Catfirth Voe
Mainland, Shetland
The Shetland Angling Association has recommended this location as one of the possible spots to catch sea trout, which ca ...
180
Loch of Girlsta
Water managed by Shetland Anglers Association
Type
Lake
Species
Arctic charr and 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.
Moderate 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.
Large
Larger lakes with good spawning often contain lots of smaller trout. Smaller lakes with limited spawning can produce larger trout.
Loch of Girlsta lies just inland on the east side of Mainland, set to the east of the A970 between Lerwick and Hillside. Named after Geirhild, a Norse princess who drowned in the loch about the year 870, the water sits low and close to the sea. It is a large loch of roughly 97 hectares, peat-stained and of low alkalinity. The mean depth is around 10 metres, with deeper water in places, and the shore runs in a varied sweep, giving longer reaches along the east side.
Girlsta holds good stocks of brown trout of excellent quality, averaging 10 oz; much larger fish are taken most seasons, and the loch produced the Shetland record trout, a fish of over 10 lb. Arctic charr are present, and there is a chance of sea trout from July onwards. Boat fishing brings the best results, with steady drifts down the east shore about ten metres out from the bank; from the shore, the north‑east side is the place to work, and along the east shore, a long underwater promontory can, with care, be waded. Access is straightforward from the A970, which runs along the west side.
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