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

Loch of Sulma

View across Sulma Water, a small freshwater loch on the West Mainland of Shetland, surrounded by rolling moorland.
Fair · Trout
Gorgeous George · 10-12
Fairlive now
Good drifting conditions on Loch of Sulma
Useful ripple, fishable wave. Worth a session if the wind holds.
58% confidence

Loch of Sulma is often best in spring through autumn.

What moved it
  • WindSE 27 km/hModerate breeze
Today's fly
Gorgeous George
Gorgeous George10-12
Proven pattern for this period
Conditions on the water
Estimate
Wind
Moderate breeze
SE 27 km/h
N
SE
from the south-east
Wave60 cm wave
Water temp10.0°C
Air temp11°C
CloudOvercast
Pressure1023 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, running warmer than the water (12°C air against 10°C water). Expect fish at the north-western end — the bank it is blowing into — where the drift piles food, colour and warmth together. 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
Work Gorgeous George on the bob and Pennel on the point.
The plan
Plan A

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

Lake Olive may strengthen through the middle of the day as conditions warm.

Boat — at anchor

Windy conditions suit anchoring in productive areas rather than open-water drifting.

Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface

Hatch predictions

Top nymph shown — see all 2 guilds as a supporter.

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14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.

Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey(1)

Hatch predictions

Top prey shown — see all 4 as a supporter.

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14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.

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
Fly box · Trout
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • Shetland Anglers Association permit.
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Condition match
45%
Cloud50%
Wind30%
Temp60%

Conditions are away from Loch of Sulma's sweet spot — it usually fishes best in ripple wind with cloud skies.

Other water nearby · 5
Gallery · 2
  1. View across Sulma Water, a small freshwater loch on the West Mainland of Shetland, surrounded by rolling moorland.
    Sulma Water (Loch of Sulma), a quiet freshwater loch on Shetland's West Mainland.
  2. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
Why this score
  • Wind conditions (windy) are not ideal for this water.
  • Lake Olive is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
Directions
Seasons & zones
  • Trout 15 March → 6 October
Related guides
Booking & contacts