The mountainous interior of Harris holds dozens of remote hill lochs in some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland. These are granite-basin waters — slightly acidic, moderately peaty, set among the bare rock and heather of the Harris hills. The trout are wild and numerous if not large, typically six to twelve ounces, with occasional fish to a pound and a half. Access requires walking — some lochs are an hour or more from the road — and the rewards are solitude, scenery, and sport in equal measure. The fishing is simple: a team of traditional wet flies drifted on the wind, with the occasional dry fly opportunity when fish rise in the shallows. Harris also holds some low-lying lochs closer to the road that offer easier access.
Rules at a glance
- Free fishing
- Fly only
A respectable few hours, if you choose your moments
Good wave on — drift country. A useful wave. Work the productive shore.
48% confidence — limited data
This venue is often best in spring through autumn.
Live now
Conditions on the water
Trends shown where the gauge supports them
Wind
SE 10 km/h
Light breeze
Wave
20 cm ripple
Water temp
—
No reading
Air temp
6°C
Cloud
Overcast
Pressure
—
Rain · 24h
0.0 mm
No rain
Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.
How to fish · for brown trout
The brief
When · where · method · kit
How to fish it · for brown trout
When
May-September; peak June-August
Where
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Ordie on the bob and Invicta on the point.
Method
Method not yet authored.
Kit
Kit not yet authored.
Today's tactical plan
The plan
Plan A · Plan B · what to watch · bank or boat
The plan
Plan A
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Ordie on the bob and Invicta on the point.
Plan B
If the main plan is not working, switch to a smaller, more imitative pattern fished slower and deeper. A change of drift angle can also make a difference.
Watch for
Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.
Boat — drift
A gentle ripple is ideal for drifting — broadside drift covering the wind lanes should be productive.
Hatches & runs
What's on, when
Twelve months at a glance
Through the year
0–3 scale · May highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
Large Dark OliveHatch
1
2
2
1
March BrownHatch
1
2
1
Iron BlueHatch
1
2
2
1
Blue Winged OliveHatch
1
2
2
2
2
1
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
Today's fly · curated pack
Top pattern + the box
3 patterns from this venue's curated pack
Evidence
Why today scores what it does
The factors driving today's verdict
Why this score
- Wind conditions (ripple) closely match what this water fishes best in.
Detail · next 12h
Precipitation
The reading most likely to move tomorrow's verdict
About this water · Lough note · 4 min read
Harris Hill Lochs · profile
Who this water suits
Strengths · watch-outs · best for
About this water
Harris Hill Lochs, on the water
Field guide · contributor-editedHarris Hill Lochs · about
What this water is
Background · character · contributors
About this water
The mountainous interior of Harris holds dozens of remote hill lochs in some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland. These are granite-basin waters — slightly acidic, moderately peaty, set among the bare rock and heather of the Harris hills. The trout are wild and numerous if not large, typically six to twelve ounces, with occasional fish to a pound and a half. Access requires walking — some lochs are an hour or more from the road — and the rewards are solitude, scenery, and sport in equal measure. The fishing is simple: a team of traditional wet flies drifted on the wind, with the occasional dry fly opportunity when fish rise in the shallows. Harris also holds some low-lying lochs closer to the road that offer easier access.
- Loch
- Granite
Harris Hill Lochs · directions
How to get to the water
Directions
Harris Hill Lochs · zones
Where the rules change
Seasons · zones · per-species rules
Seasons & zones
- Trout15 March → 6 October
Harris Hill Lochs · permits
Licences, sorteo, the rules
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
- Permission from relevant Harris estate
- Some waters available through Rodel Hotel, Amhuinnsuidhe Castle estate, or local clubs
- FishHebrides for guidance.
Harris Hill Lochs
Terrain map
The mountainous interior of Harris holds dozens of remote hill lochs in some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland.
Species
A respectable few hours, if you choose your moments
Good wave on — drift country. A useful wave. Work the productive shore.
48% confidence — limited data
This venue is often best in spring through autumn.
Conditions
Wind
SE 10 km/h
Light breeze
Wave
20 cm ripple
Water temp
—
No reading
Air temp
6°C
Cloud
Overcast
Pressure
—
Rain · 24h
0.0 mm
No rain
Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.
Condition match
73%
Cloud50%
Wind100%
Temp60%
A good match for this venue — most conditions are close to what it fishes best in.
How to fish it · for brown trout
When
May-September; peak June-August
Where
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Ordie on the bob and Invicta on the point.
Method
Method not yet authored.
Kit
Kit not yet authored.
The plan
Plan A
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Ordie on the bob and Invicta on the point.
Plan B
If the main plan is not working, switch to a smaller, more imitative pattern fished slower and deeper. A change of drift angle can also make a difference.
Watch for
Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.
Boat — drift
A gentle ripple is ideal for drifting — broadside drift covering the wind lanes should be productive.
Why this score
- Wind conditions (ripple) closely match what this water fishes best in.
Through the year
0–3 scale · May highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
Large Dark OliveHatch
1
2
2
1
March BrownHatch
1
2
1
Iron BlueHatch
1
2
2
1
Blue Winged OliveHatch
1
2
2
2
2
1
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
- Permission from relevant Harris estate
- Some waters available through Rodel Hotel, Amhuinnsuidhe Castle estate, or local clubs
- FishHebrides for guidance.
Directions
About this water
The mountainous interior of Harris holds dozens of remote hill lochs in some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland. These are granite-basin waters — slightly acidic, moderately peaty, set among the bare rock and heather of the Harris hills. The trout are wild and numerous if not large, typically six to twelve ounces, with occasional fish to a pound and a half. Access requires walking — some lochs are an hour or more from the road — and the rewards are solitude, scenery, and sport in equal measure. The fishing is simple: a team of traditional wet flies drifted on the wind, with the occasional dry fly opportunity when fish rise in the shallows. Harris also holds some low-lying lochs closer to the road that offer easier access.
- Loch
- Granite
Seasons & zones
- Trout15 March → 6 October
About this water · Lough note · 4 min read
The mountainous interior of Harris holds dozens of remote hill lochs in some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland. These are granite-basin waters — slightly acidic, moderately peaty, set among the bare rock and heather of the Harris hills. The trout are wild and numerous if not large, typically six to twelve ounces, with occasional fish to a pound and a half. Access requires walking — some lochs are an hour or more from the road — and the rewards are solitude, scenery, and sport in equal measure. The fishing is simple: a team of traditional wet flies drifted on the wind, with the occasional dry fly opportunity when fish rise in the shallows. Harris also holds some low-lying lochs closer to the road that offer easier access.
Other water nearby · 5
Booking & contacts