A southwesterly has held for 6 hours at much the same temperature as the 8°C water. No thermal steer either way, but the drift still stacks food against the north-eastern 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.
With limited drift, anchor or fish static from sheltered positions. Work Gorgeous George on the bob and Pennel on the point.
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.
Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.
Strong wind makes boat fishing difficult — sheltered bank spots near lee shores will fish best.
Hatch predictions
Top nymph shown — see all 2 guilds as a supporter.
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Hatch predictions
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Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
Fly recommendations
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A very distinctive mixed style: bushy top droppers, sedgehogs, snatchers, midge imitations, Pennels and mini lures all have a place.
Conditions are away from Loch of Sulma's sweet spot — it usually fishes best in ripple wind with cloud skies.
Sulma has a reputation among local anglers for producing slightly better than average fish — perhaps reflecting its food base or lower fishing pressure. The loch is set in typical Shetland moorland with good bank access. Worth including in a loch-hopping circuit of the central mainland.
A moderately sized loch in central Shetland that sees less pressure than the Tingwall cluster but holds good wild brown trout.
A southwesterly has held for 6 hours at much the same temperature as the 8°C water. No thermal steer either way, but the drift still stacks food against the north-eastern 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.
With limited drift, anchor or fish static from sheltered positions. Work Gorgeous George on the bob and Pennel on the point.
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.
Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.
Strong wind makes boat fishing difficult — sheltered bank spots near lee shores will fish best.
Hatch predictions
Top nymph shown — see all 2 guilds as a supporter.
Start free trial14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
Hatch predictions
Top prey shown — see all 4 as a supporter.
Start free trial14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
Fly recommendations
Point fly shown — supporters see the whole team, sizes and why.
Start free trial14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
A very distinctive mixed style: bushy top droppers, sedgehogs, snatchers, midge imitations, Pennels and mini lures all have a place.
Conditions are away from Loch of Sulma's sweet spot — it usually fishes best in ripple wind with cloud skies.
Sulma has a reputation among local anglers for producing slightly better than average fish — perhaps reflecting its food base or lower fishing pressure. The loch is set in typical Shetland moorland with good bank access. Worth including in a loch-hopping circuit of the central mainland.
Loch of Sulma is a loch in Shetland / Central Mainland, Scotland. Its recorded elevation is about 0 m above sea level and the catchment geology is peat. The species listed for this water is brown trout. The trout season is recorded as running from 15 March to 6 October. Best window recorded for anglers: May-August. Core methods listed: bank fishing; float tube. Nearby waters in our listings include Loch of Vaara at 7.0 km, Longa Water at 18 km and Tingwall Area Lochs at 20 km.
