Shetland Angling
Fly Fishing
Being surrounded by water, sea-angling is a favourite pastime, with good stocks of haddock, whiting, ling, coalfish and mackerel. The occasional halibut and skate is also there to be caught.
Shetland also has over 300 fishable freshwater lochs, most of which are set in some of the most unspoiled areas in Britain. These lochs contain a good population of local brown trout ranging from half pound to three or more pounds, with an occasional 'big fish'. The more popular lochs are restocked annually with brown trout by the Shetland Angler's Association.
A Shetland Loch
Fish in an unspoiled setting.
Image by David Gifford
Fly fishing is popular in Shetland, although you will have no problem finding a loch to fish on your own. Common flies are Loch Ordy, March Brown, Black Zulu, Black Pennel, The 'Butchers', Connemara Black, Bibio, Greenwell's glory and Wickham's fancy. Shetland’s two ‘premier’ lochs - Spiggie and Benston - are strictly fly only.
