Loch an Athain
Highland, Scotland
Loch an Athain lies in the low ground of Skye's interior, roughly three and a half kilometres from the coast, and is com ...
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Tom Richardson
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Loch na Crèitheach
Water managed by Portree Angling Association
Type
Lake
Species
Brown trout, Salmon, and Sea trout
Migratory run
Salmon run from late June, peaking in July and largely over by the end of August. Sea trout run from June, building to a peak in August and tailing off through September. Spring tides every ~2 weeks bring fresh fish in from the sea to the river mouths.
Next spring tides: 12 Aug – 18 Aug
Sea trout & salmon run Jun–Sep
Low alkalinity
High alkalinity indicates water fertility and can signal the presence of larger trout. Fish in alkaline waters have a wider variety of invertebrates to feed on.
Shallow
The depth of a lake has significant impacts on its ecology. Reduced heat and light in deep lakes inhibit algal growth.
Low shoreline complexity
A lake with a high shoreline complexity will have numerous bays, points and peninsulas.
Low elevation
Lakes at a higher altitude can take longer to warm up during the season and may not fish well until summer.
Small
Larger lakes with good spawning often contain lots of smaller trout. Smaller lakes with limited spawning can produce larger trout.
Loch na Crèitheach lies in a deep glacial strath on the Isle of Skye, barely a kilometre from the sea at Camasunary Bay. It is a loch of roughly 45 hectares, running close to a mile from south to north and perhaps a quarter of a mile at its widest, with a moderately simple shoreline and water of moderate depth. The setting is among the most dramatic in Scotland — Bla Bheinn rising steeply to the east, Sgurr nan Eag to the west, Ruadh Stac closing the head of the strath to the north, and Sgurr na Stri to the south. The loch drains seaward through the Abhainn Camas Fhionnairigh, which meets the coast near the old bothy at Camasunary.
The loch has a long association with sea trout, and fish of notable size have been taken here over the years. Salmon pass through on occasion. The feeder burn from the north, connecting Loch an Athain to Loch na Crèitheach, fishes well in its own right after rain when fish are running. The most productive stretch is generally the north-west shore, close to the inlet burn. Bank fishing throughout; wading is not advisable. The outlet river between the loch and the sea is not available for fishing.
Access begins at Elgol on the B8083, following the coastal track north to Camasunary. From there, cross the bridge over the outlet river and continue to the southern end of the loch — a total of nearly seven kilometres on a well-used stalking track, with the ground rising gently on either side as the strath narrows towards the water.
Distance
6.91 km
Loch na Sguabaidh
Highland, Scotland
Loch na Sguabaidh lies in the low ground of Highland Scotland, barely four hundred metres from the sea. It is a small lo ...