Stillwater · Mixed · Shetland / South Mainland

Loch of Spiggie

A lone fisherman casts from the shore of the Loch of Spiggie in Shetland, with open water and low hills in the background.

Shetland's most celebrated trout loch — a shallow, fertile water near the southern tip of Mainland that produces some of the islands' best brown trout and occasional sea trout.

Fair · Trout
Olive Bumble · 12-14
Fairlive now
Good drifting conditions on Loch of Spiggie
Good wave on — drift country. A useful wave. Work the productive shore.
57% confidence

Loch of Spiggie is often best in spring through autumn.

What moved it
  • WindSW 12 km/hLight breeze
Today's fly
Olive Bumble
Olive Bumble12-14
River-specific pick for this water.
Conditions on the water
Live gauge
Wind
Light breeze
SW 12 km/h
N
SW
from the south-west
Wave20 cm ripple
Water temp
Air temp15°C
CloudOvercast
Pressure1016 hPa
Rain · recent0.0 mm

Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.

How to fish it · for Trout
When
April-September; peak May-July
Where
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Potty's Palmer on the bob and Sedgehog on the point.
The plan
Plan A

Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Potty's Palmer on the bob and Sedgehog 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

Evening tends to be the best period in summer — stay late if you can for a sedge or spinner fall.

Boat — drift

A gentle ripple is ideal for drifting — broadside drift covering the wind lanes should be productive.

Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface

Hatch predictions

Top nymph shown — see all 2 guilds with Pro.

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Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey

Hatch predictions

Top prey shown — see all 5 with Pro.

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Through the year
0–3 scale · August highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
Daddy Long LegsHatch
2
3
2
Murrough (Great Red Sedge)Hatch
2
3
2
Black MidgeHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Lake OliveHatch
1
2
2
2
2
2
1

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Ranked for today
Trout fly box

A very distinctive mixed style: bushy top droppers, sedgehogs, snatchers, midge imitations, Pennels and mini lures all have a place.

Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • Single Shetland Anglers Association permit covers this and most Shetland waters
  • Very affordable
  • Published season: trout 15 Mar-6 Oct.
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Condition match
85%
Cloud50%
Wind100%
Temp100%

Conditions are ideal for Loch of Spiggie — wind, cloud and temperature all line up.

Other water nearby · 3
Gallery · 2
  1. A lone fisherman casts from the shore of the Loch of Spiggie in Shetland, with open water and low hills in the background.
    A lone angler fishing the shoreline of the Loch of Spiggie, Shetland.
  2. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
About this water

Shetland's most celebrated trout loch — a shallow, fertile water near the southern tip of Mainland that produces some of the islands' best brown trout and occasional sea trout. Spiggie is unusually rich for Shetland: the loch has a marl bed that supports good populations of shrimp, snails, and olive nymphs, giving the fish excellent condition and colouring. Trout average around three-quarters of a pound but fish to two pounds are taken each season. The loch is relatively accessible by Shetland standards and allows bank fishing, boat, and float tube. Olive patterns are notably effective here — reflecting the loch's richer food base compared to the typical peaty Shetland water. Evening rises can be spectacular in calm weather.

  • Loch
  • Mixed
Water quality (WFD)
  • EcologyGood
  • ChemicalUnknown
What this classification means

SEPA WFD 2022 (loch layer) — Loch of Spiggie: Good status. Corrected 2026-06-18 (was recorded Moderate). Source: SEPA WFD 2022 classification (spatialdata.gov.scot / SEPA Aquatic Classification Hub).

SEPA (Scotland) · UKSC100004

Why this score
  • Wind conditions (ripple) closely match what this water fishes best in.
  • Temperature (cool) is in the sweet spot for summer fishing.
  • Daddy Longlegs are in their seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
Directions
Seasons & zones
  • Trout 15 March6 October

Sea trout: Variable seasonal (2026) — Shetland sea trout lochs are geographically separated from the west-coast sea-lice problem but share the wider northern Atlantic sea trout stock pressures. Spiggie is Shetland's main sea trout water; present and fishable but on a diminished baseline from historical records.

Related guides
Booking & contacts