Garynahine Estate lies on the West Coast of Lewis and covers over 12,000 acres. It is located within easy reach of Stornoway and in the right conditions offers exceptional summer salmon and trout fishing, walked up grouse and snipe, and very special winter woodcock shooting. In short it is a wonderful all round Hebridean Sporting estate ideal for a family holiday, corporate break or special occasion. For the skilled and the lucky the estate offers the chance of a McNab. 

Fishing

The fishing includes almost the whole of the Lewis Blackwater river system, and the salmon fishing has improved dramatically during the last fifteen years. The river is at its best after rain but provided there is a wind it can fished at any height. In periods of low water terrific numbers of fish can build up in the sea pool and sport can be hectic. Loch fishing for salmon is also available and there are also over 40 trout lochs on the estate. During the 2012 season, 555 salmon were caught, making a five year average of 227, the bulk of the fish caught from July onwards.

A sea going boat is available for bright, calm days when fishing on the river is unadvisable and sea fishing is preferable. Species caught locally include mackerel, pollock, coalfish, flounder and turbot.

Grouse/Snipe Shooting

A limited amount of walked up grouse and snipe shooting is available for parties staying in the lodge. This normally commences at the beginning of September.

Woodcock Shooting

The jewel in the crown at Garynahine is the exceptional driven woodcock shooting. This unique shooting is offered on a very limited basis for parties of 10 guns from November to January each year. Parties usually shoot two days over a long weekend. A record bag of 76 woodcock was shot in one day in 2005, but bags of 30-50 birds are regularly achieved. The winter woodcock shooting is very special, and more suited to experienced shooting parties.

Stalking 

Limited red deer stalking is available by prior arrangement. 

Rods

For salmon and sea trout on the lochs and rivers of Lewis and Harris a 10ft 7 weight is the ideal tool. The same rod can be pressed into service on the brown trout lochs although this is often ‘too much rod’ and a 9 ft 5 weight might be more appropriate.

Dapping can be a deadly technique for sea trout. Some lodges have a supply of dapping rods but if not 17ft telescopic outfits can be cheaply sourced.

If you are planning on fishing in the sea for Pollock/coalfish off the rocks a 9 ft 9 weight is the best tool.

Lines

95% of the time a floating line would be the first choice in the western isles. In very high water or windy weather an intermediate might be useful or alternatively a couple of sinking polyleaders.  For sea fishing off the rocks fast sinking shooting heads are almost essential.

Flies

Generally people fish a 2 or 3 fly cast on the lochs. The size is largely dictated by the wind. Traditionally the top dropper would be drawn through the surface film with a slightly heavier fly or double on the point anchoring the cast. This is still a deadly technique. The bigger the wave the bigger the fly. Everyone has their favourites but we would recommend the following for the lochs:-

Muddler Minnow (natural, orange, on Harris traditional flies with muddler heads score heavily), zulu, kate maclaren, bibio, grouse and claret, soldier palmer, goats toe, clan chief, silver daddy, black pennel, butcher, green peter in a range of sizes.

River- Shrimp flies- cascade, ally, calvin. Dark flies- willie gunn, stoat, silver stoat, green butt. Teal blue and silver, medicine, Sunray and hitch tubes.

Trout- the smaller sizes of the loch patterns will cover much of the fishing but I would also take Hedgehogs, sedges, grouse and claret, doobry

Sea- Sinuous sandeel’s for Pollock etc, teal and blue for sea trout.

Other

Dapping floss, gink, nylon 6-12 lb’s, midge repellent.

The lodge, originally built in about 1720, and extended in the mid 60’s, has undergone a series of refurbishments to provide very comfortable accommodation.

Ground Floor:
2 Public Rooms, Games room, Kitchen, Dining Room, 2 Bedrooms,
1 Bathroom, 1 Shower Room , 2 toilets,
Rod Room and Gun Room.

First Floor:
Drawing Room, 4 Double/Twin Bedrooms with En Suite,
1 Double/Twin Bedroom, 2 Single Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms
and a Shower Room.

Second Floor,
2 Double/Twin Bedrooms with En Suites.

The lodge will be let for either Self Catering or Catered.
Prices will be based on 12 people but extra can be accommodated with a surcharge per head per night.

Lettings are Saturday to Saturday.