Place: Scottish Highlands <BR>Water: Mountain Lochs (primarily) <BR>Time: Early July <BR>Activity: Flyfishing <BR> <BR>Question: Anyone have any experience fishing the above agenda? I am looking for recommendations as to what specific flies to bring with me - what works best - nymphs, dry, attractors? <BR> <BR>Do I use the same flies as I would on the Au Sable in Michigan or the Yellowstone in Wyoming? <BR> <BR>What do Scottish trout like to bite on? Please be as specific as possible. <BR> <BR>Share your success stories! <BR> <BR>Also, if you have any other specific recommendations regarding line weight, technique, etc., please pipe up! <BR> <BR>Thanks! <BR> <BR>(If you don't know from your own experience, can you point the way to a good source of this info on the web?)

Rusty, check out http://www.fishing-uk-scotland.com/ <BR>Remember most fresh water in Scotland is privately owned and permission must be obtained from the owner or manager (and usually a fee paid, sometimes a breathtaking one) for the right to fish. NOT the same protocols as one finds in the US. <BR>As for tackle, ask the managers, the locals or the shops. Certain waters may have tackle restrictions, too.

Rusty: You might get more responses if your heading indicated that you were interested in fishing instead of drinking. <BR>

Yes, I opened this post because I thought "tying" was a typo for "trying" and Rusty was referring to kilts!!

When my mates fish for trout they just look at the insect life on the bank & pick a similar fly - depends on time of year & locality.They take a zillion types of fly. <BR>Some places might be off limits due to foot & mouth - hopefully early July should be OK. <BR>Fees vary, often you can get good fishing for free. <BR>Some salmon rivers charge thousands a day for certain beats & of course you may not get a fish.This is fishing for fools, in both senses of the phrase. <BR>Many hotels have riperian rights & offer free fishing for guests. <BR>Best trout fishing is reputedly on the Uists.(Western Isles aka Outer Hebrides) <BR>Fly from Glasgow to Benbecula. <BR>Or 5.5 hour ferry from Oban or 2 hours from Uig in Skye. <BR> I've been out with fishermen there, no stocked fish just plenty of natural trout in a superb environment - so many little lochs that the saying is you never change you fly, faster to change your loch!We didn't pay, the locals told it wasn't customary, but I know there are places in South Uist where you have to pay.Ask locally about fees or phone the local tourist board. <BR>The Lochboisdale hotel has some of the rights there - they even have a rod room.(I used to keep my bike in it) <BR> <BR> Take insect repellant, there are tiny biting flies (midges) which occur in clouds - make no mistake these can prevent you fishing.Less of a problem in the Uists due to the almost constant wind.I recommend "Jungle Formula", for sale in Boots at Glasgow airport. <BR>

I'm hoping for one of Sheila's entertaining and cryptic comments!

My brother-in-law (American) and my uncle (Irish) exchange flies through me whenever I take a trip home to Ireland. I'm not a fisherman, but the flies from the different countries look a lot different to me.

Non cryptic reponse. I had to find my fishing brother. He says:- <BR> <BR>What flies to bring-Probably none. You'd be better to buy them here <BR> <BR>What works- attractors <BR> <BR>No idea what you would use in Michigan or Wyoming, so can't make a comparison. <BR>What do they bite on- basically wet flies (ie just subsurface) on a floating line, with the first dropper being something with plenty of hackle ie soldier palmer, kate mclaren, olive bumble,. <BR> <BR>Point fly usually something with a bit of flash like butcher, peter ross, silver invicta or wickam's fancy. <BR> <BR>The middle fly can be either hackled or winged. <BR> <BR>Mostly you want to be fishing in a breeze, so he recommends 10 1/2 foot or 11 foot rod, rated for #7 line. <BR> <BR>Don't fish where you can't see the bottom. If you want to ask him anything specific, email him direct on [email protected]. <BR> <BR>Keep an eye on the Foot and Mouth situation which could be catastrophic for rural access <BR> <BR> <BR>

Thanks for all the advice! <BR> <BR>And Sheila, I may take you up on the offer to email your brother. Does the fishing in a breeze recommendation have to do with avoiding midges? <BR> <BR>We're planning our trip in early July, and keeping our fingers crossed that foot and mouth restrictions have been at least relaxed by then.

As I said, ask him! I think it's to do with what the fish are used to by way of surface water disturbance (I do listen sometimes)<BR><BR>have a good trip

Hi Rusty <BR>Trout fishing, either Loch or River, I River fish so live bait mostly (worm from the riverbank & maggot) unless the midges are really moving. <BR>Go to <BR>www.fishingnet.com <BR>www.where-to-fish.com <BR>www.flyfishscotland.co.uk <BR>for some advise and locations. <BR>All rivers you need a permit and tackle shops at any town close to where you fish will supply, otherwise you contact the Gillie at the estate where you fish and he will sort you out for a fee. <BR>happy hooking <BR>Royston