A moderately sized loch in central Shetland that sees less pressure than the Tingwall cluster but holds good wild brown trout. 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.
Rules at a glance
- Free fishing
A respectable few hours, if you choose your moments
Glassy and bright — hard work without a breeze. Hard work without breeze. Look for the dimples.
49% 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
W 3 km/h
Calm
Wave
Flat calm
Water temp
—
No reading
Air temp
5°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
May-August
Where
With limited drift, anchor or fish static from sheltered positions. Work Sedgehog on the bob and Snatcher on the point. In the calm, a single dry fly or buzzer-under-bung approach may be more effective than a drifted team.
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
With limited drift, anchor or fish static from sheltered positions. Work Sedgehog on the bob and Snatcher on the point. In the calm, a single dry fly or buzzer-under-bung approach may be more effective than a drifted team.
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.
Bank
Flat calm suits bank fishing near features — points, weed beds, and inflows where fish patrol.
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
- late spring conditions with overcast skies and calm wind.
Detail · next 12h
Precipitation
The reading most likely to move tomorrow's verdict
About this water · Lough note · 4 min read
Loch of Sulma · profile
Who this water suits
Strengths · watch-outs · best for
About this water
Loch of Sulma, on the water
Field guide · contributor-editedLoch of Sulma · about
What this water is
Background · character · contributors
About this water
A moderately sized loch in central Shetland that sees less pressure than the Tingwall cluster but holds good wild brown trout. 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
- Peat
Loch of Sulma · directions
How to get to the water
Directions
Loch of Sulma · zones
Where the rules change
Seasons · zones · per-species rules
Seasons & zones
- Trout15 March → 6 October
Loch of Sulma · permits
Licences, sorteo, the rules
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
- Shetland Anglers Association permit.
Loch of Sulma
Terrain map
A moderately sized loch in central Shetland that sees less pressure than the Tingwall cluster but holds good wild brown trout.
Species
A respectable few hours, if you choose your moments
Glassy and bright — hard work without a breeze. Hard work without breeze. Look for the dimples.
49% confidence — limited data
This venue is often best in spring through autumn.
Conditions
Wind
W 3 km/h
Calm
Wave
Flat calm
Water temp
—
No reading
Air temp
5°C
Cloud
Overcast
Pressure
—
Rain · 24h
0.0 mm
No rain
Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.
Condition match
59%
Cloud50%
Wind65%
Temp60%
A reasonable day here, though cloud isn't quite in the sweet spot.
How to fish it · for brown trout
When
May-August
Where
With limited drift, anchor or fish static from sheltered positions. Work Sedgehog on the bob and Snatcher on the point. In the calm, a single dry fly or buzzer-under-bung approach may be more effective than a drifted team.
Method
Method not yet authored.
Kit
Kit not yet authored.
The plan
Plan A
With limited drift, anchor or fish static from sheltered positions. Work Sedgehog on the bob and Snatcher on the point. In the calm, a single dry fly or buzzer-under-bung approach may be more effective than a drifted team.
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.
Bank
Flat calm suits bank fishing near features — points, weed beds, and inflows where fish patrol.
Why this score
- late spring conditions with overcast skies and calm wind.
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.
- Shetland Anglers Association permit.
Directions
About this water
A moderately sized loch in central Shetland that sees less pressure than the Tingwall cluster but holds good wild brown trout. 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
- Peat
Seasons & zones
- Trout15 March → 6 October
About this water · Lough note · 4 min read
A moderately sized loch in central Shetland that sees less pressure than the Tingwall cluster but holds good wild brown trout. 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.
Other water nearby · 5
Booking & contacts