Spate · Granite · Highlands / Lochaber

River Lochy

River Lochy venue image
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The Lochy drains the western Highlands near Fort William, flowing from Loch Lochy to the sea at Loch Linnhe.

Species

Day off — closed today

Reopens Monday. Use the day to walk the beats.

Closed — confidence not applicable today.
Water temperature for atlantic salmon
Cool — slow
6°C est.ideal 10–14°C
0°14°28°
Conditions
Level
0.39 m
Water temp
5.6°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
7°C
Wind
SW 12 km/h
Gentle breeze
Pressure
1002 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
8.5 mm
Light rain · next 48h

Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.

How to fish it · for atlantic salmon
When
Morning into early afternoon.
Where
Pool tails, steadier runs, and any water with pace.
Method
Fish a sensible line-and-fly combination for the height and pace of water.
Kit
13 ft #8/9 double-hander in spate, 10 ft #8 single in low water. Floating line plus a fast-sink tip. 12–15 lb fluoro tippet.
Through the year
0–3 scale · May highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Salmon runRun
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
March BrownHatch
2
3
2
GrannomHatch
2
2
Large StoneflyHatch
2
3
2
Yellow SallyHatch
2
3
2

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Gallery · 1
  1. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
Directions
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About this water

The Lochy drains the western Highlands near Fort William, flowing from Loch Lochy to the sea at Loch Linnhe. A powerful spate river that rises and falls rapidly with Highland rain, it carries spring salmon from February and summer grilse from June onwards. The river fishes best on a falling flood — wait for the colour to drop and the level to settle, then cover the pools systematically with a sinking-tip line. Spring fishing (February–May) uses larger tube flies; summer grilse respond to smaller doubles and hitched tubes. The Lochy is managed through a beat system with several estates controlling access. Sea trout run from July. The river's proximity to Ben Nevis means it gets significant rainfall — check conditions before travel, and be prepared to wait for the right water.

  • Granite
Seasons & zones
  • Salmon15 February → 15 October
Booking & contacts