Lang Clodie Loch
Mainland, Shetland
Reached by a fair walk inland from the west coast, Lang Clodie makes an excellent basecamp. The loch sits in a sheltered ...
295
Birka Water
Water managed by Shetland Anglers Association
Type
Lake
Species
Brown trout
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.
Birka Water lies cradled among the wild moors of North Roe, one of Shetland’s most beautiful lochs. Though small and shallow, with clear peaty water, it holds a good head of trout averaging around 8oz. On the right day, fish of 2lb are possible. The loch is simply shaped, with few bays to explore, but the drama of its setting more than compensates. When there has been enough rain, the outlet burn plunges steeply towards Lang Clodie Loch before cascading in a spectacular waterfall into the sea.
This is a remote and rewarding water, best appreciated as part of the classic North Roe circuit. The scenery is magnificent—sweeping moorland, hidden lochans, and the ever-present roar of the Atlantic—and while the fish are seldom large, the sense of place and the quality of the wild trout fishing make Birka Water a destination worth the walk..
Duration
01:33
Distance
6.52 km
Ascent
152.91m
Difficulty
90 / 100
Little Lunga Water
Mainland, Shetland
South of Hevdadale Water lies Little Lunga Water, a narrow moorland loch with a twisting outline and dark, peaty water. ...
Many Crooks
Mainland, Shetland
As its name suggests, this loch is full of corners, bays, and inlets — it could easily be called “Many Nooks” or “Many C ...
Loch of the Hadd
Mainland, Shetland
Loch of the Hadd lies south-west of Roer Water, set among low moorland ground between Vig Vishins and Grut Wells. It is ...
Sandy Water
Mainland, Shetland
Sandy Water lies west of Ronas Hill in open moorland. The loch is small and shallow, with clear water and a broken shore ...
Muckle Lunga Water
Mainland, Shetland
Muckle Lunga is a shallow, peat-brown loch lying to the east of Lang Clodie, set among the rolling ground at the back of ...
Sae Waters
Mainland, Shetland
North of Little Lunga Water and east of Lang Clodie lies a cluster of small, peaty lochs known as the Sae Waters. They s ...
Clubbi Shuns
Mainland, Shetland
Clubbi Shuns, also known as Maadle Swanki, lies just north-west of Roer Water, with Tonga Water close by to the north. I ...
Tonga Water
Mainland, Shetland
Tonga Water lies west of the moor track that runs north from North Collafirth. It is a small, shallow loch of about 12 h ...
Swabie Water
Mainland, Shetland
Swabie Water is one of those little gems that immediately catches the angler’s eye. For a small loch, it has everything ...
Hevdadale Water
Mainland, Shetland
Hevdadale Water lies in a shallow moorland hollow above the cliffs of South Wick, less than half a kilometre from the se ...
Moosa Water
Mainland, Shetland
Beyond the Innescord Lochs, a small burn runs south-west to Moosa Water, the largest of the group under Saefti Hill. Cov ...
Innescord Lochs
Mainland, Shetland
South-west of Mill Loch lie the Innescord Lochs, a scatter of small, shallow waters set among low moorland rises. Togeth ...
Roer Water
Mainland, Shetland
Roer Water lies west of North Collafirth, in open moorland below the eastern slopes of Collafirth Hill. It is a small, s ...
Mill Loch
Mainland, Shetland
East of Pettadale Water, on the lower slopes of Saefti Hill, lies Mill Loch, a very small, shallow loch of just under 6 ...
Pettadale Water
Mainland, Shetland
Lying in a shallow hollow on the west side of Saefti Hill, Pettadale Water is a very small loch with low alkalinity, set ...
The Brig of Collafirth
Mainland, Shetland
The Shetland Angling Association has recommended this location as one of the possible spots to catch sea trout, which ca ...
Loch of Housetter
Mainland, Shetland
Loch of Housetter lies on low ground less than a kilometre from the sea, with the A970 running close along its western s ...
Loch of Flugarth
Mainland, Shetland
Loch of Flugarth lies directly beside the minor road to Sandvoe, west of North Roe, so there is no long walk required. T ...
Ronas Voe
Mainland, Shetland
The Shetland Angling Association has recommended this location as one of the possible spots to catch sea trout, which ca ...