Geographical Information and some pictures of the lochs used.

Loch Watten

O.S. Map Sheet 11 or 12. Ref. 56.23. The three views are from the car park at the Watten Village end. This is the longest loch in Caithness and offers excellent sport with the North end trout having golden bellies and the southern end trout almost like bars of silver.

Loch Calder

O.S. Map Sheet 11 or 12. Ref. 06.60. This is the view from the North East Corner close to the Loch Calder Angling Club Car Park. Most of the fishing takes place inside the 'New Bay' at the southwestern corner. This is the only loch where any legal method of fishing is permitted and it is recommended for the beginner or for fast practice. All the Boats for this season, are moored at the south end of the loch.

Loch Meadie

O.S. Map Sheet 12 Ref 48.09. The fishing is by bank only. The best wading is on the west bank. Fishing on the East Bank can be best described as 'Dodging' the large boulders hidden in the dark peaty water. The fish are about the half pound and almost exclusively takes the floating dry fly.

St. John's Loch :- OS. Map Sheet 12 Ref. 72.22. On the B855 road from Dunnet to Dunnet Head. The size limit for this loch is now 12 inches. It has several boats for hire including a 'Wheelie Boat' for Wheelchair users. Starting this season, is allowing the use of Float-tubing. It fishes best in the evening during the mayfly hatch but maybe dour at other times. The web link is http://www.stjohnsloch.net

Loch Scarmclate (Locals refer to this as Stempster) O.S. Map Sheet12 Ref. 59.19. Off the A882, Thurso to Watten Road, turning off down the farm road at Gleshfield and crossing the railway line. ANGLERS ARE ADVISED TO CLOSE ALL GATES AND BEWARE OF PASSING TRAINS. This loch almost 'boils' in a summer evening hatch but the fishing is hampered by the large amount of weed later in the season which gives a false impression of the depth of this loch.

Loch Olginey

 O.S. Map Sheet 11 or 12. This loch is off the B870 at Scotscalder, turning off at the Achaguie Farm. An excellent little loch which has some large trout. There is no engine for this boat as the loch has too many rocks and shallow area's.  The water is almost black from the peat. The local farmer allows float tubing and the loch does warm during the summer (Honest).

Check for further information and updates can be found at http://www.caithness.org/frontpagebulletins/fishingupdates/index.htm

Copyright @RBLAC Thurso. GJM BURNS. 15/4/2