183
a stunning loch
Mainland, Shetland

Smerla Water

water managed by Shetland Anglers Association

Directions
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.

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

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

Waters within 5 miles of Smerla Water

Marrowfield Water
Mainland, Shetland
1

A further 15 minute walk south will bring you to from Smerla Water. Fish average two or three to the pound. There is a peaty bottom and there are few ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Petta Water
Mainland, Shetland
2

A fairly shallow loch with some weed patches later in the season. Good quality trout which average 10 ounces with the occasional fish to 2 pounds. Wad ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Loch of Voe
Mainland, Shetland
3

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

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Loch of Lunklet
Mainland, Shetland
4

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 likes walking and solitude. Pa ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Sae Water
Mainland, Shetland
5

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

  • lake
  • Brown trout and Sea trout
Lamba Water
Mainland, Shetland
6

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 likes walking and solitude. Pa ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Maa Water
Mainland, Shetland
7

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 likes walking and solitude. Pa ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Gossa Water
Mainland, Shetland
8

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

  • lake
  • Brown trout and Sea trout
Loch of Aithness
Mainland, Shetland
9

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

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Truggles Water
Mainland, Shetland
10

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 likes walking and solitude. Pa ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Whitelaw Loch
Mainland, Shetland
11

The easiest way to get here is to take the track which leaves the B9071 at the Aith cemetery. Park at the pumphouse at the end of the track and the lo ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Loch of Vaara
Mainland, Shetland
12

A large, deep loch where the trout average two or three to the pound with an occasional fish over the pound. The shore is mainly rocky and wading is d ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Loch of Clousta
Mainland, Shetland
13

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 the parking place at the sout ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout and Sea trout
Sand Water
Mainland, Shetland
14

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 become dark and coloured in hi ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout and Sea trout
Laxo Water
Mainland, Shetland
15

The loch lies to the north of Laxo and is reached by following the right hand branch of the burn northwards for about half a mile and this will bring ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout and Sea trout
Bays Water
Mainland, Shetland
16

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

  • lake
  • Brown trout