fishing in Scotland has grown in popularity, and is now almost an obsession for keen fishermen and women. Winter fishing in Scotland is not just about Grayling though, it’s a great time of year for Pike who are feeding up before spawning time in early spring. 2 persons – £150 per person per day Dry fly fishing near Edinburgh. Winter Fly Fishing & Strategies. Winter can provide some great action on the fly, Large aggressive Pike will test you in many ways. We often catch our biggest Pike in winter, mostly on dead baits. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Fly fishing lessons are available from beginners' level to advanced casting, including Roll and Spey casting. Your email address will not be published. Stewart Collingswood is founder and head guide of Alba Game Fishing, which has arranged fishing trips and bespoke fishing vacations throughout Scotland for the last 14 years. Ian Gordon Salmon Fishing. Fly fishing lessons in Scotland. The holidays are a blessed time of year—especially if you like to throw streamers at brown trout. I had a secondhand Leeda LC100 fly reel, bought with money I had saved from washing cars. We will advise on clothing to bring upon booking. Your email address will not be published. We provide all your equipment, 10-11ft rods, home tied grayling nymphs and tungsten bugs, quality waders and boots with Vibram soles and tungsten studs, life vests and even the option to learn Tenkara style. Target a specific fish out of a pod rather than fishing blind; Concentrate your fishing to deep, slow pools; Focus on fishing from around 10:00 am to about 3:00 pm. I had a fantastic day of winter fishing with Callum Conner of Scotia fishing. Winter. Alba Game Fishing Scotland Ltd. Since grayling will shoal, when you connect with the first fish, it pays to cajole it downstream quickly with  little fuss to avoid disturbing the shoal. A Fishing Guide in Winter The selection below is my top 6 winter fly patterns and I would not dream of fishing a small water in the winter without them in my box. Fishing Charter. I inherited my Uncle Jimmy’s 11-foot, 6-inch Daiwa Whisker fly rod. Whether you wish to target Trout and Grayling in rivers, spectacular Rainbow Trout in Lochs or wild Brown Trout in the Highlands. Winter fly fishing - fantastic day out! Standing in the water for long periods means adequate layers of clothing must be worn. Remember: if you … I also use a New Zealand-style sight indicator, since I’m 55 and my eyesight deserves some help. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. When the Salmon season finishes, the Grayling season begins and our attentions turn to this awesome species. Fishing and sight-seeing tour of Scotland Fly-fishing for salmon, grayling, rainbow trout and brown trout over 16 days for 2 guests as well as several days set aside for sight-seeing along the way. Winter in Scotland can be a dark and dreary affair. Fly-fishing doesn’t have to be expensive and exclusive. These cookies do not store any personal information. I had a fantastic day of winter fishing with Callum Conner of Scotia fishing. 1 person £250 per day # loopaktiv # loop # youfishscotlandguides # YouFishScotland # guidedfishing # catchandrelease # pikefishing # pikeonthefly # scottishpike FLY FISHING GUIDES…. For a guide to fly fishing, ideally you want one that covers both the basics and advanced techniques. A selection of trout flies that fish best in the Winter months of December, January and February. A 10- to 11-foot, 3- or 4-weight rod is ideal. CLICK HERE. It’s good for your soul! ... once-upon-a-time, provided shelter for a flotilla of small fishing boats. A small, plastic 35mm film case was my fly box, and it was filled with home-tied weighted shrimps, all very crude, but highly effective. Hunting. 5-star luxury sporting break in Perthshire The fish weighed a few ounces under 3 pounds, which is quite a specimen when you consider the UK record is 4 pounds, 4 ounces. A simple three-turn water knot will suffice and my go-to tippet is 5X. Take a look at the photo above, which is ideal grayling habitat. Here are our tips for winter fly fishing for stillwater trout. At Scotia Fishing we specialise in creating memorable fly fishing breaks, fishing events and guided fishing trips in Scotland for Salmon, Trout, Grayling, Pike and Saltwater species. Winter Fly Fishing: How to Catch Trout on Streamers this Holiday Season. Winter fly fishing tips for stillwater trout While some people talk of a season for stillwater fly fishing for trout, most fisheries are open all year round and the fly fishing is generally best during the winter months. Commonwealth Fly Fishing Scotland. 2020 Prices from: This is the story of a Scottish fishing guide who relishes the end of the fishing season and onset of cold weather, to brave the elements and target the Lady of the Stream, the grayling, and believe it or not, Scotland has some of the finest grayling rivers in Europe. Winter fishing has its unique challenges. The River Tay, the Spey and the Deveron are some of the top salmon rivers and fishing them offers an experience of tranquility to compare with heaven itself. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. . You need to be surefooted in the winter months, as a dip can be a tad unpleasant! Fly Fishing Winter fishing in Scotland is one of our highlights of the angling calendar. After a hard battle, I was delighted and surprised to see a huge grayling shimmering in the net. As the nymphs drift downstream, I try to maintain the drag-free drift for as long as possible, and this is where a longer rod is useful. Some fisheries (including the Tweed and Annan) have delayed their opening day until the 1st of April and end it earlier on the 30th of September. As a fishing guide, I get a chance to unwind when winter comes, but eventually my thoughts always turn to the rivers and the quest to catch grayling. Product/Service. A spectacular body of water that spans the length of 117 miles, and the longest in the country. Fly fishing for grayling is done on rivers and requires wading. However we have had a few twenty pound plus fish on lures in recent years. @ 2019 Scotia Fishing - All rights reserved. Obviously fishing weighted jigs; you need to give the indicator yarn a good gink, to avoid it being pulled under by the nymph and resistance from the bottom. Here are seven tips to get you started, as well as my favorite fly patterns: 1. I spotted a huge trout moving upstream. Including fishing holidays and fishing breaks by Fishing in Scotland. I was a skinny, wee lad, standing on a bridge on a tributary of the River Tweed called the Leader Water. The sort of large garish patterns a spring or summer trout would have chased down in an instant often do not work so effectively in the colder months. Arbroath Features Shore Fishing. Outdoor activity holidays in Scotland; 4 good reasons to come fly-fishing in Scotland; Wingshooting trip – Field Report; Fishing vacations Edinburgh Scotland; Wing shooting in Scotland 2019; The Ultimate Fishing Tour of Scotland; Scotland’s Hogmanay 2019; The 5 best riverside hotels in Scotland; Scottish salmon fishing 2018, Review Keeping the rod high minimizes the amount of line in contact with the water, and this, too, restricts drag and helps to control the depth of the nymph. These grayling stay close to the bottom in cold water, so fly choice is not as important as depth. I caught my first grayling when I was 11 years old, some 44 years ago. Copyright 2021, The Orvis Company Inc. Winter fishing in Scotland is not just about Grayling though, it’s a great time of year for Pike who are feeding up before spawning time in early spring. By Dave Karczynski. In winter, I prefer fishing two flies, with about 8 inches  from the dropper to the tail fly. 3 persons – £125 per person per day. Most think fly fishing is closed for the winter, however many fisheries now stock rainbow trout all year, and since rainbow trout prefer cold, oxygen rich waters this is the best time to fish! Both of these rivers hold massive stocks of wild grayling and are within easy reach of my hometown of Edinburgh. They fight doggedly and with great determination, and are adept at shaking the hook. St. Andrews is one of the best places for fly fishing in Scotland, and our favorite river location has got to be the River Tay. When the salmon season comes to an end, many fishermen hang up their waders and try to avoid the misery caused by lack of sunlight. As a novice fisher, I had no clue what I was doing and Callum was patient, very knowledgeable and an excellent teacher.