One of the most enigmatic visitors to Scotland’s shores, the brown trout’s sea-run sibling offers excellent sport for the angler. And, unsurprisingly – given that the fish can be caught by day or at night, in river, loch or sea – the variety of the angling on offer is second to none.

Orkney

The 70-odd isles and islets that make up the archipelago might be home to 20,000 people, but the population are happy to share their fishing with the rest of the world – so much so, in fact, that the visiting angler can fish there for free. With so much coastline to choose from, it is cunning to consult the Orkney Trout Angling Association first, and you can even join up for a mere £20 – a snip considering the wisdom fellow members will be happy to impart. Given that the best of the fishing occurs from the start of the season it is not necessarily the destination of choice for the fair weather chaser of fish. Indeed, as one Orcadian resident observes, ‘standing over your waist in seawater during a hard February south-wester is not for the fainthearted’. However, with the fishing so good, it’s well worth taking the plunge.

Price: free. Further information call Stuart Topp on 01856 721 488, or visit www.orkneytroutfishing.co.uk

North Uist

The shifting sands that surround this Hebridean island provide the sand eels and shrimp beloved of sea trout, and it is in the sea pools that the best of the fishing is to be had. Marching out across the machair, rod in hand, is a fine experience. Unlike many places on the mainland, the fishing is best during the daytime. And in the long summer evenings the peace and tranquillity of fishing in this Atlantic outpost is second to none. Many of the island’s multitude of lochs are also frequented by sea trout, and a day ticket will generally include the chance to fish on a boat in freshwater as well as a sea pool when conditions are right.

Price: from £28 per rod per day. Tel: 01876 500 329

Amhuinnsuidhe

The legendary North Harris estate, with its imposing Victorian castle, is home to seven separate sea trout systems – in a week you can cover a great deal of the estate’s 55,000-acres of breathtaking terrain as well as cast a fly in lochs, in rivers and in the sea. Supported by a team of ghillies, guests are able to sample the delights of traditional fishing on lochs such Voshimid, Ulladale, Scourst and A’Ghlinne, before returning to the luxurious surrounds of the castle where fish can been seen leaping in the sea pool, barely a cast from the door.

Prices from £1,410 per rod per week. Tel: 01738 451 600 or visit www.amhuinnsuidhe.com

River Teith

With the hills of the Trossachs forming a rugged backdrop, the Teith offers Lowland fishing with a decidedly Highland feel. While it is best-known for its exceptional run of late-season salmon, good numbers of sea trout gather as midsummer approaches. And the best of the action takes place during the short midsummer nights. The good news for those seeking the sea trout is that you can arrive on the river at dusk, safe in the knowledge the fish have been left unmolested all day. As a result the sea trout are relaxed as the evenings draw in and they spread out to patrol the deeper pools and slower sections.

Price: £80 per evening. Tel: 01786 841 866 or visit www.lanrick.co.uk

The River Annan

While the sea trout fishery has not been as good in recent years, there are tentative signs of recovery. The bulk are caught between May and August. The majority of sea trout are taken on traditional night fishing tactics, but you should also bring big surface lures – flies which can generate some savage takes. And a special feature of Annan sea trout is that, unlike in many rivers, they feed voraciously, so good sport can be had during the daytime using drifted dry flies. Noted sea trout fisheries on the river include Cleuchead, Hoddom, Applegarth and Annandale Estates, and much of the water is accessible on a day ticket basis.

Tel: 01573 470 612, or visit www.fishannan.co.uk

Loch Hope

Hope by name, and hope by nature – while many traditional sea trout locations have seen an alarming decline in silvery migrants over recent years, this is a piece of water that can boast a steady supply. Indeed, the last 40 seasons have seen catches remain remarkably constant, and last year over 800 were brought to book. As well as the six mile loch’s stunning setting amidst the hills of Sutherland, the appeal also comes from the traditional tactics which account for most of the sea trout, for this is one of the last bastions of the art of dapping – skating a hirsute fly pattern over the surface of the water – which is one of the most exciting ways to entice a take.

Price: from £59 per boat per day. Tel: 01738 451 600 or visit www.lochhope.co.uk

Ythan Estuary

The three mile tidal stretch, near Newburgh, has long been one of Scotland’s top sea trout fisheries. And despite the large numbers of seals that call the estuary home, it yielded some 519 mature fish between May and the end of September last year, as well as countless finnock. Unlike many rivers and lochs, the angling is not dependent on rainfall levels, and fish from the Dee and Spey, as well as those intent on running the Ythan itself, congregate to enjoy the rich feeding the estuary’s sandbanks have to offer. Fishing can be done by bank or in boat and both spinners and flies are equally effective.

Price: from £25 per day. Tel: 01358 789 297

River Spey

While perhaps better known for its salmon and its whisky, the Spey is also Scotland’s most prolific sea trout fishery, with a 10 year average of a staggering 4,590 fish. And this is despite the fact that on many of the private beats anglers tend to concentrate their efforts on salmon. As a result a good proportion of the sea-run brown trout are caught on association waters, where the fishing tends to more accessible – visiting anglers can buy day tickets for the water closest to which they are staying. One of the best such stretches is at Abernethy, whose six miles of prime double bank fishing yield an average of 256 sea trout each season – mostly during the short northern nights of June and July.

Price from: £40. Tel: 01479 831 274 or visit www.river-spey.com

The South Esk

The South Esk is defined by its sea trout – its very essence, it is said, can be found while waiting for the colour to drain from the landscape and for the bats to start their incessant search above the water for flying insects. While the last five years have seen a decline, it remains a top sea trout river. Shoals of up to 300 have been seen in the Dam Pool at Kintrockat, fortunately the coastal nets south of Montrose continue to take a heavy toll.

Price: from £15. Tel: 01573 470 612 or visit www.fishesks.co.uk

The River Till

Although the Till rises in England, as part of the Tweed system it falls under Scottish fisheries jurisdiction and, as such, is a welcome addition to the list. All the more so due to the quality of its fishing, producing fresh run sea trout in the 4-6lb class from as early as March. Sea trout are caught, from February to the end of November, with night fishing accounting for the bulk of the numbers between late May and July.

Price: from £25 per rod per day/ evening. Tel: 07962 401 770 or visit www.tweedguide. com