Loch
Hope | near Tongue |
Sutherland
Location: Between Tongue and Durness, Sutherland
Click here for an online map (opens in new window)
Airport: Inverness
Rail: Inverness
Car: From south: A9 via Inverness, A839, A836, A838 (approx 100 miles/160 km from Inverness)
Car Hire: Inverness airport
Click to visit the Loch Hope website
WHERE TO STAY
Most visitors base themselves at Tongue, Melness or Altnaharra, and there are details of local hotels on the Loch Hope website.
It is sometimes possible to rent the self-catering FERRYMAN'S COTTAGE (shown above right), a traditional stone built cottage situated a short walk from the North End boathouse. The cottage has three bedrooms - twin, double and single. Drying room and freezer facilities.
Price: A week costs around 310 UK Pounds in the high season.
FISHING AVAILABILITY
To check whether fishing is available visit the Loch Hope website which has details and a printable order form. You can also check availability and order at the same time by ringing Loch Hope Boats on the number below. If the dates you want do not appear to be free, you may still be able to get a boat by staying at one of the local hotels which reserve Hope fishing for guests: the Altnaharra, for example, has several boats and the Ben Loyal Hotel in Tongue also has a boat. Alternatively, there is a waiting list which can be joined by phoning Loch Hope Boats. Boats are sometimes available at short notice when a hotel has surplus days or cancellations.
BOOKINGS: Contact Loch Hope Boats on +44 (0)1738 451 600 (office hours 9.00 - 5.30 Monday - Friday). Credit-cards accepted. Advance booking is advised, particularly in the high season from mid-June to mid-September.
Loch Hope Boats
Sea
Trout, Salmon, Brown Trout | Loch Hope
Set in an unihabited valley near the north coast between Tongue and Durness, Loch Hope has long been famous for the quantity and quality of its sea-trout. It is about six miles in length and connected to the sea by the two miles of the River Hope which flows into the east side of Loch Erribol.
Loch Hope is undoubtedly one of the best places in Scotland to catch sea-trout, and many anglers return year after year to pursue these hard-fighting fish amid the awe-inspiring scenery of the North West Highlands. Salmon and grilse (small summer salmon) also run into the loch, and brown trout are also present. Fishing is traditionally carried out from a boat by dapping or wet fly, and with only 10 boats on the loch it is never over-fished.
Sea-trout and salmon generally lie in water between 1 and 6 metres in depth, but sea-trout will often move around in quite shallow water and may also be encountered close to the shore. Salmon share sea-trout areas, but favour deeper water, although during a spate they often congregate around burn mouths where they will readily take the fly.
Loch Hope has had remarkably consistent sea-trout catches over the past 40 years, with the current 10-year average exactly matching the 1964-1983 average of 757 fish. In the 2003 season, despite low water, the catch was 647. The average weight of Hope sea-trout is between 1 lb 12 oz and 2 lb, with many good sized fish taken each year. The all-time record sea-trout weighed over 17 lbs and was taken in the 1950s by ghillie Hugh Sutherland.
CONSERVATION
A flexible catch-and-release policy is operated, with all fish under 1.5 lb returned. An overall release percentage of 50% is aimed for, and the support of visitors for this policy has contributed significantly to the continued health of the fishery.
FISHING GUIDELINES
Fishing by wet fly or dapping only. A ghillie must accompany fishers at the South End of the loch and is advisable at the Middle Bay unless anglers are familiar with the water. Ghillies can be booked by hotels which are providing the fishing, or through Ian McDonald, the Estate Keeper. Outboard motors can be hired, or anglers can bring their own.
FISHING TACKLE
Medium sized sea-trout or grilse rods are suitable for boat fishing, and a dapping outfit is recommended. Dapping - in which large dry flies are danced across the surface on a light floss line - is one of the most exciting methods of fishing on Highland lochs, and even complete novices can quickly learn to handle a dapping rod with ease. The fly-box should include a selection of sea trout, salmon and dapping flies. Recommended fly types and patterns are listed on the Loch Hope website, along with other tackle information.
LOCH HOPE SEASON: 1 June - 30 September
|
Click here to Bookmark this page Please mention FISH IN SCOTLAND when responding to advertisements |
Copyright
The contents and design of this web page are protected by copyright and
may not be reproduced or used in any form without prior written permission.
Copyright © Fish in Scotland and The Hope Estate. All Rights Reserved.