Un-named Loch at base of Suilven

Overcrowded ! You can't say that very often about an Assynt loch but it was this June. Joking really as this must have been my 20th visit in 47 years and first time I've met anyone let alone 4 other fisherman. But a 3hr walk up the Kirkaig path was completed and a fish caught before they arrived. The weather turned nasty and I moved on to the Na Barrack lochs for the rough weather. But returned at 5.30 as the conditions changed to near perfect. Big fish were moving and dorsal fins could be seen cruising across the loch. One 3lb fish jumped clear of the water chasing an emerging ?? Yes no idea what they were feeding on. My Sedgehog was nosed by something big but by 7.30 it went totally calm and the midges got the better of me. Plenty of nice 3/4lb fish in Na Barrack chain but only fooled a small one at this loch!

This might have been my last visit here as the 14 mile hike with 80% on path killed my legs. Didn't appreciate that walking off paths in peat bog is actually better for calf, knees and achilies. Photos on social media and blog.

Cheers Graham 

Scourieace.

 

 

I have only fished this Loch once, in the middle of May this year.

Spring had been almost non existent with snow on the high tops, so I suppose it was slightly optimistic to expect the trout in these higher lochans to respond to the fly. Nonetheless I set off from the Glen Canisp side in fair if somewhat chilly conditions and made the long but scenic trek up to the series of lochans stretching from below bealach leading to the summit of Suilven.

No surface activity was evident. I managed to winkle out half a dozen trout to 3/4 lb from several different lochans, all on a deeply fished GRHE goldhead before the wind died and the sun came out.

By the time I reached the Unnammed Lochan I was beginning to regret the extra layers of clothing necessary at the start of the day. The sky had become cloudless and the surface of the loch was like a mirror. What was most noticeable however was the different character of the loch itself. Unlike the others in the area which were fairly typically steep sided leading to deep water close in, this lochan had relatively shallow margins comprising sandstone slabs for some distance out. I persevered for a while with the deep nymph then tried a dry fly, but nothing could be tempted and I soon called it a day.

A 14 mile walk for a few wee brownies might seem a lot of effort, but the route back out to Inverkirkaig via Loch Fionn and the Falls path was glorious in the late sunshine and a day out in Assynt is never a complete waste of time.

Took advantage of the improving weather yesterday afternoon to have a few casts here. The walk in and back was punishing on the legs, which were suffering after Liathaic in Torridon at the weekend. However, once again this is a truly stunning part of the Assynt landscape and well worth the toil. Fishing the loch itself you have the iconic dome of Suilven as a back drop, which is about as good as it gets. This is a cracking wee loch too. The sun was out and the wind was not so favourable, but after faffing about with the wets for a while, I switched to the ever-reliable size 12 olive sedgehog, which induced a rise after just a few casts. Unfortunately I missed the fish and could not guess it's size, as it was one of those subtle takes that leaves you none the wiser. I moved to the only corner of the loch left with a ripple in the dying wind and shortly had another take. This turned out to be a cracking trout of just under one and a half pounds that jumped clear of the water on four or five occasions, was beautifully marked and in fine condition. A few casts later saw a very good fish surge on the sedgehog in the shallower water. As I tightened into him he went ballistic, but then it all went slack. The leader had snapped just above the hook. I suspect it had suffered from the previous fight or had got nicked on the tooth of the larger fish. I had a good look at him when he took and would say he was well into the 2 to 3 pound range. Dismayed at having lost the fish, I was more so at having left him with the fly. Hopefully, it will come loose soon.
I saw a couple of trout rise after that, but the long walk back and the emerging midges meant it was time to head back. A quality wee lochan this, all the more surprising given it's size and in a wonderful setting.

I have fished this loch for the last 34 years and it never fails to surprise me with some great quality fish one year and a skinny black eel trout the next. Climbed the wonderful Suilven in Late May 2009 and dropped down the Na Barrack side but kept my first cast for this loch and rose and returned a beautiful 3lb fish. It was in good shape and will be at least 1/2lb bigger this year in my dreams.Only one cast needed all day but plenty of larger required for the 9 hour trek