Stillwater · Peat · Shetland / West Mainland, GB-SCT

Longa Water

View across Longa Water, a small moorland loch on Valla Field near Westing, Unst, Shetland.

A long, narrow peat loch on the west side of Shetland Mainland, stretching north-south through open moorland.

Fair · Trout
Gorgeous George · 10-12
Fairlive now
Buzzer expected on Longa Water
Glassy and bright — hard work without a breeze. Hard work without breeze. Look for the dimples.
59% confidence

Longa Water is often best in spring through autumn.

What moved it
  • WindSE 36 km/hFresh breeze
Today's fly
Gorgeous George
Gorgeous George10-12
Proven pattern for this period
Conditions on the water
Estimate
Wind
Fresh breeze
SE 36 km/h
N
SE
from the south-east
Wave80 cm wave
Water temp12.7°C
Air temp11°C
CloudOvercast
Pressure1021 hPa
Rain · recent0.0 mm

No gauge on this water — readings are regional estimates from weather, not a live gauge.

Head to
Wind driftSE wind
North-western end

A southeasterly has held for most of a day at much the same temperature as the 13°C water. No thermal steer either way, but the drift still stacks food against the north-western end — the bank it is blowing into — so start there. This reads the upper water, though — a bottom bait at range feels it far less than a floater or a fish in the margins. Treat it as a tiebreaker between good swims rather than an override — features and angling pressure usually count for more.

How to fish it · for Trout
When
May-August
Where
With limited drift, anchor or fish static from sheltered positions. Work Gorgeous George on the bob and Pennel on the point.
The plan
Plan A

With limited drift, anchor or fish static from sheltered positions. Work Gorgeous George on the bob and Pennel 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

Watch for Sedge towards evening — this could be the best window of the day.

Bank, sheltered shores

Strong wind makes boat fishing difficult — sheltered bank spots near lee shores will fish best.

Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface

Hatch predictions

Top nymph shown — see all 3 guilds as a supporter.

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Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey(1)

Hatch predictions

Top prey shown — see all 5 as a supporter.

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Through the year
0–3 scale · September highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
Heather FlyHatch
2
2
Daddy Long LegsHatch
2
3
2
Claret DunHatch
2
3
2
Murrough (Great Red Sedge)Hatch
2
3
2

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

Ranked for today
Trout fly box

A very distinctive mixed style: bushy top droppers, sedgehogs, snatchers, midge imitations, Pennels and mini lures all have a place.

Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • Shetland Anglers Association permit.
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Condition match
57%
Cloud50%
Wind30%
Temp100%

A reasonable day here, though wind isn't quite in the sweet spot.

Other water nearby · 4
Lunga Water
17 km
Brown trout · Sea trout
Loch of Vaara
22 km
Brown trout · Sea trout
Loch of Sulma
24 km
Brown trout
Tingwall Area Lochs
37 km
Brown trout
Gallery · 2
  1. View across Longa Water, a small moorland loch on Valla Field near Westing, Unst, Shetland.
    Longa Water on Valla Field, near Westing, Unst -- a small Shetland loch known for brown trout.
  2. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
About this water

A long, narrow peat loch on the west side of Shetland Mainland, stretching north-south through open moorland. Longa Water is less visited than the Tingwall lochs but offers excellent wild brown trout fishing in a more remote setting. The peat-stained water suits darker fly patterns. The loch's orientation means it channels the prevailing southwesterly wind perfectly for drifting. Trout are modest in size but numerous and willing. A good choice when the more popular waters feel crowded (which in Shetland means two other anglers visible on the horizon).

  • Loch
  • Peat
Why this score
  • Wind conditions (strong) are not ideal for this water.
  • Temperature (cool) is in the sweet spot for autumn fishing.
  • Buzzer is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
Seasons & zones
  • Trout 15 March → 6 October
Related guides
Scotland Playbookloch & river fishingThermal Layers & Troutreading depth and temperatureEuro Nymphingsubsurface methods
Booking & contacts