Shetland's most celebrated trout loch — a shallow, fertile water near the southern tip of Mainland that produces some of the islands' best brown trout and occasional sea trout. Spiggie is unusually rich for Shetland: the loch has a marl bed that supports good populations of shrimp, snails, and olive nymphs, giving the fish excellent condition and colouring. Trout average around three-quarters of a pound but fish to two pounds are taken each season. The loch is relatively accessible by Shetland standards and allows bank fishing, boat, and float tube. Olive patterns are notably effective here — reflecting the loch's richer food base compared to the typical peaty Shetland water. Evening rises can be spectacular in calm weather.
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
S 11 km/h
Light breeze
Wave
20 cm ripple
Water temp
—
No reading
Air temp
3°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
April-September; peak May-July
Where
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Peter Ross on the bob and Snatcher 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 Peter Ross on the bob and Snatcher 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
Loch of Spiggie · profile
Who this water suits
Strengths · watch-outs · best for
About this water
Loch of Spiggie, on the water
Field guide · contributor-editedLoch of Spiggie · about
What this water is
Background · character · contributors
About this water
Shetland's most celebrated trout loch — a shallow, fertile water near the southern tip of Mainland that produces some of the islands' best brown trout and occasional sea trout. Spiggie is unusually rich for Shetland: the loch has a marl bed that supports good populations of shrimp, snails, and olive nymphs, giving the fish excellent condition and colouring. Trout average around three-quarters of a pound but fish to two pounds are taken each season. The loch is relatively accessible by Shetland standards and allows bank fishing, boat, and float tube. Olive patterns are notably effective here — reflecting the loch's richer food base compared to the typical peaty Shetland water. Evening rises can be spectacular in calm weather.
- Loch
- Mixed
Loch of Spiggie · directions
How to get to the water
Directions
Loch of Spiggie · zones
Where the rules change
Seasons · zones · per-species rules
Seasons & zones
- Trout15 March → 6 October
Sea trout: Variable seasonal (2026) — Shetland sea trout lochs are geographically separated from the west-coast sea-lice problem but share the wider northern Atlantic sea trout stock pressures. Spiggie is Shetland's main sea trout water; present and fishable but on a diminished baseline from historical records.
Loch of Spiggie · permits
Licences, sorteo, the rules
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
- Single Shetland Anglers Association permit covers this and most Shetland waters
- Very affordable
- Published season: trout 15 Mar-6 Oct.
Loch of Spiggie
Terrain map
Shetland's most celebrated trout loch — a shallow, fertile water near the southern tip of Mainland that produces some of the islands' best brown trout and occasional sea trout.
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
S 11 km/h
Light breeze
Wave
20 cm ripple
Water temp
—
No reading
Air temp
3°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
April-September; peak May-July
Where
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Peter Ross on the bob and Snatcher 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 Peter Ross on the bob and Snatcher 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.
- Single Shetland Anglers Association permit covers this and most Shetland waters
- Very affordable
- Published season: trout 15 Mar-6 Oct.
Directions
About this water
Shetland's most celebrated trout loch — a shallow, fertile water near the southern tip of Mainland that produces some of the islands' best brown trout and occasional sea trout. Spiggie is unusually rich for Shetland: the loch has a marl bed that supports good populations of shrimp, snails, and olive nymphs, giving the fish excellent condition and colouring. Trout average around three-quarters of a pound but fish to two pounds are taken each season. The loch is relatively accessible by Shetland standards and allows bank fishing, boat, and float tube. Olive patterns are notably effective here — reflecting the loch's richer food base compared to the typical peaty Shetland water. Evening rises can be spectacular in calm weather.
- Loch
- Mixed
Seasons & zones
- Trout15 March → 6 October
Sea trout: Variable seasonal (2026) — Shetland sea trout lochs are geographically separated from the west-coast sea-lice problem but share the wider northern Atlantic sea trout stock pressures. Spiggie is Shetland's main sea trout water; present and fishable but on a diminished baseline from historical records.
About this water · Lough note · 4 min read
Shetland's most celebrated trout loch — a shallow, fertile water near the southern tip of Mainland that produces some of the islands' best brown trout and occasional sea trout. Spiggie is unusually rich for Shetland: the loch has a marl bed that supports good populations of shrimp, snails, and olive nymphs, giving the fish excellent condition and colouring. Trout average around three-quarters of a pound but fish to two pounds are taken each season. The loch is relatively accessible by Shetland standards and allows bank fishing, boat, and float tube. Olive patterns are notably effective here — reflecting the loch's richer food base compared to the typical peaty Shetland water. Evening rises can be spectacular in calm weather.
Other water nearby · 5
Booking & contacts