Argyll & the Isles
Loch Awe is the centrepiece — at 25 miles it's the longest freshwater loch in Scotland, and its wild brown trout fishing is so good the British rod-caught record has reportedly been broken here four times over the past couple of decades, with a widely cited fish of 31lb+ landed in 2002. Alongside the trout, Loch Awe holds a genuine reputation as one of Scotland's premier pike waters — 25lb-plus fish are caught regularly enough to draw specialist pike anglers from across Britain, and large predatory ferox trout add a third serious quarry for anyone prepared to put the hours in.
Salmon pass through the loch too, running via the Pass of Brander and the River Awe from Loch Etive, then continuing up the River Orchy — one of the most attractive and scenic salmon rivers on Scotland's west coast. The wider Argyll coastline, penetrated by long sea lochs like Etive and Fyne, opens up a genuinely different kind of sea fishing on top of all this fresh water.
Loch Awe
Loch Awe
25 miles long, narrow, high water quality. Wild brown trout typically run 8oz–3lb with the British record repeatedly broken here — a widely cited fish of over 31lb was landed in 2002. Trout and coarse season 15 March–6 October; pike fishing all year round. Also holds perch, roach, eels and rare Arctic char.
Wild trout · PikePike & ferox on Loch Awe
25lb-plus pike are caught with real regularity, drawing specialist anglers from across Britain — best fished by boat with dead bait through the colder months, lures and fly in summer. Ferox (large predatory brown trout) are a harder-earned but genuine specialty, best targeted early spring by trolling.
Ferox · PikeRivers
River Orchy
11 miles through Glen Orchy from Loch Tulla down to Loch Awe — one of the most scenic and attractive salmon rivers on the west coast. Salmon season 11 February–31 October, fly, spin and worm all permitted, best from May through to a summer peak as the river drops after a spate.
SalmonRiver Awe
The short, powerful river draining Loch Awe to Loch Etive through the Pass of Brander — day tickets available on a mile of fly-only water, and capable of producing genuinely large salmon, including a fish estimated at 40lb-plus returned safely in 2017.
SalmonSea lochs & coast
Loch Etive
A long sea loch best known for spurdog and thornback ray, with around forty sea fish species recorded — boats available for hire.
Loch Fyne & Crinan
Further sea loch and open-water options for cod, pollack, mackerel, haddock, conger eel and, from Crinan, charter trips for skate and ling.
General guide only — Loch Awe fishing is regulated by a protection order enforced by the Loch Awe Improvement Association, with permits available online. Always confirm current permits, season dates and rules before fishing, and check the forecast before boating — Loch Awe can turn genuinely rough with little warning given its length and exposure.
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