Allan Liddle is back this month taking a look at the Lochs of Caithness and a particular favourite - Watten
Tucked away in the top North East corner of the Scottish mainland lies Caithness, an angling destination that almost has it all. Most anglers will have heard of its principle water Loch Watten, but that’s only the start of it really with a very healthy amount of quality to be found away from its famous shores. There are the unsung, easily accessable lochs of St Johns, Calder, Toftingall, Yarrows, Hempriggs, Sarclet, Stemster and Rangag, further ranging hike to waters such as Ruard or Warehouse, frustrating but wonderful trophy fish venue of Heilen or the Sea Trout haunt of Wester. Cracking waters where you can while away a few hours or a few days, often with only the wild winged, legged or scaled wildlife for company, if you can keep your eyes from searching the water for those rising trout to notice them. I’ve watched Ospreys lifting fish from the same drift (even after one of those frustrating days when you’d swear there wasn’t a fish in the place), otters hunting amongst the weed beds, roe deer drinking from the waters’ edge, adders sunning themselves on the stones (gets the adrenalin moving when you’re in a world of your own tramping across the heather to reach one of the far flung off the beaten track venues, especially when your next step would land right on it). Lapwings, Buzzards, Swans galore, Mallard, the lonesome cry of the Curlew share the vista along with Black Faced Gulls, Arctic Terns or even the odd Arctic Skua. Kate Humble and the ‘Watch’ crew would be in their element here.
I could add a host of other waters close by where the visiting angler could spend a weeks’ exploring without ever going near Watten, but that would simply be an injustice, it may come with a high reputation, but deservedly so.
When on song, Watten can produce sport to match anywhere in the land and productive drifts abound this shallow weed punctuated fertile water with sport to be had over its entire length and breadth, and a real chance of some of those dreamed of ‘Red Letter’ days not just on quantity but also quality. Notable trout of Two pound wild fish are a distinct possibility and Trophy Three plus definitely in there, some of which like to make an appearance each season.
Don’t think it’s a simple case of turn up and they crawl up the line however, or all fish are of this size either, like many wild shallow fertile venues it has its fair share of hard days, and the average general size is often a lot more modest (although still in the region of 10 to 12 ounce modest, not bad for a wild loch)
All that said it’s not a simple case of turn up and the fish will crawl up the line, in fact this can be the most frustrating and at times disappointing water to wet a line on, so much so there are some who may not hold it in high regard at all. Critics will point out the other side of the coin from the ‘Red Letter’ days when the whole place can simply ‘switch off’ and you’d be forgiven for thinking there wasn’t a fish in there. You could, but then if this was the case then you’d probably have to ask yourself if fishing’s really for you. Often the comparative easiness of the good times lull the angler into a sense of false expectation, angling isn’t always as rewarding as we’d like and it can get hard. This is why we go is it not?
Floating lines or midge tips are still, for me at least, the first choice with surface, or near surface tactics the way to go.
However sunken line work shouldn’t be ignored and although can be hampered by the extensive weed beds for which this water is famous, can reap some eye opening results. It’s a matter of personal choice, for me I prefer to see the fish and don’t enjoy fishing deep as much, but I will do it. Key here is the phrase ‘Don’t enjoy as much,’ I didn’t say I didn’t like it, just prefer the surface stuff more. Bottom line here (pardon the pun) is if this is what you fancy then give it a go.
As well as the weed, the wind (as you would expect so far North) also often plays its part making things a little ‘interesting’ over Wattens’ exposed surface but if you’re comfortable and familiar with the ways of working a boat this shouldn’t be an issue, if not then, as previously stated, there’s loads of alternative more user friendly bank venues you can opt for until things return to a more manageable state.
Watten for me holds no fears, only attraction punctuated between some frustration and admiration. The opportunity for quality sport and quality fish holds far too strong an attraction and it would be a sad season if I didn’t manage at least one outing here.
With the season not kicking off until May 1st and no Sunday fishing (this is another time to visit the ‘neighbours’) then May can start with a bang, especially as you progress through the month and into June when first the buzzer then the olive hatches start to expand. This is when the water can be at its most popular, although this is still relative, you might see a lot of boats throughout various bank side moorings, but it’s very rare you’ll see them all out on the water, especially midweek.
July tends to see the sedge high on the menu and evening fishing comes into its own, although in the right conditions days are often still productive. If you are flexible enough to break the ‘nine to five’ mould then you undoubtedly stand a better chance of better sport on any water, with Watten no exception.
For me I often look to take a wee break if there’s nothing happening in the afternoon, in readiness for the evening. Usually this break entails a change of location, sometimes a wee tourist jaunt anything just to keep the edge for later.
August and it’s getting towards what I regard as the cream of Scottish wild loch dry fishing and as you progress through the month this tends to simply get better and better (weather permitting of course).
Heather fly (very important and often ignored to a large degree), Daddies and the ever present chance of Cow Dung Flies (ditto for the Heather fly) all make an increased appearance and increased importance on the trout’s diet. Warm dry light winds bring them out to play and carried onto the water surface towards increasingly eager and welcome trout. Often this approach brings out some remarkable results and some remarkable fish.
A good tactic I’ve found is to ambush the fish as they cruise along the ‘terrestrial line’ (what I call the band between the calm and ripple where land borne insects invariably gather) or tight to the shore.
Cruising fish are the main target here, frustrating as it can be predicting the fish’s movements, keeping the boat in order with that stealthy wee correction on the oars even just finding them in the first place, but as high as you get on the angling excitement list for me, doubly so when you can see it’s a trout of notable, or even better ‘Rod Bender’ proportions.
Fly choice for this isn’t so hard with a simple two dry rig when ‘stalking’ or even open water prospecting, and three fly team for standard traditional boat work.
Sedges are easily imitated with a couple of ‘Ginked’ size 14 ‘Hogs’ (Natural or Claret, with Olive a good general sedge / olive imitation)
Hoppers are on the must have list as are some small nondescript (for me I use my own Bibio Emerger, Black & White or Corriekiller patterns)
Open water and all of the above along with Silver Invicta, Loch Ordie and the Enigmatic Kate McLaren along with Wickham’s, Clan Chief, in short the ‘Usual Suspects.’
Last bit of advice is take the camera and click away. It’s amazing what a wee night in front of the PC with a good dram and those fishing photos can do to fight against those ‘Winter Blues.’ It helps see you through until it’s time to head out and do it all again.
Permit Details;
It’s almost a one stop shop in these parts and I hold no hesitation in recommending local tackle dealer Hugo Ross not only as a font of up to date local fishing knowledge, but also permit and boat outlet on a host of the aforementioned waters. Contact Hugo on (01955) 604200
Accommodation;
For me one of the best angling bases is the very handily placed Central Caravan Park run by Mary-Ann Calder. Set midway between Wick and Thurso just West of Watten village itself in an area known as Old Hall, there is a choice of big three and four berth caravans fully equipped with all the mod cons anglers require, plus their own boats on Watten which can be hired here also.
Contact Mary-Ann on (01955) 621295.
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