Loch of Winyadepla
Fetlar, Shetland
Loch of Winyadepla lies close to the coast on low ground, set among open country where the land leans gently seaward. It ...
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Skutes Water
Water managed by Shetland Anglers Association
Type
Lake
Species
Brown trout
High 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.
Very small
Larger lakes with good spawning often contain lots of smaller trout. Smaller lakes with limited spawning can produce larger trout.
Skutes Water lies on Fetlar in low ground close to the coast, about a kilometre from the sea. It is a very small, shallow loch of roughly 9 hectares, with a mean depth of about 3 m, high alkalinity and a simple, rounded shoreline.
The water is largely featureless, but there is good wading all round. You can wade the full length of the western shore, fan-casting your flies towards the bank and back to the drop-off. Trout average about 12 oz, with some larger fish. The loch lies within a bird reserve; please avoid disturbing nesting birds.
Access is straightforward, by a short walk east for a few hundred metres to the water along the line shown.
Duration
00:04
Distance
0.33 km
Ascent
63.68m
Difficulty
5 / 100
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
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Papil Water
Fetlar, Shetland
Papil Water lies behind Tresta Beach on Fetlar, close to the sea and at low elevation. It is a small, shallow loch of ro ...