Wild Brown Trout Fishing in Scotland

Wild Trout fishing throughout Scotland, rivers and lochs

Brown Trout, Fly Fishing, River Ness, Dry Fly, Soft hackled spider, Alba Game Fishing — A wild brown trout from the River Ness caught on a CDC dry spider pattern in fast water

Trout fishing in Scotland is amongst the best in the world. Scotland has approximately 30,000 freshwater lochs (lakes) that hold wild trout. In addition, we will help you connect with the best fishing lochs and rivers in Scotland, with good stocks of wild brown trout. It's important to keep in mind, that most of the brown trout in Scotland are genetically very pure, and the various strains of trout have been in existence since the ice age.

The colours, size and marking on brown-trout very much determined by their feeding and habitat. As you can see from the fish on the right, this particular trout is probably a shrimp feeder and from a limestone loch with an abundant food source and hence little competition for food.

Where is the best trout fishing in Scotland?

To begin with, two of the Big 4 rivers in Scotland are within reach of Edinburgh. For example, the River Tweed is one hour south, and River Tay one hour North of Edinburgh. Many fisheries are within easy reach of Edinburgh and Glasgow. However, the best rivers and lochs in Scotland for trout are located in some remote fishing lochs and river in the Highlands and the West Coast of Scotland.

Our team of fishing guides are spread geographically throughout Scotland. Furthermore they live and breathe wild brown trout fishing. Most of our guides tie flies and many of our guides have fished at International level for Scotland.

What are the best trout flies in Scottish rivers and lochs?

Having a good supply of effective flies is vital to success. Also these flies should be accurate representations of insects on Scottish rivers and lochs. In particular, your Alba guide will carry a variety of highly effective patterns that catch fish. Moreover, all of our trout flies are tied by guides who represent Scotland at International level. Below is a selection of nymphs, soft hackled wets, and dry flies tied by our guides:

River Don, River nymphs, tungsten, Olive, peeping caddis, stonefly, euronymphing — River Nymphs, stonefly, Peeping caddis, olives and general imitations

River Don, Northern spiders, CDC spiders, Soft hackled, — A team of North Country Spiders and CDC spiders

Grayling flies, Grayling nymphs, tungsten bugs, winter fishing — Three highly effective Tungsten bug I would use when the water starts to clear after a spate

Grayling flies, Red Tag, Grayling nymph, — The Peeping Caddis Trout Fly

trout flies, Water Hen Bloa, Soft Hackle, Spider, trout flies, wet flies, dry flies, River Tweed — Water Hen Bloa soft hackle spider

Minimise your luggage - we'll supply quality tackle and waders

Volvo XC90, Durness, Hidden Gems, fishing and touring vacation, Sutherland — Stunning scenery near Durness on a bespoke Scotland vacation

Firstly, we can provide the very best fishing tackle to maximise your chances of catching. In addition we hold stocks of Orvis breathable Waders and boots in all sizes. Thus we stock boots from children's sizes, up to size US 15. Also, our boots are fitted with tungsten Posi-Grip studs, to give you sure footing on the river bed. Your safety is our priority.

In addition, if you would like to fish with vintage bamboo rods and hardy reels, we can offer these for any of our trout fishing days.

The season for Brown Trout in Scotland is from 15th March to 6th October. When the best fishing is, depends on the location of the venue and the climate and natural feeding source.

Equally fishing in the Highlands, doesn't really get going till late April and May. whereas late March and April can produce epic sport in the southern rivers like the River Tweed and River Tay.

Often the best lochs are in remote locations. For example Lewis and Harris in the Outer Hebrides. Or on hill lochs only accessible by off road tracks leading into the mountains. So we can take you in a fully equipped off-road Volvo XC90. Therefore, we can access the remote lochs and rivers away from the beaten track.

Finally, fishing for wild brown trout is catch and release with Alba in Scotland. We support the Wild Brown Trout Trust as a trade member, which protects these fish and their habitat.