The most challenging fishing is in the surrounding lochs for the beautiful brown trout that live there. We have seven lochs within walking distance of the lighthouse that have I have spotted active brown trout . They are Houlland Loch, Gerdie Loch, Framgord Loch, Ganderhouse Loch, West Loch, Muckla Water, and Black Loch. I have not fished in the last three but some of the neighbours have been successful there. You can see a map with these lochs shown here.

I have only had my pole a short time so I am a real novice at this trout fishing. Recently I have been going out every morning and afternoon to fish. The fascination may be just getting outside in the beautiful area that I live. Or - it might be the trout that have a tendency to jump just a short distance from where I am fishing. When you see one of those beauties take to the air your heart stops for a second. Recovering fast you try to get to that part of the loch as soon as possible. Probably by the time you make it to where it was seen it is gone.

Shetland Brown Trout Click on picture to enlarge Photograph by Sharma Krauskopf

My fishing in the lochs around the lighthouse has not been successful. Lots of bites and sightings but no catches have I made.

Last Sunday our caretaker took me up to a loch surrounded by beautiful purple heather way up in the hills. It is more that a fifteen-minute drive from here but it shared one of its trout with me. I have included a picture to prove this was not just a 'fishy' story.

Hopefully before winter sets in I will have caught more of these elusive brown trout but one thing for sure I will have some beautiful days trying.

The Always Hopeful Fisherperson,

Sharma

I love to hear from you so contact me by email at sharma@eshanesslight.shetland.co.uk

You can find more articles in the archive under Island Miniatures/Lighthouse Letters.

I have two books which are directly related to this column. The Last Lighthouse tells how we bought our lighthouse and in Scottish Lighthouses our lighthouse is featured in the 31 lighthouses presented. You can order autographed copies by clicking on the name of the book.

Other books you might be interested in ordering and having me sign are my book for children, Moonbeam Cow, and "Scotland - The Complete Guide and Road Atlas", a beautiful book for which I did the text.