Strangely named and a strange loch to fish – completely different to our other lochs in look, fishing methods and fish behaviour. It is right next to the forestry track on the way to Caol. It is a small loch, roughly oval on an east to west axis with a point and small appendix in the north west corner. There is forestry very close to the south bank which is significant as it can make parts of Skyline feel virtually windless – even in a heavy blow. Both bank and boat fishing are available. Skyline has very boggy margins which can be fished from with care but wading is impossible. This is a ‘dubh’ loch and the bank sides descend vertically into the depths. This does not cause problems as fish lie very close to the bank here. Sometimes the boat is only used for transport across the loch as open water fishing has only been of limited success on Skyline over the years.
The majority of fish lie in the western part of the loch, especially near the banks on both sides near the point. Fish are often obvious through their rises brought on by good hatches of buzzers, olives and sedges. Watching these fish is extremely exciting as the fish here are mostly over a pound, averaging about two and with the possibility of fish over four. For many and angler this excitement wanes after four hours chasing fish around the loch without success!
Part of the problem lies with the fact that the majority of Skyline fish taken are done so through patient stalking of rising fish – very few come unannounced as it were. Remember the forestry? This causes the water to look like black glass at times and no matter how skilful your presentation the fish just won’t take and, you guessed it, few rising fish are seen in a good ripple.
But perseverance can reap its rewards. Be patient, silent and remain unobserved and cover any rising fish you can with a close imitation of what you think the fish are on. Two anglers took five fish around the 2lb mark in 2004 with careful presentation of black buzzers. Nymph patterns can be successful and dry fly has its moments but this is not a loch for the traditional pulled wet fly.
A word of warning. Many people try to fish Skyline and Coal together in the same day. Due to their relative distance from the hotel this approach does justice to neither of these lochs as only limited time can be given to each. Give Caol a full day and try and get to Skyline early and fish all morning at least – there are plenty of other lochs on the way back to the hotel to spend the afternoon.