Spate · Mixed · Skye / Waternish

River Hinnisdal

River Hinnisdal terrain map
Terrain map

A small but productive spate river on the Waternish peninsula of Skye, best known for its sea trout fishing.

Species

Marginal — persistence required

River dropping into shape after a lift. A short window. Work the obvious lies and move on.

50% confidence in this read
Water temperature for atlantic salmon
Cool — slow
6°C est.ideal 10–14°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for atlantic salmon
  • Temperature1330% weight
  • Flow6025% weight
  • Clarity1520% weight
  • Feeding Time1015% weight
  • Pressure8510% weight
Conditions
Level
1.24 m
Water temp
5.5°C
Estimated
Clarity
Very coloured
Colouring up
Air temp
6°C
Wind
NE 8 km/h
Light breeze
Pressure
1001 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.2 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
5.6 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.
Why this works
Poor conditions. Pressure is favourable (85), Feeding time is weakest (10).
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
Trout seasonSeason
1
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.

Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • Private beats — check Skye Ghillie or local estate for access
  • Fly only.
Directions
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About this water

A small but productive spate river on the Waternish peninsula of Skye, best known for its sea trout fishing. The Hinnisdal is short and responds very quickly to rainfall — it can be unfishable at breakfast and perfect by lunch. Sea trout enter from June onwards and the evening and night fishing can be exceptional: warm, overcast nights with a breath of wind are the classic conditions. Salmon also run the river but in smaller numbers than the Snizort. The intimate scale of the water — pools, pockets, and short runs — makes it ideal for a single-handed rod and a stealthy approach. Day fishing for brown trout is also worthwhile.

  • River
  • Mixed
Seasons & zones
  • Salmon11 February → 31 October
  • Trout15 March → 6 October

Sea trout: Variable seasonal (2026) — Skye spate river — west coast sea trout affected by same sea-lice pressures as all Hebridean and west-coast Highland systems. Present but on a diminished baseline. Condition-led; short windows after rain.

Other water nearby · 5
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