Fly fishing at Loch of Strom, Mainland, Shetland

Loch of Strom is a long, narrow tidal loch on the west side of Shetland, extending for about 4 km and reaching up to 0.4 km in width. It is constricted into two distinct sections between Quoyness and Hamarsland. The A971 Lerwick–Walls road crosses the southern end, where the loch is fully tidal and saline, with seawater grading northwards into clear, brackish shallows.

The eastern shore is closely hemmed in by the steep slopes of the Hill of Hamarsland, which rises to around 150 m, giving this side of the loch a pronounced, enclosed character. By contrast, the western shore is more accessible, with a minor road running close to the water. A track also follows the eastern shore for roughly the first 0.8 km as far as West Hamarsland.

The loch supports a varied fish population. Brown trout are present and commonly average 10–12 oz, with larger, heavier fish also occurring. Sea trout may enter the loch from July onwards. Angling activity is generally concentrated toward the northern end, where freshwater influence is strongest, particularly along the eastern shore near the inflowing burns and the head of the loch.

Rules

Fish limits & sizes

Minimum sizes

Brown trout 10 inches (254 mm); sea trout 12 inches (305 mm).
Undersized fish must be returned.

Protected fish

All wild salmon and grilse, and all Arctic char, must be returned alive.

Permitted methods

Methods

Fly fishing and spinning are allowed on most association lochs.
Worm fishing is discouraged for adults (due to the risk of deep-hooking) but accepted for juniors.

Byelaws

One rod per angler

Only one rod may be used at a time per angler.

No Sunday fishing

Sunday fishing for sea trout and salmon is prohibited across all waters, regardless of land ownership or permit.

All salmon must be released

Under the Salmon Conservation Regulations (in force since 1 April 2016), Shetland is a Grade 3 area — it is a criminal offence to kill any salmon caught here. All salmon must be released by law, regardless of condition. The exception is fish clearly of farmed origin.

Protected wildlife

Nesting birds

It is a criminal offence to disturb nesting wild birds, including Schedule 1 species. Many nest beside lochs. Avoid any loch holding Red-throated Divers. Several lochs are SSSIs with legally binding conditions of use.

Club rules

Report salmon caught

All salmon caught and released must be reported to the Shetland Anglers Association via the contact page.

Season

Brown trout 15 Mar – 6 Oct