183
a stunning loch

Smerla Water

water managed by Shetland Anglers Association

Low alkalinity Shallow Moderate shoreline complexity Low elevation Small
Image © Copyright David Nicolson and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence. More information about this image at Geograph.

About

Park beside the Loch of Gonfirth on the B971 a couple of miles west of the village of Voe and a ten minute walk up the valley to the south will bring you to the loch. Much of the loch has a rocky shore with deep water close in but the south has some shallower areas which can be waded.
Hill loch trout which are mostly 8 ounces or less.

  • Mainland, Shetland, Scotland
  • Lake
  • Brown trout

Location

Directions

Permission & Tickets

Fishing permits can be purchased at either the Lerwick Tourist Office or the tackle shop, Rod and Line, which is in Harbour Street in Lerwick. The SAA organises a number of fishing competitions during the season running separate boat and bank leagues and the visiting angler will be made most welcome at these. Details will be supplied with your permit.

You can also buy a permit online from the Association's website.

Boats for hire – The Association has several boats for hire, and at present these are located at the following lochs – Loch of Benston, Loch of Asta, Loch of Northouse, Loch of Clousta, Loch of Tingwall, Sulma Water and Punds Water. These can change, but details of boat locations and hire can be got from the tackle shop.

Clubhouse – The SAA owns an unlicensed clubhouse, situated in Burns Lane in Lerwick, to which the visiting angler is most welcome. Hours of opening are from 8.30pm and 11.00pm on most Tuesdays and Fridays.

Waters nearby

Other waters within 5 miles

Marrowfield Water

Mainland, Shetland

A further 15 minute walk south will bring you to from Smerla Water. Fish average two or three to the pound. There is a p ...

Petta Water

Mainland, Shetland

A fairly shallow loch with some weed patches later in the season. Good quality trout which average 10 ounces with the oc ...

Loch of Voe

Mainland, Shetland

A good loch for the beginner with plenty of small fish. ...

Loch of Lunklet

Mainland, Shetland

This group of lochs lie up in the hills between Aith and Weisdale and would be a great day’s fishing for the angler who ...

Sae Water

Mainland, Shetland

This small, shallow loch was fished for sea trout which ran up from the Laxo system. A few fish still enter the loch but ...

Lamba Water

Mainland, Shetland

This group of lochs lie up in the hills between Aith and Weisdale and would be a great day’s fishing for the angler who ...

Maa Water

Mainland, Shetland

This group of lochs lie up in the hills between Aith and Weisdale and would be a great day’s fishing for the angler who ...

Gossa Water

Mainland, Shetland

A large loch which requires a bit of effort to reach. The easiest approach is to follow the burn up the hill from the Ay ...

Loch of Aithness

Mainland, Shetland

This is a deep loch with mainly small fish. Some weed in the north west corner late in the season. ...

Truggles Water

Mainland, Shetland

This group of lochs lie up in the hills between Aith and Weisdale and would be a great day’s fishing for the angler who ...

Whitelaw Loch

Mainland, Shetland

The easiest way to get here is to take the track which leaves the B9071 at the Aith cemetery. Park at the pumphouse at t ...

Loch of Vaara

Mainland, Shetland

A large, deep loch where the trout average two or three to the pound with an occasional fish over the pound. The shore i ...

Loch of Clousta

Mainland, Shetland

A large loch with many fishy bays and islands. There is easy access to both ends of the loch and the SAA boat is kept in ...

Sand Water

Mainland, Shetland

Used to get good runs of sea trout but is now fished mainly for its brownies. This is a shallow loch and the water can ...

Laxo Water

Mainland, Shetland

The loch lies to the north of Laxo and is reached by following the right hand branch of the burn northwards for about ha ...

Bays Water

Mainland, Shetland

Both are difficult lochs but there are good fish in them. Bays Water is the largest of the two and fish average about 12 ...