TS - May 2016

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THE VOICE OF GAME-FISHING SINCE 1955
MAY 2016
C OV E R P I C T U R E : T R O U T W I T H M AY F LY. P H OTO G R A P H BY: C O L I N R I AC H
44 10
COVER HIGHLIGHTS
10 The carnival is coming
Dennis Moss offers a guide to his
favourite Irish Mayfly loughs FEATURES 44 Trout from a trickle
Louis Noble goes out on a limb to catch
18 Lessons from a single fly 24 “Big trout don’t take dry-flies” brown trout from a border stream
Yvon Chouinard fishes all year with only Trout-fishers are often misled by maxims 51 An evening visitor
one pattern, in salt and freshwater and half-truths, argues Stan Headley Henry Giles encounters a mysterious
38 Shooting heads versus spey lines 30 Mayfly in France fisherman in Norway
Which floating line is best for late-spring Finlay Wilson enjoys rich sport on 58 Trusting the science of the seas
and summer salmon fishing? Ian Gordon a visit to one of Normandy’s highly Tony Andrews and Sarah Bayley Slater on
looks at the options exclusive chalkstreams the Atlantic Salmon Trust’s past and future
76 The magic of micro-trebles
First of a two-part exclusive from
30
Jens Bursell on how to catch more
sea-trout and salmon
83 Clues to the hatch

Advice on choosing the right
imitation from Don Stazicker
36
18 www.trout-and-salmon.co.uk May 2016 3

70
REGULARS & NEWS

7
8
Editor’s letter
Andrew Flitcroft urges you to have your
say on draft Scottish wild fisheries laws
Wish you were here?

76
98
East Loch Bi, South Uist
54 Newsreel
The latest news and reports from the
world of game fishing
KNOW
61 Casting about
Richard Donkin considers the potential
impact of technology on salmon fishing
HOW
62 Letters
Your views on game-fishing matters
82 Crossword
A chance to win a Guideline Fario rod
68 How to fish from a boat

Gavin Brown explains what to
Subscribe! expect when fishing from a boat
70 Two ways with Buzzers

42 Claim your fly-line 90 Reader offer No-nonsense reservoir advice
Subscribe this month and receive a from Peter Hartley
À box of 200 reservoir flies for £29.99
free Airflo Super Dri fly-line 76 The magic of micro-trebles
96 Tackle
A look at some of the latest kit, including a The first of a two-part exclusive
Scientific Anglers fly-line and Loop rods from Jens Bursell on how to catch
more sea-trout and salmon
130
98 Tried and tested
Korkers wading boots on long-term trial 83 Clues to the hatch
Advice on choosing the right
99 Fly tying imitation from Don Stazicker
Foxy Tails cashmere goat hair and
Semperfli straggle string reviewed
88 Salmon surgery
100 Property Crawford Little gives his view on
Dream houses with fishing for sale grilse, backing and dibbling
103 Fishing reports 91 Salmon fly of the month

News and catches from the major rivers Ross Macdonald suggests the
and stillwaters in the UK and Ireland Executioner for summer fish
127 Fish of the month competition 92 Trout surgery
A chance to win Sharpe’s tackle Ronnie Glass on stress, leader
colour and protecting ribs
130 Last cast
Giles Catchpole welcomes the arrival 95 Trout fly of the month
of brown trout to his pond Rob Denson ties the Sparkle
Hare’s Ear nymph
99
www.trout-and-salmon.co.uk May 2016 5
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Editor’s letter
Andrew Flitcroft sees irony in a plea from the RSPB – and urges all
anglers to have their say on proposed Scottish fisheries laws
T
HE OTHER DAY a press decades? Have they been or are they
release from RSPB willing to back a plan to sufficiently cull
Scotland dropped into these birds to help bring our endangered
my e-mail inbox. The salmon back to abundance. I think not!
title of the document
was “The strange case of THE LATEST CONSULTATION ON DRAFT
the disappearing duck”. Why would provisions for a Wild Fisheries (Scotland)
they be sending me this? I thought. Bill and a draft Wild Fisheries Strategy is
The next line said, “RSPB Scotland underway. It is basically asking that
says angling could help save the ministers be given powers to enforce a
common scoter.” My ears pricked up. new fisheries management framework. As
Surely it would be a first if the RSPB an angler, or club officer or fishery owner,
were encouraging angling? There had it is your opportunity to provide feedback.
to be a catch. Dr Aileen McLeod, minister for
It turned out that the disappearing Environment, Climate Change and Land
duck, the common scoter, is found in Reform, is adamant it is very much a draft
northern Europe, Asia and to a lesser bill and “nothing has been set in stone”.
degree in the Scottish Highlands (specifically the She urges you to grasp this opportunity to shape the
Flow Country of Caithness and Sutherland). Its future of angling in Scotland. Given the recent
numbers in the Highlands are under threat and a categorisation of rivers in Scotland we know only too
three-year research project (supported by Scottish well that Scottish Government are intent on change,
Natural Heritage (SNH), the Wildfowl and Wetlands so I’d urge you to voice your opinions.
Trust (WWT) and The Conservation Volunteers (TCV)) The deadline is May 2.
has been carried out to determine the cause(s). Okay, Proposals include the creation of Fisheries
so what has this got to do with angling? Management Organisations (FMOs) and Fisheries
Well, according to Dr Mark Hancock, from the Management Areas. FMOs will replace existing
RSPB’s Centre for Conservation Science, “Of all the Fishery Boards, in some cases expanding the area
lochs we investigated during this work, scoters bred they cover (other rivers) to form larger Fishery
most often at those with the shallowest water and the Management Areas (FMAs) of which there will be 15
most large, freshwater invertebrates.” or so covering Scotland. It appears their size will be
These ducks eat crustaceans and molluscs in the determined by economics (local funding) and they
sea and insects and small fish in fresh water. will be managed at a local level. What the
Dr Hancock went on to say, “It soon consequences will be for areas not
became clear that there were more managed by an FMO, or if FMOs will
insects where there were fewer brown “I wonder if the RSPB be responsible for coarse as well as
trout, so it looks like scoters are being
limited by a lack of food in places
has heard of ‘The strange migratory fish, is unclear.
There is also a proposal for a wild
where the fish are eating it all.” The case of the disappearing fisheries levy on owners or occupiers
research found “in areas of the north of fisheries for all species (not only
Highlands where angling activity has Atlantic salmon’” salmon and sea-trout). This levy will
dropped off and fish numbers have meet or contribute towards
increased, more trout angling is potentially one way expenditure incurred by Scottish Ministers and
to boost freshwater insect life”. One of the FMOs in promoting the conservation of freshwater
suggestions born from the RSPB’s findings is “At lakes fish and their habitats, best practice in the
used for trout fishing, trout reduction by increased management of wild fisheries and other functions
angling should be trialled to see if this increases required under the Act. However, concern has been
invertebrate abundance and scoter use.” expressed that this levy alone would not sufficiently
This, dear readers, is ironic. Our friends at the fund fisheries management across Scotland and that
RSPB want us to catch and kill native wild trout so the a “management and development levy” raised from
scoter has more food. I wonder if the RSPB has ever “persons who fish in wild fisheries”, should be
heard of “The strange case of the disappearing considered as an additional funding mechanism. In
Atlantic salmon”, the offspring of which have been other words, a rod licence!
decimated by protected cormorants and goosanders To have your say, visit: consult.scotland.gov.uk
on rivers throughout Scotland for the past two and search “wild fisheries”.

Wish you were here?
East Loch Bi, South Uist, Outer Hebrides
East Loch Bi (Bee) is the smaller, more varied and interesting part of South Uist’s largest loch.
It is separated from the larger West Loch Bi by the main road. The whole, very shallow, Bi system
touches the sea on either side of the island, and the loch is brackish over much of
its area, making it of scientific interest as a lagoon.
East Bi is about half a mile wide in the north-west, and runs for more than two miles, narrowing as it
goes, to the floodgate at the outlet channel in the south-east. To the north of the channel, and
connected to the main loch, lies the famous Shell Loch, which often provides the best sport.
The main quarry is brown trout, and big ones are regularly taken. A fish of 8 lb 4 oz was caught at the
PHOTOGRAPH: COLIN RIACH
floodgate in June, 2015. Sea-trout also figure in catches, particularly at the floodgate end, and don’t
be surprised to catch a pollack. Fishing is by fly only. Traditional flies are usually the order of the
day, including Teal, Blue and Silver, Invicta, Silver Stoat, Claret Bumble, Soldier Palmer,
Blue Zulu, Dunkeld, Doobry, Clan Chief and Kate McLaren.
Booking Boat permits (£40 for a full day) can be bought at the Stòras Uibhist office, in person, by
phone (01878 700 101) and by e-mail ([email protected]). Visit www.southuistfishing.com
The carnival is coming Dennis Moss offers a guide to his favourite Mayfly
loughs and tells you when and how to fish them
P H O T O G R A P H Y: D E N N I S M O S S
A
S A DEDICATED brown trout angler For me the hatch begins on Derg in April (weather
I am fortunate to live in a country permitting) as the fish rise in the water looking for
with an abundance of excellent wild surface fly, and finishes in June on Sheelin. I’ll aim to
brown trout fishing. Ireland’s fish some of the other loughs in-between.
limestone loughs can produce Timing your visit to coincide with the main hatch
amazing sport from boat or bank and on a particular lough is the key to getting the most
the cream of the season is probably the Mayfly hatch. from the Irish Mayfly: get it right and some of
It is a festival of fishing not to be missed. Ireland’s stunning wild trout will be your reward.
Lovely evening light

on Lough Sheelin, the
perfect conditions for
spent gnat fishing.
10 xxxxxxxxx 2016 www.trout-and-salmon.co.uk

Make your first
cast on Derg
Derg offers the earliest chance of Mayfly sport among
my favourite waters. The hatch begins in April, and
I’ve known the fly to be up on the 20th, but I would
suggest that the very end of the month (around the
Dennis Moss
lives on the 25th) to mid-May would be the optimum time.
shores of Lough Wet-fly fishing can be productive in the early part of
Corrib. He is the hatch but by the second week of May I would
the author of focus on dry-fly fishing, especially during
two books, the late afternoon and evening.
Trout from a The earlier in the hatch you can time your visit the
Boat, and Irish better the sport, especially for the green fly – the Irish
Rise. He is also term for the emerging or adult (dun) Mayfly, which
a vice president appears a light olive colour. Derg is also an excellent
of the Wild spent gnat (a dead or dying Mayfly) water, which
Trout Trust. makes it ideal for anyone seeking evening fishing.
The lough is the lowest on the Shannon catchment.
It’s big, at some 32,000 acres, and borders three
counties – Clare, Galway and Tipperary – but isn’t
particularly deep at just over 100 ft. All the fishing
happens over the shallow bays or along the margins.
Indeed, unless there is a big fall of spent fly it is best
to avoid drifting the open water because most of the
action will be near the banks. The shorelines to the
north of Mount Shannon and Dromineer are good
areas on which to concentrate, as are Youghal Bay
and Scarrif Bay. Always try to fish the more
sheltered water.
Unless you are prepared to do a bit of patient
searching, avoid the area north of Illanmore Island
because the trout population becomes thinner up the
north end of the lough. The city of Limerick is a short
distance from the southern end.
Smaller bags of fish are the norm on Derg – fish
between 1 lb and 3 lb – but always be prepared for
the unexpected as there are some very big trout
in Derg, and if the conditions are right they
will move for the spent fly.
One of the better fish that can be found in Lough Derg.

IR ISH M AY FLY L OUGHS
A beautifully patterned Corrib trout safely landed.
Wish for a wind

on the Corrib
The largest lough in the Republic of Ireland, Corrib
covers an area of about 42,000 acres north of the
city of Galway. It is another good early-season water
and in most years you will see a hatch of fly
beginning in late April. The hatch can extend into
June, so the Corrib has a long season, though I
would suggest that the best fishing usually occurs
over the first two weeks of May. The lough offers
good opportunities for both wet-fly and dry-fly
during the day and early evening, but there is little
opportunity for gnat fishing. Do not expect a late fall
of spent fly because it rarely happens. Instead, the
fly usually fall earlier in the day when the duns are
still emerging, which means daytime fishing can
cover both phases of the adult cycle. During late
afternoon it is possible to catch trout that are
feeding on both the emerging and the spent fly.
Fishing from the bank as well as the boat can be
productive, ideally in an offshore wind. Look for a
favourable wind on the islands or peninsulas. As well
as traditional methods, the Corrib also offers good
dapping with the natural insect. Fished on a blow-
line with a long rod, the method is dependant on
wind – the stronger the better.
A relatively shallow lough, the deepest water is at
the north end (about 150 ft) but there are plenty of
offshore shallows and reefs. During the Mayfly hatch
it can pay to drift some of the open-water areas.
There are plenty of well-known drifts: the water
north of Lee’s Island in the middle narrows offers
good Mayfly fishing, but avoid the lower lough,
which, although popular for buzzer and olive
fishing, offers little in the way of a Mayfly hatch.
Good bases from which to fish would be
Oughterard on the west shore, Cornamona
in the north and Greenfields in the east.
This is a very productive fishery with good
stocks of trout, but it can become a little busy
once word gets out that the fly is up. Fish range
in size from 12 oz up to 3 lb, with the chance of
a four- or even a five-pounder.
12 May 2016 www.trout-and-salmon.co.uk

The stunning
scenery of upper
Corrib provides a
breathtaking
backdrop for a
day’s fishing.
Head for the shallows on Mask

Lough Mask is deeper (about 190 ft) and a season. Concentrate on the shallower water
little further north than Corrib, which tends around islands and offshore reefs, and along
to delay the main hatch so that mid-May to the margins. The eastern shore offers
early June is usually the best time to visit. extensive shallow areas and some of the best
Mayfly hatch all around the lough, but they fishing on the lough.
tend to be thinner on the ground and later on Both dry-fly and the dapped fly can be
the upper lough south-west of Ferry Bridge productive, and this is another good lough for
and in Mamm Trasna. shore fishing. I’ve experienced some truly
Good access can be obtained from memorable day’s bank fishing in big winds,
Cushlough Bay, and this is adjacent to some especially on the eastern shore or the western
very good fishing areas. A very pretty shoreline north of Toormakeady.
backdrop of mountain and moorland Unfortunately the latter has fallen off over the
stretches up from the western shore. last few seasons. I don’t know if this is due to
Unlike Derg and Corrib, which are long and overfishing or some other factor, but this was
narrow, Mask is more oval and covers an once a good shore, just beyond the drop-off.
area of just over 20,000 acres. It is another I would strongly suggest you hire the
lough that fishes well in windy conditions. services of a boatman. Irish loughs are
Most of the deepest water is west of the hazardous places to fish, and Mask is
central archipelago of islands that stretch possibly the most dangerous of all.
Playing a trout
hooked while fishing south to north up the lough. Here we are Never underestimate it.
off one of Lough talking about Mayfly fishing, so forget these There is a good stock of trout in the
Mask’s many islands. deep-water drifts where traditional wet-fly 12 oz to 2 lb range with an outside chance
methods will come into play later in the of a four- or five-pounder.

Wet-fly sport on Ree can be good in the emergence period, though this fish took a dry Ginger May in an afternoon hatch.
Catch a trophy on Ree

Though only three to five trout would represent a towards the middle of the hatch. If the weather
good day’s fishing on Lough Ree, these trout are likely becomes warm and settled expect some big falls of
to weigh between 2 lb and 4 lb, and there’s the chance gnat, and some good fish. Breezy, with overcast skies
of something special. are the desired conditions and once the spent fly
Wet-fly fishing can be good during the first eight to begins to fall then dry-fly is a must. Evening fishing
ten days of the hatch but my preference is for the is the best of all. The most productive areas depend
dry-fly. The first of the serious Mayfly hatches occurs on wind direction – being shallow this lough can
around the middle of May and extends through to the colour up on the windward shore.
first week of June. It can carry on later, but usually by I’ve caught fish as far north as Inchenagh Island,
the end of the first week of June the best of the fishing though it seems to me that the fishing improves the
is over and it becomes very tough indeed. The fishery further south you go. The area south of the Black
does not respond well to big winds, and in some of the Islands is worth exploring as it is a popular place to
shallower bays the undertow can lift fine solids off fish, but I find that it pays to hunt around and not
the bottom and colour the water. spend too long in one area. Keep an eye out for gulls
At just over 26,000 acres it is a big sheet of water hawking around for flies – these birds are a good
that some anglers find daunting, but I have to say indicator of where the Mayfly hatches are – they can
I have a fondness for this lough. Both wet-fly and cover a lot of ground quickly and it’s a good bet that
dry-fly work well, though the wet-fly peters out they will find the fly first.

For intimacy, Larry McCarthy
try Arrow prepares to bring an

Arrow fish to the boat.
At around 2,000 acres Arrow is the smallest of the
loughs in this selection, and one that is a good
introduction for reservoir anglers and those used
to smaller waters. Similar to Lough Ree, it is a
fishery that suits the angler more interested in big
fish than big bags. Like Ree, ArrowÕs Mayfly
hatches start in mid-May and continue through to
the first week of June. Wet-fly fishing can be good
for the first week or so, after which I would
concentrate on the dry-fly, especially during the
evening when the spent fly go out.
A sheltered fishery, the surface of Lough Arrow
is broken by a number of sizeable islands that give
protection from the wind. Wet-fly fishing can be
good but I find the dry-fly takes the bigger trout,
particularly in the late-evening fall of gnat. During
the Mayfly this can be a popular venue and the
added boat traffic can slow the fishing.
Arrow fish range from 1½ lb to 3 lb and the
fishing can be demanding at times but there is the
chance of targeting big brown trout on a dry-fly.
The writer’s boat moored in

perfect conditions on Lough
Arrow. Dennis took two fish
from the shore of the island just
after this photograph was taken.
www.trout-and-salmon.co.uk xxxxxxxxx 2016 15

Don’t miss the spent gnat on Sheelin

On Sheelin it is possible to take fish on are still there, up to and beyond 4 lb.
the Mayfly deep into June following a Sheelin is like a large English
mid-May start. Indeed, the lough has the reservoir and is a user-friendly oval
latest hatch of the six fisheries featured lough that, providing one isn’t silly, is
in my selection. safe to fish. It’s shallow (about 50 ft deep)
For the first two weeks, there is and covers 4,500 acres with good fishing
good green-fly fishing on wet-fly, but found all over.
by late May and June the gnat take over. The best of the Mayfly fishing occurs
Hatches are phenomenal and the north of a line from Orangefields to
falls are one of nature’s great spectacles Lynch’s Point. Always try to seek out the
– it is probably the best spent quieter water – the wild browns will Dennis Moss with a fine fish of over 5 lb.
gnat water in Ireland. respond better if they haven’t been
At one time it was rare to catch a fish spooked. Sheelin has become popular in to light winds with some east or west in
in Sheelin under 2 lb. Now there are recent years and the increase in their direction. Avoid strong blows from
excellent stocks of smaller trout, but disturbance from boat traffic can affect the south or north as they offer little
always be prepared because the big ones sport. This lough fishes best in moderate shelter for both fly and angler.
Beds, boats and guides

1 . L OUGH DERG Aasleagh Lodge
Tackle and tactics Fisherman’s Paradise (Victorian house) 5
6
Rods should be 9 ft-10 ft and rated for (accommodation, boats and & Erriff Fishery 3
guiding), Scarrif, Co Clare. Leenane, 2 4
5 wt-6 wt lines. A weight-forward floating
line will cover the majority of situations, but Tel: 00 353 61 92 1851. Connemara, Co.
Mob: 00 353 86 252 0663. Galway, Ireland 1
an intermediate or sink-tip line will suit those
who like a bit of wet-fly fishing. Tippets Derg Lodge (boats and Tel: 00 353 95 42208
should be 0.15 mm to 0.2 mm. Add to this a guiding), Liam Waterstone, Web:
small selection of wet-flies, dry-flies and a Mount Shannon, Co Clare. aasleaghlodge.ie
few nymphs and we have all we need. Don’t Tel: 00 353 61 927 180. Email: bookings@
overcomplicate the fly selection: a dozen delphiresort.com
patterns would cover all my needs for the 2 . L OUGH COR R I B
Mayfly – six wet-flies, four dry-flies and a Larry McCarthy 4 . L OUGH R EE
couple of nymphs. (accommodation, boats and Hodson Bay Hotel
Hatches usually occur between noon and guiding), Corrib View Lodge, (accommodation and boats),
6 pm and this is the period that produces the Glencorrib, Co Galway. Athlone Road, Athlone,
best fishing so don’t be too despondent if the Tel: 00 353 93 31718. Co Rosscommon.
morning starts slowly. It is possible to catch Web: corribangling.com Tel: 00 353 90 644 2005.
trout moving to the green fly with both Midsummer Lakehouse
wet-fly and dry-fly. (accommodation, boats and 5 . L OUGH A R ROW
Only stay out in the evening if the water guiding), Portacarron, Arrowrock Lodge
you’re fishing is known to have a fall of spent Oughterard, Galway. (accommodation and boats),
gnat – these flies will be lying flat in the Tel: 00 353 91 552 121. Balynary, Lough Arrow,
surface film and to imitate them you’ll need Connemara Lake Hotel Co Sligo.
to use a dry-fly. The trout will be looking for a Main Street, Oughterard Tel: 00 353 71 9666073.
fly that is static, so you must never move the County Galway, Ireland. Mob: 00 353 86 223 3922.
fly. Dry Mayfly patterns are large flies and in Email: [email protected] Web: arrowrocklodge.com
the light evening air turnover can be a Tel: 00 353 9186 6016. Web:
theconnemaralakehotel.com
problem. It is essential that your fly lands off 6 . L OUGH SH EEL I N
a straight leader, so in calm conditions fish Gary McKiernan (guiding),
with one fly, and in a wave fish with two. 3 . L OUGH M A SK Kilnahard, Lough Sheelin,
There is no need for three flies as they will David Hall (accommodation, Co Cavan.
impede turnover and slow down your boats and guiding). Tel: 00 353 49 433 7185.
delivery. Good, accurate casting is a must Tel: 00 353 94 954 1389. Mob: 00 353 87 1245 927.
– if you are a little rusty, practise before you
make the trip. This preparation will be
worthwhile when you see a large wild
brownie feeding along the edge of a wind The boats head
lane, within casting range. out to fish the
evening fall of
spent gnat on
Lough Sheelin.

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Lessons from
a simple fly
Yvon Chouinard fishes all year with only one pattern,
in salt and fresh water
I
N THE VARIOUS outdoor pursuits and Brown for a whole season and a Blue Charm for
crafts in which I’ve been involved – from another. He caught as many salmon as before and,
mountaineering and whitewater kayaking in fact, found his success with either fly was hardly
to spear fishing and tool making – the PATAGONIA
different. Art Flick, the Catskill angler and fly-tyer
progression from novice to master has who wrote The Streamside Guide to Naturals and Their
always been a journey from the complex to Imitations, ended up using mostly one fly, the Grey
the simple. An illustrator becomes an artist when he Fox variant. Jim Teeny has used only the Teeny
can convey his message with fewer brush strokes. Nymph since 1971. Some of the most successful
Yvon Chouinard
Fishing with a fly seems to have gone in the salmon fishermen in Canada use only
is the founder
opposite direction: it has become a needlessly the Muddler Minnow.
of the
complex and expensive pastime where anglers Patagonia My scheme was to use only one style of fly for
choose from hundreds of fly-lines, high-tech rods, clothing all trout, salmon and saltwater fish.
and trout reels with drags that can stop a truck. We company. Years ago, the American angler George LaBranche
all know that palming the rim of a reel with a simple He is the author considered the myriad aspects of using dry-flies to
click-drag can stop any trout or salmon, but the of Simple Fly catch trout and ranked their importance. The
industry has become dependent on building Fishing and position of the fly on the water he ranked first.
insecurity in the minds of their customers—if we Let My People Second, the action of the fly. Third, the fly’s size.
aren’t outfitted with the latest gear and au courant Go Surfing. Fourth and fifth, the form and colour of the fly. For
signature fly, can we really be enjoying ourselves? the way I typically fish with wet-flies, I rank the fly’s
(I must admit that I, too, have multiple rods and reels action as most important, followed by size and
and I’ve caught myself cursing for not having the presentation. I believe most anglers place too much
exact fly for that specific stage of importance on form and colour.
that particular mayfly…) The Pheasant Tail and Partridge
More than 30 years ago, I was “The position of the fly on the (PT) is a neutral fly that fairly
introduced to the original method imitates most mayfly and caddis.
of fishing with a fly first described water he ranked first. Second, It probably has its roots in the time
in the second century AD by
Claudius Aelianus. This form of
the action of the fly” of Dame Juliana Berners in 1496
when she wrote a treatise
fishing is still practised in parts of describing the wet-fly patterns used
Spain, Italy and Japan, in addition to places where within England at that time. Frank Sawyer, the river
people cannot afford modern gear. I’ve adapted keeper on the Avon, has been attributed as the
this simple tenkara style to the large rivers of the developer of the modern Pheasant Tail nymph.
Americas with great success. The combination Some years before, George Skues was already
of the long tenkara rod (no reel) and soft hackle tying a version of the soft-hackle PT.
wet-flies has proven for me to be the most My one-fly season began in the winter and spring
effective way to catch trout on a fly. of 2015 when I used the PT on the flats of the
I usually fished the soft hackles with a brace of Bahamas and Cuba. Bonefish that have been fished
different flies. Then I started noticing that most heavily can get spooky. If they “blow up” when you
times, regardless of the hatch, the fish took the strip the fly it’s probably because they have seen too
Pheasant Tail and Partridge. If that was so, why many shiny hooks, bright eyes, and flashabou. I tied
bother with the other patterns? Why not see how saltwater PTs on size 6 and 8 weighted bronze-
far I could go fishing an entire season with coloured hooks. I used long hackles from the backs of
only one style of fly? grouse necks and tied on two at a time to give a
Like most new ideas in fishing, this one had been bushier look. With a small strip, the hackles pulsate
thought of before: Arthur Wood, the advocate of like a jellyfish or shrimp. This plain brown fly rarely
greased-line fishing for salmon, used only a March spooked the wary bones and even worked well over
P H O T O G R A P H Y: J O N A T H A N T O M L I N S O N
When you tie only one
style of fly over and
over, there’s no need
CHRIS GAGGIA
for a fancy desk.

L E S SONS FROM A SIM PL E FLY
light sand bottoms where you would normally use them about 30 inches apart. The two-fly system
a lighter-coloured fly. I’ve since used the PT for many increases the friction further and gives a different
other saltwater fish. action to each fly. I can’t emphasise enough the
Fishing for trout in the spring and summer in importance of giving action to the fly. Like your
Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, I fished a size 10 as house cat, fish are predators. Slowly pull a toy mouse
an attractor. When a hatch came on, I would switch to across the floor and the cat will go into its predator
the appropriate size. Regardless of the colour of the stance. Stop pulling and give it a twitch—the cat
naturals or whether they were mayflies, caddis or pounces. Grizzly bears and tigers love it
stoneflies, the PT in the proper size out-fished the when you run.
more exact imitations. In early July I applied my one-fly approach to the
My wet-fly technique is simple. I cast 45-degrees salmon of the Hawke River in Labrador. The flies
downstream and mend the line to slow the swing. were tied on size 10 and 12 low-water salmon hooks
When the line starts to straighten, I slowly lift the rod and were fished mostly with a Portland hitch on the
to straighten it even more. Once the line is straight, surface. In a week I landed about 20 proper salmon
I give an occasional twitch with the tip of the rod. and a few grilse. Later, on the Haffjardara in Iceland
I’m trying to imitate an emerging caddis or mayfly I had similar luck. Most of the fish were grilse and I
swimming to the surface or struggling from its used the sensitivity of a 10 ft 5-weight rod to give
shuck. Nine out of ten times the take is right after the action to the fly. The occasional twitch with the
twitch. The flexible tip of the tenkara rod is perfect hitched fly was especially effective at inducing a take
for imparting this subtle action. in slower water. I wasn’t trying to
I’ve found that a proper twitch is prove a point anymore; it was
the most difficult thing to master “I give an occasional simply the most effective way to
in swinging wet-flies. Almost
everyone overdoes it. A big twitch
twitch with the the rod tip. catch these salmon. I’ve since taken
to hitching the PT for trout, which
will send a wave of slack down the I’m trying to imitate an often leads to explosive takes.
line giving time for the fish to eject In September I had an
the fly. Remember, you are trying emerging caddis…” opportunity to fish for steelhead for
to entice a take, not scare the fish. five days on the Babine River in
If you’re getting bites but few hooked trout, it’s either British Columbia. On the first day there was only six
a small fish or there’s slack in the line. inches of visibility. It cleared to a foot on the second
Modern fast- and medium-action rods are not day, but I had no confidence that a fish would be able
designed to impart movement to the fly; they’re built to see my small flies. I put on a sink-tip line with a big
to cast heavy flies a long distance – usually beyond dark Intruder and caught one small steelhead.
the fish. Add the typical 5- or 6-weight line and the On the third day I still couldn’t see my boots but
line droop at the end of the rod prevents any sort of the water was clearer and the parr were active in the
twitch transferring to the fly. The best you can do is shallow riffles, feeding on caddis and green drakes
lower the tip to the water and try to give the smallest in the afternoon. I thought if the parr could see the
hand-strip. When I want to use a rod and reel, I use a tiny naturals then surely the adults could see my size
cane rod or a 10 ft 2-weight rod with a 1-weight line to 10 PT. Sure enough, I started catching some large
avoid the line droop. I also tie knotted leaders steelhead. I even caught two sockeye salmon,
because the increased water friction helps to which is unusual so late in the season and so
straighten the line. far from the sea.
When fishing a brace of flies I tie the larger fly on Conditions continued to improve and I switched to
the point and the smaller on the dropper, keeping a floating line and a hitched PT. Even fishing behind
KATSUMI FUJIKURA
RHETT CUTRELL
After several anglers had fished through this run, without success, Success in the Bahamas. Bonefish rarely see flies without glitter
this brownie fell for a size 12 PT on a tenkara rod. so they are not afraid to bite a size 8 weighted PT.

A version with a
bulbous head, tied
THE FLY FOR ALL SEASONS

on an up-eyed
salmon single
for hitching.
For salmon and saltwater

species dress with a few turns
of grouse for added bulk.
The standard,
un-weighted nymph,
tied in various sizes to
imitate a given hatch.
Extra depth can be

achieved by adding a
tungsten bead at
the head.
Yvon’s Pheasant Tail and Partridge

Hook Dai-Riki 075 or Tiemco 3769 Thread Dark brown
Rib Copper wire Tail Pheasant tail fibres (three to five) Abdomen Pheasant tail fibres
Hackle Partridge (grouse for salmon/saltwater variant) Thorax Peacock Ice dub
T Y I NG T H E PH E A S A N T TA I L A N D PA RT R I D GE
The Dai-Riki 075 and Tiemco one-and-a-half to two turns. The thorax when wet
3769 are similar hooks that Use a neck from an older looks a lot like the air bubble
both sink a bit and can better bird shot later in the season of an emerging fly. It’s an
imitate a rising emerger. so the feathers will be stiffer important improvement over
PETER GATHERCOLE
They are also shorter, so a and durable. normal soft-hackle ties.

size 12 is more like a 14. The thorax is tied last. To tie a pheasant-tail dry-fly
Counter wind the copper Push it against the hackle, just use a dry-fly hook. To tie a
wire for a durable body. keeping it from laying nymph, add a tungsten bead
Tie in the hackle and wind against the body. in front of the hackle.

L E S SONS FROM A SIM PL E FLY
TOM DERRY
Searching for steelhead
on the Babine River,
British Columbia.
other anglers who were throwing traditional gaudy plastic concoctions—outfits for a Barbie doll, as the
steelhead flies, the PT was producing fish up to writer Tom McGuane calls them. But midges and
37 inches. Many times when using large rubber BWOs are active swimmers and a size 20 or 22
waking flies for steelhead you get boils but no takes. sparsely tied PT fished on the surface with a tiny
I believe this is because the flies are too large. twitch can be as effective as any fly.
Rarely do I get only a boil with the small flies. In this Am I going to continue using only one fly for the
situation, I’m convinced it was the most effective fly rest of my life? My tying table looks pretty brown
and technique I could have used. and boring… also, I feel the lessons
We think anadromous fish take have been learned. Action and
flies even though they are not “We humans think of ourselves size are more important than
feeding because it’s a memory style and colour.
from when they were parr-eating as perpetual teenagers; Limiting options forces
insects. If that’s so, it would
explain why a small fly works so
maybe salmon do, too?” creativity. Fishing for a year with
only the PT has given me deep
well especially when there’s a knowledge about what to do with
hatch. We humans think of ourselves as perpetual that simple brown fly and a deeper understanding
teenagers; maybe salmon and steelhead do, too? of fish. It has taught me that choosing a more
In the late autumn and through the winter, when simple life doesn’t mean choosing an
the only hatches happening are tiny midges and impoverished life. Rather, simplicity can
blue-winged olives, most American anglers stoop to lead to a more satisfying way of fishing
throwing streamers and gross rubber-legged and and a more responsible way of living.
KATSUMI FUJIKURA
TOM DERRY
You don’t need big flies for big fish. This trout took a size 14 PT. A Babine steelhead that fell to a hitched PT fly.

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“Big trout don’t
take dry-flies”
Stan Headley argues that trout-fishers are too often
misled by maxims and hindered by half-truths.
Here he busts six enduring myths
Stan Headley
has been
fishing for trout
since he was a
It’s overcast with boy and is
a soft westerly. author of Trout
Weather conditions & Salmon Flies
may appear perfect
to us but they are
of Scotland
not the reason why and The Loch
a fish may feed. Fisher’s Bible.
P H O T O G R A P H Y: J O N A T H A N T O M L I N S O N
M Y T H: “CON DITIONS A R E PER F E CT ” shrimp, caddis larvae and snails. Sunlight is
Our understanding of the activity and feeding the catalyst without which the food chain will
patterns of fish is so weak that we really don’t have a struggle to exist.
clue when conditions will be “perfect”, when fish will Another omnipresent myth that clouds our
be active and when not. To simply look outside or at a thinking concerns trout breeding. A large proportion
weather forecast before going fishing can lead to of wild trout anglers believe that the overwhelming
bitter disappointment. Feeding fish, particularly in majority of trout – if not all – spawn every winter.
fertile waters, will feed when opportunity presents This belief couldn’t be further from the truth. In any
itself, and that means when there are plenty of food wild population of trout only a percentage of fish will
items such as in a hatch or bloom. And blooms spawn in late autumn/winter. This means that in
or hatches can be triggered by factors beyond the spring the greater bulk of fish caught will
our comprehension, there being so many be non-spawners (maidens), while the spawners
factors involved. will be virtually comatose in deep water
It is often thought that mild south-westerly winds waiting for the late-spring food bonanza
and high cloud cover will always provide good before becoming active.
fishing. It is also thought that bright weather plus cold While we’re on the subject of fish being comatose,
northerly or easterly winds provide hopeless fishing trout, being cold-blooded creatures, have the ability to
conditions. Neither prophesies can be relied upon. I render themselves inactive for long periods of time
remember some years back when I was closely during the year. This generally happens in the spring
monitoring what made good and bad fishing (see above) and after the binge feeding that happens
conditions on a particular loch, that mild westerly in the late spring/early summer. How often have you
weather was proving hopeless and sudden easterly heard of folks searching the waters with fish-finders
cold snaps saw better-than-average catches and coming across large populations of fish in open
being returned. water, which prove impossible to catch?
For example, I was out on Loch Leven one evening One of the interesting aspects of this behaviour is
in June with my club. It that many of the trout
was bright, very cold and caught when general
windy – virtually hopeless “Hunger is a very alien water lifeform activity is
conditions, with no hope of low have empty
a hatch. I thought “top of concept when applied to stomachs. I am almost
the wind” to take any
advantage of reduced wind
fish behaviour” wholly convinced that
these fish have only
chill and shelter that was recently become active
available. After a couple of fishless hours we decided after a comatose spell and are more opportunistic
to head a bit further down the wind in the region of than fish that are more tuned into the natural cycles.
Castle Island, which had been providing some sport Another aspect of this behaviour generates
in better conditions. Shortly after getting into that other great myth – “They’ve got to get hungry
position, I saw a fish rise… then another. Gulls had sometime!” Well, no they don’t. Trout have no need to
arrived from nowhere and were obviously feeding. feed on a daily basis because, again, they are cold
I switched to dry-flies and managed three good fish blooded. In very fertile, productive bodies of water,
in what turned out to be a frenetic but short-lived trout get very hatch-centric and they binge-feed
buzzer hatch. From an objective perspective, if it when the going is good. And fishing outside hatch
hadn’t been a club outing I would have been periods can be very unproductive and frustrating.
tucked up at home in front of a blazing Hunger is a very alien concept when applied
hearth thinking I was missing nothing to fish behaviour.
in such hellish conditions.
You pay your money and take your chances.
PETER GATHERCOLE
M Y T H S “ T H E T ROU T M UST BE
H U NGRY ” OR “ BR EEDI NG”
Anthropomorphism is a clumsy word that should
be tattooed on an extremity of every fly-fisherman.
It means crediting animals or other non-cognitive
creatures with human behaviour, emotions or
thoughts, and is one of the major stumbling blocks
that bedevil fly-fishermen. Where this wrong
thinking affects us most is in trying to understand
trout feeding regimes and basic behaviour.
In the early months of the season, many
fisherman expect to find fish in deep water.
While large numbers of fish may well inhabit
deep water in the spring, they will not be feeding
and be, to a great extent, uncatchable. Feeding fish
MICHAEL BOYD
will be in shallow water where weak spring sunshine

can penetrate the water, reach the loch bottom, Trout are opportunistic: these live midge larvae were
and trigger algal growth upon which will feed spooned from an Eyebrook reservoir rainbow trout.

M Y T H: “ TO CATCH BIG F ISH YOU
M UST USE T H ICK ER ST R I NG”
I believe that selecting leader strength has three
mitigating factors. In diminishing order of
importance they are: hook size; balance of tackle; and
individual fish weight.
One of the biggest strains one can impose on leader
monofilament occurs during casting. That period
during casting when the flies go from backward
movement to forward movement. During this action
fly speed can be measured in a hundred plus mph.
The strain created by these forces can snap
monofilament like cotton thread if the angler is
employing heavy hooks on light leader material.
In contrast using very light hooks on broad-
diameter monofilament means that the flies are not
presented in a life-like or attractive manner. There
has to be a balance between fly weight and the bend
or flexibility inherent in leader material.
PETER GATHERCOLE
Most monofilament will have some stretch in it, as

will most fly-lines. Pre-stretched leader materials
have their ability to stretch reduced, so it is worth
bearing this in mind, especially if you are prone to
break-offs in fish or are consistently discovering that
flies are mysteriously disappearing from the leader.
Some leading tackle manufacturers supply fly-lines
in which the core is low stretch. They are designed to “It is impossible for a leader to break in
improve the ratio between takes and successful
hooking. If using lines of this type it is sometimes all but the most bizarre circumstances
necessary for the angler to beef up the breaking-
strain of his leader because it is regularly in the
if the rod is vertical or near vertical”
moment of “the take” that most leader-breaks occur.
In order to convert energy into power so that a rod So, if you are fishing a water where big fish can be
can cast a line, rod spring and flexibility are essential. expected, get your rod right and match it with
A rod’s spring will not only help to cast a line but will appropriate monofilament – any break will be due to
also absorb shock during fights with fish. Steady angler mistake.
pressure will never break leaders, but sudden shocks
will, particularly if the rod is horizontally pointing at M Y T H: “CATCH-A N D -R EL E A SE OF
the fish. It is totally impossible for a leader to break in W I L D T ROU T IS A G O OD T H I NG” Big fish on
all but the most bizarre circumstances if the rod is There is a growing trend among fishermen to return dry-fly: Alex
vertical or near vertical. every fish they catch, particularly wild brown trout. Ferguson with
a Malham Tarn
As regards tackle balance, imagine you are on a This is perhaps understandable where they are rare six-pounder
spring salmon beat with a 15 ft double-hander and an and endangered, for example in the southern part of taken on an
11 wt fly-line, chucking a conehead. You wouldn’t link the UK, which is verging on being climatically Adams Hopper.
all that together with a 0·18 mm leader. That would be unsuited to Salmo trutta. But in Scotland and the bulk
ridiculous I’m sure you’d agree. It is all to do with rod of Ireland I venture to suggest this view is eccentric.
strength. Every rod has a test curve, which is the Don’t get me wrong. I return the vast majority of my
strength/weight needed to bend the rod a prescribed trout, and only keep those that are destined for the
amount. This requires an appropriate leader table. But I have a natural horror and deep distrust of
strength. A leader that can’t perform this action, with mandatory catch-and-release. It can be, I believe,
reserves, will break at the slightest shock. Balanced inherently damaging to wild stock, and is riddled
gear is vitally important. with anthropomorphism (yes, that word again).
The moral justifications for releasing or killing
COLIN RIACH
a trout is beyond the scope of this piece, but the

sustainability and welfare of wild trout environments
is not. What concerns me most about blanket c-and-r
policies is that they don’t take into consideration any
environmental or ecological factors pertaining to
individual waters and their stock dynamics.
Let us take two totally different trout environments.
The first is a low-nutrient, low pH water with good
spawning facilities, and high stock levels. The second,
a highly productive environment with reduced
spawning availability, and low stock density. To
impose an identical, catch-all (if you’ll excuse the pun)
To play a big fish the rod and leader must be balanced. c-and-r policy to those locations would benefit neither.

T R O U T- F I S H I N G M Y T H S
T&S
The typical Highland loch environment (the
former) will produce high quantities of small fish in
any given year, and to identify young from old fish is
inherently difficult. I believe that in such locations
bigger-than-average fish display a positive reaction to
the water ecology, and should be preserved at all
costs. A general, positive harvesting campaign will
not affect stock levels, and will provide improved
feeding throughout the population. This should be
of prime importance in any c-and-r policy.
In the latter, every fish in the low population will
be capable of good growth, achieving trophy fish Experienced anglers carry lines of many densities
proportions. Small fish are tomorrows “lunkers”, because each can offer a subtly different fly presentation.
and should be preserved at all costs. A high quantity
of sexually-mature big fish competing for spawning Where is everything going wrong? Well, assuming
space at the end of the year will lead to redd- that it’s a level playing field and your flies are
overcutting and potential population diminishment. theoretically acceptable, one can only assume that
In such scenarios the removal of the odd adult fish, your presentation is “off”.
Catch-and- which has already passed on its genes in previous Presentation is a factor of fly-fishing that most
release should years, does no harm, as long as some degree of ignore. An old friend once tried to convince me that
be imposed on restraint is observed. presentation is more important than pattern. I
a water-by-
water basis. I’ve said it before but it bears repeating – c-and-r couldn’t accept that then; I can accept it now. And
is a valuable tool if used like a scalpel; used as a what has led me to change my mind? The
bludgeon it is worse than useless. proliferation in modern fly-line choice and nymph
tactics for rainbow trout, that’s what. I now believe
M Y T H: “ YOU CA N M A K E DI F F ER EN T that it is better to present the wrong fly well than the
L I N E S WOR K I N T H E S A M E WAY ” right fly badly. Good presentation convinces trout;
Here’s the situation: You and your buddy are fishing bad presentation puts them right off.
buzzers from a boat. He is catching, you are not. He’s Every line option, every change in retrieve style,
fishing a midge tip, and you’ve got on your favourite will present your flies differently to the fish. Don’t
full floater. You reckon the fish must be a bit deeper – think you can replicate the presentation of one
at a level he is reaching but you are not – so you add a density of line with another.
few feet of mono to let your flies sink a bit deeper.
Nothing changes. You still don’t catch, and he’s into M Y T H: “ BIG T ROU T D ON ’ T
his zillionth fish. He is becoming so smug you want to TA K E DRY-F L I E S”
hit him with an oar. I have heard that there is a growing myth that big
trout won’t take a dry-fly. This puzzles me greatly
because I have always believed the exact opposite.
In Orkney some years back, I was experimenting
with the dry-fly as a replacement for standard wet-fly
tactics for wild browns. I caught all my heaviest fish
from all the major lochs – bar Stenness, which is
brackish – on dry-fly.
Why should a dry-fly be attractive to bigger trout?
My theory, such as it is, is that nutritional economics
lies at the heart of this mystery. Small trout can race
about attacking anything and everything in sight and
get a decent nutritional return on their effort from
eating small, fast, active food items. For a big fish to
do this would be suicide. Big fish burn up a lot of
energy moving about and to get a positive return
from a food item it either has to be big or, at least,
require a minimum of energy to hunt down and eat.
In a nutshell, big trout like a sure thing, and nothing’s
surer than slow or static food items. (Is this why so
many big trout are caught on Buzzer patterns?) I
believe that fish instinctively know this.
What can be more effortlessly eaten than a fly
trapped in the surface film? What can be more
frustrating and nutritionally void than chasing a fast
nymph to the surface, only to have it snapped up in
front of you by a quarter-pounder. To slip up a calm
lane, sipping down hatching fly, is a very good deal for
COLIN RIACH
a big fish, leaving their smaller brethren to attack the

ascending pre-hatch nymphs.
Big trout like dry-flies.

7-8 TH
MAY 2016
THE BIGGEST & BEST FREE
FISHING SHOW!
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IRELAND SCOTLAND
ENGLAND
WALES
Mayfly in France
Finlay Wilson enjoys wonderful sport – and food
and wine – on a visit to one of Normandy’s usually
highly exclusive chalkstreams
P H O T O G R A P H Y: A R K A D I D E R A K O F F
Finlay fishes up
the crystal-clear
Oribquet as it slides
through meadows
in late June.

T R O U T- F I S H I N G I N F R A N C E
A
S MUCH AS I love Scotland, I’ve On the first morning Kadi took me to fish the St
always held a flame for France. Martin de Bienfaite parcour (beat) where the Orbiquet
There are many reasons for this: runs through a heady mixture of farmland and
fond memories of family camping meadow, back gardens and old mills, all fringed with
holidays where a boy could fish all thick bankside vegetation and overhanging willow
day under searing sun or muggy trees. The temperature was cool under intermittent
sky wherever there was water; cloud and the wind blustery but as ever when fishing
touring the length and breadth of somewhere for the first time, expectations were high.
this stunning country with a rock- We started near the bottom of the stretch, spread out
and-roll band in my twenties; the and edged our way upstream looking for action. After
food, the wine and the weather. One just a few minutes I saw my first Orbiquet trout rise,
of my sisters now lives there, my tight under an overhanging branch where the current
two daughters love the place and sped, slowed and eddied and where it was almost
my partner is fluent in the language. impossible to get a drag-free drift of the fly. It was a
However, finding good fly-fishing there, for many decent fish, of course, but I wouldn’t be seeing
years at least, proved far from easy. I’d drive for hours it any closer up.
to rivers after recommendations only to find them Edging upriver I then saw a sizeable neb appear
barren of any decent-sized fish, on their bones or, in just off the overhanging branch of a willow, in mid-
one particularly miserable case, completely devoid of stream. I started creeping towards it, wading tight to
any water at all. I’ve sat on restaurant terraces in the bank and treading ever so cautiously around
idyllic market towns like L’Isle sur la Sorgue in patches of luscious green ranunculus. A dark torpedo
Provence, and St-Jean-Peid-de-Port in the foothills of shape shot from the cover of the weed at my feet,
Borders-based the Pyrenees and watched fine trout and grayling across the narrow stream and away. Lesson learnt!
Finlay Wilson holding in the current, growing large and fat, and However, the rising fish that I’d been targeting came
is an completely untouchable within Peche Interdite zones. up again lazily. This was going to be a lot of fun. I got
experienced My fishing fortunes in position and waited.
guide and across the channel There had been no
instructor, who
runs the
improved dramatically,
however, after meeting
“Then the most magnificent obvious hatch so far and
this fish was a sporadic
Dawyck Estate
beat on the
Arkadi de Rakoff, a thing happened. A large, riser, but eventually it
Londoner who runs showed again and I
upper Tweed
ClubFishWorld and who languid upwing came sailing covered it with a Griffith’s
spends a fair deal of his
time in Normandy. Kadi
down the stream” Gnat. I then tried a
Jingler, my go-to general
introduced me to the olive imitation. The fish
Rilse, where Charles Ritz fished in another era. He put came up, nosed the fly, but didn’t take.
me in touch with guides on the upper Dordogne and Then the most magnificent thing happened. A
some of her tributaries, like the Ceres and the large, languid upwing came sailing down the stream,
Maronne, where I’ve enjoyed fine, if testing, fishing. unmistakably a Mayfly. This was as unexpected as it
So, when I got a call from Kadi telling me he was was welcome. Being late June I was under the illusion
involved with a project on a fabulous little river called that it was too late for such appearances, but it had
the Orbiquet, another chalkstream near his base in been a cold spring and conditions were obviously
Normandy, I was as keen as Dijon mustard. favourable. Up came that big neb to intercept the
The scheme, more of which later, is the brainchild considerable morsel. The sun started to break
of Orbec resident Christian Dubois, and in essence is through the cloud and more Mayfly began to pop up. I
all about allowing this fine natural resource to fulfil quickly changed to a large deer hair emerger pattern
its true potential as a wild trout fishery for the benefit and up came the fish. After a feisty encounter at very
B E L OW of all. It wasn’t until the end of June that I managed to close quarters a stunningly marked Orbiquet trout
Finlay’s first
Orbiquet trout
make the trip, but the river was in good order and was cajoled to the net – my first, and a real cracker.
took a deer hair had been fishing reasonably well despite an I could see a couple of trout rising another 100
emerger. unusually chilly spell. yards upstream so reluctantly came out from among
the overhanging willows and walked further up the
meadow. By the time I’d got up to where the activity
had been, the Mayfly hatch had petered out and all
was quiet. I covered the spot cautiously a couple of
times, marked it, and vowed to return. There was
plenty more water to investigate.
In a delightful little speedy run tight to the wall of
the Moulin du Fossard restaurant I spotted another
riser. Not a big trout but it was feeding steadily and I
covered it with a small gnat, which it refused. I
eventually tempted it to a size 14 Olive Paradun and a
lovely little ¾ lb fish came to hand. I caught up with
Kadi, who’d also enjoyed some sport further
upstream when the Mayflies had appeared. We’d only
covered about a third of the stretch but there were

Finlay reaches for
his net but the fish
has other ideas.
other parcours to investigate and lunch with

Christian beckoned so we zipped into Orbec.
By the time we got to Christian’s stunning manoir,
the sun was well and truly out and it was properly hot.
Christian and his wife Annick are the perfect hosts
and chilled champagne was served under parasols in
the courtyard as Kadi and I were quizzed on the
morning’s fishing. Boeuf bourguignon, dauphinoise
potatoes, fine wine, tarte aux abricots and calvados
followed – well, this is France, after all – as the hugely
enthusiastic and affable Christian explained his
vision. He began the project three years after visiting
Iceland and being introduced to a local set-up there,
which inspired him to try to duplicate it on the
Orbiquet with the twin objectives of creating tourism
income for the region and improving the river.
So far he’s managed to pull together 5 km (3 miles)
over four stretches, with two more beats of about
1.5 km (one mile) each currently being negotiated.
Stocking of fish reared from the native Orbiquet
strain has been undertaken to enhance the existing
wild stock, with fish of 3 cm-35 cm (1 in-14 in) being
introduced. There is a strict catch-and-release policy
and because Christian has managed to persuade
everyone involved it’s in their interests to protect and
improve what they have, a considerable chunk of this
stunning littler river appears to be in very good Trouting in style: an evening cast before the chateau – and after champagne.

“There are no official catch
records for sea-trout on the
Orbiquet but they are
encountered”
hands. Access to the fishing is strictly controlled and
rod numbers are sensibly limited. Preserving the
quality of fishing and the Orbiquet’s natural
environment is an absolute priority for Christian.
There are also highly encouraging developments
on the Touques, into which the Orbiquet runs, which
is renowned as a sea-trout river. Netting and
overfishing have seen it suffer over the years but the
nets were bought out in 2012. The year before this the
fish counter on the Touques registered 500 fish. Last
season 6,000 were counted. There are no official
catch records for sea-trout on the Orbiquet but they
are encountered; hopefully more regularly in the
future. The stretch of river under Christian’s control
is about 10 km (six miles) from the confluence with
the Touques, just outside Lisieux.
After such a feast it felt like siesta time, but there
was a lot more river to check out so we headed for
another of the parcours, La Ferme de la Livre. Here
the stream is a similar width to the more urban St
Martin stretch as it twists through yet more lush
pasture in the sumptuous Normandy countryside. By
this point it was hot, sultry and heavy, a wind had
picked up and there was no sign of fly life. So I fished
the duo through a likely looking swift and deep run
and just on the seam, where you’d expect fish to be, A B OV E and gurgles through sleepy countryside. This is my
Another
down went my dry-fly. Another lovely bright trout of stunning fish
kind of headland water and we walked through rich
about 1½ lb had taken a size 16 tungsten-bead goes back. pasture, past inquisitive horses and lively bullocks, to
Pheasant Tail with an orange hotspot and soon came Trout are stake out some spots for the following evening. I
to hand. All was well. I sat back in the long grass, stocked from spotted one trout feeding, though, in a fast, bumpy
the native
watched the cows, and dozed. Catching up with Kadi a Orbiquet strain. run and took a game little half-pounder, silvery and
little later I found him with rod arched, playing a bright, on a size 16 black F-fly.
good fish of close to 2 lb that he’d coaxed to the dry-fly Wading across the river at two different points to
in a long, tree-lined glide. B E L OW get back to the car we spooked two big trout, one of
With little activity on the river in that sultry late Covering a rise which looked to me very much like a sea-trout. Their
afternoon it was time to check out the beat nearest the outside the lies were carefully noted.
Moulin du
source, Abennon Folitiere. While the water is clear on Fossard We’d been invited to dinner at a friend of
the lower two beats, up here it is crystal as it glides restaurant. Christian’s who owns part of one of the lower beats
and who lives in an impossibly picturesque spot on
the river, which actually splits in two around his
house and back lawn. Staying with him was Sasha
Tolstoy, great grandson of Leo, who has apparently
fished these parts for years. More great food, fine
wine and calvados kept coming, of course, before the
light started to ebb from the day. The plan was to fish
the evening rise at La Chapelle-Yvon, so an
introduction to the fourth beat began. The riverbed
here has more silt so wading isn’t an option and with
thick vegetation interspersed with tree-lined glides
you have to pick your spots carefully. The local gents
swore that sedge patterns were the killers here,
particularly black ones, so suitably armed we set off in
the luxuriously warm evening air. Fish were popping
up all over the place and it wasn’t long before shouts
and hollers could be heard in the distance as the four
of us enjoyed fine sport before the light went. It was
the perfect end to a long, eventful and blissfully
exhausting day.

The stream erupted and eventually a broad, deep and
beautifully patterned fish was subdued.
The light was fading so we hot-footed it down to big
trout number two’s lie, a slower and deeper corner
pool. It was Kadi’s turn so he hurried off over a bridge
and around the far bank to where the fish, if it were
showing, could be covered. I got in position opposite
where we’d spooked it the previous day and watched.
The trout was rising steadily, small dimple rises, but I
knew straight away that it was a good fish. Kadi got
into position and covered it with a spinner pattern.
Nothing. The fish then rose violently, presumably
taking a sedge, but then went back to supping quietly.
The sun was splitting the sky the following A B OV E Kadi covered it again and all hell broke loose. The fish
R IG H T
morning; it was going to be a scorcher. Kadi A late-evening
exploded, thrashed across the pool and went on a
suggested we return to St Martin where there was fish comes series of powerful surging runs. Perhaps this was a
decent shade and where I felt I had unfinished to hand at sea-trout after all. The fish then ran again towards me
business. Straight away I spotted the fish I’d spooked Abennon
Folitiere.
and away from Kadi, and promptly broke the tippet. It
on the first morning. Damselflies flitted about but was a dramatic and intriguing end to the trip, the
nothing to interest the fish was hatching, so I snuck kind that really demands a return journey, for here is
into position behind a bush and covered the fish with a place where the perfect mix of fine living and fine
a suspended nymph. As soon as the nymph came into fishing is within reach.
the trout’s vision it shot off at full speed. Not what I
was expecting. Working upstream I found two fish
holding side by side, only just visible in a shaded, Book your trip
deeper lie. Kadi had caught up with me and opted to
crouch opposite them to see what effect fishing the CON TACTS TACK L E
duo would have. I covered them from below and Kadi For fishing on the Orbiquet and 7 ft-9 ft rods, 3 wt-4 wt, though
saw one of them move but turn away from the nymph. accommodation in Orbec. a slightly longer rod for light
I tried several different angles. Nothing. So I moved Christian Dubois, Le Manoir de nymphing work would be
l’Engagiste, 15 Rue Saint Rémy a handy tool.
up until I was opposite them and tried a cast from 14290, Orbec.
behind the bush. Bingo! The bigger of the two Tel : +33 (0) 684 75 67 33. FLIES
confidently took the Pheasant Tail and another fine Web: manoir-engagiste.fr All the usual suspects of olives
Orbiquet trout was netted. For an English-speaking fishing and corresponding nymphs,
Our final session was back on the Abennon Folitiere contact with a self-catering Comparaduns, emergers,
cottage for fishing parties Klinkhamers and spinners,
beat, where Kadi has enjoyed good evening sport and
or family fishermen, Griffith’s
where we knew at least two good fish could be found. contact Arkadi de Rakoff. Gnats, and,
Smaller trout were rising below where we’d marked E-mail: [email protected] of course,
one of the biggies to be and we took turns to cover Tel: London, +44 (0) 208 874 Mayfly
these as we edged upstream. Pale wateries and what 6717; Normandy, +33 (0) 233 35 imitations.
looked like medium olives were coming off in modest 69 74. Web: clubfishworld.com
or flyfishnormandy.com
numbers. At the top of the glide, in the bumpier water FRANCE
at the neck of the pool and just on the seam of a
SE A S ON
deeper hole where we’d spooked trout number one, a Mid-March to September.
good fish was feeding regularly. Kadi generously let
me have a go at it and up it came to my Olive Paradun.

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Shooting head
versus spey line
Which style of floating line is best for late spring and summer
salmon fishing? Ian Gordon examines your options

T
HE INCREASED POPULARITY of
shooting-head fly-lines in recent times
has prompted a number of questions
from guests on my casting and fishing
courses. Shooting heads are easier to
cast than longer spey lines, and make
life easier when dealing with sink-tips and heavy
flies, but what about from a fishing perspective? What
Ian Gordon is
are the advantages and disadvantages of fishing with one of the UK’s
one over the other? To answer that question we must most respected
look at the influence of the river on both thick and salmon-fishers.
thin lines, particularly in relation to how you want the He is running
fly to work in the water. spring fishing
A thicker line will be more susceptible to the force courses on the
of the current than a thin one because there is more Spey in 2016
of it for the river to get hold of. In an even flow where and offers
the river moves at the same speed all the way from fishing advice
near bank to far, a fly fished on a “longer” spey line in his film Blue
will swing faster and come round on to the dangle Charm.
sooner than one fished on a shooting head. This is Tel: 07786
because the river can exert more force on the full 120 436. Visit
length of the spey line than it can on the relatively speyonline.com
short shooting head, which is attached to a thin
running line.
If I’m fishing a river with an even flow (see
illustration A, overleaf) I would choose a spey line for
late-spring and summer when the water is warmer,
the fish more active and I want my fly to move at a
reasonable speed. In colder conditions, when I want
to fish slower and deeper, I would use a shooting
head. By keeping my rod tip high I can hold the
running line off the water and precisely control how
and where my fly fishes. If I only had a spey line and
conditions called for a slower swing speed, I would
use upstream mends to slow the fly.
In a river with an uneven flow (see illustration B),
where the central main channel is moving fast, the
slack water near the bank will cause a fly fished on a
shooting head to stop swinging and sink. The solution
to this problem is to strip line, which keeps the fly
moving, something that we have to do anyway in
order to re-cast. A spey line will keep the fly moving
at a more consistent speed as it comes round into
the slack water.
If I’m fishing a river with an uneven flow I would be
happy to use either a shooting head or spey line for
late spring and summer. The fish should be lying in
the faster, more oxygenated water and I can present
my fly to them with either line – though the shooting
head perhaps offers a little more control. In the colder
conditions of early spring and autumn, when fish are
likely to be holding in the slower water near the bank,
I would prefer a spey line so that I don’t have to strip
the fly on every cast to keep it moving.
John Ashley-Cooper, famous author of The Great
Salmon Rivers of Scotland, was a frequent visitor to our
fishing at Knockando on the River Spey. At that time
almost everyone, including him, fished with a double-
taper line. He was a real expert fisher, but two things
set him apart from the other guests: his ability to cast
Using a spey line and his ability to wade. His wading and casting let
to fish a pool with an him cover the correct parts of each pool. He had
even flow. In summer complete control of his fly, adjusting its speed by
the spey line’s faster
mending line in exactly the right parts of the pool
IAN NEALE
swing may be more

attractive to salmon. (double-taper and spey lines are easier to mend than
a modern shooting head or, for that matter, a short

SHOOTING HEAD VERSUS SPEY LINE
A : R I V ER W IT H A N E V EN F L OW
SPE Y L I N E
Being thicker and with the
whole length of a line catching
the current, a floating Spey line
will swing much quicker than
a shooting head.
SHO O T I NG Upstream mends

HEAD can be used to
With the thin running line slow the Spey
(black) held above the line’s swing.
water, a shooting head
(red) will swing slower
than a Spey line.
B: R I V ER W IT H A N U N E V EN F L OW
SHO O T I NG
HEAD
SPE Y L I N E A fly fished on a
As the fly comes into shooting head will
slower water, a Spey need to be retrieved
line will keep it to keep it moving
swinging for longer. in slack water.
SLOWER FASTER SLOWER

WATER WATER WATER

“In my experience most salmon are caught
between 15 and 25 yards from the angler”
spey line). His success was all about watercraft and The angler uses great many pools where deep wading and fishing
MICHAEL BOYD
a high rod
presenting the fly in the correct way, or as well as he position to hold the fly on a short line produced results but a long
possibly could. If he came back to fish today, would he his running line line didn’t – it really is all about the speed and
use modern tackle and methods? You bet he would – off the water and angle that the fly is fished in a particular part
hence better
anything to give him an edge. control the
of the pool.
Arthur Wood, often referred to as the Grandfather swing of his Reading the pool and knowing where the fish are
of Greased Line Fishing, also put much emphasis on shooting head. likely to be is the main part. Once we know that, it’s
the speed and angle that the fly was fished. He all about how we target them best with the tools we
seldom got in the river when fishing his beloved have. In my experience most salmon are caught
Cairnton on the River Dee. Instead, aided by croys between 15 and 25 yards from the angler. I believe
and groynes, he would gradually lengthen his line that’s because at these distances we can fish the fly
from each platform while fishing in his shoes. He exactly the way we want. If we can read the water,
would cast a progressively longer line at varying understand where the fish may be and know how to
angles, culminating in a long downstream cast and cover them, then the most important thing is to be
holding the rod tip high to slow down his small fly as able to control our fly properly.
it swung from side to side. The right line to use is the one that allows you to
The advent of the shooting head provided an easier cover the water, and the fish, most effectively.
tool with which to produce the same result as both of Remember, the thicker the line, the more the force
these experts. Arthur Wood would have found the of the river will act on it. A shooting head will move
shooting head much easier to cast than his double- faster but is easier to control due to the thin running
taper silk line, and more effective in slowing the fly line. A traditional spey line will move at a consistent
during the first third of the swing. He could have speed and is easier to mend (which is particularly
controlled his fly comfortably without getting his feet useful when wading) however it is more difficult to
wet. John Ashley-Cooper may also have enjoyed the control the depth at which the fly swims.
benefits of a shooting head, but knowing the pool as If you are a beginner who has learned to cast with
well as he did, I’m sure he would have been wading shooting-head lines, it is worth making the step up
and fishing a traditional spey line when the water and learning to cast a spey line as it will give you
was at his optimum height. This was really about more options as to how you fish a pool, particularly
controlling the speed of the fly; something I could once the water warms in May and throughout the
associate with perfectly myself. I can think of a summer months.

AIRFLO FLY-
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Louis covers
a rise from a
precarious perch
on the Cynllaith.

Trout from
a trickle
Louis Noble goes out on a limb to
catch wild brown trout from
a delightful border stream
P H O T O G R A P H Y: P E T E R G A T H E R C O L E
T
HE AFON CYNLLAITH is part of the
Severn Rivers Trust passport scheme.
I’d seen it several times on previous
trips to one of my favourite rivers, the
Tanat, and it had looked tempting as it
trundled along the border between
England and Wales. Now, finally, having bought my
book of Trust vouchers, it was time to give it a go.
The excellent Trust website (see fact file) had given
me an insight, including directions, and so I headed
to Tynewydd farm, a point three-quarters of the way
up the three-mile beat. I had more than enough
water to explore in a full day.
As I crossed the farm bridge, the Cynllaith looked
inviting in the soft early-summer sunlight. The level
had been high recently but had fallen back. I’d seen
photographs of good trout caught on even higher
water and so I was confident that today would be a
good day (a dangerous feeling, I know).
In my experience, trout in these small streams will
respond to the nymph but they are usually free-
rising and the cream of the sport is to the floating fly.
Fly life in the area is good so decent hatches of all of
the olives can be expected, particularly the small
dark and small spurwings later in the season. Caddis
are present and plenty of smaller stoneflies, but the
jewel in the crown has to be the Mayfly, which are
prolific and great sport can be experienced when the
time is right. I was delighted to see a few fluttering
off as my day progressed, which heralded exciting
sport in the next couple of weeks. This is not
The fish are free-rising: itÕs a fertile river with good hatches of upwings.

T R O U T- F I S H I N G O N T H E W E L S H B O R D E R S
surprising as the Cynllaith’s mother river, the Tanat, Double Duster or Double Badger is invaluable when
and its mother, the Severn, have superb hatches. fish are preoccupied with caenis.
Fly choice doesn’t have to be complicated on these It was approaching mid-day and medium olives
streams and any of the general patterns will score. were starting to hatch, as well as a smattering of
The one that I find unbeatable is the Grey Duster. In Mayfly. The olives brought up fish, but the Mayfly
its standard form it has to be one of the most reliable were largely ignored. What the fish were interested
patterns but I have a fondness for a variation of mine in was my Double Duster, which was taken
called the Double Duster – enthusiastically despite
Louis Noble
tied with two hackles. the preponderance of
is a qualified
APGAI
These small streams “These small streams demand olives – illogical, but it
demand a pattern that is just goes to show what a
instructor and
full-time guide easily visible against a pattern that is easily visible great utility pattern it is.
on the the tree shadows and
floats well.
against the tree shadows” As I worked upstream
covering a variety of runs
Welsh Dee.
Another reliable pattern and pools I often saw
is the famous Double Badger, whose similar front rising fish in the narrow necks under overhanging
and rear hackles are also easily seen, and the black branches. I was using a 7 ft 4 wt rod, but with a
Knotted Midge, which is deadly when small black fly 5 wt line that really helps to load the rod when
are in the air. These can all be fished in sizes from making short casts. Casting into tight spaces calls
18 to 12 and the large Dusters can be highly for a shorter leader and I tend to use 7 ft of tapered
effective when the Mayfly is about. I normally fish nylon with a breaking strain of around 3 lb.
a size 16, which is an excellent imitation of the An alternative would be to use a 4 ft furled leader
various stoneflies and general terrestrials. A tiny with 3 ft of tippet. I kept my casting accurate and

This bright fish
took a small
Double Duster.
Most casting is
from the bank, but
the river was only
knee-deep when
Louis visited.
Around every
corner is a new
brought several pretty fish of 9 in-10 in to hand. challenge. Here
Louis prises a
The size of trout in such small streams never ceases fish from under
to surprise me, presumably a reflection of water low branches.
quality and food. All the Severn Rivers Trust
waters are catch-and-release for truly wild fish.
The Cynllaith is predominantly a trout river but
it’s also a major spawning ground for
salmon and sea-trout. Double Duster
Aiming to make the most of my day, I returned Hook Size 12-18 Partridge PH-SLD
to the farm. Raising and missing a decent trout Thread Black Danville 6/0
fairly quickly I then worked my way up to where the Flymaster or similar Body Blue
stream became quite narrow and it was obvious that rabbit underfur, spun on to thread
navigating the beat would become difficult in places. Hackles Black/cream badger cock
Rather than continue to the top of the water at
the bridge by Pont y Glascoed I decided to work This pattern presents a lighter image
downstream of the farm in sections to explore some than the Double Badger (overleaf)
attractive pools and runs. Wading was easy and at and is a match for pale stoneflies.
this depth, about 1 ft, all I needed were thigh waders. The slightly wide gape of the hook is
This delightful river embodies all that is good an advantage with double-hackle
about small streams where every twist and turn flies. The rear hackle should be
presents a new challenge. slightly shorter than the one at the
I could not, however, have imagined the challenge head – use four/five turns for each.
that awaited me around one bend. I arrived at Keep the rabbit fur body fairly loose.

The Bear Grylls
of trout-fishers,
Louis clambers
into a casting
position…
…and his endeavour is

rewarded as he hooks
a better fish. Netting
it could be tricky.
Double Badger
Hook Size 12-18 Partridge PH-SLD
Thread Black Danville 6/0 Flymaster or
a pool so deep that chest waders wouldn’t have been similar Body Bronze peacock herl, quite
sufficient. To its left was a tangled mess of tree roots. bushy Hackles Black/cream badger cock
At the neck and just around the tangle, several
good-quality fish were rising enthusiastically to what The herl body gives a much darker
was clearly a hatch. The odd Mayfly was fluttering and more solid overall profile than
off. Both the depth and lack of casting space behind the Double Duster.
me made a conventional approach impossible, so I
had to attempt the unconventional. The tree roots
were still connected to the remnants of a fallen tree heart-stopping, slashing rise that was impossible to
and the only option appeared to be to crawl along the miss, a superb fish of well over 12 in plunged to the
branch to the roots, which might just give me a depths, dragging the rod tip down before splashing
chance to cast. I gingerly made my way along the wildly on the surface as I tried to control it. Sadly, we
trunk, holding on with one hand to prevent a fall into parted company as the fly catapulted back to me.
very deep water. One-handed casting was just The pool had gone quiet after the commotion, so
possible and I was relieved to be able to guide the with a thumping heart I retraced my steps to the
fly beyond and behind the roots where fish security of the bank to reflect on what was one of the
continued to rise. In the next 15 minutes I hooked more precarious episodes of my fishing life. I was
and landed three beautifully marked wild trout that tired but elated and it just shows what super sport
fought like hell, diving so deep into the pool that can be enjoyed in these small streams if we’re
the rod tip was submerged. To land a fish meant prepared to invest the time and effort to seek
a backwards crawl to water that I could drop them out. I don’t know if the Afon Cynllaith
into. It was hard work. represents the best of the Severn Trust passport
I got back into position and flicked a Double Duster waters but I do know that 2016 will find me
up to the head of the pool. The fly was met with a exploring many more.
Knotted Midge Where and how much

Hook Size 14-18 Partridge PH-SLD PASSPORT schemes provide a great service by opening up little-fished
Thread Black Danville 6/0 Flymaster or similar water for only a few pounds. Money raised is often used to improve
rivers. Severn Rivers Trust offers lots of fishing in mid-Wales, including
Body Black herl with a good flue or black tying thread
on the Banwy, Cain, Carno, Mule, Vyrnwy, and Cynllaith. Many are
Hackles Black cock, fairly short small streams and it takes an enterprising fisher to get the best
results. Vouchers to fish cost £3 each and are supplied in books of
This excellent pattern five or 10, plus £1.95 P&P. Further beat information is available from
imitates mating midges the Severn Rivers Trust fishing website: severnfisheries.com
as well as gnats
DIRECTIONS: The Cynllaith beat (four vouchers per day) starts near
and hawthorns. the bridge at Pont y Glascoed (grid ref: SJ 214275) and ends at the bridge
near Penybont (SJ 214238). It follows farmland through the valley. Park at
Tynewydd farmyard (SJ 207270); the voucher box can be found on a nearby
post. Walking downstream to fish back up to the car is the best approach.
TACKLE: Thigh waders will usually be adequate, with most casting done from
the bank. A shorter rod of 7 ft-7 ft is all that’s needed.
FOOD: Excellent beer and meals from The Green Inn, Llangedwyn, SY10 9JW.
48 May2016
May 2016 www.trout-and-salmon.co.uk
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STORY
An evening
visitor
Henry Giles encounters a mysterious
fisherman in Norway
T
HERE IS A man who lives on the upper Gaula
throughout the summer months, alone in an old
house. He drinks in the evening and fishes by
day. Last week I came back from the river at dusk
to find him at our lodge sharing a bottle of wine
with my Dutch housemates.
I asked him how he was getting on.
He paused at his cigarette: “There is a pool I like to fish, where
Henry Giles
I don’t like the salmon and the salmon don’t like me. The fish
caught his first
are brown and I know them well.”
trout on fly on
The cigarette glowed and, bracing at the armrests, he eased
Yorkshire’s
back into an ancient leather chair that creaked with tradition.
Clough River in
1979. He now “I’m having no luck with them, and they’re not having much
lives in luck with me,” he said, unrolling the last words with a slow
Cambridgeshire deliberation before shooting a haunted look across the newly
and ekes out his gathered harvest via the open living-room window.
holidays fishing The Upper Gaula beat is 20 miles up the Rognes road in a
on the bleak, steep-sided valley where ancient spruce and bracken
Miramichi, Nith border boulder-strewn pots and fast runs and it is rare
and Gaula. to see another angler. It is mournful and yet
intoxicating in its isolation.
I fished it once as a wet August afternoon turned to dusk.
It was a brooding, menacing session, with the foothills of the
Trondelag uplands rising far above. At one point a long-deserted
but still-grand house emerged through the trees. Deserted?
I looked again and thought I saw a light on in an upper window…
The river below was a place of shadows – and slippery
boulders on which one courted disaster. It was an oddly
unnerving experience, which stood out from a more standard
fishing week on the beats downstream.
I asked him what it was like living in such a place and
wasn’t he lonely?
“Oh, I wanted to be on my own,” he said, with a jerky
movement of his right hand. “That’s the deal and I arranged
it with the club. That always was my dream at any rate and…”
another puff “…I managed to swing it.”
His eyes narrowed and he grinned weakly – or perhaps
grimaced – through curls of smoke.
Speaking in a Low German accent he looked in reasonable
shape, bristles of dark red spreading from the sides of his face,
eyebrows dense and black, although his hand shook slightly as
he poured himself a top-up and small colonies of broken blood
vessels cascaded through the skin near his cheekbones.
The embers were still glowing with past vigour and a
charisma that remained palpable. He held court effortlessly,
the other fishermen listening carefully to his every word and
observation between stilted, conspiratorial bouts of laughter.
As he left he toured our kitchen and “borrowed” a bottle of
wine and a box of matches, swinging the vino into an outsized
coat pocket in one seamless movement.
He leant forward to me and put an arm around my shoulder.
“Have fun,” he said. “Enjoy your time here.”
Then he turned and walked out of the door into the
Norwegian night.

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7'7” #2 #3 #4 £599 8'8” #3 #4 #5 #6 £599 8'6" #5 £215 £193
8'4” #2 #3 #4 #5 £599 9’ #4 # 5 #6 £599 9' #5 #6 #8 £235 £210
TRUEFLY SLA - 4 PCE SCOTT RADIAN FLY RODS - 4 PCE
Super lightweight rod with English bronze finish A great combination of speed and power ORVIS ENCOUNTER FLYER ROD OUTFITS - 4PCE
Encounter fly rods are quality discount fly rods that allow novice
Rod Length Line RRP Price Radian Fly Rods Price Radian Fly Rods Price anglers to easily enter the fly fishing world. Offering the most
Truefly SLA 7’ #3 £79.99 SOLD OUT 8'6” #4 #5 £649 9'6” #6 #7 #8 £649 popular sizes and line weights, these Encounter fly rod outfits elimate
ORACLE EXP SWITCH ROD - 6PCE Truefly SLA 8’ #4 £79.99 SOLD OUT 9' #4 - #7 £649 10’ #4 - #8 £649
useful when smaller flies and lighter lines are all the guesswork on your part.
Truefly SLA 8’6” #4 £79.99 SOLD OUT
required to improve presentation. Truefly SLA 9’ #5 £79.99 £49 Encounter Outfits RRP Price
Truefly SLA 9’6” #6 #7 £89.99 SOLD OUT 8'6" #5 Includes Rod, Reel, Line & Leader £149 £135
11’ #7/8 #8/9 RRP £89.99 PRICE £74.99 Truefly SLA 10’ #5 #7 #8 £89.99 SOLD OUT 9' #5 #8 Includes Rod, Reel, Line & Leader £149 £135
9’ 6” #6 Includes Rod, Reel, Line & Leader £149 £135
SPEEDSTER LITESPEED
Super-high retrieve An iconic ultra-large arbor reel
rate reel with a 2 Fly Reel £309 Spare Spool from£120
narrower spool, 2 Fly Reel £329
inboard mounted
handle & an large KONIC II ALL REDUCED
outer diameter
Smart design & high performance CFO Access Clearwater Hydros SL Battenkill Encounter II
1.5 Fly Reel £249 3 Fly Reel £299 RRP NOW Spare Spool Fly Reels Fly Reels Fly Reels Fly Reel - Black Fly Reels Fly Reels
2 Fly Reel £269 Spare Spool from £120 Konic 2 Fly Reel £139 £110 from £279 £99 £59 Nickel from £155 from £79 from £45
Konic 3.5 Fly Reel £149 £115 from £55
PFG Henry’s Fork
Lightweight fishing
vest with 12 pockets
to hold all your gear.
£89.99
G4 PRO G3 Guide Buckley Guide Slick Acklin Contender

Fishing Jacket Fishing Jacket Fishing Jacket Fishing Jacket Fishing Jacket Fishing Jacket Fishing Jacket
G3 Guide Guide £499 £429 £399 £329 £449 £339 £319
Fishing Vest Fishing Vest
£199 £149
Marabou Vest Gore Range Tech Vest
£129.99 Pack £129.99
Sagebrush Mesh Vest Open Range Tech Vest Wasatch Tech Vest
£119.99 Pack £149.99 Pack £159.99 Vertical Mesh Freestone ProDry Gore-Tex ExStream Hyalite Rain Shell Riffle Kinetic Rivershed Rogue Superlight Superlight Cascade
Fishing Vest Fishing Vest Jacket .....£479 Jacket .....£239 Jacket .....£149 Fishing Jacket Fishing Jacket Fishing Fleece Fleece Hoody Trousers Zip-off Trousers Softshell Trousers
£119 £79 Bib..........£399 Trousers..£179 Bib..........£129 £255 £255 £119 £99 £59 £69 £99
Vaquero Waxed Canvas Wildhorse Tech Vest Elk River Youth

Vest £119.99 Pack £199.99 Vest £74.99
Contender Gore-Tex Fall Run Jacket Buckley Jacket

Camo/Dark Gunmetal Swamp Black
RRP £349 £199 RRP £169 £89 RRP £299 £189
G4Z GR4 PRO G3 Guide Headwaters

Waders Waders Waders Convertible Shirts Guide Shorts Windstopper Hoody Pro Dry Gore-Tex Flyte Jacket
Stockingfoot Stockingfoot Stockingfoot Stockingfoot from Traditional fit Black Steel Grey Gunmetal
£799 £699 £549 £399 £44.99 £59 RRP £299 £199 RRP £479 £325 RRP £179 £99
Simms Headwaters Simms Headwaters Simms Dry Creek Back Packs and Hip
Gear Bag Tackle Bag Packs G4 Boa G3 Guide Rivertek 2 BOA Vapor Freestone Freestone Felt Flats Sneaker Headwaters Zipit Bootie II Guide Ebbtide Bone
£189 £169 £109 - £259 Wading Boots Wading Boots Wading Boots Wading Boots Wading Boots Wading Boots Wading Boots Wading Boots Wading Boots Flip Flip Flip
£249 from £199 from £189 £169 £159 £139 £119 £159 £85 £74 £39 £69
Simms Headwaters Headwaters 1/2 Day Headwaters Headwaters Packs

Full Day Pack Hydration Pack Gear Bag Sling Pack £79
£149 £99 £99 Large Sling Pack £99
Simms Dry Creek Simms Headwaters Simms Headwaters

Chest Pack Chest Pack Hip Pack
£69 £79 £99
• Welted front Pockets

• Articulated Knee
Orvis Silver Sonic Orvis Encounter Neoprene Gravel Guard SFT Breathable Waders Prestige Breathable ST Waders Prestige Breathable ST Waders NEW SFT 4mm Neoprene NEW Geo 5
Stockingfoot Waders & Boots made of 3mm double-lined RRP NOW RRP NOW Chest Waders RRP NOW Breathable Waders
RRP NOW Stockingfoot Waist £229 £189 Stockingfoot £155 £119
Zippered Waders £355 Waders from £135 Neoprene
Guide Waders £339 Boots from £79 Chest Stockingfoot £359 £289 Stockingfoot Chest £249 £199 Bootfoot Chest Combi Felt £249 £199 Bootfoot Combi Felt from £189 £139 from £399
Convertible Waders £245 See website for details £17 Zip-Front Stockingfoot £399 £329 Stockingfoot Zip-Front £299 £249 Bootfoot Zip Combi Felt £319 £269 Bootfoot - Cleated from £185 £149 See website for details
Infinity Gravel Guards £26 • Neoprene Guard Sock £25 SPECIAL OFFER LAST FEW
Airflo Outlander Gear Airflo Outlander Airflo Outlander Airflo Outlander Vest Orvis Access Orvis BOA Pivot Boots Orvis Encounter Orvis Clearwater
Bag Rolling Cargo Bag Rucksack/Chest Pack Back Pack Wading Boots Snowbee Stream-Trek Snowbee XS-Pro RRP NOW Rockhopper Neoprene Snowbee Breeze Bloc All Seasons Breathable All Seasons Breathable
Vibram Rubber Sole Felt or Rubber Sole Wading Boots. Felt or Studded XS-Tra Grip Studded XS-Tra Grip £129£99 Spike Sole Wading Boots Fleece 360g/m2 Fly Vest Fishing / Country Jacket Overtrousers
£39.99 £79.99 £59.99 £59.99 RRP £139 £125 RRP £175 £155
Studs Extra £22.95 Studs Extra £22.95 from £79 Vibram from £125 RRP £145 NOW £115 Combi Felt £119£79 RRP £59.99 £49.99 RRP £69.99 £59.99 from RRP £149 £135 from RRP £59 £54
Snowbee Smoker Cooker Snowbee Float Tube Kit Snowbee Classic Snowbee Geo Snowbee Geo Wading Snowbee Superlight Snowbee Superlight Snowbee Fly Vest / Snowbee Prestige Long
Fly Vest Fly Vest Fly Vest Fly Vest Mesh Fly Vest Backpack Fly-Fishing Waistcoat
Made from Stainless Steel Twin-tube V-Boat style Orvis Clearwater Orvis Lightwt Super Orvis Hydros RRP £89.99 £79
RRP £45.99 £37 RRP £84.99 £75 RRP £73 £65 RRP £50 £45 RRP £46 £39 RRP £89.99 £79
RRP £49.99 £39.99 RRP £209 £179 Fly Fishing Vest Tac-L-Pac Fly Vest Strap Vest
RRP £59 £49 RRP £125 £99 RRP £125 £110
Snowbee Shirts Snowbee Prestige Snowbee Prestige Snowbee Prestige Snowbee SFT Sonic-Welded
Short or Long Sleeves Breathable Wading Jacket Breathable 3/4 Field Jacket Breathable Over Trousers Breathable Wading Jacket
Maui Jim Sunglasses Maui Jim BiFocal Sunglasses from £39.99 RRP £145 £119 RRP £175 £139 RRP £135 £99 RRP £299 £269
from £89 from £115 Orvis Clearwaters Orvis Clearwater Orvis Sonic Tailwaters
11 Models to choose from Mesh Vest Wading Jacket Wading Jacket
RRP £59 £49 RRP £189 £169 RRP £249 £225
E+OE Prices subject to change. Goods subject to availability
Snowbee Prestige
Gamefisher £19.99 • Waterproof Zips
• 3 Layer Bonded System
• High Breathability
Orvis Sonic Orvis Encounter Orvis Encounter Greys Strata All Weather Greys Strata All Weather Greys Strata Fly Vest Scierra X-Tech Wading
Snowbee Magnalite Full Snowbee Prestige Sport Sunglasses Wading Jacket Men’s Wading Jacket Women’s Wading Jacket Jacket - Brown Overtrousers - Brown Lightweight & waterproof Jacket
Frame £49.99 2 Styles available £49.99 RRP £249 £225 RRP £109 £99 RRP £105 £95 RRP £179.99 £139.99 RRP £149.99 £119.99 RRP £54.99 £44.99 RRP £189.99 £169.99 RRP £229.99 £189.99 RRP £129.99 £116.99
CC3 XP
18 Models to choose Stockingfoot Waders
from - Starting from £199 RRP £149.99 £129.99
NEWS REEL
Contact the newsdesk Trout and Salmon, Media House, Lynchwood, Peterborough PE2 6EA. Tel: 01733 395 144.
E-mail: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/troutandsalmon
BARRIER BREAKTHROUGHS
Salmon and trout to benefit from fish passage laws in England and on River Spey
T
HE UNITED the decline in salmon stocks.”
Kingdom In Scotland, the Spey Fishery
Government and Board (SFB) has welcomed the
Scottish recent re-classification by the
Environment Scottish Environment
Protection Agency Protection Agency (SEPA) of
have announced separate Spey Dam as a “barrier to fish
measures to improve the passage passage” as this designation
of salmon, sea-trout and brown places an obligation on the
trout in rivers. agency to find a solution to the
UK Government will this long-standing problems
month propose legislation to caused by the obstacle to
remove obstructions and build salmon migration.
fish passes to provide a route Spey Dam was completed
around obstacles such as weirs soon after the Second World
and water intakes in English War and since then the dam has
rivers. Taking action to improve severely curtailed access by
fish passage will be a legal Spey Dam is now officially classified a "barrier" to fish migration. salmon to the extensive
requirement for some critical spawning above. If
obstructions. Arlin Rickard, chief executive of The improvements are made, salmon would
Fisheries minister George Eustice Rivers Trust, said: “Our national network have better access to 12 miles of good
said: “Improving and restoring our of Rivers Trusts will be working closely spawning habitat on the upper Spey as
rivers is key to the Government’s vision with water companies, drainage well as four miles of its tributary, the
for a cleaner, healthier environment— authorities, river owners and farmers to River Markie, to which access is
but we can’t do this alone. That’s why the seek cost-effective solutions to enable currently barred.
work of organisations like The Rivers fish to migrate freely.” Roger Knight, director of SFB, said:
Trust is so important, and we are Mark Lloyd, chief executive of the “There is an abundance of juvenile
increasingly working in partnership to Angling Trust and Fish Legal, said: “We salmon immediately below the dam, in
take action to protect iconic species like are delighted to see a firm commitment stark contrast to the scarcity of juvenile
salmon, including by ensuring them from the [UK] Government to bring this salmon above it. In 2014, no salmon fry
safe passage in our rivers. legislation forward at last after many at all were found above the dam. These
“Addressing the decline in fish stocks years of delay. Introduction of this issues arise from the performance of the
not only benefits the environment, but legislation is a key demand in the fish pass in the dam and the water flows
boosts the economy too, improving Angling Trust’s Save Our Salmon emanating from it, compromising the
angling opportunities and benefiting campaign, because urgent and ability of adult salmon to migrate
commercial freshwater fisheries, widespread action to ease thousands of up-river and the ability of salmon smolts
helping the rural economy to thrive.” barriers to migration is vital to reverse to descend on their way to sea.”
New Wye salmon trophy Angling's future

Some £76,000 was raised for angling charities
The River Wye Gillies’ Association is sponsoring a trophy at a Fishing For Our Future dinner and auction,
for the heaviest fly-caught salmon on the Wye this season. organised by the Countryside Alliance, at the
Royal Hospital, London on March 10. The money
The Norman Owen Memorial Cup is named after one will be shared by the Angling Trust, Fishing 4
of the river’s longest-serving and most-respected Wye Schools, which introduces children to angling as
gillies, who died last year. part of their school curriculum, and Casting For
Anglers wishing to enter should contact Association Recovery, which offers healing fishing retreats for
chairman Geoff Franks, tel: 01497 821 889 or women recovering from breast cancer.
e-mail: [email protected]

Big Delphi salmon IN BRIEF
Congratulations to Yvonne Zirngibl, who took this 20 lb 6 oz springer from Delphi’s
Bundorragha River. The fish took a Norwegian conehead tube in Waterfall pool and
was the first 20 lb-plus salmon to be caught this season in Ireland.
New life for
Bewl?
The lease to Bewl Water, south-
east England's best stillwater
trout fishery, has been bought by
Markerstudy Leisure from a
company owned by David
Sullivan, owner of West Ham
United. The fishery had faced an
uncertain future – Bewl Country
Park has had several owners in
recent years – but Markerstudy
has pledged to stock 40,000
rainbow trout in 2016 and is
refurbishing the clubhouse. It is
also assessing the boat fleet and
the reservoir's fish-rearing unit.
An eight-fish day ticket (unlimited
catch-and-release) is £28. A day
boat for two anglers is £31.
Sainsbury's
and sea-lice
Salmon & Trout Conservation
Scotland (S&TCS) has again
Remembering a Welsh legend criticised Sainsbury’s for selling

salmon from Scottish salmon
farms where sea-lice infestation
A MEMORIAL stone and plaque for the famous threatens wild salmon
and sea-trout. A year ago, when
Welsh fisher Moc Morgan has been unveiled
challenged by S&TCS, Sainsbury’s
on the banks of the Teifi. acknowledged that sea-lice levels
Morgan John “Moc” Morgan, OBE, who died had risen to unprecedented levels
in May last year, aged 86, was a lifelong on some of its supplier’s farms.
member and officer of Tregaron Angling Sainsbury’s then reaffirmed to
Association. Its members erected the stone at S&TCS its “overarching target of
rearing salmon in the seawater
Pont Llanio Bridge, near Tregaron, the spot
growth phase which are free from
where each season Moc and friends would mobile life stages of salmon lice”.
“open” the river for trout fishing by pouring S&TCS has now asked Sainsbury's
whisky into the stream. to replace its earlier "warm
Land, rock (Welsh granite), machinery and words" with robust action.
the slate plaque were all donated. The memorial stone stands beside
The plaque includes a verse written by
Eirwen James (translated from Welsh): “The
Pont Llanio Bridge on the Teifi.
Online award
silver river of Pontllanio/With a sunfly to FishPal, the online fishing
challenge her/Was heaven to Moc Morgan/A booking company, has won a
Scottish tourism award for
skilful kingfisher”. innovation. The awards panel
Moc’s son Hywel, who was present at the commended FishPal for its
unveiling on March 3, the first day of this "dedication to Scotland's tourism
year’s trout season, said: “This is a fitting industry" and for "providing its
tribute to a legend of our sport. He did so much customers with the best service
to encourage angling for all and was a true and most up-to-date information".
A verse, in Welsh, describes Moc's
ambassador for Welsh fishing. The location of love of the location.
the memorial is fantastic as the Teifi was
his favourite river – I am sure he had some of
Money for
its water running through his veins.” more anglers
Moc was an author and broadcaster, Irish government agency Inland
president of the International Fly Fishing Fisheries Ireland has announced
Association, president of the Welsh Salmon plans to sponsor novice angler
and Sea Trout Association, first chairman of events that increase participation
in fishing. Support of up to
the Federation of Welsh Anglers and head of 250 euros may be provided. To
Fly Fishing for the Disabled. He was also the apply, visit: www.fisheriesireland.
instigator of the Youth, Ladies and Disabled fly- ie (search: sponsorship 2016).
fishing internationals. Moc Morgan, who died in May last year.

SOMERS FISHING TACKLE River Nith, Dumfries
Extensive range | Established 1951 | Expert advice from experienced fishermen
Burgh Waters Tickets 2015
Visitor Season £179.50
Visitor Week £89.00
Wiley-x Visitor Day £39.00
Sunglasses - All Young People £5.00
full range Tickets can be purchased from:

Ewart Library, Catherine Street, Dumfries
es held
available. Reel Em In, Friars Vennel, Dumfries
Online from www.fishpal.com Pri c
m 2013
f r o
[email protected]
New in Stock - New in Stock -
Wychwood Long Wychwood Short
Waistcoat Waistcoat
River Dee
Bryntirion Inn
Whether you are fishing for Grayling, trout or Salmon, the river Dee at Llandderfel
£69.99 £59.99 is a beautiful place to do it. The Bryntirion Inn is a short walk away, and open all day,
from 11am until 11pm. Lunch is available 12-3 and evening meals 6-9. Sunday food
SALAR HOOKS available 12-8.
TYING DOUBLES RRP £8.99 – ONLY £6.00 TUBE DOUBLES RRP £8.99 – ONLY £6.00 If you would like to stay a little longer there are 2 en-suite rooms available. The ‘Bryn’
Gold size 13 + 15 Black size 5 + 7 as it is affectionately known provides home cooked food, Real ales, and a warm
Silver size 15 Gold size 7 welcome. Free Wi-Fi. Dogs welcome, day tickets available from 9am
Silver size 5 + 7
TYING SINGLES www.bryntirioninn.co.uk • Tel: 01678530205 • thebryntirioninn aol.com
RRP £5.99 TUBE SINGLES RRP £5.99 – ONLY £3.50
ONLY £3.50 Gold size 5, 7, 9 + 11
Gold size 5 +7 Silver size 5 +11
13/15 Bon-accord Terrace. Aberdeen AB1 6DP

Tel. 01224 210008 Fax. 01224 586607 Email. [email protected]
www.somersfishingtackle.co.uk We now accept
PayPal
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Tel: 0141 212 8880

e-mail: [email protected]
Centre
Unit 1, The Point
Retail Park
29 Saracen Street
www.fishingmegastore.com Glasgow G22 5HT
FX1 GRAPHENE FLY RODS SK LITE FLY ROD SLV SALMON FLY RODS
The team from Mackenzie DTX have teamed up with Professor Gary
Savage, former Formula One World Team Champion and one of the world’s
leading experts in carbon and composites to bring to market what has An exceptional range of light-line river fly rods
to be regarded as the most advanced fly rod ever made! With Professor ranging from 8’ #3 to 10’ #4, that will appeal to the
Savage’s help, Scott Mackenzie and his team have designed and built a most discerning fly angler. The SLV Fly Rods from Okuma feature quality
world first - a fly rod incorporating a new super material called Graphene! Code Length Pcs AFTM RRP Price components at a great price and are great for the
The rods themselves are made in the UK, and feature the very best SO0047 8ft 4 #3 £179.99 £90.00 beginning fly angler and seasoned pro alike.
craftsmanship and fittings money can buy! Top grade Portuguese cork SO0048 8ft6 4 #4 £179.99 £90.00
handles have been specially chosen and are made to a length and style to SO0049 9ft 4 #3 £189.99 £95.00 Code Length Casts Pcs RRP Now
allow casters of all styles and abilities to use the rod in comfort. SO0050 9ft 4 #4 £189.99 £95.00 SV8086 12ft 6 #8/9 4 £139.99 £50.00
SO0052 10ft 4 #3 £199.99 £100.00 SV8085 14ft #9/10 4 £149.99 £50.00
Code Length Pcs AFTM Price
MC0067 13ft 4 #8 £949.00
MC0068
MC0069
14ft
15ft
4
4
#9
#10
£975.00
£999.00
EVOTEC RODS
Loop’s new Evotec series are manufactured
with the latest “Cross Weave” technology
and have a wonderful, precise and balanced
action. Loop’s “Perfect Curve” philosophy Code Length Action Handle AFTM Pcs RRP Now
LP0240 9ft Fast X-Grip #5 3 £279.00 £173.00
has led them to a rod with minimum LP0505 9ft Fast Round £5 3 £289.00 £173.00
recovery vibration that allows the caster to LP0508 9ft Fast Cork Mix #6 3 £299.00 £179.00
vary tempo without problem. The formed LP0509 9ft Med. Fast Cork Mix #6 3 £299.00 £179.00
W
handle is a blend of cork and epoxy that LP0512 9ft6 Med. Fast Cork Mix #7 3 £319.00 £191.00
LP0513 10ft Med. Fast Cork Mix #8 3 £329.00 £197.00
NE provides ultimate grip in all situations.
LP0113 13ft 6 Med. Fast Double #8 4 £489.00 £299.00
CHROME SALMON FLY RODS TRUEFLY SALMON SLA REEL REACH DH FLY RODS 15FT WILDERNESS
• Super large arbour for rapid XT SALMON ROD
retrieve & fly line memory Designed around a convenient
reduction four section assembly each model
• Largest arbour and lightest #7/8 immediately transmits a positive
cassette fly reel feel and their balance in the hand
• Aluminium die-cast frame & cage The superbly versatile Reach series of Double Handed
The Chrome series sports a perfectly balanced fly rods from Guideline deliver crisp action and fantastic allows for a quicker movement by
• Unique dot alignment cassette
SALE
action that allows you to present your flies casting ability and performance at an incredible price. you right down to the tip.
spool fixing
with the grace and accuracy you desire.
Code Model Capacity RRP Now Code Length AFTM Pcs RRP Our Price
LD2310 #9/11 Black WF11+200yds £89.99 £50 Code Length AFTM Pcs RRP Price
Code Length Casts Pcs RRP Now GC2774 13ft 7 #9/10 4 £279.99 £180.00
SV12654 13ft 9 #9/10 4 £329.99 £120.00 LD2313 #9/11 Grey WF11+200yds £89.99 £50 GC2775 14ft 8 #10/11 4 £289.99 £200.00 DW2385 15ft #11 4 £200 £100
TROUT FLY RODS Code

DW7287
Length
8ft
AFTM
#4
Pcs
3
RRP
£39.99
Now
£29.99
VISION ONETEN LURES
The simple, elegant Daiwa Trout Fly rod delivers performance Works equally well in fresh and salt waters, thanks to the top notch features they sport.
DW7288 8ft 6 #5 3 £39.99 £29.99 These include internal rattles for maximum attraction, tungsten composite balancing weights for
and quality at a bafflingly good price. The 3pc carbon blank DW6004 9ft #6 3 £39.99 £29.99 optimised casting distance and nose first dive in the water, and a host of superb visual attractors.
sports a crisp medium fast action, and comes i a selection of DW6005 9ft 6 #7 3 £39.99 £29.99 Oneten - 14.3g / 110mm Magnum - 17.7g / 130mm
sizes to cover most freshwater, single handed applications. DW6006 10ft #7 3 £39.99 £29.99 Code Colour RRP Price Code Colour RRP Price
TL0013 Cosmic Shad 35 £24.99 £22.99 TL0005 Ito Wakasagi £24.99 £22.99
TL0034 HT Hakone Wakasagi £24.99 £22.99 TL0006 Sexy Ayu £24.99 £22.99
NE TL0017
TL0060
Ito Wakasagi 6
Mat Tiger
£24.99
£24.99
£22.99
£22.99
TL0080 Wakasagi
Oneten+1 - 14.3g / 110mm
£24.99 £22.99
W TL0049
TL0073
TL0074
Stealth Wakasagi
GP Problue II
M Sexy Shad
£24.99
£24.99
£24.99
£22.99
£22.99
£22.99
Code
TL0009
TL0007
Colour
HT Ito Tennessy SD
Wakin AYU
RRP Price
£24.99 £22.99
£24.99 £22.99
HYBRID JACKET INSULATED GILET

A stylish and modern performance garment designed with both fly A stylish and modern performance garment designed
fishing and every day casual use in mind. with both fly fishing and every day casual use in mind.
• 100% nylon ripstop fabric with DWR finish • 100% nylon ripstop fabric with DWR finish
• An insulated body combined with lightweight stretch fabric helps to • 3M platinum insulation from warmth without bulk
maintain warmth without inhibiting freedom of movement • Nylon rispstop in the body provides protection
• Narrow baffle construction makes the jacket highly
Code Length Now Code Length Now
compressible
LD13527 M £89.99 LD13531 M £69.99
• YKK centre front zip with zip guard
NEW
LD13528 L £89.99 LD13532 L £69.99
W
• YKK zipped hand and chest pockets

LD13529 XL £89.99 LD13533 XL £69.99
NE
LD13530 XXL £89.99 LD13534 XXL £69.99
LONG VEST SHORT VEST PREMIUM FISHING NIPPERS

NEW
• Fitted for performance fly casting • Fitted for performance fly casting Built for prime cuts across a mountain of fluorocarbon,
• Neoprene collar with padded shoulders for load carrying comfort • Neoprene collar with padded mono, and wire. Simms’ new Nipper takes this angling
• Lightweight breathable fabric with cool mesh lining shoulders for load carrying comfort mainstay to the next level.
• 2 easily accessible back pockets • Lightweight breathable fabric Code Size
• Rod attachment tabs with cool mesh lining MM4420 Citron
• 4 large interior mesh pockets (2 zipped) MM4419 Chrome
• 12 front storage pockets including 2 Code Length Now Code Length Now MM3301 Gun Metal
£32.99
zipped side pockets LD13539 M £64.99 LD13543 M £59.99 MM3302 Oasis
LD13540 L £64.99 LD13544 L £59.99 MM3303 Orange
W
• 6 rubber tool hang points

• 2 mesh holders for Gink & Dry fly LD13541 XL £64.99 LD13545 XL £59.99 Code Accessory Price
NE
powder LD13542 XXL £64.99 LD13546 XXL £59.99 MM3304 Replacement Blades £14.99
Ride the Wave Floating CHARLES JARDINE FLY LINES RTG SKAGIT KITS SWITCH MULTI TIP
Code Model Just Under Sinking Intermediate belly section, Guideline’s new Switch Multi Tip range is exactly how
LD10330 WF8 Code Model RRP: £29.99 packaged with a T10, T14 it sounds, a multi-tip style line specifically designed
for Switch rods - Longer heads in light weights!
Now Only
LD10331 WF9 LD10317 WF6 The Bottom Sinking and T18 tip, giving you a
LD10332 WF10 Code Model diverse kit, right out the box. RRP: £109.99
£20.00
Up and Under 10ft
Up and Under 5ft Code Model LD10326 WF6 Only
Code
LD11852
Model
WF6
LD11855
LD11856
WF6
WF7
Into the Blue Sinking
Code Model Deep Water Sinking RRP: £109.99
£50.00
Code Type
Mid Water Sinking Presentation Floating LD10334 WF8 Code Model Code Length Weight Type Only GC1637 #5
GC2050 23ft 32g #8/9
£40.00
Code Model Code Model LD10335 WF9 LD10323 WF6 GC1638 #6
LD10322 WF8 LD11216 WF2 LD10336 WF10 LD10324 WF7 GC2053 26.3ft 43g #11/12 GC1639 #7 FR
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.COM
Trusting the science
of the seas
What has the Atlantic Salmon Trust achieved? Tony Andrews reflects on
his time at the helm and his successor, Sarah Bayley Slater, explains the
science that underpins her hopes for the salmon’s future
and fisheries trusts were Dick, with his Norwegian

TONY ANDREWS managing wild fish stocks colleague, Jens Christian Holst,
has been executive director of the increasingly effectively within pioneered methods of sampling
Atlantic Salmon Trust since 2008.
I
river catchments. That prompted salmon post-smolts at sea. That
the question, “Does the AST need work was the cue for Ken Whelan
ONCE ASKED a senior to exist, and if it does, what should and colleagues working within
government scientist be its role?” As the incoming NASCO, to raise funds for the
what is distinctive about director in 2008 that was my Atlantic-wide SALSEA Project,
the contribution made by first challenge. whose purpose was to learn about
the AST. He replied, “It’s The “existence” question salmon distribution at sea.
independent, creative encouraged a long debate, during SALSEA gave us a quarry of data
and measured”. He added that the which options such as merging about salmon distribution at sea –
Trust’s reputation depends on with other organisations, how salmon use the ocean. That
these values. Those words are still hibernating, setting up an data is being analysed and will aid
valid, but advances in science and emergency fund, or simply our understanding over the
the management of wild salmon disbanding and disbursing the coming years as, through
and sea-trout over the SALSEA 2, we concentrate on
last decade have the causes of the decline in
radically changed the “AST’s Three Pillars strategy salmon abundance and,
context for government wherever possible, find ways
and non-government – ocean, coast and freshwater of mitigating this trend.
organisations. The
challenge for the Trust
– links the stages of the whole We have also kept a focus
on the old chestnuts of mixed-
was to adapt to
those changes.
life of the salmon” stock netting and salmon
farming. The fractious nature
Prior to 2008 AST’s of the debate on those
role was to respond to the research funds to other charities, were all subjects helped AST define its new
needs of fishery managers and considered. Some critics of the “Three Pillars” strategy – ocean,
B E L OW researchers pretty much on an ad Trust said publicly that there were coast and freshwater. AST acts as
A sampling hoc basis. While we had access to too many organisations and it was coordinator, instigator and
trawl, part of
the SALSEA top scientists and generous time for the AST to admit that and communicator to link the stages
project. benefactors, it was clear that rivers go. Others felt the Trust would of the whole life of the wild
be better within another Atlantic salmon.
organisation. I saw my role at that We also needed to state publicly
time as keeping the debate going that AST is not a lobbying
to ensure that its conclusion would organisation, not beholden to a
respect the vision and generosity subscribing membership, nor do
of our predecessors. we represent those that exploit the
I was lucky to have in Dick fish, and we avoid duplicating the
Shelton, former head of the work of other NGOs. The positives
Government’s Faskally Laboratory, are that we work on an
a research director with the vision international ecosystem basis
and spirit of adventure to (wherever the salmon swims), our
encourage AST “to go to sea”. AST work in freshwater supports the
had always been concerned with work of others, the work is based
marine exploitation, especially in on sound evidence, and we find
AST
the Faroes and West Greenland. ways to raise public awareness,

which has been involved with
tracking, smolts and post-smolts,
in-river and at sea, for the past 20
years. We have jointly organised
an acoustic tracking seminar with
the River Dee Trust, which began
its tracking project in February.
The seminar brings together
Canadian and British specialists
to share information with river
managers interested in starting
acoustic-tracking programmes in
UK rivers. Our aim is for the
in-shore and estuary tracking
programmes to feed into a larger-
scale, high seas tracking
programme being developed by
NASCO, to create a detailed
picture of what is happening to
smolts once they leave their rivers.
The second interesting project
AST
in the marine environment is the
A B OV E improve fishery management, Douglas Miller, and new directors pelagic by-catch eDNA project.
AST has and influence decision-makers. on the board. Ivor Llewelyn, Salmon are killed accidently in
commissioned AST’s current strategy addresses director for England and Wales pelagic fishing nets, but we have
research that
may identify issues of by-catch, managing and Professor Ken Whelan, no idea how widespread this is
the DNA of small streams, guidance for research director will be giving among the pelagic fleets, how big
salmon bycatch managers in stock assessment, continuity to the executive team. a threat it poses, and where and
in the nets of
trawlers. extending knowledge of sea-trout, Founded in 1967, AST has when it is taking place. AST has
supporting sustainable salmon developed into an organisation commissioned research being
farming, tracking salmon in that is identifying gaps in conducted by University College
coastal waters and at sea, and knowledge on salmon and sea- Dublin to develop new eDNA
developing programmes in public trout survival, and supports technology to determine the
information. research to improve management. presence of salmon DNA on nets,
As I depart I feel the AST’s need This is particularly important desks and holds of ships. The first
to exist is no longer in question in the marine phase of the phase of the project has been to
and the charity is in good shape lifecycle. Marine mortality of develop and field test the eDNA
for my successor, Sarah Bayley salmon and sea-trout has techniques that can then be used
Slater, to take its work to a higher increased significantly and AST is to determine whether by-catch by
level. Sarah’s appointment is a the primary salmonid pelagic fishing nets is an issue.
vital moment for the Trust conservation NGO operating in What is eDNA? Environmental
because, for the first time, AST the marine environment. DNA (eDNA) is DNA that is
will be led by an experienced There are two new projects I released from an organism into
professional with the skills to believe will make a big difference. the environment. Sources of
deliver results at a time of massive The first is the acoustic tracking of eDNA can include secreted faeces,
challenge for salmon and sea- salmon and sea-trout smolts in mucous, shed skin and carcasses.
trout. I wish her well. lower rivers and estuaries. The DNA of a range of aquatic
Acoustic tracking uses acoustic organisms can be detected in
SARAH BAYLEY SLATER transmitters and receiving water samples at very low
systems to remotely track fish. concentrations enabling
studied Aquaculture and Fisheries They can be used to monitor the researchers to identify which
Management at the University of behaviour, movement, habitat species have been present.
Aberdeen/Scottish Agricultural use, and survival of juvenile The AST is dedicated to the
College and is the former operations
director of the Rivers and Fisheries
salmonids migrating from conservation of salmon and sea-
Trusts of Scotland. She has also freshwater into saltwater. trout and we are investing in
worked for the Association of West Monitoring the movement of cutting-edge research and
Coast Fisheries and the Rivers and smolts helps fishery managers to projects. We’ll be accessing our
Lochs Institute.
T
understand impacts such as networks with national and
predation, aquaculture and international organisations and
WENTY-SIXTEEN barriers to fish migration and policy-makers in order to have the
will be an survival. Collecting this evidence greatest impact. Anglers can play
interesting year at informs management practices an active role by supporting the
the Atlantic Salmon and influences policy to mitigate AST. A key intention of mine is to
Trust (AST). As well against negative impacts. make sure that anglers are kept
as my appointment, AST works closely with the informed and understand the
AST has a new chairman, Robbie Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF), results of their support.

CASTING ABOUT
No wonder
Will new technology remove the mystique from
salmon fishing? asks Richard Donkin
C
ASTING TO A fish you can products among other things. One of its
see is one of the great joys arms, FishTec, has begun marketing
of chalkstream fishing. something called FishSpy aimed at carp
It’s less common in anglers. FishSpy is an underwater camera
Scottish salmon fishing that allows anglers to monitor their baits,
where everything is streaming live footage to their iPads
scaled up and the fish lie in deeper pools. or smart phones.
But there are rivers and pools where I suppose the carp guys need something
fish might be seen in their lies. to maintain their interest. I often watch
Sometimes a cliff or bridge might offer an them on our local pond, lying on their camp
advantage to do some spotting. In Iceland beds in their tents, with teams of four rods
it’s quite common to see fish and then lined up, legering with their “boilies”. One
work out ways to cast to them. In of the few things they have in common
Newfoundland many of the streams in with salmon anglers is that each might
summer are crystal clear, revealing be fishing for hours, days even,
stacks of fish reluctant to leave their lies without so much as a tug.
unless goaded to do so by frequent floated Suppose this technology strays in to
drifts of a Bomber. salmon fishing? It’s not supposition as the FishTec
In his classic work, Salmon Fishing, Hugh Falkus people, I’m told, are working on a camera rig that
wrote of experiments casting flies to fish while a might be used for salmon. It’s only a matter of time
friend, spotting from a bridge, relayed information before sophisticated camera mounts give
on a fish’s reaction or lack of it. Falkus was curious, Richard us access to salmon lies.
as we all are, as to why the salmon would ignore the Donkin is a If the cameras aren’t underwater they could be
fly time and again, then turn in time and take it. journalist hovering above. There are cheap small drones
The mystery of such behaviour is part of the allure. and has fished available now with gimble-mounted cameras that
Wouldn’t it be dull if every cast brought in Norway can be positioned over a lie, allowing the operator to
a guaranteed take? and Iceland. see fish resting or passing through just as clearly as
But how do we preserve that essential mystery His favourite could be seen if standing on a low bridge. But is this
when all the time our knowledge of fish behaviour is river is the what we want?
growing, while the means to broaden that knowledge Aberdeenshire It’s not what I want, but what I want is immaterial.
is also expanding? Dee The general trend of technological development is
When you trot down to your pool for that first cast, that if a technology exists, someone will seek to use it
you feel encouraged if you’ve seen a to their advantage. The monitoring
fish showing in the stream. It may of salmon is advantageous to those
well be a running fish that has long “Drones can be positioned engaged in gathering data for
since passed by the time you’re in conservation. But I wouldn’t want to
position to shape up a cast. But, who over a lie, allowing the see a detailed picture of the
knows? It may be part of a pod. It may
well have jumped next to a lying fish;
operator to see fish” population of a beat at any given
time. That might be disheartening,
that often happens. In summer you particularly in the spring when fish
become familiar with the residents that show now are often running through in ones and twos.
and again, otherwise hugging their lie like a limpet. There’s a grapevine of sorts already. If a beat lower
Sometimes you never see a fish for day after day, downstream is catching, the chances are that fish
but that doesn’t mean they’re not there. All the same, are heading your way. I’ve seen fish leaping into
there must be many times, probably the vast pools and I’ve caught them in doing so. I’ve run up
majority of times, that our cast isn’t covering a fish. the side of pools to take advantage of a pod passing
It’s rather like advertising without being able to through. That strikes me as fair play. But I’m not sure
target that eager-to-buy customer with any precision. I’d want to track them like a pheasant or a grouse.
What if you could get a better picture? What if you Whatever you think about camera and fish-finding
could see a new fish in the pool and where it is technologies, the point I’m making is that you will
lying up? How do you feel about that prospect? need to think about them, particularly if you’re a
The reason I ask is that relatively inexpensive gillie or a beat owner. Riparian owners will need to
technology is emerging to afford us just such an think about them and will need to draw up a policy
opportunity. During the winter I was contacted by on their use, sooner rather than later. The cameras
BVGAirflo, the Welsh group that makes fishing are coming. Mark my word.

LETTERS
Write to the editor Trout & Salmon, Media House, Lynchwood, Peterborough PE2 6EA. Or e-mail: troutandsalmon@
bauermedia.co.uk Please include name, address, work and home telephone numbers.
Victorian attitudes? reducing grayling populations might shortage of food and/or poor habitat.
EDDIE MCINTYRE’S letter in the May sustain or even enhance salmon It is now well understood that in a
issue of Trout and Salmon is a complete numbers. Yes, grayling eat salmon eggs, good environment, populations of
nonsense. To blame grayling for the and so do trout, and so do salmon parr. salmon (juveniles, of course), trout
decline in salmon numbers is Victorian Grayling and salmon parr also eat trout and grayling can live in balance as
in its attitude. eggs but we know of no evidence that each species has slightly different
Perhaps Mr McIntyre and his friend this egg feast has any noticeable or requirements and each occupies a
would care to tell us how many hen significant effect upon any of the slightly different niche in a river. To
salmon they have returned to the river populations of fish involved. manage these populations in such a
over the years and how many they have Nature has a wonderful ability to way as to reduce one in order to boost
killed. One hen salmon killed would produce a super abundance of eggs at another is almost always unsuccessful.
have produced more eggs than all the a particularly vulnerable stage of the For many years keepers on our
grayling in the river could have eaten. lifecycle of many animals. This southern chalkstreams took out
Bob Preston, Wiltshire situation is complicated, of course, by grayling in order to enhance trout
the current low numbers of salmon numbers. This had no noticeable effect
EDDIE MCINTYRE IN the April issue of present on the redds. Significant on trout numbers and with hindsight
this magazine asks the question “Should population effects tend to occur later was a complete waste of time. The
we still kill grayling?” and suggests that in the lifecycle and usually involve a practice came to an end 20 or more
years ago. On some salmon rivers it
was customary to kill all trout on the
grounds that they ate salmon parr
Memory-free lines prove disappointing and eggs and to kill them would boost
salmon numbers. In fact, no effect could
I WAS stimulated to write by memory than I would have be seen and we think the practice has
Matthew Trevithick’s question to expected, even after treatments like ceased because it is now understood
Trout Surgery (T&S, April). I am that suggested by Ronnie Glass.
that resident trout are important
primarily a stillwater trout fisher, While I appreciate that in the
and last year, for various reasons, circumstances described there
fertilisers of sea-trout eggs.
I decided to down-size from 7 wt to could be an advantage in a “kinky” There are clearly a number of
5 wt gear (something that I have not line, I have generally found it to be a factors contributing to the decline in
regretted one bit). I bought the usual problem especially when fishing salmon numbers – fish farms, climate
range of lines, all of them from dry-flies on a still summer evening. change and high-seas netting to name
reputable makers, and as I fish Many years ago I was shown a few. To kill grayling would not solve
throughout the year I was careful to “memory plastics” that could return or even alleviate the problem. All
choose lines that were described as to a preformed shape even after that would be achieved would be a
having little or no memory. considerable distortion. So why degrading of the grayling population,
However, I was disappointed not make lines with a strong which would benefit no one. Grayling
to find that most of the lines I memory-for being straight? are now protected in England and
purchased have somewhat more Douglas Bone, Suffolk Wales under policy 11 of the EA’s
Trout and Grayling Fishery Strategy,
and the European Grayling is
protected under Annex V of the
Habitats Directive. This allows
exploitation of the listed species by
man within the wild but may be
subject to management measures to
ensure their favourable conservation
status is not jeopardised. We would
suggest to Eddie McIntyre and anyone
else who is interested in fishery
management that they should join
Coils caused by line The Grayling Society, become
memory can rob you of
distance and accuracy. informed about grayling and enjoy
T&S
the wonderful fishing that these

attractive and obliging fish provide.
Steve Skuce, The Grayling Society

Continuing the legacy of Bob
AFTER READING Jon Penny’s article Life after Death While this tale may be somewhat daft, one thing is for
(March) about his fishing adventures with a rod he called sure, our family of Bobs have served us well, and been at
Bob, I paused in fond recollection. the core of creating many life-time fishing memories
Many years ago, Jon, in a moment of weakness, allowed between great friends over wild waters.
me to take Bob to the west of Ireland to fish the Screebe Richard Snow, Wiltshire
system for trout. Having drifted and stalked the loughs
from the hilltops to the low-lying bogs we caught countless
beauties, dark-backed with crimson spots, butter yellow
and silver, many smashing the flies that were dabbled
through the water’s surface due to Bob’s easy style.
Impressed with Bob, on my return I bought a Bob, too.
But this was a more lively member of the family, and lacked
the steady post Sunday pub lunchtime sitting in front of the
fire feel of his uncle. Bob 2 soon surpassed himself, and
with Jon’s help on the net, eased a 16½ lb sea-trout out of the
Itchen. Having taken a photo for the family album we
released the fish back to the blackness from whence it
came. After being lobbied by Jon, a photo was sent to your
magazine and we were thrilled to find that Bob 2 had won
Fish of the Month, and would soon be joined by Bob 3!
JON PENNY
Having arrived, Bob 3 was taken for a night trip to the
Itchen with Jon and Steve, and Bob 3 was christened as it
The original Bob fishes a sea pool at dusk.
bent softly into three beautiful sea-trout.
service. I sent the reel off to get a quote some light on one of the causes.
Homemade floatant for repair and service and was quite The fishing rights on many of the
I HAVE just read the letter in the surprised to receive the reel back within rivers near me are held by fishing
December edition of your excellent four days, repaired and serviced free of clubs. Having enquired about the
magazine regarding an old-fashioned charge. I believe this to be superb possibility of a salmon and sea-trout
method of keeping gut floating when service and would recommend membership I have been put off by the
fishing the dry-fly. The sheep-dropping Daiwa UK to anyone. astronomical cost. I have a profession
method was not confined to north-east Michael Nunn, Lincolnshire and a young family and I simply cannot
Scotland. I recall my grandfather telling justify the £400 and more that is asked
me before the Second World War of for. (For the record, a top-of-the-range
arguments between his gamekeeper Fin-clipped Tweed fish games console costs £300 and lasts
and a neighbouring shepherd, who was I HAVE just defrosted a grilse of about much longer than a year.) Conversely,
a Scot, over the relative merits of various 4 lb that I caught on a lower beat of the trout memberships to fish the same
sheep breeds – the keeper maintaining Tweed last October and noticed that its stretches of the same rivers are
that the hardy Herdwick sheep on the adipose fin is missing and that there is a less than £100. The only reason I
family’s Cumbrian hill place were by far scar where it ought to be. It has all the can see to make salmon memberships
the superior to the Blackface because of appearance of a fin-clipped fish. more expensive is the perception
the huge amount of rain their fleece had There is no hatchery on the Tweed, that salmon fishermen can afford it.
to cope with on the fells, and so had far and I am told that the nearest river that Well, I can’t.
more waterproofing chemicals present. has a hatchery is the Tyne but that the As a consequence I have wandered
Whether this is true or not I have not fish are not fin-clipped on that river. further afield to fish water with
been able to check, as there are no I would be most interested to know restricted day-tickets and ten-year
Herdwicks in this part of the world. whether other Tweed fishers caught a waiting lists. Ahead of a night’s sea-
One other thing I do recall is the fin-clipped fish last year and whether trouting I have met members walking
old keeper used to take a clump of wool anyone knows from where they their dogs along the bank who say they
from the shoulder of a young ewe and may have come. have not fished this year, that the
soak it in sheep urine for a year in an Frank Alexander, via e-mail conditions are wrong, that there are no
old Bovril bottle. Flies soaked in this fish. The same night I have had three
revolting stuff floated like corks. sea-trout to 5 lb in a few hours. If they’re
How he got the liquid I am not sure. Member’s bill not going to fish why do they continue to
Lupton Constantine, Chelsea, London I SEE and hear a lot of discussion about take a membership, effectively blocking
the declining number of game-fishers, those of us who would like to join?
particularly for salmon, and how we’re It is up to the clubs if they want to
Well done, Daiwa losing young people to video games. have extortionate prices and extensive
AFTER MY last trip to the Scottish As a man in my mid-thirties and a keen waiting lists, but I suggest that they do
Borders I decided that my reel needed a angler I believe I may be able to shed their rivers and fish a disservice.

LETTERS
The more people who fish a river then august body may not have mentioned I think many anglers feel abandoned
the more of us there are to speak up on “angling” in its title before, but its by these organisations over issues such
its behalf and challenge threats to our members are certainly anglers and one as catch-and-release and hatcheries. If
fish. I persist because I love the sport. I presumes they fund its work. Or perhaps you wish to kill a fish for the table and
wonder how many other potential they don’t. Perhaps the membership has therefore not hook a fish just for “sport”,
members have been permanently put shrunk and now it must seek funding you must defend yourself – the S&TC
off by the same difficulties? from national and European quangos won’t help you. If you’re seeking support
We would all like to see more people that are more easily attracted to for the costly but proven work of
taking up our sport, but when the cost of organisations with “conservation” in hatcheries (Iceland, Tyne and Lochy),
living has never been higher or young their title, rather than cruel “angling”. don’t expect the AT to give its backing.
families more squeezed, perhaps we Then there’s the Angling Trust (AT), Yet these are the entirely legitimate
need our angling clubs to look again at which I think has done a fair job of concerns of game-fishers.
how they run their memberships. being “One Voice For Angling” but which Instead, it seems, we must all become
Derek Raymore, Devon has, I read, taken £1m from Government auction bidders, tree planters and gravel
(via the Environment Agency) to cleaners; powerless labourers and
promote angling. That sounds like good donors who must leave the survival of
Have we lost our voice? news. But the worry is the Trust will not our quarry to earnest young biologists
ARE THE INTERESTS of fly-fishers now be able to hold its paymaster and its and political schmoozers.
being adequately represented by those paymaster’s paymaster to account. AT and S&TC might describe their
that claim to champion their cause? I In Scotland, there is no credible actions as realpolitik, and may wish
can’t be the only one to have noticed a national angling body. The Scottish to project an image acceptable to the
shift in emphasis. Anglers National Association appears BBC’s One Show viewers, but please
Most notable is the Salmon & Trout particularly compliant. Can it ever be don’t forget that anglers have
Association’s name change to Salmon & forgiven for taking money from fish long memories.
Trout Conservation UK (S&TC). This farmers to fund competition fishing? Graham Brown, via e-mail
Bothy life and the importance of port in a storm

JON BEER’S Poca Buidhe article (April) one!” and “A couple here”. The booty over five nights. I believe there is now
reminded me of a fishing party of my was shared out in the bothy. However, a formula to calculate this involving
acquaintance. Having transported on subsequent nights the search was length and girth. Just as the
their week’s supply of beer for four by conducted in eerie silence and four atmosphere was becoming rather
Argocat and boat to the bothy, they fishers returned separately to the tense, we found a full bottle of
cached it in the little burn that runs by bothy, empty-handed, shame-faced excellent port in an abandoned
the kitchen door. During the night and wiping the backs of their hands hamper. A note attached read, “
torrential rain turned the burn into a across their lips. To the next occupants, enjoy.” We did.
torrent which washed the bottles into My wife (Dot the Deadly Dapper) Incidentally, I hope Jon Beer had a
the jumble of large rocks opposite (see her brother and myself were more cast in Loch Garbhaig. I caught a
Jon’s pictures). On the first night all fortunate on a visit when I had lovely trout of 1½ lb last August just
was well. They split up and the search seriously miscalculated how much where his river flows into the loch.
was punctuated with cries of “Got port was required for a party of three Brian Christopher, Edinburgh
When spending time away from civilisation, the

logistics of supply must be carefully considered.
JON BEER

Fishing the River Suir, Co.Tipperary, Ireland
Salmon Fishing
in Asturias!
The Suir is one of Ireland’s

finest rivers being notable
for the Irish record salmon. It
also holds a good head of wild
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to 5 pounds frequently taken
in recent years, attracting anglers from all over Europe and North America. A rare
opportunity has arisen to purchase the ‘Fisherman’s Lodge’ (formerly part of the old
Knocklofty Estate) along with the exclusive fishing rights to almost a mile of this
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The property comes with around 5 acres of land including a private island. This
DISCOVER RIVERS THAT ARE stretch of the river has been infrequently fished for many years, and features a
variety of fast runs and good holding pools including the ‘Castle’ pool. A brown trout
FAMOUS FOR THE STRENGTH

of around 8 pounds was taken upstream on dry-fly in 2014.
The cottage was fully renovated in 2012 and is fully centrally heated (oil-fired) with
entry porch, hallway/study, 2 large double bedrooms, sitting room, dining kitchen,
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KNOW
HOW
E N J OY B E T T E R S P O R T W I T H E X P E R T I S E A N D A DV I C E
F R O M G A M E - F I S H I N G ’ S F I N E ST A N G L E R S
INSIDE
68 How to fish from a boat
70 Two ways with Buzzers
76 The magic of micro-trebles
83 Clues to the hatch 88 Salmon surgery
91 Salmon fly of the month 92 Trout surgery
95 Trout fly of the month
HOW TO
FISH FROM A BOAT
Gavin Brown, boatman on the River Tweed’s famous Junction pool,
explains what to expect when salmon fishing from a boat
Why fish from a boat and not the bank? Take it in turns
The main advantages of fishing from a boat are that you can cover On a beat where fishing
lies that are beyond the range of a cast from the bank and fish from a boat is your best
streams that are too deep or wide to wade. There are also pools chance of a fish and there
and runs where confused water (such as back eddies) lies between are more rods in the party
you and fish-holding lies and line and fly control is difficult from the than there are boats, a
bank – the conflicting currents will stop your bait or fly from good boatman will arrange
Gavin Brown swinging round in the preferred manner. If you fish from a boat, a rotation so that each rod
is one of
the most
these barriers can be overcome. gets a stint afloat.
respected
boatmen on
the River
Tweed and is
the inventor
of the
Junction
Shrimp fly.
For all abilities

A boatman’s job is to
make it easier for the
fisher – whatever their
ability – to cover
water. Not everyone
can cast 40 yards and
if it’s windy, or the
angler is a beginner, a
boatman can help by
Sitting down, staying safe and keeping warm
moving the boat You will be warmer when fishing from a boat because you are not up to
closer to the lies. your thighs in water. You will also be sitting, so for those who find it
difficult to wade or stand for long periods, a beat with a boat is a good
option. Beats will supply
you with a lifejacket and
standing must be kept to a
Master the double-spey cast minimum. If you stand your
body may catch the wind
The same casts used on the bank are used in a boat,
like a sail and the boat may
although a left- and right-handed double-spey cast
be blown all over the place
is the most useful as you will probably be seated at
or, worse, you could lose
the back of the boat and will need to position your
your balance and fall
D-loop off the stern, away from the boatman. One of
overboard. For safety and
the things that anglers struggle with the most when
boat-handling reasons it is
STUART MINNIKIN
fly-fishing from a boat is the need to cast with their

unlikely you’ll be fishing
non-dominant hand. The biggest mistake is standing
from a boat if the water is
on your line or it getting stuck under your bag
3 ft above normal level.
or feet when a fish takes.
56 April
68 May 2016
2016 www.trout-and-salmon.co.uk
www.trout-and-salmon.co.uk
KNOW HOW
Trial and error

Typically, from a boat you’ll be asked to cast just
downstream of square, across the current. Then
you may mend your line and let it swing almost
on to the dangle, and then retrieve it. On your
next cast you might start retrieving the fly
halfway round. It’s just trial and error. Your
boatman will tell you what he wants you to do, At the end of a rope
so listen and learn. On some rivers, when the water is too big and powerful for
the boatman to control the boat on the oars, you can fish
from a boat that is tethered to the bank or by a rope held
by the gillie on the bank. Not all beats suit the use of ropes
and much depends on the currents and wind direction.
Head for the shore to

net a fish
When you have hooked a fish on
the fly and a double-handed rod,
the boatman will row you ashore
to net it. With a long rod you are
more likely to lose control of the
fish when it is close to the boat or,
worse, break your rod when
trying to net it. It is okay to net a
fish from the boat with a spinning
rod because it is shorter and
more manageable.
PHOTOGRAPHS: EDMUND TELFORD/STEPHEN HOWARD
Better for sinkers

You can use the same fly-lines
from a boat as you would from
the bank. However, one line
that is better controlled from
No need for a new rod Ask the boatman about flies a boat is a heavy fast-sinking
You can use the same rod from Ring the boatman a week or so before you fish line. When cast from the bank
the boat as you would use from to see what patterns and sizes have been this line is more likely to catch
the bank. A 14 ft or 15 ft double- successful and what might work in the given on the bottom as it is drawn
hander is best for fly-fishing. If height of water. Make sure you have a good into the shallow margins at
you’re spinning, take a 10-footer. selection before you reach the beat. the end of its swing.

www.trout-and-salmon.co.uk April 57
TWO WAYS
WITH BUZZERS
Peter Hartley offers some no-nonsense advice
for the start of the reservoir season
P H O T O G R A P H Y: M A T T H E W R O B E R T S
Peter Hartley
is an Angling
Trust level 2
coach, a
member of
the Game
Angling
Instructors
Association
(GAIA) and
the current
President of
the English
Fly Fishing
Association

KNOW HOW
A
T THE START of
the reservoir
season bank
fishing and, in
particular, buzzer
fishing can
provide some of the best sport of
the season. The annual stocking
of rainbow and brown trout is
underway, supplementing a stock
of prime grown-on fish that
during the mild winter will have
continued to feed and pack on
weight. The introduction of
stocked fish stirs these resident
trout into action. They will be
rested and, with the current high
water levels, cruising and feeding
in deep water close to the bank. In
most places wading will not be You must watch the fly-line
necessary and a floating line and like a hawk to see if it
straightens or if it lifts at
a team of three – or in some cases the end of the rod tip.
four – buzzer imitations are often
all that is required to catch them.
Straight-line set-up “There is much argument about the

To explore the depths and find the
feeding depth you can use the best fly colour but early in the season
classic straight-line set-up. This smaller, black natural buzzers dominate”
consists of a long leader (20 ft
plus) and sufficient weight in the
flies to plumb the depths. point fly without snagging your argument about the best fly
Big stillwaters have currents top dropper in the tip ring. It must colour, but early in the season
and undertows and just because be added between the top dropper smaller, black natural buzzers
you are fishing in, for example, and the end of the fly-line. dominate. I find that cheek colour
15 ft of water with a 15 ft leader, Typically, the Buzzer pattern on makes little difference, though in
don’t assume your flies will touch the point should be tied on a my box I have several sizes in
bottom – you may have to add larger (size 8-10) heavyweight black and olive (for later in the
another couple of feet of leader to grub or wet-fly hook to help reach spring) with different-coloured
allow for the tow. You cannot add depth. The flies on the droppers cheeks (orange, yellow and green).
the extra length between the flies, are typically smaller in sizes (12- Fishing three Buzzers, 4 ft-4½ ft
because this length is restricted to 14) and sometimes tied on a apart is the norm and if you
allow you to land a fish on the lighter wire hook. There is much achieve the depth you need, this is
WRIGGLE AND REST: UNDERSTANDING THE CHIRONOMID’S LIFE CYCLE

TO FISH Buzzer patterns successfully it is important fly. As it does so it will periodically hang vertically
to fully understand the behaviour of what you are and motionless in the water. This can be at any depth.
imitating. A Buzzer imitates the pupa stage of the Then, every few minutes, it will wriggle and then rest
chironomid (non-biting midge), undoubtedly the most again. To the angler this migration can often go
abundant and significant part of the reservoir trout’s unnoticed and despite an active hatch you will not
diet. Trout consume so many pupae that they respond see any fish surfacing. Instead fish can be taking the
instinctively to a correct combination of pupae at a depth of 12 ft (or more), 2 ft or
presentation and fly pattern. anywhere in between.
The pupa will start its journey from the silt on the The key to success is getting your Buzzer imitations
lakebed to the surface where it will hatch into an adult to the depth at which the fish are feeding.
Peter Hartley
casts a team
of Buzzers at
Pitsford Water.
Getting your Buzzers to the correct depth and fishing them very slowly is more important than their appearance.

fine. If not, you can either add feeding. If the fish are coming to water. Most of your takes will
another dropper (you’ll need to the top dropper, you know that come when the flies are static or
reduce the space between flies) they are high in the water, though sinking slowly and these takes
and fish four flies, or replace one this is usually when the water can be obvious and arm-
of the lighter flies with another warms up. In this instance you wrenching, or may just show as a
heavy one. If you’re still struggling can take off the heavy point-fly small lift or jolt in the loop of line
to reach bottom, you could swap and put on a lighter one so that between your rod tip and the
your floating line with a midge-tip the flies fish nearer the surface. water. To see takes you must keep
line (a floating line with 3 ft-6 ft You could also try a small Booby in touch with your flies (no slack
sink tip) – you’ll be fly-line on the water’s
amazed how much surface) and watch the
difference this style of “If you are still struggling to reach loop like a hawk when
line makes in very the bottom, you could swap your the fish are
deep water. Whatever
line you choose, the floating line with a midge-tip line” lessAsconfident. you prepare to
golden rule is that you re-cast, the flies will
should always be looking to snag on the point (known as the rise in the water and a fish may
the point fly on the lakebed. Only washing-line technique) to help follow. Therefore, don’t be too
then will you know you are suspend the Buzzers on the anxious to lift off: it’s worth
covering all the depths. droppers at the correct level, raising the rod to the ten o’clock
As soon as you’ve hooked and though on a floating line this will position and then “hanging” the
landed your first fish you will keep your flies in the top few feet flies so they are static. Many think
know at what depth they are of water only. it is only necessary to “hang” the
If you take a fish on the point fly, flies when boat fishing, but it
which is more likely early in the works from the bank, too. Try
season, the fish are obviously adopting an approach of lifting
deep and you must continue to get the flies off the water as if you’re
your flies down. To do this, a very “reluctant” to re-cast. You’ll be
slow or static retrieve is critical. surprised at the number of takes
Static means that you may still be you’ll get near your feet. For this
using a very slow figure-of-eight reason I prefer a 10 ft rod (6- or
retrieve to gather slack line if it 7-weight), which enables me to
drifts towards you, but not enough hang flies for just a little longer
Slowly does it with the retrieve. to make the flies move in the and a bit further away from me.
If you are strugging to cast a

team of three flies at water
level find higher ground and
cast with an open casting loop
to avoid tangles. Cast as far as
you can to help your flies
reach deeper water.

KNOW HOW
Peter Hartley nets

a fish taken on a
Buzzer fished
FISHING WITH AN INDICATOR FLY OR BUNG beneath a bung.
THE straight-line method of The length of
leader between
fishing Buzzers is a classic bung and fish
technique, but in recent times the reveals the depth
use of an indicator “fly” (or bung) at which the fish
attached to the top dropper, the was feeding.
leader, or on the braided loop has
become common practice. Many
anglers frown upon this
technique, which they consider
akin to float fishing, but it can be
staggeringly effective and if you It’s not to everbody’s taste, but
the bung is highly sensitive and it
are new to fly-fishing or struggle
teaches you just how slowly you
with casting long leaders and can fish your Buzzers.
teams of flies, it does make
Buzzer fishing easier. You will also Fishing the bung enables you
detect the most delicate takes to fish flies at a predetermined
with an indicator that you depth. You may have to move the
would not see with the droppers up or down the leader
straight-line method. to find the depth at which fish are
You can buy bungs at most feeding but once you find it you
fly-fishing shops. They are usually can sometimes expect a fish on
made of foam, are highly visible every cast – it is that effective!
(fluorescent) and be attached to With a bung you still have the
a hook. This is because in option of a very slow retrieve or
stillwater competition fishing, a gentle sink-and-draw. The fish
under international rules, all flies can sometimes respond to a
(indicators included) must be slight movement or lift of the
able to catch fish. While it has Buzzers, which is akin to the
been known for a trout to take an natural pupae wriggling upwards,
indicator, it is the static nature of before resting again. A long draw
the Buzzers hanging below it that of the fly-line will lift the flies in the
is so deadly and almost water and they will sink again
impossible to achieve with when you resume the static
a normal set-up – with the retrieve. It is not uncommon for
straight-line method the flies the indicator to shoot under as
continuously want to sink. soon as it settles again.

KNOW HOW
E A R LY SE A S ON AT
PITSFOR D WAT ER
PETER HARTLEY fished
at Pitsford Water in
Northamptonshire. Pitsford
was built in 1956 to supply
water to Northampton,
which is six miles to
the south.
The reservoir (a Site of
Special Scientific Interest)
is split in two by a road
causeway. The small part
at the northern end and
nearest to the fishing lodge
and shop is an excellent
place to start in the
opening weeks of the
This Pitsford rainbow took a Buzzer in the point position, indicating it was feeding near the lakebed. season as fish are always
stocked here. Because this
part of the reservoir is
“The droppers do not need to tangles, and this happens to us largely a nature reserve,
all, it is easy to snip it off at the
be very long: in my view, five loop and tie on another length. It
space is limited and you
can only really fish from
inches is quite long enough” is certainly a great deal easier and the bank on the right-hand
much quicker than retying the side of the boat jetty.
whole leader. The droppers do not Fish the whole length
Avoid tangles need to be very long: in my view, of this bank up to the
line of buoys in the
The ability to avoid tangles when five inches is quite long enough. Walgrave Arm. This is
you fish with a long leader that The main reason for tangles is shallow in places and
has flies on two or three droppers poor casting. Many anglers blame you may need to wade.
is important for your enjoyment. the wind, but the reality is you can The deeper “bung-
If you do get a tangle, rather than cast effortlessly with three or four fishing” water is in the
retying the whole leader every flies and you will catch more fish. bigger part of the reservoir.
time, you can tie a blood loop (see This applies not only to Buzzer or From the Gorse Bank, the
Cliffs and at Stone Barn
diagram, below) on your leader at wet-fly fishing, but also to dry-fly
Bay, you have at least
the desired spacing, to which you fishing, too. It is definitely worth 8 ft-10 ft of water in front of
tie your dropper. This knot is not persevering until you master you. The water is brimful at
to everyone’s taste, as it looks fishing a full team of three or four the start of the season and
bulky. However if the dropper flies. Slowing down your casting you do not have to wade in
stroke, forming a wider loop of these areas – the fish will
fly-line and casting a manageable come in quite close to the
How to tie the Blood Loop bank. When you land a fish
length of line are the keys to
it is worth getting your
reducing tangles in a multi-fly flies straight back in the
cast. Concentrate on presentation water as the shoals
rather than distance. usually keep on the
move, swimming
Use stiff leader along the banks.
The quality of the leader material If you purchase an
is also significant in reducing Anglian Water season
ticket you can drive your
tangles. Try to avoid buying the car to all of the places
most expensive brands. While mentioned as well as being
they have a smaller diameter and able to fish at Rutland
are very strong, they are also Water, Grafham Water
more supple than the less- and Ravensthorpe.
expensive and stiffer makes The 2016 Pitsford season
I prefer for bank fishing. Stiffer, starts on February 27
(finishes January 31, 2017).
thicker leader is not nearly as A full eight-fish day permit
likely to tangle as state-of-the-art from the bank is £26
fluorocarbon. The fish are not (catch-and-release/
line-shy early in the season so use
ILLUSTRATION: ANDY STEER
one fish limit, £22).

a leader material of 8 lb -10 lb For more information
breaking strain. It is common to contact Pitsford Water
hook two fish at once in the early Fishing Lodge on
01604 781 350 or visit
season and one of these could be a
www.anglianwater.co.uk
big over-wintered fish that WILL
snap you if you go too light.

FOCUSED ON FISHING
22-24 JULY 2016 STONELEIGH, WARWICKSHIRE
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THE MAGIC OF
MICRO-TREBLES
In the first of a two-part exclusive, Jens Bursell explains how his
new micro-treble rigs can double the number of salmon and sea-trout
you catch compared to traditional techniques
P H O T O G R A P H Y: J E N S B U R S E L L
Jens Bursell
is a biologist,
author and
editor-in- On Jens’ L-rig
chief of the the micro-treble
Danish dangles loosely in a
fishing bloodloop to expose
magazine the gape and points
Fisk & Fri. of the hook. This rig
Visit: www. works best with flies
bursell.dk up to 4 cm in length.

KNOW HOW
I
MAGINE IF you could
double the number of
fish you catch. Well, this
is actually possible to do
with the vast majority of
artificial flies and lures
used for predators, including
salmonids. Now you would be
entitled to think I’m crazy, but
before you start laughing, read on.
In Denmark it’s very popular to
fish for sea-trout directly off the
coast. The most used techniques
are flies tied on single hooks in
sizes 1-10 on a fly-rod or
bombarda (weighted float), or “The effect of using the new methods is, roughly, a
spinning lures mounted
traditionally or “in-line” with sensational doubling of the number of fish caught”
either trebles in sizes 1-6 or
singles in sizes 3/0-1. Many fish with asymmetrically mounted are the same no matter what flies A B OV E
that “bite” the fly or spinner are micro-trebles, where I involved a or lures are used underlines the On the reloose-
rig the micro-
either not hooked or lost during group of experienced and highly point that the effectiveness of the treble hangs
the fight. The result is the same: skilled test anglers, you can see in principle with asymmetric freely in a
you miss out on a lot of fish. the scheme (A) below. downscaled trebles is universal. hooklink under
the fly. This rig
To shed light on this in 2008 On the flies tied on single hooks When pooling the data the overall is used for
I started a detailed survey of sea- in sizes 1-10 we found that the picture is that flies and lures small flies in
trout “contacts” (fish that touched landing rate was only 42 per cent fished traditionally with hooks of stillwater and
when fishing
the hook) on different methods, (1,134 contacts and 476 landed), size 10 or bigger gives an average larger flies or
and set out to solve the problem by but when fishing exactly the same landing rate of 41 per cent, lures in the
designing new methods with a sizes and patterns of flies with my whereas the landing rate of current. The
length of
focus on trebles of size 12 or new methods involving exactly the same flies and lures hooklink is
smaller mounted asymmetrically asymmetrically mounted micro- fished with my new methods with adjusted by
to better expose the hook – which trebles the landing rate was asymmetric micro-trebles of size pushing the
would enable me to use smaller boosted to 90 per cent (1,263 12 or smaller gives a landing rate powergum
stopknot up
and better-penetrating hooks. contacts and 1,134 landed). of 88 per cent. or down.
(NB: An example of a With traditional lure-fishing The difference in landing rates
symmetrically mounted hook methods, primarily with metal between traditional methods
is one pushed into a standard spoons, we had a landing rate of versus my new methods with
tube-fly. An example of an only 41 per cent (1,776 contacts asymmetric micro-trebles has
assymetrically mounted hook is and 724 landed), but with my new been tested statistically with chi-
one that hangs beneath or at an methods on exactly the same squared tests: the difference is
angle to the fly.) baits, we had a landing rate of strongly significant (p‹0.001) –
86 per cent (1,271 contacts and eliminating any doubt that the
D OU BL E T H E N U M BER 1,096 landed). shown pattern could be caused
OF F ISH YOU CATCH The fact the pattern in landing by coincidences.
The results of my survey of rates for traditional techniques As the frequency of “bites” on
traditional versus new methods versus asymmetric micro-trebles these new methods is the same as
A: Landing rates of sea-trout – traditional methods vs asymmetric micro-trebles

METHOD CONTACTS LANDED % LANDED
Metal spoon with treble ≥ size 6 in split-ring 245 99 40
Big coastal wobbler with single or treble ≥ size 6 119 37 31
In-line metal spoon with treble ≥ size 6 366 141 39
In-line metal spoon with single hook ≥ size 2 1046 447 43
Metal lures or wobblers with release-rig and two micro-trebles ≤ size 12 1271 1096 86
Fly with single hook ≥ size 10 1134 476 42
Tube-fly with micro-treble ≤ size 12 in Rapala loop 88 60 68
Tube-fly with L-rig and micro-treble ≤ size 12 890 800 90
Modified fly with reloose or release-rig and micro-treble ≤ size 12 373 334 90
Pooled data: flies and lures fished traditionally with hooks ≥ size 10 2910 1200 41
Pooled data: flies and lures fished with asymmetric micro-trebles ≤ size 12 2534 2230 88

the traditional methods – and
sometimes higher – the effect
of using the new methods is,
roughly, a sensational doubling
of the number of fish caught.
But why are these new
techniques so effective? Smaller
hooks penetrate better
Smaller hooks are thinner and
sharper and consequently they
penetrate better than bigger hooks
of the same model. This is easy to
document with very simple The release-rig can be fished with the treble mounted in a fixed
penetration tests in materials of knot such as this one, where it’s tied in a not-a-knot. This can
different hardness that imitate be an advantage when fishing flies with long, loose fibres
soft flesh and hard jaw bones. I did such as the famous Baltic sea-trout fly Pattegrisen.
this and the results of my
penetration test you can see in the
graph (B) below. As you can see,
only with the smaller hooks, size aquadynamic fish. In practice early in the process of designing
12 and below, is it possible to your effective striking power on a new more effective methods, I
penetrate the bony structures of 7 wt fly rod or 10g-30g spinning suspected that an important part
the mouth with the striking power rod would often be no more than of the reason for the many lost fish
you can realistically transmit to 1 kg-1.5 kg (2.2 lb-3.3 lb). And this on traditional methods could be
the hook point with standard sea- power is not necessarily that this distance on the relatively
trout equipment – and this is only transmitted to the hook point itself large hooks simply is longer than
possible with fish larger than – if the fish is locking its jaws the average depth of the easy
2 kg-3 kg (4.4 lb-6.6 lb), as it’s quite around the fly. penetrable soft layer of tissue on
difficult to strike effectively with a Also, smaller hooks have a top of the bones in the mouth of
power of 2 kg-3 kg (4.4 lb-6.6 lb) on shorter distance from the hook the trout. Or in other words: the
a small 0.5 kg-1 kg (1.1 lb-2.2 lb) point to the backside of the barb: larger hooks are normally unable
to penetrate the hard jawbones,
and because the distance from the
B: Relationship between hook size and penetration power point to the back of the barb is
Smaller hooks require less power to penetrate hard tissue longer than the average depth on
the soft layers of tissue on top of
Weighted average for a
A treble symetrically mounted treble the bony structures in the mouth,
hooking hooking with frequency of
with all 50%, 40% and 10% on one, the fish is not hooked in this soft
three two and three branches
branches tissue, either. Consequently it’s
Weighted average for
an asymetrically mounted
not hooked – or it’s lost during
A treble
5.0 hooking treble hooking with frequency
of 70%, 20% and 10% on one,
the fight.
with two
Power needed for penetration and barb to sink into hard body tissues (kg)
branches two and three branches To examine this, I sliced up

sea-trout heads and X-rayed the
As you can see on the cross-sections in order to
graph small hooks
4.0 MANY LOST FISH
A treble
penetrate easier than
document the connection between
hooking with
only one of large ones in hard body depths of soft tissues in the trout
its branches tissues (the pattern is
(or a single the same in soft tissues mouth and the length of the
hook)
– just lower values). distance from the hook point to
The frequency of
hooking on one, two the backside of the barb. If you
3.0 or three branches has combine the information in the
a direct effect on how
the power needed to table (C) with the drawing
make them penetrate.
In the two graphs with
illustrating the cross-section of
unbroken lines this has the jaw (D), on the opposite page,
been compensated for it’s very striking and not
2.0 by calculating weighted
averages. The lower surprising that the methods
the penetration curve
lies, the better
which allow the use of smaller
Powerful strike with
the penetration. hooks giving better penetration
FEW LOST FISH This graph was
7 wt fly-rod or 10g-
30g spinning rod made testing the and hookhold in the soft tissue
1.0 Owner ST 36 BC X covering the bony structures of
treble, but the pattern
MANY LOST FISH is essentially the same the mouth are the same as those
VERY FEW for all hooks. that give the highest landing
LOST FISH The test media was
wooden fire briquettes rates: trebles that are size 12 or
of the same hardness smaller and mounted
and porosity as tissues
20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 1 1/0 2/0 3/0
in a salmon’s mouth. asymmetrically.
Hook size
I believe that the main reason
for the higher landing rates that

KNOW HOW
C: The distance between a hook’s point and its barb,

and the depth of soft tissue over a sea-trout’s jawbone
HOOK SIZE 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 1 1/0 2/0 3/0

LENGTH OF
1.8 2 2.2 2.4 2.8 3.2 3.6 3.9 4.6 5 5.8 6.4 7.4 7.5
HOOK POINT (*)
* distance from hook point to backside of barb (Owner ST 36 BC X treble)
SEA-TROUT LENGTH MAX DEPTH OF SOFT TISSUE (*)

30 cm 0.8-1.2 mm
40 cm 1.2-2.5 mm
50 cm 2.8-3.3 mm
60 cm 3.5-4.5 mm
* based on measurements of X-rayed cross-sections of fish made
at the Natural History Museum of Denmark
it’s possible to achieve with my normally only happens in less points. The hooks also need to be
new techniques is that the than 50 per cent of the “bites”. strong enough to cope with the
combination of better penetration No matter how hard you strike. extra pressure on the hook caused
and shorter hook points creates a by a potential leverage effect from
hooking scenario where the hook HOW TO S OLV E the lure during the fight.
can get a firm hold almost T H E PROBL EM The purpose of developing my
anywhere in the mouth of the There is a reason why bigger hooks new techniques has been to get
trout or salmonid – even when the are normally used for relatively around this issue. Or in other
effective transmission of power to small fish, such as sea-trout: words, to make it possible to use
the hook point in the strike is low sometimes bigger lures are small trebles, size 12 or smaller, B E L OW
Well-known
or moderate. By contrast, the needed to induce the take or get on all sizes and types of flies and Danish angler
larger hooks over size 10 mainly into the right fishing distance or artificial baits, enabling me to Rasmus Ovesen
get a hold in the deeper soft depth. And bigger lures demand explore the full potential of the with a huge
sea-trout
tissues, in the tongue, around the bigger hooks in order to get the superior penetration possible caught on
jaw or in the “jawangle”, which right exposure of gape and hook with micro-trebles. an L-rig.
D: Cross-section of a sea-trout’s jaw

“Larger hooks over size 10 mainly get
This simplified drawing is made from an X-ray of a hold in the deeper soft tissues”
a 50 cm (20 in) sea-trout. The light blue areas are
bones and the red areas are soft flesh. Penetration
in the hard bony parts will only happen with hooks
≤ size 12 – and primarily with fish over 2 kg (4.4 lb).
On the small hooks, ≤ size 12, the barbs will just
get a hold in the soft layer on top of the jawbone (a),
where the best and most solid hookholds will be,
when the hook gets a grip around the
bony process (c).
On hooks ≥ size 10 – typically used with traditional
methods – the distance from point to backside of
the barb is so long that the barb only rarely will sink
in the soft tissue over the bones (a).
Consequently, in most situations the larger hooks
can neither get into the hard bones (b) or get a hold
with the barb in the soft layer over the bones (a),
whereas a hook ≤ size 12 will most often be able to
get a hold in (a) if it cannot get a hold in (b). This is
an important part of the explanation why my
asymmetric mountings gives a much higher landing
rate compared to traditional methods.

KNOW HOW
To compensate for the inferior LEFT

Jens’ findings
hook point exposure caused by the are based on
smaller span between hook points an analysis
on micro-trebles, my philosophy of more than
was that I’d need to fish the micro- 5,400 sea-trout
“contacts”
trebles mounted asymmetrically, as well as
under (or over) the bait. On comprehensive
smaller flies this would simply hook tests and
X-ray photos.
mean asymmetrically off the rear
end of the fly or bait – and on
bigger flies or lures I mounted the
hooks asymmetrically on a
hooklink running parallel to the
bait. This worked outstandingly
well, and with this new approach
to mounting the hook I was able to
provide the right exposure of gape
and hook points.
Small hooks cannot, of course,
take the same pressure as larger
hooks of the same model. possible to achieve better types of flies and lures may seem
Especially on the larger flies and penetration and hook exposure far out to you. When I first
lures, where a severe leverage with small to medium-sized tube- launched these ideas in Denmark
effect can arise and multiply the flies and single-hook flies, it’s also in the period from 2008-2012
pressure on the hook. An possible to use micro-trebles, size many people thought I was crazy,
important part of my new rigs 12 or smaller, on large baits and but over the years this has
was, therefore, to create leverage- flies of 15 cm-20 cm (5.9 in-7.9 in) changed. After I published these
free rigging-systems to deal with This is simply not possible with new techniques in the book
this. The majority of my new rigs traditional methods. Seatrout – Reflections on the coast
are therefore 100 per cent in 2013, loads of people began to
leverage free. A PA R A DIGM SH I F T use the new systems and
The beauty of the new The idea of using completely new experienced a dramatic increase
techniques is that now it’s not only rigging systems on practically all in their landing rates and catches:
when you see your neighbour
angler getting the same amount
of “bites” as you, but you land
L E S S DA M AGE TO F ISH twice as many fish on the new
By using micro-trebles, you not helicopter-rigs or in-line spinners,
only obtain higher landing rates, spinfishing is changed to a techniques, the rings in the water
you also cause less damage to method that is just as gentle to start to spread quickly.
fish. Smaller hooks leave smaller the fish as fly-fishing. This is the Today these methods are
scars and have smaller barbs, so reason why the highest authority starting to be so popular in
they are easier to remove. Among in Denmark on the management Denmark that not only are many
the traditional fishing techniques of salmonids, DTU Aqua, in its
hardcore anglers using them, but
fly-fishing is often considered latest report on the management
better for the fish in a catch-and- of Danish salmon stocks, many ordinary anglers on the
release context because the recommends a more widespread coast are trying them, too. The
hooks are smaller and it’s much use of these new rigging systems. Danish shops are now selling rig-
easier to unhook the fish under bits and readymade rigs for the
water, with the aid of a disgorger. purpose – and some of them are
But if you use my techniques,
conducting courses in rig-tying
such as reloose- or release-rigs,
and practical fishing with the new
rigging systems.
N E X T MON T H:
TI E A N EW FA M I LY OF R IG S
Quite early in the process of designing new
mounting systems I realised that it was possible
Some would think that, in general, a single-hook causes less damage to
a fish than a treble. This is probably true if you compare hooks of the to boost the landing rate with asymmetrically
same size, but not when sizes are different. mounted down-scaled trebles on practically all
A big single-hook, such as this size 2 Gamakatsu F314, which is often baits for all predatory species.
used for big sea-trout streamers and shrimp imitations, leaves a wound
that is ten times bigger than that left by the size 18 micro-treble to the For salmonid fishing this has resulted in systems
left, which can be used on the same fly with new techniques such as the designed to increase the landing rate on tube-flies,
release-rig. Even when one, two or three points penetrate the fish, the single-hook flies and baits/spinners. The most
micro-treble causes less damage.
Read the details in the article “How much damage do your hooks do”
important rigs for fly-fishers are the “L”, Reloose
at: www.bursell.dk/articles/fishing/freshwater/salmonids/show/200. and Release rigs. You can find out how to tie these
rigs in next month’s issue.

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CLUES ACROSS CLUES DOWN

1
6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1. Basic fly-fishing technique (8, 4) 1. Pariah (7)
4 6 8 9 8 7. Male relatives (7) 2. Built (7)
8. Type of Pacific salmon (7) 3. Belonging to him (3)
7 8 9
10. Alexander ___, designer of 4. Many Alaskan fishing trips
11 12
greenheart Vibration rods (5) start from here (9)
11. Weighted lures or nymphs are 5. Loops of line (4)
10 11 12 sometimes taken on the ___ (4) 6. Anglers’ slang for a trout
14 13
12. Dermis (4) recently put in a reservoir (7)
14. Rusty ___, Canadian salmon 7. Method for slow retrieval of
14 15 16 17 fly pattern (3) fly-line (6-2-5)
18 19 22 20
15. Major salmon river of North 9. Famous plug for harling for
Wales (3) salmon (6, 6)
21 22 23 22 24 25 17. Where foot and leg meet (5) 11. Its hair is used for Muddler
18. Reel brake mechanism (4) heads (4)
26 27 23 27
20. Scale for amount of acidity or 13. Fishing boat captain (7)
28 27 29 30 31 alkalinity of water (2) 16. Carlisle’s salmon river (4)
21. Popular reservoir lure colour (6) 19. Yemen seaport (4)
32
24. Having depth (4) 20. Addition to a written letter (1. 1.)
33 34 35 25. Famous Welsh wild trout 22. Study of animal body
river (3) structure (7)
36 36
26. One time only (4) 23. Move away (2)
37 38 28. Dutch cheese (4) 25. Traditional dry-fly or salmon
29. What anglers do! (5) hook design (2-4)
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KNOW HOW
CLUES TO
THE HATCH
Unsure what fly to use when you spot a rising river trout?
Don Stazicker offers advice that will help you to choose the correct imitation
Look on rocks: these

stonefly shucks are
evidence of what might
be on the trout’s menu.
Derbyshire-
based Don
T&S
Stazicker is a
highly
A Hare’s Ear nymph may be your experienced
favourite pattern but don’t tie it on trout
without reason. fisherman,
fly-tyer and
instructor. He
Don't jump in! is widely
Favourite Fly Syndrome is the belief travelled and
that artificial flies exist that are so has guided
attractive to fish that we should use extensively in
Study the menu the USA. He
them regardless of fish obviously
Insects on rivers around the world can be surprisingly similar with some also makes
eating insects that they completely fly-fishing
local variations. Consider the following groups of insects and their life
fail to match. videos
stages when deciding what fly to choose.
Therefore, don’t just put on your (flyfishing
Mayflies – sub-surface nymphs, floating nymphs, emergers, stillborn lessons.tv)
favourite fly, jump in and start fishing.
duns, duns, drowned duns, spinners, blown-over spinners, sunk spinners. and is the
Doing this without working out what
Stoneflies – nymphs, adults, egg-laying adults, spent adults. river
insects are being taken is a great way
Caddis – pupae, emergers, adults, diving adults, spent adults. conservancy
to fish a hatch unsuccessfully. Just
DON STAZICKER
Midges – pupae, emergers, adults, spent adults. officer for

because it worked last week doesn’t Cressbrook
Terrestrials – beetles, ants, hawthorn flies, black gnats, crane flies,
mean it will work today. and Litton
aphids, caterpillars, grasshoppers, diptera.
Stop and take some time to see Flyfishers.
exactly what is happening right now.
Read the rise forms

The number, shape and frequency
of rises can tell you a lot about what
the fish are eating.
Trout don’t expend more energy
than they gain by eating their prey –
if they did they would starve.
Therefore the speed and violence of
the rise is related to the speed and
PETER GATHERCOLE
size of the prey. Small insects

trapped in the surface film will cause
gentle sips while fast-moving sedge
pupae will produce explosive
splashy rises.
A guide can help you to learn about a river’s fly life. If there are visible insects on the
surface, make sure they are being
taken before putting on a dry-fly. The way a trout
Research your river rises can tell
Be aware that the rises may be to
For many rivers it is possible to obtain hatch charts that you the “life
creatures in or beneath the surface stage” they’re
COLIN RIACH
will give you some idea of what insects to expect at any

film – often there will be a bubble left feeding on.
particular time of year. Magazines, books and online
floating on the water if an insect has
information can all help. Also ask keepers and other
been taken from the surface.
anglers what has been hatching or use a local guide to
help you better understand your river.

RICHARD FAULKS
Look for insects on plants and in spider’s webs as well
as in the air.
Get samples of possible food

If you don’t have a sample of the insect being taken you
cannot be sure you are matching it correctly.
To find the fish’s food, look under leaves, in the foam
along riverbanks and use a sweep net in the grass. You
may see insects or their shucks.
Kick-sample the bottom of the stream. This is best done
on arrival at the stream before encountering a rise and will
give you an idea of the range of aquatic insects present.
For example, due to hormonal changes, the wing cases on
Mayfly nymphs become very dark just prior to emergence.
Finding these will give a good indication of what will
emerge during the day.
Try to catch flying insects. If you can see them being
eaten then this will be very helpful. But remember that
not all airborne insects over the stream will be being
taken by the fish.
If you catch and dispatch a fish, it is possible to spoon
the contents of its gut, and an examination of this
spooning will tell you exactly what the fish has eaten.
Insects at the top of the sample will be the most recent
prey. The sample will not be accurate for colour as the
digestive juices will change the colour of the insects, wings
If you’d rather not carry a
will be crumpled and duns may look like emergers. Is there
separate sampling net it is
DON STAZICKER
an assortment of insects or does one form predominate? possible to fit a fine mesh over
It’s a good idea to put this sample into a jar for detailed your regular landing net.
examination when you get home. You can learn much
about the trout’s eating habits (diversity and frequency).
Spent flies and shucks

will collect naturally
in eddies and areas
of slack current.
DON STAZICKER

KNOW HOW
What's the GISS?

Once you have identified the prey item then decide upon a
General Impression of Size and Shape when selecting an A closer view will help
you to interpret rise
artificial fly, with matching the colour of less importance.
forms and identify the
Getting a sample of the insect really helps here, as insects being taken.
insects on the water or flying generally look lighter and
bigger than they really are. Look at the underside of the
insect when choosing colours as this is the view the fish
will get of a floating fly.
DON STAZICKER
T&S
Beware of the masking hatch

Sometimes more than one insect is hatching and it is essential to determine
which one is being taken. Often the fish will target smaller, less noticeable
insects than the ones that are most obvious to you.
Masking hatches are more common on insect-rich, fertile streams.
Watch a fly on the surface of the water as it drifts through rising fish: is it taken?
Watch a regular riser holding in one place: can you see any fly on the surface
When examining collected insects, a light background where the rises occur?
shows more detail. A pair of small binoculars is invaluable for gaining a better view of a rise.
Fish can switch between feeding

on nymphs, duns or emergers, so
you should be prepared to change
your imitations accordingly.
Go back a stage
If you feel you have identified the
hatching insect and are still getting no
response to good presentations of your
fly consider going back a stage in the life
cycle of the insect.
If you have been fishing a dry dun, go
to an emerger pattern. If fishing an
emerger, go to a floating nymph.
ed
e. Sometimes
cial in or just below the
ce film is the difference between
success and failure.
T&S

KNOW HOW
Sometimes it is
necessary to time your
cast to match the
trout’s feeding rhythm.
ROD CALBRADE
Brash flies like foam

beetles can often
succeed when
subtlety fails.
SHUTTERSTOCK
On a windy day
the daddy long-
legs is a popular
terrestrial food.
ROD CALBRADE
Look under the trees
Don’t assume that all rises are to aquatic insects. Many
instances of rise activity are caused during the warmer
months by land-based insects falling or being blown into Show them something different
the river. Larger, heavier insects, such as beetles, fall to the If you are having no success matching the hatch, then go to the other extreme
surface with a significant splash – deliver your fly a little and show the trout something completely different. Show them a big terrestrial
harder to imitate this impact. when they are feeding on small duns. Twitch your fly when they are taking
Look for fish rising under trees, examine streamside dead-drift naturals. Fish a bright attractor fly the same size as the naturals.
vegetation and expect such activity on windy days when This can work surprisingly often when your artificial is only one fly among
the weakly flying terrestrials are blown on to the water. many naturals during a heavy hatch.
RICHARD FAULKS
Perfect your
presentation
Don’t be tempted to change your fly
too quickly if a fish refuses it. Bear in
mind that many refusals are due to
drag from a poor presentation and
not because the fly is incorrect.
Anything that helps with
presentation will be of use here: get
closer to the fish, alter your angle of
approach to minimise drag, use a
longer or finer tippet, and keep your
line off the water and out of
conflicting currents.
The closer the fish is to the surface,
the smaller its window and the more
accurate your casting will need to be
Many factors can adversely effect presentation: drag is a common culprit. for the fish to see your fly.

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Salmon Surgery
P U ZZ L E D BY T E C H N I Q U E ? F R U ST R AT E D BY F I S H ?
C R AW F O R D L I T T L E O F F E R S S O M E N O - N O N S E N S E S O LU T I O N S
Low-water dibbling
MY HUSBAND and I
Crawford Little
has fished for
salmon at
home and
Q spend four summer
weeks each year at
Torrisdale, Sutherland.
Each week we fish the
Association Water of the Naver,
abroad for because we love it. However, for
50 years. the last two years neither of us
Having worked have had success. We generally
in rural estate
management,
fish Ally’s Shrimps, in what is
he now runs a usually low water. Local opinion
consultancy is that we use small shrimps or
advising
on the
black flies. We would gladly
management follow any advice you can offer. To dibble, raise your rod
of salmon BELINDA ELLIOTT DAWES, and control the flies as
they swing across the
fisheries via e-mail surface of the stream.
and other
sporting
T&S
WHEREVER YOU are
A
property.
fishing for salmon in low
water conditions, it will and heavy lines. Far better to use dropper strand to be about 5 in
pay dividends to adopt a something like a 12 ft double- long when you have attached the
cautious approach to the river. hander with a 7 or 8 line. Or a dropper fly, which should be
Salmon can see, and salmon can single-handed rod of about 10 ft. something like a size 6 double. On
“hear”. So avoid being silhouetted Such rods allow you to fish with the point, knot on a smaller fly.
on the riverbank, only wade when finer leaders when using small Find a stretch with a good
it is necessary, wear drab colours, flies. And think long and hard current. The ideal would be a fast
and endeavour to fish “fine and before employing casts such as but not too shallow stream. One
far off”. Little wonder that deer the double-spey, which inevitably with rocks and boulders that
stalkers tend to make excellent create “rip” on the water surface. create resting lies for summer
low-water salmon-fishers. Perhaps too many salmon-fishers fish. No need for a long line. The
Incidentally, if you have a dog, have forgotten the advantages of a idea is to cast quite square, or
take care that it doesn’t run freely neat and accurate overhead cast? even slightly upstream, and raise
over the riverside rocks and Get to know the water you are your rod so the dropper cuts the
shingle. Salmon may mistake the fishing. You are lucky in that you surface as it swings down and
patter of a small dog’s pads and can spend four weeks on the across. You can lengthen line – but
B E L OW claws for those of an otter. Naver each summer. You will have only up to that point where you
A dibbled fly
causes an In low water conditions, there is been discovering where the lose control of the dropper and it
enticing wake. little if any place for strong rods salmon rest in different water sinks below the surface, however
conditions, the best taking spots high you raise your rod – when
and so on. That sort of local you’ll need to wind in a yard of
knowledge is invaluable. line to regain control.
Finally, we cannot leave any The take, when it comes, will
discussion of low, warm water on stretch your nerves to their limit –
the Naver, or similar rivers such with the salmon breaking surface
as the Helmsdale, without mention under your rod tip. But don’t be in
of the productive method of a rush to tighten. And as with any
“dibbling (or dapping) a dropper”. surface technique, you must steel
To make a start, tie up a 10 lb yourself to the fact that for every
leader with a dropper added some fish hooked, three might miss the
T&S
4 ft above the point. You want the fly entirely, or just pluck at it.

Write to: Crawford Little, c/o Trout and Salmon, Media House, Lynchwood,
Peterborough PE2 6EA. Or e-mail: [email protected]
KNOW HOW
WHEN THE GRILSE RUN

GIVEN the time of greatest food
Q REASONABLE
water conditions,
when would you
expect to see the
earliest runs of grilse? I am
abundance. On some rivers,
such as the Tweed, late-
running grilse in October and
November might weigh into
the mid teens of pounds and
ALAMY
thinking particularly of the will be recorded as salmon,
Spey. Might the first grilse rather than grilse. It is only by Modern backing probably won’t rot if often submerged.
be there in late May? scale reading that you will tell
DAVID LLOYD, via e-mail the difference.
SPEY GILLIES will

Grilse enjoy the company of
their fellows. It is one of the
Soaked to the core
A tell you that the grilse
arrive during
Wimbledon fortnight
– some time between the third
week of June and its end,
joys of fishing the Spey in
summer to be covering a
seemingly empty pool, and
suddenly to see these bars of
silver showing in the tail and
Q
I SEE many photographs of anglers who
allow their reels to be immersed in water
while unhooking or posing with fish.
Some will even drop the butt-end of their
rod in the water simply in order to attend
though in any one season, it up into the streams. The ideal, to matters at their rod tip. It makes me very
might be a few weeks more of course, is to have a shoal of uncomfortable to soak my backing to the core.
before they are being caught grilse running into the pool Surely it will rot more quickly. Am I wrong to be
in significant numbers. you are fishing in the last hour concerned? DAVID GRIFFITHS, via e-mail
Grilse are “immature” of daylight. The fading light
salmon that return to the river that often produces the best of I SUSPECT that most concerns about wet
after just one winter at sea.
The earliest summer grilse
will generally weigh less than
7 lb. But as the season
progresses, their average size
the day’s sport. A time to be
tying on something like a
Bourrach or Executioner
dressed long and ultra slim on
a size 8 or 10 low-water double.
A backing date back to before World War Two
when natural materials such as twisted
linen (cuttyhunk) were still employed. By
contrast, modern backing materials like Dacron are
virtually rot-proof, so there is little need for you
steadily increases – simply Or a very skinny Sunray or to be concerned on that point.
because they’ve spent a few Collie Dog. Fish them square On the other hand, and despite some
weeks or months longer and fast where the grilse are manufacturers’ claims, I suspect that backings of
feeding at sea – summer being showing, and enjoy… the multi-stranded type are subject to abrasion and
chafing. For that reason, it’s worth running all the
backing off your reel(s) from time to time. Particularly
if you’ve had your backing taken out by big fish in
fast and bouldery rivers.
Hold the backing loosely between index finger and
thumb as you walk the length of the backing. If you
notice any rough spots, cut them out and knot the
backing back together. Of course – only you can
decide when there are enough knots to justify
a complete replacement!
My concern about immersing reels is that the water
will wash out any oil in the reel and, worse still, carry
T&S
grit or sand into the reel’s workings. Even in a reel

Where there’s one: grilse will often arrive in a pool in numbers. with a “sealed drag” there’s still the possibility of
getting grit between the spool and spindle.
WORDS OF WISDOM
“Use the finest gut (leader) you dare to fish with. With small flies there is no doubt whatever that gut
shows up relatively like a cable, and the sight of it does not induce a fish to take readily. I have found that
the finer the cast, the more fish I hook. The limiting factor is arrived at when the number of fish by which
you are broken in play on fine casts exceeds the number you have failed to hook because the cast is heavy.
Only experience can decide this for the individual.”
Richard Waddington, Catching Salmon, 1978

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KNOW HOW
SA L MON FLY OF TH E MON TH
EXECUTIONER
Ross Macdonald ties a classic hairwing for
summer salmon and sea-trout
Tag Oval silver

Tails Golden pheasant crest
Body Rear quarter, red floss (glo-brite no.4);
front three quarters, flat silver
Rib Silver Hackle Black cock/hen
fibres, wound Wing Black squirrel hair
Cheeks Jungle cock
Head Red
S
COTTISH HAIRWINGS are one of the the Executioner. We all tweak patterns to suit our
most enduring fly styles. I’m very fond of tastes and Bob did this, too, working from the Silver
them and have featured a number in this Stoat, but with a few additional flourishes,
column: Garry Dog, Hairy Mary, Stoat’s particularly the red butt and jungle cock.
Tail, Tosh and Munro’s Killer are all tied He had no name for it until one was suggested by
in a broadly similar style. The main one of his rods, Mrs Harbour. Executioner was a
differences are the colours of materials and perhaps a reference to an angler at Craigellachie on the opposite
longer wing in the case of the Killer. bank. This chap would quickly dispatch the fish he
Ross
The Executioner is another member of this family Macdonald landed and would gut them there and then. Having
and was created on the Spey by Easter Elchies gillie, is a well- watched this process on a number of occasions,
the late Bob Johnston, in the mid-1970s. It is held in known the Easter Elchies bank had named him the
fly-designer
high regard for summer fish and sea-trout. and tyer who Executioner. And so the fly was named in his
I was surprised to find very little information about has a lifelong honour. I think it’s a great story. I have no idea
the origins of the fly in books and on websites but I passion for who the gentleman was, but he certainly
salmon flies
can usually find a thread to pull somewhere and, and the knew how to care for his catch.
once again, that fine Spey angler, Graham Ritchie, stories The tying is similar to other hairwings. But I have
pointed me in the right direction, recommending behind them. two suggestions. I would use white thread for the
He is based in
that I speak to Keith McLaren of Arndilly, who was on Aberdeen. body, which will help the glo-brite floss to, well, glow.
Easter Elchies in 1970s with Bob Johnston. Visit: Red floss doesn’t darken over white thread but it does
macdonald
I am sure that, like me, many of you reading this salmonflies.
over black thread.
will already have assumed, with good cause, that co.uk My other suggestion is to use a silver hook. The
the Executioner was named to reflect its prowess conservative part of me believes that at least two
as a killing pattern. Well, it wasn’t: the story things in this life should always be black – hooks and
behind the naming of the fly is more football boots – but times change and there are
interesting than that. a few patterns I like to dress on silver hooks and
Keith recalls being at Easter Elchies at the time the Executioner is one. To my eye it looks better.
when Bob Johnston first tied the fly we know today as Dress the fly on both and decide for yourself.

Trout Surgery
G OT A T R O U T- F I S H I N G P R O B L E M ? R O N N I E G L ASS O F F E R S
S O LU T I O N S FO R B E T T E R S P O R T O N R I V E R S A N D ST I L LWAT E R S
Ronnie Glass
is a Tweed
commissioner
and chairman
of Kelso,
Coldstream
and the
Borders
Anglers’
Association.
He has been
a national
champion on
rivers and
stillwaters,
and is fishing
manager
of the Orvis
PETER GATHERCOLE
shop, Kelso.
MICHAEL BOYD
Tense sport. Fishing with two rods. Every second counts. Taking it easy. Picking a fly, with all the time in the world.
Is your fishing stressful?

Q
I ENJOY reading Trout is achieved and the fun can start. Incidentally, one of the factors
Surgery every month, Every angler then finds the that does not come across in
but it does seem that level of ability at which they are articles written by top river
trout fishing can get comfortable. Some, like you, will fishermen is their work rate when
extremely complicated. be happy just to be relaxing and seeking to maximise the day’s
I simply want a relaxing day in others will be starting a never- catch. They do not stop thinking
the countryside. Do you ever ending quest to improve. and act incredibly efficiently.
go fishing just to relax? I remember one angler coming On the odd occasion when I read
ANON (one of Ronnie’s customers) to me with a desire to “get better” my early diaries I laugh at the
A
at fishing. He had taken up fishing frustrations the younger “me” had
WHEN HELPING novices as a way to relax, but now wanted trying to improve my catches.
and improvers, either in to catch more fish. With the help Perhaps it is the fact that I live in
the shop or on the water, of my mate and his own drive and the countryside that removes the
I always emphasise ambition, within two seasons he “relaxing in the country” element.
the fun factor. Unfortunately, had certainly “got better”. I was Today, if I want a relaxing day, I
almost all beginners have to go amazed then, the following year, book a single boat on a fishery and
through a frustrating period of to discover that he had gone back after banter in the car park, spend
constant tangling, hooking to simply “wetting a line”. His the day simply flicking out a team
bushes and trees, and fishing fishing was no longer relaxing of dry-flies. No tactical decisions,
with inappropriate flies, often in and had become an extension of line changes or competition from
the wrong places, before success his stressful job. the other end of the boat – Heaven.

Write to: Ronnie Glass c/o Trout and Salmon, Media House, Lynchwood,
Peterborough PE2 6EA. Or e-mail: [email protected]
KNOW HOW
Stick to your ribs!

Q
I LIKE to add pearl ribs to when I pulled my flies into the boat I that from a spool. It was fiddly to
my dubbed Hoppers and discovered that the pearl rib on the unpick and gave a more muted
Shipman’s Buzzers, Black Hopper that all five trout had flash, but even being thicker, it still
however a trout’s teeth taken was torn. Just to see if it made sometimes teared, so I now over-rib
can easily tear them. a difference, I quickly tied on a fresh with very fine fluorocarbon for
Can you suggest a solution? ribbed Hopper and was into fish protection. I try to rib directly over
Do you think these patterns once again. the pearl so that there are no
work well without a rib? I know that many of the great unprotected turns.
DAVID GRANT, via e-mail stillwater dry-fly anglers are happy To strengthen the pearl, I used to
A
to use un-ribbed flies, so I am sure it pull it tight before tying it in. But
AN INCIDENT during a is just a confidence thing. Under this turned it blue rather than pearl
major competition on certain circumstances one may well and I lost faith in it. After all, I was
Rutland Water convinced out-fish the other – that is all part of not getting the effect I was seeking.
me that the rib was a day on the water. However, many anglers use
important. I had caught five fish I found that the pearl used in stretched pearl with success, once
quite quickly but then had no offers some pearl mylar tubing was again showing that confidence plays
for ages. We decided to move and slightly thicker and stronger than such a large part in our sport.
How to protect a pearl rib (Shipman’s Buzzer)

1 2
Add a strand of white poly yarn to form the fly’s breathers, Secure the lurex and nylon to the shank with close thread
then wind the thread to the bend. Catch in lengths of clear turns then dub on a pinch of seal’s fur. Wind the dubbing
nylon mono and pearl lurex. towards the eye to form the body.
3 4
When the fur has reached a point just short of the eye, take Secure the loose end of the pearl lurex with tying thread.
hold of the pearl lurex and wind it over the body in open, Then carefully wind the nylon so that each turn sits directly
evenly spaced turns. on top of the lurex one.
5 6
As each turn of nylon is applied it should be pulled tight to Once the last pinch of fur has reached the eye cast off the
secure the lurex. Secure the loose end of the nylon then thread with a whip finish. Finally, trim the ends of the yarn to
dub on a small thorax. form the breathers.

TRUSTING THE COLOUR OF LEADERS
Q
WHAT IS your favourite nylons seemed to flash like a jewel under
leader material and colour? the surface and I lost confidence in them.
My local shop stocks green, I am sure that confidence is the key.
brown and clear nylon. Every brand and colour has its followers
Surely clear must be the least and detractors.
visible, so why have coloured nylon? A recent video I watched has got
GRAHAM PURVIS, via e-mail me re-thinking what fish notice
A
underwater. It showed that in
I DONÕT think there is certain light conditions, clear
anything in trout fishing nylon shows up as a thin jewel-
that divides opinion more like flash, yet in others it is
than leader materials. I almost invisible. The surprise to me
seldom use nylon because I am was a dark brown leader (presumably
convinced that top-quality fluorocarbon, fishing, and he was very successful. Maxima Chameleon) blending, almost
having seen it (or rather not seen it) My choice of Mirage was vindicated a unnoticeable, with the background
underwater, is the best. couple of years ago when two expert river riverbed. However, it was easily seen in
When fluorocarbon was first anglers came into the shop after a day on other lights and open water. This may
introduced there were also many the Tweed. One had been catching lots of explain why anglers disagree so much
occasions when an angler who was trout, the other, using the same set-up about the merits of each brand.
catching lots of fish using it gave their and fly, had struggled until he borrowed My advice is to try various leader
boat partners some to try and they a length of his friendÕs tippet. materials and form your own opinions.
suddenly started to catch fish, too. In the past, I have caught many Keep thinking that no manufacturer is
It was no coincidence. hundreds of trout using nylon. My going to sell a line that does not help you
But even now there are great debates favourite material had a tinge of smokey- to catch fish. Although, I did once try a
about which brand of fluorocarbon is the grey but production stopped and I finally short-lived brand that produced an ultra-
best. My own favourite, Orvis Mirage, settled on a very washed-out green nylon. violet line that shone electric blue in the
was loved by two of my teammates, yet So, why not use clear nylon? The simple water. I was convinced it scared the trout
the other three did not like it at all with answer is that I never had much success away Ð and I caught a fish on my first cast
one preferring the cheaper Fulling Mill with it. With the exception of Tynex, a stiff when I changed to my normal material
World Class in 7 lb for almost all his and thick clear material, all the clear (at that time, pale-grey nylon).
Which is the right flex of rod for you?
Q
CAN YOU explain the
differences between
tip- and mid-flex rods?
JOHN MACDONALD,
via e-mail
A
WITH A tip-flex rod (A) the
lower end nearer the hand
is stronger and stiffer than
the tip. This makes a
powerful rod where most of the
flexing is done near the tip. This leads A B C
to high line speed and results in
Tip-flex: timing is critical; Mid-flex: offers lots of feel; Through-flex: ideal for
longer casts. Tip-flex rods are of most you can achieve long casts. easier for beginners to cast. roll-casts on small rivers.
use when fishing stillwaters, where
the ability to cast further or control a greater sensitivity, allowing you to the forward and backward stroke.
heavier sinking line can make a big feel what is happening on the end of There are also through-flex rods (C)
difference to how many fish you the line and is therefore better suited where the rod flexes all the way to the
catch. These rods require you to to fishing in rivers or subtle imitative hand. These are mainly used on
carefully time the cast and can be methods on stillwaters. These rods small streams, where their soft action
tiring for a beginner to use all day. are easier for beginners to use offers great sensitivity and can
With a mid-flex rod (B) the lower because it is easier to feel the line enhance the enjoyment of short casts
end is not so stiff and allows the rod in the air during casting and hence to smaller (or sometimes, not so
to flex closer to the hand. This gives you can improve your timing of small) trout or grayling.

KNOW HOW
TROU T FLY OF TH E MON TH
SPARKLE HARE’S EAR

Rob Denson ties two highly suggestive nymphs
M
AY IS ONE of my favourite
fishing months. We are now – or
at least should be – experiencing
that all-important transition
from late spring to early
summer. Things are warming
up, and so is the fishing. Trout are experiencing a
transition, too. As the water warms, and with it the
trout’s core temperature, and metabolic rate, it will be
compelled to eat, more and more, to balance the
books. Wild fish know where, when and what to look
for. Freshly stocked fish will need a period of
adjustment, and contrary to what any wild/brown
trout “specialist” may have you believe, it’s a very
short one, and nothing to do with “brains”. It’s simply Hook Sizes 10-16 Kamasan B170 or B175 Tail Cock hackle or duck flank
to do with waking up to the fact that dinner no longer Rib Gold wire, (oval for larger dressings) Body Hare's ear/mask, grey squirrel,
comes in pellet form, from above, at noon each day. plus a pinch of pearl Ice Dub or Gold Lite-Brite or combinations thereof
The freshly stocked trout now has to be proactive, Throat hackle (for Diawl-style version) Cock hackle or duck flank
rather than reactive, and that means observation. The Thread Olive, brown or tan UTC70
penny drops in a matter of days, and a freshly stocked
rainbow will soon be picking out nymphs and corixa or suggestion of natural food is concerned, is vitally
as confidently and efficiently as a wild, mature important; as much a part of the deception, if not
brown. Trout react too, and are a product of their more so, than the dressing. As a rule of thumb, with
environment, and feeding, by and large, is an most flies, the sparser the dressing the slower it
instinct, not the result of a prolonged “education”. should be fished. For this reason I tend to fish Diawl-
With the warming of the weather, water and core style nymphs when a figure-of-eight retrieve is needed,
temperature of the trout, their ability and eagerness and slimmer, no-hackle nymphs (and Buzzers) static.
to search for a passing meal greatly increases. Here Both styles can be happily mixed on a cast of three,
Rob Denson
then are two lightly dressed nymphs that suit my has fly-fished
though, and retrieve speed and fly selection fine-
springtime clothes, and more importantly, suit for trout for tuned according to results. If the fish are on the fin
perfectly the needs of springtime trout, old, young, 25 years, and on the feed, then three nymphs of this style are
visiting all
wild and stocked. Subsurface fauna are in transition, four corners
hard to beat. I prefer a floating line for static
too; on the move and on the change, and slowly but of Britain and nymphing, allowing the flies to sink to practically
surely coming to the attention of hungry fish. Both Ireland, any given depth, and giving a vertical presentation.
combining
nymphs are examples of a simple theme, which, with his love of fly-
Once we introduce a little more movement and pace
few materials, plus a little thought and care, can cover tying, into the retrieve, then intermediate lines of varying
a great deal of your nymphy needs for the bulk of the photography sink rates facilitate a more horizontal presentation.
and a rolling
season. It’s another case of a suggestive blank canvas wave I’ve tied and fished nymphs in this style for as long
on to which the trout will project its fondest desires. Website: as I can remember and, almost 30 years on, I find
Buzzers, shrimp and lice will be covered from the off, robdenson. them as productive and as confidence-inspiring as
co.uk
followed by ephemerid nymphs, damsels, sedge ever. Use the two nymphs featured here as a rough
pupae and pinfry. In many waters, several of those guide and have fun with the template. I know you’ll
species will be present at the same time, as their life- have fun fishing them.
cycles overlap – a great time to fish patterns like these.
To get the best from this style of nymph, we need to
fish them slowly; sometimes painfully slow, or static. T Y I NG TI P S
The behaviour of the flies, especially when imitation n Keep dressings lean, but rough them up with velcro for a buggy, lively
look – loose hair and fur moves, and suggests legs and appendages.
n Vary the fur and hair shades: try darker shades at the head and thorax.
n Try different colours of cock hackle for the tail and throat. Cock hackle
often has good translucency, and creates a very tempting and natural
glow. Try olive, ginger, brown, cree, furnace/Greenwell’s, badger, yellow
The Diawl and orange. Barred feathers such as bronze mallard, mandarin,
version, for gadwall and teal also make excellent tails/throats.
when a faster
retrieve is
n Keep the sparkle in the dubbing sparse – a little goes a long way.
needed.

TACKLE
A LO O K AT T H E L AT E ST K I T FO R T H E D I S C E R N I N G G A M E - F I S H E R
Vision has released a new range of treatments to keep flies and lines
floating properly. Ultra Float II is a silcone-based dry-fly gel:
Subzero Pants from Vision
squeeze a little on to your fingers and work it gently into dry-fly
are fishing trousers that
dressings. Powder Float is a shake-and-dry treatment using silicone
don’t really look like fishing
powder, with two different-sized openings at either end. It also has
trousers. Their PrimaLoft
a loop for easy attachment to your vest.
insulation means they are
Spray and Cast is a fly-line cleaner and lubricant that's very easy to
lightweight and very
use: simply spray it on to your line while it’s on the reel. Nano Silicon
warm, as well as quick-
Float comes in a handy upside-down bottle with chain attachment.
drying and breathable. The
This is a liquid floatant that doesn’t leave a surface slick and can
outer material is rip-stop
be applied straight to the fly from the bottle.
nylon with a light water-
Nano Fly Spray is a spray-on water-repellent that you squirt
repellent coating. With a
straight on to a fly and allow to dry. Brush and Float is a fine-powder
cut and pockets like a
silicone floatant with a handy brush applicator. Work it into dry-fly
regular pair of trousers you
dressings to keep them dry or apply to nymphs to create the
don’t necessarily have to
added attraction of an air bubble.
be going fishing to
Price: from £4.99
appreciate them. Perfect
Tel: Guide Fly Fishing, 01977 681 300. Web: visionflyfishing.co.uk
for cold days early or late in
the season. Available in Spray on your dry-
sizes Small to XXXL. flies before fishing. A line treatment
Price: £109.99. you can use with
Tel: Guide Fly Fishing, the line on a reel.
01977 681 300.
Web: visionflyfishing.co.uk
The brush
applicator is
great for CDC.
Drop the fly in and
give it a shake to
dry the dressing.
Thermally stable so Hangs on a chain

it won't harden or with top pointing
thin in hot or cold. down for easy
application.
INSPIRED BY FLY-FISHING HISTORY

Simply Paracord UK is a small
company that makes a variety of
To celebrate their 70th Anniversary,
accessories from paracord, including Scientific Anglers have released a
lanyards from which to hang forceps, Heritage Edition Ultra fly line. The taper
floatant and nippers. It is possible to is inspired by the lines that were popular
request a custom-made lanyard, tool in the days before T&S was born. The
strap or other attachment in a range line has a braided monofilament
of colours. The paracord is strong and core, is a pale mint colour and comes
quick drying. Thought has obviously
in a box featuring a vintage design
gone into the design and it is possible
to configure things to suit your needs
that includes the old Scientific Anglers
by combining different items and logo. In keeping with its traditional
adding components. For instance, image, this is a line for making delicate
it is easy to pin a standard retractor presentations with smaller nymphs and
to the tool strap. dry flies. It has excellent accuracy at all
Price: Tool Strap £8, Floatant Holder ranges and turns over leader and fly very
£6, Shirt Strap £5. smoothly. The line has been designed to
Tel: Robert and Lindsey Irving,
07970 429 409. E-mail: info@
work particularly well with the split-cane
simplyparacorduk.co.uk and fibre-glass rods that are enjoying a
revival, but it goes very nicely with a
modern carbon-fibre rod too. This would
be a great river line, or for summer dry fly
presentation on stillwaters.
Price: £39.99
Tel: Steve Peterson, 07772 235 428.
Web: flyfisheurope.com

Each blank is fitted with ceramic
stripping rings and coated
snake guides.
The Evotec CAST series of rods from Loop has models in three different actions
(tempos): fast, medium-fast and medium. The blanks are built using Loop’s Dynamic
Core Technology (DCT) which improves recovery and therefore accuracy. The
Medium bends deeply, which may suit the traditional caster, while the Fast would
perhaps suit more modern styles and shooting-head lines. We tried the medium-fast
13 ft 2 in 8 wt and found it to be a very enjoyable rod to cast, even with
a fast-sinking tip and heavy tube. There is good feel in the handle as the
rod loads, the tip recovers well and is accurate.
There are 30 rods in the range, including 19 single-handers, three switch rods and
eight double-handers (see table below).
Deep Deep Grey Grey Grey Grey Golden Golden

blue blue brown brown
Fast Fast Medium- Medium- Medium- Medium- Medium Medium
fast fast fast fast
14 ft 15 ft 12 ft 12 ft 2 in 13 ft 2 in 14 ft 12 ft 12 ft 2 in
Creep closer wearing these
9 wt 10 wt 6 wt 7 wt 8 wt 9 wt 6 wt 7 wt camouflaged waistcoats.
Price: £399 to £649.

Tel: Mark Patterson, 07771 892 506. Web: looptackle.com
TECHNICAL CLOTHING
Loop Wool is a range of mid- and base-layer clothing that utilises the benefits of
merino wool. All the garb is warm and extremely comfortable. The Net top and
bottoms offer excellent breathability. The Hood Sweater (£79) has a built-in
balaclava for extra protection, while the Headover (£29) can be worn as scarf,
neck-warmer or balaclava. Hot Wool socks are worth a special mention: after a
long day on a cold spring river they kept our feet warm from start to finish. The
wool is light and has been treated to make it itch-free and
resist shrinking when washed. It is odour-resistant, too.
Price: Net top, £69; bottoms, £69. Hot Wool socks, £23.
Tel: Mark Patterson, 07771 892 506. Web: looptackle.com
As part of their revamped clothing

range Wychwood has brought out
two new fly-fishing vests: the Long
Waistcoat features a grey digital
camouflage pattern and the Short
Waistcoat has a green pattern. Both
are made from nylon with a durable
Hot Wool socks water-repellent finish that feels shiny
are highly to the touch. The waistcoats are very
comfortable. light and come with a great selection
of pockets and attachments. The
rubberised floatant holders are
particularly interesting and there are
two built-in retractors on each chest.
The Long Waistcoat has 11 pockets,
with two on the back panel, which
can be removed for ventilation. The
Short Waistcoat has 13 pockets, with
three on the back.
Price: Short Waistcoat £59.99,
Long Waistcoat £64.99
Tel: Wychwood, 01908 442 949.
Underwader tops and Web: wychwoodgame.co.uk
bottoms come in either a Net-style mesh is
net style or solid wool. light and breathable.

TRIED & TESTED
LO N G -T E R M T R I A L S O F I N N OVAT I V E TAC K L E
KORKERS
WADING BOOTS
Tested by Peter Gathercole
ONCE, WADING boots were little more
than oversized hiking boots, with the
possible addition of felt soles. But good
tackle companies gain an edge by Peter liked the wire
identifying the precise needs of modern laces, which are
fly-fishers and Korkers have done quickly tightened
exactly that in developing two and released.
innovations that have served me well as
I’ve fished all around the world in the
past seven years.
The first is interchangeable
(OmniTrax) soles, which can be swapped Boots are
to suit different locations and types of supportive, fitting
fishing. Soles available are Vibram, felt snugly from sole
with stud, Vibram with stud, and rubber to ankle.
Korkers make four types of
with aluminium bars. sole to suit different terrain.
When travelling by air, strict weight
limits on luggage makes carrying two
sets of boots impractical – so having a
single pair that can be adapted by
changing sole-type is a real benefit. “Only once has the mechanism jammed,
For wading on rivers, tungsten studs
are extremely popular. Indeed, where briefly, caused by lava sand in Iceland”
there’s any amount of algae on the
riverbed the grip afforded by these hard knurled reel. Tension is released by because they’re still sodden and heavy.
metal studs is vital to safe wading. The pulling the top of the reel away from the Are they worth it? If you fish locally,
dilemma is that studs and, for that boot, which disengages the mechanism wading on the same terrain all season,
matter, felt soles are not ideal for and allows the wire to be loosened possibly not. But if you’re a travelling
walking any real distance. and the boot removed. angler like me, one day on a boat, next
However, where studs are especially The advantage over normal laces is day rocks, and then grass, they are
inappropriate is when fishing from a that it’s easier and quicker to achieve a good investment.
boat. If the chance of standing on your the required tension and also to undo.
fly-line wasn’t enough reason to avoid This is most noticeable in a situation
metal studs, perhaps the horrible when normal laces would be cold
damage caused to the boat should be. and wet. Only once have I had the
More than once I’ve seen the floor of a mechanism jam, briefly, caused by Korkers White
glass-fibre hull badly scored by an fine lava sand in Iceland. Horse boots,
£199.
unthinking angler fishing in studded Korkers boots are light and
boots. It’s something easily avoided if comfortable – the last used means they
those boot soles could be switched to fit snugly around the instep and provide
soft rubber ones. a decent level of ankle support, an
Each sole slots into a recess in the important consideration when it’s
boot’s base and is then fixed by a tough necessary to walk long distances in
elastic tab that attaches to a metal stocking-foot waders.
button on the heel. The system works I think they are well made – I’ve had
well and I have only had a sole come two pairs in seven years and I’m on the
loose twice. On neither occasion did I water three or four times a week. The Korkers Devil’s
lose the sole. light construction is pretty much Canyon boots,
Although Korkers come in a number unaffected by water – I have even used £209.99.
of models I’m especially keen on the them in saltwater with no apparent
ones with the Boa lacing system. This problems. They also dry quickly, which
technology, first used on skis and is more important than you might Contact: Korkers/Guideline (Jim Curry),
snowboards, relies on a stainless-steel imagine. More than once I’ve had to 07973 291 367; www.guideline.no
wire lace that’s tightened by turning a remove my boots from check-in luggage

F LY-T Y I N G
O U R P I C K O F T H E B E ST M AT E R I A L S
making it perfect for long-winged

salmon flies such as the Tummel
Monkey, Collie Dogs and Sunray
Shadows, or for over-wings on
Templedog-style flies.
Try mixing it with long, flashy
synthetics to increase its sparkle
and add depth to wings. SEMPERFLI
Goat flows and flickers with
the water much like a sandeel,
STRAGGLE
which is why it is also ideal for
sea-trout patterns.
STRING
This “fritz”-style
Add in one length or stack it in material has a fine core
increasing lengths if you want a more of only two strands and
tapered wing. The latter usually a very sparse fibre
looks more pleasing. density, both of which
Colours include shocking pink, make it easy to wind
turquoise, red, green chartreuse, and ideal for sparser Add life to the
and smaller (down to thorax of a
yellow chartreuse, bright orange, size 18) patterns Klinkhamer.
hot orange, sunburst, bright yellow, and even dry-flies.
purple, Green Highlander, olive, Its subtle UV flecks and reflective/refractive
fiery brown, black and natural white. properties add life and flash to the most
FOXY TAILS Available in three pelt sizes: natural, subdued patterns. Try on
CASHMERE small, 16 sq/cm; medium, bloodworms, Czech nymphs, most trout

32 sq/cm; and large, 64 sq/cm. and grayling bugs and thoraxes on
GOAT PELTS
nymphs and Klinkhamers.
Price: Small, £3.25; medium, £6.50; As with all Semperfli products, it comes in
Premium fur and hair supplier Foxy large, £12. colours that are coded to integrate with the
Contact: Foxy Tails, +44 (0) 1434 618 company’s compatible dubbings. There are
Tails sells this superfine, translucent 40 colours, including natural shades such
382; www.foxy-tails.co.uk
goat hair, which comes in a range of as lichen, iron blue, pale blue dun, olive, pale
vibrant and standard colours. Unlike olive, iron grey and beige, and “hotspot”
most hairs it glistens and glows colours such as fluoro yellow, fluoro green,
when backlit, which is how the fluoro red, sunburst and dark pink
fish will see it. Price: £2.99 per bobbin.
The hair averages 15 cm long and is The goat hair Contact: Semperfli, 01757 333 001;
so fine that any blunt tips go is ideal for flies www.semperfli.net
such as the
unnoticed. This increases its mobility, Tummel Monkey.
TYING TIP 3
Adding flash to a mobile fur or hair wing usually involves tying it in underneath,
in-between and/or over the winging material, but you can distribute the flash more
evenly by blending it into the wing before tying on to the fly. With the use of a comb,
this process can be mastered. The result is a wing laced with subtle flash,
rather than overpowering layers of it.
Comb the fibres from their roots to

1 2 remove tangles, create an even finish
and remove any waste.
Place materials together (black goat, Repeatedly split and fold the fibres to With wing prepared, secure it to the
copper tinsel strands, fine black krystal mix them evenly. A comb worked fly. Here it’s a Sunray Shadow on
hair). Divide into two equal bunches. through the fibres will help. a 1 in aluminium tube.

PROPERTY
D E R E K B I N G H A M R E P O R TS O N H O U S E S W I T H F I S H I N G FO R SA L E
Do you have a property with fishing for sale? E-mail: [email protected]
HISTORY BY THE The house

contains
original mill
LITTLE DART
machinery.
A unique five-bedroom heritage home with trout fishing
Stone Mill at Chawleigh, near Chulmleigh in

Devon, is situated in the Little Dart valley. The
vendor, Richard Bryan, acquired it as a near-
derelict building 20 years ago and has restored it,
retaining most of the original mill machinery
including the millstone, the pit wheel, gears,
shafts, pulleys, trapdoors and the water wheel.
Accommodation now comprises three
reception rooms, including a garden room, which
houses the 19th century pit wheel; the Mill room
with the original millstone and gear wheels; and a
sitting room with a wood burner. There is a large
kitchen/breakfast room, a beamed dining room
with patio doors to the garden, and five bedrooms,
four of which are double with en-suite facilities.
Outside, the garden extends to approximately
one acre and leads down to the Little Dart, which
holds brown trout and salmon and on which there
are fishing rights. The asking price is £625,000.
Further information from Richard Bryan
on 01769 581 135. The Little Dart at the end of the garden. A cast for wild brownies and salmon.
Where big trout swim

The Buchaam beat of the River Don in
Aberdeenshire extends to about 1¼ miles of
single north bank downstream of Buchaam
Bridge. It lies at the gateway to Cairngorms
National Park. There is access to the beat
Refurbished lodge has two bedrooms. Fishing rights to a stretch on the Suir. from the A97 and ample parking at either end
of the beat. It has not been fished in recent
A lodge in Tipperary years. Raeburn, Christie, Clark & Wallace’s
The Suir, in County Tipperary, has long been regarded as one of Ireland’s best Banchory office (01330 822 931) ask £60,000.
salmon rivers. It also holds a good head of wild brown trout with fish up to and
beyond 6 lb, and attracts anglers from all over Europe and North America.
There is now an opportunity to buy the Fisherman’s Lodge at Tullaghmelan,
about ten minutes’ drive from Clonmel town centre, which was formerly part
of the old Knocklofty Estate, and fishing rights to almost a mile.
Comprehensively renovated in 2012, the Lodge has a sitting room, a dining/
kitchen room, two double bedrooms, a bathroom and full oil-fired central heating.
Outside are five acres of land, which include a private island of about four acres.
This stretch of the river has only been infrequently fished for many years, and
features a variety of fast runs and good holding pools including the Castle pool.
A brown trout of around 8 lb was taken on dry-fly in 2014.
Sherry Fitzgerald (+353 52 6170 720 or e-mail ) seeks offers in
the region of ¤270,000.
Dry-fly fishing on the Don can be exceptional.
xxx May 2016 www.trout-and-salmon.co.uk

Below
Kielder Dam
Woodside at Low Yarrow in
Northumbria is a Victorian house,
currently used as a family holiday
home, which has 75 yards of fishing on
the south bank of the river North Tyne.
However the owner also has direct
access to Falstone Angling Club’s
2 miles of river, for which they pay
The manor has 250m of only £40 per year. There are also other
the Meon chalkstream.
club waters locally.
Andrew Kerwin, one of the
brothers selling it, writes: “As you may
Georgian splendour know this part of the river is directly

below Kielder Water dam so salmon
and sea-trout stack up in this stretch
Manor house with fishing on the Meon, plus a tennis court and golf hole during September and October with
some very good fishing to be had. Our
short stretch is a prime spawning area,
Exton House, at Exton, is ten miles from bathroom, two further ensuite which is a site to behold in
Alresford in one of Hampshire’s famous bedrooms, three other bedrooms and late November and December.
chalk valleys. It is an impressive grade II a family bathroom. On the second floor “As keen salmon fishermen and
listed Georgian manor house with three are two bedrooms, a bathroom, a sitting conservationists my brothers and I
reception rooms, a playroom, snug, room and kitchenette. A coach house have had the bonus of carefully
watching dozens of salmon up to
main bedroom with dressing room and includes a one-bedroom flat. 30 lb cutting their redds and
Grounds extend to more than spawning in our own short stretch
13 acres and include formal and walled of river. We are also lucky enough
gardens, a swimming pool, tennis court, to have red squirrels at Woodside,
golf hole, paddocks, parkland, water which are often seen on our
meadows, and 250m of double-bank bird-feeders, as well as otters
in the river.”
fishing on the River Meon, which The house itself, built in about
eventually flows into the Solent near 1890, has sitting and dining rooms,
Stubbington to the west of Portsmouth. three double bedrooms, of which one
Strutt & Parker’s Winchester office is ensuite, and a bathroom. Grounds of
Eight bedrooms and 13 acres of grounds. (01962 869 999) asks £4.5 million. one acre, part garden and part
woodland, lead down to the river, and
a small stone barn in the grounds
serves as a rod room.
The agents, Finest Properties of
AT SHETLAND’S HEART Corbridge (01434 622 234), have set
a guide price of £375,000
I’m grateful to my owner] Gordon is a
colleague Jon Beer for genial, knowledgeable
alerting me to the sale fisherman. It would suit
of Herrislea House, someone who could carry
Shetland’s only on this fishing-friendly
four-star hotel. tradition – if only for
Jon writes: “There’s a my sake.”
curious irony about a Situated at Tingwall,
fishing hotel in Shetland: six miles north-west of
the very feature that Lerwick, it was a burnt-
makes it a wonderful Where anglers stay on Shetland. out shell when acquired
place to fish – more than in 1997 by Gordon and The fishing is short, only 75 yards.
300 lochs, almost all freely available to Marjorie Williamson. There are nine
visitor and local alike for £30 a year ensuite letting bedrooms and owner’s
(plus sea-trout in the voes and streams) – accommodation. The property is semi-
means that a fishing hotel in the detached, with an extension to the main
conventional sense (a hotel with building converted to residential flats
exclusive fishing) doesn’t exist. But under separate ownership.
Herrislea House is as close as it gets. It Oil plays a big part in Shetland’s
has been my choice for 16 years. economy. With an occupancy of 80-90
“It is central: Shetland is bigger than per cent through the year, the hotel’s
many folk imagine. Mainland is 60 miles accounts show an annual turnover of
long with many peninsulas, so being in £250,000, producing an adjusted net
Woodside has three bedrooms.
the middle is a boon. It’s been a favourite profit of about £80,000. Seymour & Clink
haunt of visiting fishermen because [the (01786 870 555) seek over £395,000.
www.trout-and-salmon.co.uk May 2016 xxx

Bright future for
salmon fishings
The future of salmon fishing in Scotland faces a number of challenges.
Some of these are beyond direct control (e.g marine predation and climate
change) whilst others are not (e.g coastal netting, method of fishing, catch
and release policy etc). The Scottish Government’s Wild Fisheries Reform By Robert McCulloch
Bill suggests that they are prepared to be sympathetic to the best interests
PARTNER – EDINBURGH
of the king of fish in future. The evidence of our recent experience in the
sale of salmon fishings shows that a brighter future for the Scottish salmon
is reflected in improving market demand. CALL OUR EDINBURGH OFFICE ON
If you are interested in buying or selling salmon fishings, please contact me. 0131 516 7761
SO
SO
LD
LD
Offers over £1,500,000
Canterland Fishings, River North Esk
About 2.4 miles of double and single bank salmon and sea trout fishing for 5 rods
with 14 named pools.
SO
SO
LD
LD
Offers over £795,000 Offers over £2,300,000 Offers over £545,000

Newtyle Fishings, River Tay Tilbouries Fishings, River Dee Coul Fishings, River Conon
A beat of double and single bank A prime single bank beat on the A productive and accessible beat of single bank salmon fishings providing
salmon fishing for up to 8 rods. lower River Dee with a modern excellent fishing from bank and boat.
house overlooking the river.
SO
SO
LD
LD
Offers over £1,350,000 Offers over £945,000

Horncliffe Fishings, River Tweed Upper Netherdale Fishings, River Deveron
A productive and secluded bottom Tweed beat extending to about 1.8 miles of Two beats of salmon and sea trout fishing with a 4-bedroom cottage and consent
single bank salmon fishing for up to 6 rods. for a new lodge.
struttandparker.com 55 offices nationwide

In association with
The only monthly record of catches and news from

the major fisheries of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland
n c l ud i ng
I S TO
WAT E R F L I E S
ND
FISH A Y THIS
TO T R
MONTH
ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM OUR LOCAL EXPERTS

F I SH I NG R E P ORTS England and Wales
SCOTLAND ENGLAND
45 Alness 69 Outer Hebrides 77 & WA L E S
46 Annan 70 Lochy 1 Llyn Alaw 24 Isle of Man
47 Ayr 71 Loch Lomond & Leven SCOTLAND
2 Artro 25 Mawddach & Wnion
48 Beauly 72 Lake of Menteith 3 Bewl 26 Pitsford
49 Borgie 73 Nairn
79 65 6185 4 Llyn Brenig 27 Ravensthorpe
50 Brora 74 Ness 49 87 5 Bristol waters 28 Ribble & Hodder
51 Carron 75 Nith 6 Conwy 29 Rutland Water
52 Cassley 69 68 66
OL
76 Orchy 7 Coquet 30 Seiont, Gwyrfai
PO
52 50
LA
53 Clyde 77 Orkney 8 Cornwall & Llyfni
UL
54 Conon 78 Oykel 78 80 9 Dee & Clwyd 31 Severn
55 Cree & Bladnoch 51
SS
79 Scourie 45 10 Derbyshire waters 32 South-west Wales
NE
56 Aberdeenshire Dee
ER
80 Shin 54 11 Cumbrian Derwent 33 Talyllyn
V
81 57
IN
57 Deveron 81 Spey 48 73 63 12 Devon 34 Tees
58 Aberdeenshire Don 82 Stinchar 74
13 Dovey 35 Till
59 Doon 83 Tay
60 Earn 84 Teith
58 14 Dwyfor 36 Towy
15 Eden 37 Tyne
61 Forss 85 Thurso 56 16 Border Esk 38 Usk
62 North & South Esks 86 Tweed 17 Esthwaite Water 39 Lake Vyrnwy
63 Findhorn 87 Wick 70
64 Girvan 62 18 Eyebrook 40 Wear
19 Glaslyn 41 Wessex waters
65 Halladale 81 20 Grafham 42 Wye
66 Helmsdale 76 21 Hanningfield 43 Yorkshire Esk
67 Irvine 60
84 22 Llandegfedd 44 Yorkshire waters
GH
68 Kirkaig & Inver 72
W
UR
23 Lune
GO
71 IN
B
AS
ED
A
S E
GL
T H
53 R
86 O
67 35 N
NORTHERN IREL AND 47
59 7
64
LE
ST
75 46 CA
109 118 82 W
16
NE
119 55 37
L
120
GA
15
NE
104
T
DO
121
AS
LF
11 40
BE
117
34 ENGLAND
101 43
94 17
112 44
24
96 88 23
90
LL
111 93
HU
100 110 114 I S H S E A

107 106 95 I R 28
AY
102 97
L
LW
10
PO
113
GA
IN
ER
BL
LIV
98 105
DU
1
6 9
30 4
19
14
2
25 39
H
29
YT
33
TW
103 18
RD
YS
13
O
ER
RF
115
AB
E
AT
116
W
27 26 20
92 108 91 WA L E S 31
99 IRELAND 42
32
89
36 38
ON
IRELAND 21
ND
LO
IFF
22
RD
CA
88 Lough Arrow 101 Drowes & L. Melvin 114 Lough Sheelin

89 Bandon 102 Erriff 115 Slaney
90 Beltra 103 Feale 116 Suir 5
3
91 Blackwater (Cork) 104 Finn
92 Upper Caragh 105 Galway Weir NORTHERN 12 41
93 Lough Carra 106 Inagh IRELAND
94 Carrowmore Lake 107 Kylemore Abbey
95 Cong 108 Laune 117 Ballinderry
TH
8
OU
96 Conn & Cullin 109 Lennon 118 Bush

YM
G L I S H C H A
PL
97 Lough Corrib 110 Lough Mask 119 Bann E N N N

98 Costello & Fermoyle 111 Moher Lough 120 Mourne E
L
99 Lough Currane 112 Moy 121 Sixmilewater
100 Delphi 113 Screebe
England Point and Home Bay were
excellent spots and many
there have been some decent
buzzer around. Every time the
A FLY TO TRY THIS MONTH
hundreds of fish would have wind drops there are masses of
& Wales been caught there. North shore,
as may have been expected
black buzzer. As you would
expect at this time of the year,
BORDER ESK with the wind basically coming they are small flies, but soon, if
over the top of anglers there, the temperature rises, the fish
THE RIVER had plenty of water was the main target for bank will lock on to this high-protein
throughout February, with a anglers and so boats were food and start to become easy
spate peaking at just short of unable to get in close. Fish were prey for the skilful Buzzer
6 ft at Canonbie on Feb 17. It had caught around the Island just fisherman. –
a healthy flow in early March, into Butcombe, but at nothing MARTIN COTTIS.
which may bring in some like the rate the other side of
early fish. the lake was producing. CONWY
I have heard of only one fish Fish caught were in excellent
caught. A 12 lb springer was condition and feeding well on SINCE THE middle of February
released on the upper part of
the Longtown Bridge fishing
bloodworm – mostly the
greenish variety. This bodes
the river has fluctuated around
the 1 m mark on the Cwm
Claret and Silver Dabbler
in late February. really well for the next few Llanerch gauge, with the Hook Size 8-12 wet-fly Thread Black Tail Red game and bronze
By the time this report is read weeks as I expect these exception of two big flushes of mallard mixed Rib Flat silver tinsel
small numbers of sea-trout and bloodworm will turn into buzzer water. The first was around Body Claret seal’s fur Body hackle Palmered red game
salmon will be in some of the with the water warming, so the Feb 20, when levels were up to Collar hackle Bronze mallard
pools. Daytime fly-fishing can fish will feed up in the water 2.5 m for a few days, then, on
be productive in May. and be more likely to be March 1 there was a high, but
The Border Esk and Liddel caught on floating lines. very short-lived. peak of 3.3 m. members and some of them Traditionally a few anglers
Angling Club continues to Top End is usually a decent As I write (March 8) the level is recently gave up a lot of free are out on the Gwydyr beats on
welcome new members and spot to start the season. at 1.1 m with the water time to do all this planting in not or just after opening day on
visitors and several local However, with the amount of clear and cold. the best of weather. March 20 to see if they can
accommodation providers offer rain we had the colour of the At the Snowdonia National Furthermore, I understand that make contact with an early fish
discounted rates for visiting water at that end was dire and Park Authority planning a club website is under – and just to be glad to be out
anglers. For fishing enquiries so fishing was a waste of time. committee meeting at the start construction, which, when on the river again. I know that
and river conditions contact Iain It really is important to find of March, the proposals by completed, will better advertise Steve Last and Paul Simpson
Blackett, Lundavra, Woodslee, multinational energy company the fishing opportunities will be out around opening day
Canonbie DG14 0TF. RWE to build a hydro scheme offered on its waters. I hope to this year. Over the years the
Tel 013873 71301, Mob around the Conwy Falls and the give details next month. occasional shoal of fresh
07796 005 240 or e-mail iain. Blagdon Fairy Glen were rejected. These Importantly, I hear that a salmon has been seen going
[email protected] proposals have been the source new 17-year lease has now upriver, heading for the Lledr,
For the early sea-trout Silver produces of a good deal of argument been signed by Betws-y-Coed very early in the season, so the
Stoat’s Tail, Border Belle, Esk between different interests on Anglers’ Club for the Gwydyr prospect of a silver fish isn’t
Greenwell, Peter Ross and Teal, opening-day the river, but, overall, it’s the beats on the river. Since the entirely forlorn.
Blue and Silver are productive
patterns in sizes 10-14,
bonanza case that many Conwy anglers
campaigned determinedly
Gwydyr Hotel gave up this lease
several years ago, these two
I remain at maxcoventry@
aol.com or please leave a
depending on river levels. – against the plans and are very very important beats along the message on 01352 720 152. –
BORDER ROD. relieved that this large-scale middle of the river (and a further MAX COVENTRY.
clean water for feeding fish. project will not be going ahead. beat up the Lledr) have rather
BRISTOL I will venture out for a bank Certainly, it’s difficult to see lacked long-term stability, but COQUET
WATERS session next week if the how the construction of a weir now improvements can
temperature stays as it is across the upper river diverting confidently be made for future THE COQUET Trophy for the first
AS I write this report I am forecast to be. Otherwise I will a significant proportion of the years. Sian Godbert tells me salmon of the season will be
getting calls from friends and bide my time for warmer flow to a turbine house, along that season, weekly and day- presented to Gordon Black from
clients who were out on weather or stick to the river. with the effects of the silt ticket prices are staying the Hadston by the Duke of
Blagdon for opening day. I would be very optimistic produced by a huge amount of same this season. For further Northumberland. The Centenary
Huge numbers of fish were that floating lines and slow to tunnelling through very hard information visit www. Cups for the largest salmon and
caught and most returned. static Buzzers will be the order rock, could do anything but gwydyrfishery.co.uk or ring brown trout caught on
Some fish were caught on of the day in April. Remember make life yet more difficult Sian on 01690 710 143 for Northumbrian Anglers’
floating lines, too, though this that early on the buzzers are for migratory fish. further details. Federation Waters will also be
was generally in the afternoon black and pretty skinny. It is not I hear encouraging news
when conditions softened. until late May and into June from Llanrwst Anglers’ Club.
Most fish were caught on larger that we get those huge flies Hundreds of willow cuttings
flies than one would choose to that get the fish in serious have been planted along the
use and on fast-sinking lines. feeding mode! edge of the river throughout
DI-7 lines were very much in As I write this there is week their beat to stabilise the banks
evidence and combinations of to go before the doors open to and the club has paid for stock
Blobs, Humungous and other fishermen on Chew Valley fencing along one stretch to
assorted lures were the main Lake. The rangers involved in stop cattle eroding the banks.
methods. One or two boats the stocking told me that the Additionally, about 50 broadleaf
fished floating lines and actually quality of the fish was fantastic saplings are being put in – all
caught fish, but not at the rate and of course by next week this planting should both
that the sinking-line those fish will have had the wild strengthen the riverbanks and
approach achieved. food from the lake to get them provide overhead cover for
Best areas were along the going (they have been in the fish in the future.
south shore as the wind was lake for a few weeks now). I The committee of Llanrwst
slanting into it. In front of the have had a few casting sessions AC has recently been revitalised orvis.co.uk
Lodge, Green Lawn, Rainbow at the lakeside and I must say with new and enthusiastic

presented in the near future. I With the steepness of some of first of the sea-trout will have over the weekend of March 5 keep an eye on the club’s
have heard of no further salmon the highly eroded banks in the been sighted, if not caught. and 6. Despite the conditions, Facebook page. The club now
caught on the river, despite upper reaches this will probably Once again the importance of impressive numbers of grayling offers a much greater portfolio
some reasonable levels. continue for some time until the returning the bulk of any fish were caught. The competition of fishing – stillwater as well as
Northumbrian Water’s erosion slopes begin to caught cannot be overstated. – was won by Team Hanak river – so a more concerted
Fontburn Reservoir opens on stabilise. From an angling point ERIC HOPE. England. Corwen and District effort will be required to
March 12 after a pre-season of view, although the river is Angling Club entered two teams maintain the beats such as
stocking of 12,000 rainbow running clear at normal level, DEE in the event, both of which members are entitled to expect.
trout. This popular fishery offers after a spate of any size it takes AND CLWYD acquitted themselves Its acquisition of coarse lakes,
good early-season sport to lures a little longer to settle than we creditably. Iwan Lewis, one of including Llyn Bran, a prolific
and traditional fly patterns. have been used to but this THE DEE and Clwyd Local the club’s contestants and a pike water, will provide
The popular catch-and-release should ease once the banks Fisheries Advisory Group (LFAG), well-known Dee rod, told me excellent facilities for junior
permit continues this year. recover with spring growth. is made up of officers of clubs that there were no exceptional anglers as well as the chance of
The brown trout season The results of last year’s whose members fish rivers in grayling caught – only fish to a pike on fly for those who fancy
opens on March 22 with rods electro-fishing activities by the these catchments and officers about 2 lb 8 oz, which just goes having a go at this increasingly
out on the Northumbrian West Cumbria Rivers Trust have of Natural Resources Wales, to show the quality of grayling popular sport.
Anglers’ Federation Waters. been published and are who are charged with looking fishing on the Dee! Local rods As the salmon and trout
Wet-flies such as Greenwell’s available to read on the WCRT after our rivers. We meet have been fishing regularly with season is barely open I have
Glory, March Brown, Black website. Despite the quarterly to discuss all things some success but seem purposely tried to make this
Spider, Partridge and Orange, devastation following Storm fishy. In an effort to improve the reluctant to report their catches, report as positive as I can. The
Partridge and Yellow and Snipe Desmond at least we now have effectiveness of angler which is a shame.The salmon high water that has been
and Purple are still the choices a reasonably accurate representation at these season opened on March 3, but maintained throughout the
of the diminishing numbers of assessment of the previous meetings Keith Allanson, John to date (March 9), I have no whole of the close season
trout anglers who fish the river. state of the salmonid population Rowe, Iwan Lewis and I have reports of fish, although the bodes well for the coming
Weighted nymphs such as across most of the catchment. been asked to seek your views, high water has encouraged season. I should like to remind
Goldhead Hare’s Ear and One assumes that although as anglers who fish the two you that both the Dee and
Pheasant Tail are also very many parr, juveniles and eggs catchments, and present them Clwyd systems have fished very
popular in early spring. will have been lost, a fair to a pre-LFAG meeting, so that a well over the past few seasons
Salmon should be running in percentage will have survived, more angler-based agenda for Dee enjoys for sea-trout, numbers on the
greater numbers by the time particularly in those areas meetings can be drawn up. So if Dee, especially, having
this report is read, and sea-trout where the river stayed within you have concerns about your
dramatic apparently increased
should soon make an
appearance.
the flood plain. Elsewhere we
expect a steady repopulation as
fishing or the way your rivers
are managed by “the powers
increase in dramatically over recent years.
A number of rods on the Clwyd
The Pauperhaugh Bridge
area has suffered disruption
migrant fish return. A recent
walk on the upper river showed
that be”, please let us, or one of
your club committees know, so
sea-trout accounted for 50-plus fish last
year, and not all during night
due to repair work on the bridge that despite serious movement that they can pass on your sessions. The Clwyd usually
foundations. Anglers are of the river in several places, views to one of us. We have yet maintains a little colour so sea-
advised to avoid the area until invertebrates are present in to decide how the results will be anglers to venture forth as far trout can provide sport by
the work has completed, and to moderate numbers. fed back, but I’m sure we will upriver as the Junction beat day and night. –
park in the top layby. – Predatory birds are again come up with something. Please above Corwen. Members of ALLAN CUTHBERT.
DAVID CARRICK. causing concern, with more participate: the LFAGs are there Wirral Game Fishing Club have
than 250 cormorants seen to facilitate meaningful been putting in a concerted DERBYSHIRE
CUMBERLAND roosting on Derwentwater. discussions between anglers effort at Bryn y Pys, which WATERS
DERWENT Laser scaring trials are being and officers of NRW. usually yields a fish during the
conducted as the catchment in On the Dee despite the first week of the season: as that AS I write, in mid March, both
THE EFFECTS of the December its present recovery mode is water having remained week is far from ended let’s Ladybower and Foremark
megaflood continue to be felt unable to sustain such numbers. relatively high, Corwen and hope the beat lives up to its have now opened for the 2016
on the Derwent as each By the time this report is District Angling Club at last previous record. season. During the first week,
successive spate brings another published we should be seeing a hosted the HANAK grayling On the Clwyd and Elwy, Foremark reported 2,193 fish
load of silt into the system. few salmon in the river and the competition, which was fished water remains high: I have no caught by 181 anglers, giving a
reports of anglers yet wetting a rod average of 12.1, with the
line on either river. However, biggest fish reported a stunning
Rhyl and St Asaph Angling Club 8 lb 4 oz brown trout. Bank and
has been hard at work with river boat anglers enjoyed equal
maintenance, including work to success and all of the main
improve the general in-river areas were productive. Most
habitat by adding brash and line densities seemed to have
timber to the banks to provide worked well, although opinion
protection for juvenile fish from was that floating lines had the
predators, not least cormorants, edge. As was to be expected at
which John Davidson, the this time of year, black-and-
intrepid river maintenance guru, green lures, Cat’s Whiskers and
reports are present in Damsels seem to have been the
increasing numbers. patterns of choice. However, it
The weir at Maes Elwy is very likely that the
continues to be the source of overwintered fish will respond
much concern; the proposed to more subtle patterns.
hydro-power scheme has not Carsington opens on March 12
yet started and concern about and every available boat was
the stability of the weir remains booked well in advance of
a high priority. Vale of Clwyd opening day. I look forward to
Angling Club has recommenced my first visit of the season to
its Sunday working parties, so this boat-only water.
those wishing to help should Although affected by heavy

estuary netting being closed its AGM on Feb 25, when Roger
A BEAT TO TRY THIS SPRING once and for all, with total
catch-and-release for rods
Furniss reported on the
negotiations over the past year
being debated. regarding netting in the Teign
Some salmon were seen on estuary. Members shared his
the lower Exe around Exeter disappointment that DEFRA and
and fish had every opportunity the Environment Agency had
to move upriver in the high decided that the net limitation
water but there were no reports order would remain unchanged
of anything being caught. for five more years and
The newsletter from the that sea-trout netting before
River Barle signal crayfish June would continue.
project reports on the first year The South West Rivers
of fieldwork to control signal Association, which represents
crayfish that have colonised rivers throughout the region,
around ten miles of the Barle. holds its AGM at the Arundell
The project has involved Arms, Lifton, on April 16. The
trapping from May to October guest speaker will be Sarah
2015, when 3,345 crayfish were Chare, Environment Agency
removed and 433 large males deputy director responsible for
were sterilised and released. It fisheries, who will present the
is thought that the large males, agency’s new approach to
while unable to breed, will prey restoring salmon stocks.
on the smaller male crayfish. Anyone wishing to attend
River Whiteadder, Berwickshire NEW AVAILABILITY
Volunteers are at the heart of should contact the secretary at
The Berwick & District Angling Association controls several miles of the Whiteadder, with the three-year project and over [email protected].
some prime salmon, sea-trout and brown trout fishing. 40 were provided with training. The Arundell Arms is also the
The Association water starts just above Allanton Bridge near Chirnside in Berwickshire and On the Dart, where the location for the AGM of the
runs over limestone ridges, through meadows and wooded valleys before meeting the Tweed salmon season opened on Feb 1, Devon branch of Salmon & Trout
about half a mile above Berwick upon Tweed. The water has many fast streams and deep holes. there have been no reports of Conservation UK on April 24.
When the River Tweed is in unfishable flood the Whiteadder is an excellent standby. salmon caught or even seen, Guest speakers will be
Day-tickets for all species including salmon cost £30. and anglers are hoping that Paul Knight, chief executive
Contact Tom Carter, FishPal. Tel: 01573 470 612. there will be no repeat of the officer of S&TC, Charles
Purchase tickets online at http://www.fishpal.com/Scotland/Tweed/BDAAWhiteadder level of disease that ruined the Jardine, S&TC ambassador, and
salmon fishing last year. The Bruce Stockley of the
Dart Fisheries Association held Westcountry Rivers Trust. After
its AGM on March 4, when lunch there will be an
rain on March 9, our rivers were weather will make conditions a not touch a fish or see any sign members were told that a opportunity to fish the hotel
already falling by the following bit more comfortable for the of salmon. decision from the Environment lake at Tinhay and to try out
day and it is expected that their start of fishing at the South The Tamar was very much up Agency on rescinding the some of the latest
clarity will soon be restored and West Lakes Trust rainbow trout and down but towards the end emergency salmon bylaw that fly-fishing tackle.
levels will once again be close waters on March 12. An end to of February a few drier days was introduced in July 2015 The 2016 Devon County
to their seasonal average. Such the constant rain combined with made it possible to fish for was anticipated by the end of Show takes place on May 19,
conditions bode well for the a rise in the temperature may grayling on the Arundell Arms March. Following extensive 20 and 21 and visitors will have
early part of the trout season, have come just in time for fly- water. Tony Bostock, while in work at Totnes Weir pool, the opportunity to meet
which begins on March 18. fishermen to get out on the Devon visiting the Roadford Fly including a hydro-electric representatives of numerous
Please be aware that grayling rivers when brown trout fishing Fair, had a couple of hours on scheme, a new fish-ladder and a fishing organisations on the Fly
will be out of season opens on March 15. the Lyd on the preceding day fish-counter, anglers will be Fishing in Devon stand in the
after March 14. – and caught one grayling in very keen to see what impact the Countryside Area. There
DAVID M. THELWALL. high water. A few days later changes will have on fishing in will be free fly-casting
David Pilkington took advantage the pool, especially for tuition on a casting pool,
DEVON Devon’s first of the lowest water so far this sea-trout at night. casting competition,
year on the Tamar, when he had On the Teign, too, there have fly-tying demonstrations
FOLLOWING the opening of the
salmon comes four grayling to 13 inches, all on been no reports of salmon or, and a rod-building
salmon season on the Dart,
Teign and Exe back in February,
from tidal a pink tungsten nymph, and
another of 11 inches from the
indeed, anyone fishing. The
Teign Fisheries Association held
demonstration.
– MIKE WEAVER.
more Devon rivers opened for
salmon on March 1, including
Tamar Lyd a few days later on
the same fly.
the Taw, Torridge and Tamar. As The Tamar estuary nets will
February came to an end, rivers operate again this year, having
were fining down to a fishable The north Devon rivers resumed in 2014 after a ten-
level for salmon but heavy rain usually offer the best hope of year buy-out. This will now be
on March 1 brought them back some early salmon catches but their third year, and the
into spate. The bigger rivers on the Torridge the conditions Environment Agency will carry
stayed too high to fish during prevented any anglers from out a review of netting at the
the first week of March and fishing the Half Moon waters end of their season. The nets
then went back into spate after and there were no reports have to operate under a quota
more heavy rain on March 9 and of any activity elsewhere system, with 23 salmon allowed
have remained very high since on the river. for each of the three nets still
then. At the time of writing It was a similar picture on the fishing. They have all filled their
(March 11) the only report of a Taw, where a couple of salmon quota for the past two years.
salmon being caught was from fishermen did get out on the Anglers will be anticipating a
the tidal water on the Tamar. river for an hour or two between consultation on netting this orvis.co.uk
The arrival of slightly milder the worst of the spates but did summer, with the possibility of

DOVEY during April and May. May can I started fishing Grafham, you LUNE sink-tip in the slower parts of
produce some fine sport with would be banned for the season deeper pools.
TODAY (March 8) while talking trout likely to be showing more if you were seen releasing fish! THE LUNE was at a good fishing Spring salmon numbers also
to two fieldworkers doing an interest in surface flies. – As I write, brown trout are height through most of February showed an encouraging upturn
environmental survey on the CUMBRIAN ROD. still out of season until April 1 but, as is the norm these days, last year: 229 were recorded
Bridge Flats, a fresh sea-trout of and the winter restrictions are fishing effort was low. Other through Forge Weir over the
about 2 lb jumped in front of us. GLASLYN still in force for the west bank of than myself and a couple of same period and several multi-
I now have the report for last the lake. There is no fishing in other hardy souls fishing above sea-winter fish were caught
season, when 2,030 sea-trout MAY IS always a pretty reliable Savage’s Creek until April 1. To Kirkby Lonsdale, I didn’t see, nor between Halton and Kirkby
were caught and just over 1,400 month, and if we do get was told of, anyone out wetting Lonsdale in May. If water levels
of that total returned. There favourable fishing conditions a line. I never touched, saw or favour angling this spring,
were 43 double-figure sea-trout anglers should get a fish or two; heard anything while I was on there should be a good chance
with a very high proportion of the bigger sewin will be moving Grafham rods the river, but I did hear that of this being repeated.
sea-trout between 7 lb and 9 lb. upriver along with salmon. those fishing above Kirkby Tickets for the Lune Rivers
The biggest sea-trout, If we do get settled weather average over Lonsdale connected with a Trust beats at Skerton, Halton
18 lb 12 oz, fell to A. Renwick. the night fly could well worth couple of very early sea-trout, and Crook-o-Lune together with
The average weight of sea-trout trying, and never overlook the seven fish on which were reported to be fresh tickets for the LDAA waters at
was a few ounces under 4 lb. tidal sections – the fish have to
Salmon fishing was again run through here.
opening day and around the 2 lb 8 oz mark.
The fish-counter at Forge Weir
Caton remain available from
Bankhouse Fly fishery at
poor, although end-of-season There is a new rule in place has always recorded a few fish Lancaster Road, Caton LA2
conditions – dry and sunny – from this season onwards. Only of this size going through in 9HX. Tel: 01524 770 412. Tickets
were a major factor. two salmon may be kept in any date more than 8,000 fish have February but I have never heard for both salmon and sea-trout
Thirty-seven salmon were one season and only four sewin been stocked and this stocking of any being caught this early. are also available for the prolific
caught, with 24 of that total per day. Only barbless hooks will continue throughout April Last season 406 sea-trout Luneside beat from Fawcett’s of
returned. The biggest salmon, a may be used when worming and May. The shop is now open were recorded through Forge Lancaster. Tel: 01524 32033.
late-season fish of 21 lb, was in the tidal area. seven days a week. Weir before the end of May and Those wishing to try further
returned by local angler Melvin There are six species of fish a number of sea-trout between upriver, where it can be equally
Arnold on fly. Average weight of you could potentially catch on PROSPECTS 3 lb and 5 lb were caught in good from April onwards, should
salmon was 8 lb. The fly-only the Glaslyn: flounder, mullet, The water is very cold, so an April, with one of the best try Tebay Anglers, where tickets
catch-and-release extension at bass, brown trout, sea-trout and increase in temperature catches of the season reported are available from the Cross
the end of the season produced salmon, and I think we offer will help the early-season from the lower Rawthey that Keys at Tebay, the Post Office at
only one salmon – for Karl Hall. tremendous value for money. buzzer fishing. It was feared month. While night-time Orton or from Graham caves,
– G. H. THOMAS. A season ticket for visiting that the invasive shrimp temperatures at this time of secretary of Tebay Anglers.
anglers costs £85. would affect fly hatches, but year are often too cold to bring Tel: 01539 624 321. All these
EDEN For any information the buzzer fishing last fish to the surface or on the beats are easily accessible
regarding river conditions and season was the best for a take, sea-trout can often be from the M6 motorway.
THE FIRST Eden salmon of the catches, contact me on 07776 number of years. Let’s hope tempted around dusk with a Tebay Anglers held their
season was caught on the 060 748. – I. W. GORDON. it continues. – small Silver Stoat’s Tail or AGM in March and announced
Holmegate beat by Robin PETER HARTLEY. Mallard and Claret fished on a that 2015 rod catches were
Goodfellow on Feb 24. The 18 lb GRAFHAM
springer took a Toby just in front
of the fishing hut. Another THE LAKE, which is now full,
springer of 9 lb was caught by has started the season in good A BEAT TO TRY THIS SPRING
Lindsay Nelson on a red form with an excellent rod
Flying C at the Wires. average for the opening
The following day Warwick weekend of 7.84 fish per return.
Hall got off the mark, Audrey I suspect this is mainly returns
Spence landing a 14 lb salmon from boat anglers, who had an
on a Flying C in Crow Wood. Tim excellent time moored up on the
Bacon followed this with a 14 lb north shore. The wind was a
salmon on fly from the same strong south-westerly, which
beat. A further two salmon of made bank-fishing on this shore
about 9 lb were caught on virtually impossible. Anglers
spinner by David Bamford at fishing the south shore found
Warwick Hall on March 9. the fishing much more difficult
Information from the counter and there were a number of
showed movements of salmon blanks from Gaynes Cove
during January, which is and Plummer bank .
promising. Boats moored off Deep
The Holmegate beat Water Point and G buoy found
produced an unusual fish on the most productive method to
March 8. John Sinclair was be a floating or intermediate River Spey, Kinchurdy
fishing a Tyneside Anglers’ line combined with a Pitsford
The Kinchurdy beat lies within the Cairngorm National Park and comprises two
Syndicate rod in front of the Pea, Damsel nymph and Viva.
scenic miles of upper Spey salmon and sea-trout fishing. Here you will find 19 stunning pools
fishing hut when he hooked No surprises there. On the south
and a gillie who is happy to impart his knowledge of the river to ensure the best
what he thought was a big shore boats anchored off the
possible chance of a fish.
brown trout. The fish turned out Seat had good sport using fast-
Access to the water is excellent, and vehicles may be taken to within yards of most pools. Boats are
to be a 4 lb tiger trout. Where sinking lines and small Boobies,
provided to help cover some of the water, and to get to the opposite bank.
on earth did this come from? retrieved slowly along the
The beat has a well-appointed fishing hut.
Was it washed out of a bottom. No large fish were
stillwater fishery during the reported and many fish were Day-tickets for salmon cost from £60.
horrendous floods? released, as season tickets now Contact Tom Carter, FishPal. Tel: 01573 470 612.
Trout anglers will be out on allow the fish to be returned. Purchase tickets online at http://www.fishpal.com/Scotland/Spey/Kinchurdy
the river in greater numbers Life changes: in the 1960s when

A FLY TO TRY THIS MONTH upstream and downstream
migration and published his
Salmon Summit would look
seriously at bringing to an end
the members’ annual
subscriptions to the association.
work. I am sure salmon today the netting of the returning fish. This money, we have always
are not genetically different Once again it’s left to angling agreed, should be used for the
from those he studied 30 years clubs and associations to try to benefit of the Ribble anglers and
ago and that they are driven by save as many salmon as the fish, so it’s there to be used
the same basic instincts he possible. Anglers have and a licence buy-out is one
charted. I am sure this responded in a very positive such positive use of some
statement will come back to way by returning most of their money. By far the most costly
haunt the EA in later years! fish and many rods now annual expense incurred by the
Meanwhile at Halton, the return all of them. RFCA is for the upkeep and
other hydro-power operator has We are still waiting for the running cost of our three river
yet to release data on the EA to release the rod-catch web cameras. These cameras
number of fish recorded through figures from our rivers for last cost more than £1,000 per
its counter in 2015; it has yet to season and it will be very season to maintain and operate
carry out the required impact interesting to compare the so there is not a lot of money
assessments; and has yet to difference in numbers between left from subscriptions at the
Melvin Octopus (variant) involve trained people in the
measuring and monitoring of
how many salmon the hundreds
of salmon anglers who fish the
end of the financial year.
Some more of the capital this
Hook Size 8-10 wet-fly Thread Olive fish trapped in their pass. One Ribble system killed compared year will be pledged to the
Tag Gold tinsel Tail Fluorescent yellow floss Rib Oval gold tinsel can only hope for a more Rivers Trust to help pay for the
Body Olive-green seal’s fur Body hackle Green-olive and golden- successful 2016 in meeting their removal of a small weir on
olive cock hackles Collar hackle Golden-pheasant
yellow rump feather
responsibilities in these
respects. Grayling Sabden brook, the main salmon
spawning beck on the Calder
Having visited the Middelton
Hall fishery in February and
to 2 lb 8 oz system, at an estimated cost
of about £5,000.
similar to those elsewhere on
the river – that is, salmon
stocks in our sector of the North
Atlantic. Among other
seen the changes Storm
Desmond made to the
from upper We had hoped by February
that the worst of the weather
numbers were down on the
five-year average but sea-trout
suggestions, the NWATFCC
proposals include action to
landscape, I would strongly
recommend anglers pay a visit
Ribble was behind us and that the river
would fall enough to tempt a
catches were up. Sea-trout monitor and reduce losses at to their local beat well before few rods out after the grayling.
were caught as early as mid sea; changes to catchment they intend to fish it seriously, The river did fall gradually to
May, with the first salmon stock assessments; proposals especially if they are night- to our four estuary netsmen, about 12 inches and indeed
contacted in early June. Tebay for stocking those rivers with fishermen, like me. One of my who between them killed 99 some nice grayling and well-
Anglers are also taking part in threatened stocks and favourite sea-trout night-fishing fish last season. conditioned brownies were
the Angling Trust’s voluntary proposals for national bag limits spots has been completely filled At a meeting of the Ribble landed from both the upper
bailiff scheme and anyone which avoid the need for in, but in another place, a pool Fisheries Consultative Ribble and the Hodder in the
interested in joining their patrol compulsory catch-and-release. has been deepened Association (RFCA) a proposal Whitewell area. David Hoyle
team should contact Graham At the same meeting it was considerably with a new, was unanimously accepted that fished deep nymphs in a slow
Caves on the telephone announced that KSET had dangerously steep, sloping an approach be made to two of pool on the Hodder and landed
number given earlier. secured funding to build their gravel bank appearing. The 2016 the Ribble’s estuary netters eight grayling and two trout
At the February Lune and proposed hydro scheme at sea-trout season will be once again to try to buy off their from a large shoal in a
Wyre Fisheries Association Broadraine. They plan to start interesting, to say the least, and licence for the season. Last time short time.
meeting, the agenda was building in May with completion will require a reliance on it cost the RFCA £850. As these On Ribblesdale Anglers’ beat
dominated by discussion around due before the end of knowledge of the fish and two netsmen, because of the on the Upper Ribble John
the NWATFCC response to the September and connection to rivercraft to get results. – location of their beats at the Barrett, Nick Millward and Peter
EA’s five-point “Salmon Action” the grid expected in October. ANDY HURST. bottom of the estuary, account Cook also had their rods bent.
plan. David Hinks, chair of the This will mean building on the on average for only nine fish, Peter, accompanied by his son
NWATFCC, explained the basis weir throughout the summer RIBBLE some wonder whether it is Ashley on a guest ticket,
of regional dissatisfaction with when sea-trout runs will be at AND HODDER worth it. One club president at reported 17 grayling to 2 lb 8 oz.
the EA’s proposals and offered their peak and it appears no the meeting very generously, on About lunchtime some of these
what are believed to be more consideration has been given to HERE WE are in March and behalf of his club and its fish came up to a dry-fly during a
acceptable alternatives with the impact on fish movement or there is still no news from members, pledged £500. What hatch of olives. This beat is
more clearly focused action anglers’ interests upstream. DEFRA or the EA about how capital the RFCA has built up classed as some of the best
aimed at tackling the issues What should be noted here is they propose to protect the over the years, and held in its trout and grayling water on the
leading to the decline of salmon that as well as selling off an declining runs of salmon. deposit account, comes from Ribble. There may be the odd
stocks. The LWFA executive anglers’ funded facility and Most of the angling bodies
unanimously agreed “in allowing the developers on our North-west rivers may
principle” to support the unrestricted access to the river, recommend a one or two fish
NWATFCC response with the the EA in making their decision annual bag limit per angler,
caveat of consulting with to grant the necessary licences irrespective of how many
member association and chose to ignore the only different rivers he fishes, and
riparian owners. A paper relevant research work on this should be supported by a
outlining these issues and salmonid movement through the carcass tagging scheme. This
proposals has since been weir and dismissed it all in a decision is supported by the
presented to the Angling Trust single, arrogant statement, Angling Trust and the
for their consideration and declaring the research was NWATFCC, who are firmly
inclusion in national discussions carried out more than 30 years against a full catch-and-release
around the EA’s five-point plan. ago and was no longer relevant. bylaw being imposed. Two
The perception in the North- The researcher, Dr Lesley prominent Ribble clubs have
west is that the EA’s proposed Stewart, spent several years already agreed a one-fish limit
plan is ineffective and will not monitoring salmon movement and incorporated this in their
solve the underlying issues through the weir and new club rules from this season. orvis.co.uk
leading to the decline of salmon researching the triggers to We had high hopes that the

cold and everything went dead. SEVERN

A BEAT TO TRY THIS SPRING This was the best opening day
I’ve experienced for quite a few THE HIGH water we
years and was celebrated in the experienced in the first week of
evening with a good drop of February continued almost
Penderyn Welsh malt. I went unabated into the first two
again on March 10, the corff weeks of March.
main hatched briefly, and I had As a result, fishing conditions
another two trout. If this keeps were far from perfect with none
happening I’ll have to invest of the prime spring beats on the
in another bottle! lower river, or at Shrewsbury,
In March I attended a really coming into good fishing
planning inspectorate hearing ply throughout the entire period.
to consider whether planning Those of us climbing the walls in
permission should be granted desperation to cast a line had
for another large hydro pump only very limited fishing options.
storage station to be built at Nonetheless I have heard of one
Glyn Rhonwy quarry, or two fish up to 15 lb from the
discharges from which would be middle river on the traditional
wooden Devon minnow and will
provide what details I can
in my next report.
Blue duns As I write this report the
main river is still a day or two
River Tweed, Tillmouth bring up from coming right but when it
The Tillmouth fishings extend for 4.14 miles of single, English bank, downstream from Coldstream
bridge, and its 22 main holding pools offer both good high- and low-water fishing. Depending upon early Seiont does we will surely have a few
more fish on the bank.
river levels, most of the pools offer easy wading from accessible banks, and there are 12 boats
spread between all its main pools. The five-year average catch is 526 salmon/grilse and
brownies Anglers have been meeting
to discuss the proposals from
90 sea-trout. The new hut now forms the focal point for the beat and is the meeting place Natural Resources Wales
for anglers and boatmen. (NRW) to impose 100 per cent
Day-tickets for salmon cost £115 plus vat. on to the bed of Llyn Padarn. catch-and-release on the
Contact Tom Carter, FishPal. Tel: 01573 470 612. When I had my say in front of Severn and every other river in
Purchase tickets online at http://www.fishpal.com/Scotland/Tweed/Tillmouth the inspector none of the Wales. To say they, or anyone in
documents submitted on our the EA who chooses to back
behalf by Fish Legal to Gwynedd them, might have a difficult job
vacancy next season in of brown trout to 5 lb were 14,500 fish have been stocked, Council Planning Dept had been to convince anglers of the need
Ribblesdale AA and the taken from the bank. These fish including 2,000 brown trout, passed on for his attention. for more restrictions is
opportunity to fish their are out of season until April 1 so which were placed at strategic Also, no information on the lack putting it lightly.
extensive portfolio of waters on had to be returned. In many points in the restricted fishing of dissolved oxygen in the lake Here are a few comments
the Ribble, Calder, Hodder and areas the fish were very close areas, to give them time to and its effect on the charr – and from the submission that the
Lune – and from this season to the bank and wading was acclimatise. All fish stocked the fact that 2015 was one of Severn Salmon Anglers’
limited access on a long beat on unnecessary. The best fish of are about 2 lb. the worst years – had been Conservation Association sent
the lower Eden. For more the weekend was an presented to him by Natural to NRW, which are backed by
information visit www. overwintered rainbow of PROSPECTS Resources Wales. This left us representatives from clubs and
ribblesdaleangling.co.uk 6 lb 8 oz caught by visiting The fishing diary looks very scratching our heads and fisheries up and down the river:
On March 1 the weather angler Frank Humphries from full and by early April the wondering what really “The stock assessment
became wet and blustery. With Brighton. It was caught from the lake will be busy. Stocking is going on. model being used is deeply
my rain gauge registering bank near Normanton Church. will continue each week A few salmon have been flawed and the terminology
37 mm of rainfall, the river at Captured fish contained and the early spring months seen showing in the Menai misleading. No salmon
Waddow peaked at just less significant quantities of shrimp, are always very productive. Straits just off Caernarfon. population in Wales is in any
than 3 m, putting paid to all snail and bloodworm. Call the Lodge on 01780 686 These early fish are not biologically meaningful sense
early fishing. – On the peninsula, Old Hall 441 to make sure of your destined for us, but could well ‘at risk’. Stocks are relatively
FRED HIGHAM. Bay and Yellowstones produced boat. – PETER HARTLEY. be an indication of an early run stable when viewed over the
good results for the bank angler in either the Conwy or Dee. – long term using the only
RUTLAND prepared to make an early start. SEIONT, HUW P. HUGHES. consistent data set we have,
Only a small number of boats GWYRFAI
HIGH PRESSURE dominated the are on the water until April 1, AND LLYFNI
weather during opening when the whole fleet of 65
weekend. Unusually calm water boats will be available. All the IT HAS been a patchy start to
with thick fog greeted the early- boats have been serviced and the season. On March 3 the
morning anglers, who turned cleaned. Those boats that went usual stalwarts were out on the
out in large numbers out all caught considerable Seiont after a hard frost and a
considering the earliest start numbers of fish, favourite lines biting east wind. I tried to keep
date since the first year of being intermediates and midge- my powder dry but by early
fishing in 1978. tips. East Creek was productive afternoon the temptation could
Much of the bank space as well as Yellowstones. No not be resisted. I was on the
down the south and north arms large fish were reported from river shortly after 1 pm; the cold
is not available until after April the boats and a number of wind died down and it became
1, so predictably the Normanton brown trout were returned, as warm. Instantly there was a
bank from the church to Fantasy well as rainbows. All Anglian hatch of llwyd corff main (blue
Island was busy, as well as the Water season tickets now dun) which lasted for about half
far side of the basin at Sykes allow catch-and-release. an hour. In this time I had three orvis.co.uk
Lane and Stockie bay. A number Since the beginning of March nice trout before it again turned

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£629 £471.75
£753 £564.75 WADER & BOOTSu
WADER&BOOT WADER & BOOTS u GHILLIE’S THIGH STOCKING FOOT WADERS SALE £199.99
(FELT OR VERSION STUDDED MODEL £129.99
Walker Series Speycaster 14'6" 9/10# 3pc £774 £580.50 (FELT OR RUBBER SOLE) HEAVY DUTY SOLE. OUR PRICE £89.99
Shooting Head Special 14' 37grm 4pc £647 £485.25 RUBBER SOLE) RRP £249.99 SIZES 7-11 HEAVY DUTY BOOT SECONDHAND TACKLE
Switch Series Special 11' 8# 3pc £668 £501.00 RRP £309.98 SIZES M-XXLK RRP £69.99 FOOT MODEL £149.99
Double Speycaster 2/tops 14' 9&10# 3pc £1107 £830.00
Multi Spin Spinning Rod 10' 10-30gm 2pc £409 £306.00
SIZES M-XXLK OUR PRICE OUR PRICE £45.50 OUR PRICE £99.99 TACKLE CODE CONDITION. Appears with Stock No. in front of the article
A = As New Probably Unused. B = Superb (Slightly Soiled).
Powerlite Trout 9' 6# 3pc £449 £336.75 OUR PRICE £169.99 FROM
C = Very Good Condition. D = Marked but Sound. E = Usable.
Salmon & Sea Trout Special £537 £402.75 RING
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10'6" 8#
10' 7/8#
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4pc £724 £543.00 £199.99 INCL. UK EXPRESS P&P
NORWA MODERN HARDY FLY REELS DED UCT
INCL. UK EXPRESS P&P INCL. "FREE" CT BOOTS NOW Y C8281 Golden Prince 7/8# Reel incl S/Spool ..........................................£195
10% THI S
SPECIALIST RODS AT VERY INCL. "FREE" CTX & SCREW STUDS ACROSS, EXPLOSIVE, SL & XI MODELS MO NTH
C8765 Princess Fly Reel Lightweight..............................................£100
NEW STYLE SCANDINAVIAN STYLE RODS C8772 Viscount 140 Fly Reel incl. Line .............................................£75
BOOTS &
SPECIAL DISCOUNT PRICES SCREW STUDS C8818 Marquis Multiplier 8/9# Reel + 3 Spools + Lines + Cases .....£295
B8820 St Aidan Reel + 3 S/Spools + Lines + Cases ..........................£275
NEW 2016 RING FOR BEST A8835 Swift 975 7/8# Reel incl Case .............................................£175
A8836 Swift 975 7/8# Reel incl Case .............................................£175
UK CASH PRICE B8838 Ultralite Disc Drag 8/9# Reel + s/spool + case .....................£190
C8841 Marquis Disc Drag 9/10/11# Salmon Reel incl s/spool + case
.....................................................................................................£199
RING FOR DETAILS & BEST UK PRICES C8842 J.L.H. Ultralite 7# Reel incl spare spool + case + box ............£125
NEW
NEW 2016 C8853 Marquis No2 Salmon Reel incl case ....................................£135
2016 NEW MODERN FLY REELS
MODELS 2016 C8664 Wychwood Q-Flow 5/6# reel wide incl line...........................£25
B8666 Greys Streamlite 3/4# reel ≠ 2 s/spools + lines ...................£135
C8674 Greys GTX No 1 5/6# reel + 2 cassettes + case.......................£35
LAMSON REELS
RRP FROMRRP FROM
C8734 Daiwa 3½" 859 Multiplier Fly Reel incl. line ..........................£25
C88851 ABU Delta 3 Fly Reel ...........................................................£38
DED UCT
15% THI S
HARDY PERFECT FLY REELS
NEW ARX REELS ..........£420 NEW GURU & GURU HD..........£219 MO NTH
C4407 Perfect 3⅝" Early D/C/M ....................................................£450
SPEEDSTER ...................£249 REMIX ..........................................£149 C4635 Perfect 3⅝" Mk II check + L/G ............................................£295
NEW SPEEDSTER HD ..£349 REMIX HD ...................................£179 C6132 Perfect 3⅝" Dup mech and brass foot incl line....................£295
ULA FORCE SLII ............£420 LIQUID ...........................................£99 C6807 Perfect 3⅛" with early check‚ rare ......................................£425
LITESPEED .....................£299 VELOCITY SIZE 2, 3 & 3.5 ..LESS 25% RIVER SALT C6869 Perfect 3⅜" with nickel silver L/G + B/F c1930 ....................£375
WADING JACKET C6990 Perfect 3⅛" D/C/M, agate F/G, B/foot ................................£499
NOW RING FOR THE BEST UK LAMSON PRICE RRP £290.00 AZUL WADER RIO GALLEGOS RIO C7050 Perfect 3⅜" early check, ivorine handle, 4 cusps ................£500
RRP £230.00 WADERS GALLEGOS C8453 Perfect 3⅝" left hand wind reel with line guard inc spool ...£395
WITH ZIP WADERS B8519 Perfect 3⅛” R/H/W with agate guide, incl case...................£395
NE C8710 Perfect 4½" circa 1950s duplicated mech 95% black finish ..£995
NEW 2016 NEW 2016
MK11 FREESTONE G3 GUIDE
NEW 2016
G4 PRO
NEW 2016
GORTEX G4Z
201W6
RRP £499.99 RRP £399.99
B9977 Hardy Perfect 4¼" wide salmon reel with duplicated Mark II
PACKAGE WADER GORTEX check mechanism together with nickel silver line guard and brass
GORTEX WADER N
201EW
incl, MK11 WADER WADER WITH ZIP
Freestone boots RRP FROM RRP FROM RRP FROM WE WILL ENDEAVOUR TO GIVE YOU THE VERY SWEET foot, circa 1930’s. Incl silkline - magnificent example ............. £1995
with felt sole
£349. With stream
£549.99 £699.00 £799.00
BEST HARDY SERVICE AND PRICE GUARANTEED
PACK BAG 6 SEE ACTUAL REEL PAGE 45 JULY 2015 TROUT & SALMON MAG
VEST
thread £369.
NEW G4 PRO,
G3, BULKLEY,
SALE
FREESTONE
- RING FOR THE BEST UK HARDY PRICE MOST
PRICES WE WILL BEAT, OTHERS WE WILL MEET
One size
RRP
£149.99
HARDY ST. GEORGE, UNIQUA,
VISCOUNT AND SUNBEAM FLY REELS
C4314 Uniqua 3⅜" Trout Reel with Brass Foot ..............................£125
MO NTH
DED UCT
15% THI
S
RIFFLE HEAD- MK1 SST WADING C4832 Uniqua 3⅜" Trout Reel with Ribbed Brass Foot...................£125
WATERS 4 LAYER JACKET NEW C6696 Uniqua 3⅜" Reel MKII with Single Check Mech ..................£195
WADING CHEST RRP £370.00 VEST FRONT SLING C6701 Uniqua 3⅜" Reel with Dup MKII Mech 90% Finish ................£250
JKTS WADERS
2016 BAG RRP £69.99 C7260 Uniqua 3⅛" Reel with Dup Mech and Horse Shoe Latch .....£165
RRP NEW HEADWATERS Med & XXL only FOOT TRACKER ULTRALITE C7560 Uniqua 3⅜" Reel with Early Caliper Check + Ivorine Handle.......£395
FROM & DRY CREEK RRP £299 C8387 St George 3⅜" Reel with Agate Line Guard & Brass Foot.....£275
WADING WADING BOOT
£249 PACKS & BAGS SALE £199 HARDY HERITAGE & CLASSIC REELS ... BOOTS Felt or
C8584 St George 3⅜" Reel with Line Guard incl case .....................£295
PERFECT'S, BOUGLE, LIGHTWEIGHTS & C8708 Hardy Birmingham half ebonite 3¾" reel “rod in hand”......£495
RRP Sticky sole C8852 Sunbeam 7/8# Fly Reel incl case.................................................£110
MARQUIS MODELS AT DISCOUNT PRICES ( £240.00 RRP £150.00 C8854 Sunbeam 8/9# Fly Reel incl case and line .......................................£90
SPECIAL OFFER - CASCAPEDIA III REEL 8/9#
8/9 £375 NOW £187.50 C8855 Sunbeam 8/9# Fly Reel incl case and line .......................................£95
HARDY PERFORMANCE REELS ... 2015 SALE ITEMS BELOW MULTIPLIER, FIXED SPOOL AND CENTRE PIN REELS
G4 BOA RIVERTEK 2 BOA G3 GUIDE FELT RIO GALLEGOS WADERS XL short only £400.00 £249.00 C6292 Hardy Altex No 2 fixed spool reel .......................................£150
WADING BOOTS FELT OR VIBRAM OR VIBRAM FORTUNA, ULTRALITE, SDS, CA, DED UCT
C8189 Mortex of Sheffield 4¼" trotting c/pin reel .........................£100
15% THIS
RRP FROM £249 RRP FROM £189 RRP FROM £199
MA & CLS MODELS AT DISCOUNT PRICES ( SKEENA WADERS Med + XL only £295.00 £190.00 C8300 Hardy Altex No 3 reel incl s/spool.......................................£195
MON TH
S Simm's Headwater Goretex (loden)

Wading jacket. RRP £249.00 OUR
MEDIUM - XXL PRICE £175
RING FOR OUR BEST UK DISCOUNT PRICE!
HARDY
SINTRIX
C8615 Abu Ambassadeur 6500 High Speed Multiplier .....................£90
C8675 AVS Quick TRX 540 fixed spool spinning reel ........................£10
C8720 Abu Ambassadeur 6000C black m/plier incl case of spares ...£80
C8721 Abu Ambassadeur 6000 red m/plier incl case & spares.........£90
A Simm's 2015 Bulkley Goretex Wading

jacket. (black) RRP £299.00 OUR
MEDIUM ONLY PRICE £195
NANO
NEW WRAITH, ZEPHRUS, JET, ZENITH
NEW LOOP NANO CROSS S1 RODS
AT VERY BEST UK PRICES
B8755 Abu 6500CS Pocket Multiplier Boxed....................................£55
C8756 Abu 6001C LHW Black Multiplier Boxed ...............................£65
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L Simm's G3 2015 Wading jacket.

(Black/Olive/Elkhorn) OUR
MEDIUM ONLY RRP £399.00 PRICE £275 & SHADOW PERFORMANCE RODS
BIG DISCOUNT PRICES SALE
OPTI POWER SPEY 13' 9/10# 5pc RRP £579 SALE £434
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LOOP XACT2 SCANDI STYLE ROD SALE
SALMON FLY RODS
B8470 Hardy Fibalite Salmon Flt 12'6" 9#........................................£95
DED UCT
C8514 Loop Adventure 15' 10# 3pc .................................................£85
E Simm's Coldwater Pants

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ALL SIZES PRICE £65 YOU WILL NOT BUY AT LOWER PRICES 'GUARANTEED'
14' 9# 4PC RRP £319.00 NOW £220.00
LOOP CLASSIC REEL RANGE NOW IN STOCK
RING FOR VERY BEST UK PRICE
10% THI S
C8577 Greys X-Flite 14' 9# 4pc Salmon Fly.....................................£150
MO NTH
C8592 Hardy Grey Graphite 16'11# deluxe ....................................£150
C8610 Sage Graphite III 14' 9# incl. tube .......................................£275
D8611 Hardy Deluxe Graphite Salmon Fly 15'4" 10# .....................£115
NEW MODEL RODS - ATOM, NITE, CULT, SIKS, TOOL & GT FOUR ALL AT LOWEST UK C8857 Hardy Graphite Salmon Fly 15ft 4" 10# ............................ £175
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NEW MODEL REELS - RULLA, TANK, HDC, XLA, GT, NITE & KOMA PRICES RING NOW! C8324 Hardy Richard Walker ‘Little Lake’ 9'7# .................................£90
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£139.99 GUMMI FELT SOLE GUMMI SOLE GUMMI SOLE B8624 G Loomis NRX 10'8# Distance 4pc incl. tube .......................£450
VISION FLY REELS
VISION WADER PACKAGES SALE
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MAKO GUMMI HOPPER II
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A8568 Hardy Jet Sintrix 9' 6# 4pc incl tube ...........................................£299
C8644 Greys XF2 9' 6# 4pc incl. tube..........................................................£99
C8645 Greys GR50 9'6" 6# incl. tube..........................................................£99
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IKON VISION RING FOR BEST UK PRICE C8656 Greys GRX 9' 5/6# ...........................................................................£50
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CHEST, WAIST OR HIP
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C8723 Hardy Jet 8'6" 3/4# Glass Trout Rod ...............................................£65
C8731 Sage SP 10' 7# 3pc incl. tube.................................................£199
£169.99 £199.99 £279 5MM VISION IKON ONLY DISCOUNT PRICE - RING
4/5 layer wader fabric increased
C8733 Hardy Sovereign 9'6" 7/8# .................................................£175
C8826 Vision Switch Rod 10'11" 8# 4pc incl tube ..........................£225
INCL FREE INCL FREE NEOPRENE BREATHABLE BOOT breathability and durability B8834 Bruce & Walker Salmon & Sea Trout Deluxe 10'6" 7/9# ......£250
HOPPER HOPPER INCL FREE FOOTED CHEST hypalon reinforced with no A8844 Silver Creek 10' 7/8# silver stream SA 4 piece incl tube............£155
HOPPER CHEST WADERS seam leg cut. C8846 Sage RPL+ 9'6" 7# 2 pc incl tube....................................................£165
FELT SOLE FELT SOLE FELT SOLE ALL SEAMS WADERS WITH Chest stocking foot RRP £199.99 B8847 David Norwich Evolution 9' 5/6# incl tube ...................................£170
BOOTS & BOOTS & TRIPLE SEWN VIBRAM STUDDED OUR PRICE RING NOW. C8848 Hardy Stillwater Graphite 10' 7/8# ...............................................£115
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MAINLAND MAINLAND RRP £259.99 B8856 Guideline LPXE 10' 7# 4pc incl tube ..............................................£250
MAINLAND RRP £149.99 RRP £299.99 OUR PRICE RING NOW. B8839 G Loomis GLX Streamdance 9ft 6" 6# 4pc including tube ............£280
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A8659 Daiwa Vulcan-X 10' spinning rods.........................................£45
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Sizes available are S – XXL in both MON TH
C8845 Daiwa Graphite Salmon spin 10' ...........................................£35
ED short and long legs + king size
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OR CHOOSE GUMMI SOLE HOPPER £39.99 OR SPRINTER GUMMI BOOT £49.99 WITH YOUR HOPPER OR IKON WADERS UK WADER PRICE C8722 Hardy Palakona Perfection 9'6" with interm. whip ..........£185
www.fawcettsonline.com
PROSPECTS commitment such as this can

A BEAT TO TRY THIS SPRING The long-range weather
forecast suggests that we
not only secure the future of
clubs, but prove a highly
will soon be fishing most of rewarding project. Funding for
the river. If conditions stay this has been sourced both
cold then the traditional locally and through Welsh
Devon fished deep will be Government.
the best option, but, as Our apologies must go to
things warm up, other members of the Nevern AA,
spinning baits and the fly because since taking over these
will have a chance. – reports from Moc Morgan we
TOM RIGBY. have accidentally overlooked
the River Nevern, in
SOUTH-WEST Pembrokeshire. Thanks to David
WALES Sweet for his contribution this
month, we will endeavour to
THE DAYS are growing longer, include news each month from
and signs of spring are now now on.
evident, which is music to the David reports that Nevern
ears of local anglers as the new AA permit prices will remain the
River Annan, Cleuchhead season is once again upon us. same as 2015 and are available
Although we are having from Newport post office, The
Cleuchhead, near Brydekirk, offers two miles of excellent fly-fishing for salmon, sea-trout, brown
some wet weather, the constant Castle pub and the Salutation
trout and grayling. As it is located just a couple of miles above the tide, most of the salmon
heavy rain that plagued the Inn, Felindre Farchog.
and sea-trout caught are fresh-run.
winter seems to have subsided, Catch returns show that the
Although the beat is double bank most of it fishes best from the left bank with the
and our rivers and streams have Nevern held up extremely well
exception of the top three pools, which are best reached from the right bank. In low water this bank
returned to something like for its sewin numbers, with
can be reached by wading across the river above Jimmie’s Stream; if the water is too high for this,
normal levels. This has revealed nearly 600 caught in 2015.
there is alternative access by car.
many issues such as uprooted Salmon returns totalled 42, of
Day-tickets for all species including salmon cost £10.
trees, bank erosion and which 38 were returned. With
Contact Tom Carter, FishPal. Tel: 01573 470 612.
obstructions that clubs will catches showing positive signs,
Purchase tickets online at http://www.fishpal.com/Scotland/Annan/Cleuchhead
need to address. It is obvious there is little doubt that the
from a glance that many pools Nevern is one of the few hidden
and previous lies have changed gems in Wales. Information can
which is declared rod catches. “The widespread belief is of fish now taken by the rods due to the relentless high water, be found at www.
“No decisions should be that poor fishing conditions in represents a significant threat and anglers will no doubt need nevernanglingassociation.org.
made on the basis of the 2013 and 2014 and consequent to stocks. The overwhelming to walk the river before planning uk – NATHAN PURSALL
methodology currently being reduced catches are being view (88 per cent) was that the their first trips of the season. and MARK SEDGWICK.
used. It lacks consistency and cynically exploited to drive existing very low level of rod A major cause for concern is
credibility. It is an exercise in through a 100 per cent catch- exploitation was sustainable. the lack of newcomers to the TEES
desk-based model building and-release agenda. This is Just 6.5 per cent of salmon sport – especially youngsters.
made from a series of highly inappropriate behaviour anglers supported the The one club that seems to have I HAVE heard nothing from
guesstimates and questionable from public servants and will be introduction of compulsory bucked the trend is Llanilar AA, salmon anglers on the river. It is
assumptions about how salmon brought to the attention of catch-and-release, while only who have introduced numerous unlikely that many will have had
populations work in the real elected politicians outside 5.5 per cent support a a cast yet after recent poor
world. It has never been subject this current process.” temporary ban on taking fish. seasons. Tees salmon anglers
to serious review or evaluation. As well as questioning these “Seventy-five per cent of are totally frustrated at the lack
“When the system was first dubious pseudo-scientific anglers said that they would no Nevern’s of progress in the recovery of
introduced it was explicitly assessments, anglers are longer fish the river if salmon stocks. Changes are
stated that it should not be used deeply concerned about the compulsory catch-and-release catches needed. Last year’s combined
to determine management
options on its own without
impact 100 per cent catch-and-
release would have.
were introduced. “
If anglers left the river in
showing salmon and sea-trout run
totalled only 367.
reference to fish-counter
evidence, seasonal run
“It is perfectly legitimate for
anglers to take the occasional
numbers this would have a
devastating impact on NRW
positive signs March 22 is the more
significant date, when brown
variations, angling effort, salmon for the table. It poses no and EA salmon rod-licence trout fishing gets under way.
juvenile surveys and economic quantifiable risk to salmon revenue; spending by visiting After another relatively mild
and social impacts, among other stocks in Wales. There has been anglers in rural communities youngsters to the sport in winter, trout may be in
things. This guidance has not no work done by NRW on (B&Bs, garages, camp sites, recent years, and this year will reasonable condition for
been followed by NRW in this assessing the economic and shops, restaurants, pubs etc); have an astonishing five the early weeks.
case. It makes no compensation social impact of imposing 100 access to salmon angling for members representing the The Darlington Fly Fishers’
for reduced catches and low per cent catch-and-release on local people, as clubs would no Welsh youth fly-fishing team, Club may have some vacancies.
exploitation rates in low flow/ unwilling anglers. longer be able to pay rents, and evidence surely that their This well-respected club has
poor fishing years such as 2013 “When angling organisations fishing rights would be lost to project is bearing fruit. some good fishing on the Tees
and 2014. This is despite the have done this (as we have on rich outside private tenants; and This has been achieved by and its tributary the Greta. For
fact that data collected by the the Severn) we have found that there would be fewer people on holding junior fishing fun days, further details visit www.
NRW/EAW over the past two the impact will be massive. In the river to report incidents of casting tuition and fly-dressing darlingtonflyfishers.com
decades shows that correlation. late 2010 and early 2011 we poaching or pollution. classes, and seems to be Northumbrian Water
If the estimated population in surveyed 187 anglers, which We can only hope that the growing in popularity with reservoirs reopened on March
the model was corrected for represented 55 per cent of the powers-that-be at NRW are still excellent feedback from 12 after a large pre-season
reduced exploitation in low- salmon anglers who reported open to rational persuasion so parents. Credit must go to the stocking of 12,000 trout in each
flow years (as it should be) most fishing the Severn on their we can avoid an unnecessary committee for their selfless reservoir. Grassholme,
rivers in Wales would have rod- licence catch returns. confrontation and work work in trying to cement the Scaling Dam and fly-only
exceeded their conservation “Fewer than 12 per cent of together to find a voluntary future of the sport in our area. It Hury should fish well from the
limit in 2013 and 2014. anglers believe that the number solution acceptable to all sides. is a true example of how a small off – obviously subject to

weather conditions. Lures will Bywell has been by far the Llangadog AA has had its effects these would have on is the chance of sport during the
be the mainstay of early sport, most productive beat during AGM and has made no rule migratory fish such as salmon day with odd sea-trout and
fished slowly, although February and early March, changes for the 2016 season, and sea-trout. There are also salmon in the lower reaches.
traditional flies such as Bibio, totalling ten salmon to date. A although it no longer rents the worries about increased access By the time May arrives
Black Pennell, Zulu, Black and 10 lb salmon was caught by J. fishing rights on the steep-sided to rivers by canoeists and what there is a realistic chance of
Peacock Spider and Kate Lane on a Tyne Toucan. A. bank of the Crewil pool. legislation may take place in the catching sea-trout and
McLaren are all very popular, McDiarmid caught one of 11 lb Abergwili AC has retained all Welsh Assembly. A consultation occasional salmon in
too. These patterns are popular on a Willie Gunn, and Mark the waters it had last year, document sent to members of the middle reaches.
as bob-fly and dropper on a Hewitson-Brown had one of the including Bryntywi (Fosters) and the Usk Local Fisheries Group Members of the Wear
three-fly cast. The lure on the same weight. Richard Hutcheon has one additional new stretch regarding salmon and sea-trout Anglers’ Association are
point takes these offerings landed one of 13 lb on a Willie – Dan Yr Allt, Nantaredig. fishing bylaws has also raised concerned about the signal
down and trout will often take Gunn. A further salmon of 12 lb Details can be found on the concerns about what changes crayfish invasion. If these
the dropper or bob late was caught on March 9. By far club’s website. New members may occur in 2017. Full-scale creatures are allowed to
in the retrieve. the most productive area was are welcome. catch-and-release is generally colonise the river and its
The wild reservoirs at Cow below the Fish Pass. Cross Hands AA has rented a regarded as a step too far, but if tributaries, they will have a
Green, Balderhead and A 12 lb salmon was caught new stretch of water at stocks continue to decrease this devastating effect on fish
Selset also offer some on the Styford beat in late Llangadog. Cymdeithas Pysgota may be necessary. However, stocks. – DAVID CARRICK.
wonderful sport with wild February. Llandeilo AA permit-holders changes to the current bylaws
brown trout and they The Willie Gunn has proved should have had their tickets to make catching salmon more WESSEX
open on March 22. – to be the most effective fly so and club newsletter by now. difficult are almost certain. The WATERS
DAVID CARRICK. far this season. It has been a abolition of bait-fishing for
“go to” fly on the Tyne for salmon, the length of season, YOU HAVE to hand it to the
TILL many years.
Tywi clubs barbless hooks and the number anglers in Dorset – they’re
Down at Wylam, Graham of hooks are all on the agenda. never afraid of tackling a
I HAVE had no reports of early
sea-trout or salmon catches.
Heaney caught his first of the
season – an absolute cracker in
welcome PROSPECTS
problem, whatever its size.
Recently, they decided that the
Usually April and May see the
best of the early sport. River
the 20 lb class on spinner.
Another superb fish in the
new members For salmon fishing single,
barbless hooks are strongly
lack of salmon in the upper
Frome needed fixing. In fact
levels over the past month have 20 lb class was lost at the net this season recommended for easy there was very little evidence of
been pretty favourable. on Tyneside Anglers’ Syndicate release during the period of salmon using the upper
February proved to be more water at Stanley Burn, Wylam fly-only and compulsory catchment at all. But if that area
settled than the very wet on the same morning. release. For trout try Ginger might not have had salmon for
January, which saw much of the Figures through the fish-pass Golden Grove and Abercothi Quill, Blue Dun and Light hundreds of years, how would
low-lying Till valley flooded. in February showed only an odd will be holding numerous Olive. Fishing later in the returning salmon ever colonise
The favourable early March one once again, giving anglers casting clinics and sea-trout day with Evening Dun, Alder it? So now, in what they say is a
conditions may well have fishing prime areas between courses throughout the year. and Pheasant Tail may also first for the UK, they’re going to
brought in runs of fish Riding Mill and Hexham little More than 1,500 sea-trout were produce results. A blue box transfer salmon parr upstream
too late for this report. chance of an early spring fish. caught on both estates last has been placed on the in the hope it will attract adult
The Flodden Syndicate may Northumbrian Water’s year, and anglers are hoping for counter at Sweet’s Tackle salmon to the unused area and
have a few vacancies for this Derwent Reservoir and another good season. Shop for fishing stories. thus help create a natural and
season. This beat offers good Kielder Water both open on Over on the Loughor there Deliveries may be made in self-sustaining population.
daytime and some fine night March 12. Both reservoirs has been a lot of bank erosion person, by post or through It was the idea of Charles
spots for the sea-trout. Salmon received a pre-season stocking on the Pontarddulais & District the letterbox. Sorry – no Dutton from the local fishing
are also caught and the contact of 12,000 rainbow trout with AA waters. This means that e-mails allowed! – association. He explained,
number is 01668 216 223. sport likely to be excellent work on access and new stiles JEAN WILLIAMS. “Once salmon populations are
Anglers new to the river provided the weather is kind. – needs to be done. – ALEX established in the upper
should make themselves DAVID CARRICK. YOUNG, JAMIE HARRIES WEAR catchment, the fish that mature
familiar with the revised Tweed and ALED DAVIES. and smolt from that area are
angling codes and guidance TYWI ACCORDING TO the likely to return to it, and
with regard to methods and USK Environment Agency fish- therefore no further
restrictions. Log on to www. BY THE time you read this the counts for January, 33 fish intervention would be required.”
fishtweed.co.uk or visit www. season will be open, and many BOTH THE trout and salmon moved through at That’s according to the science
rtc.org.uk for further details. – of you will have made your first seasons opened on March 3 to Framwellgate. from the Game and Wildlife
DAVID CARRICK. casts. However, we have be greeted by rain, wind, sleet By the time this report is read Conservancy Trust (GWCT) and
some brief bits of information and even snow at the upper more migratory fish should be Prof Ken Whelan, former head
TYNE from some clubs. end of the Usk valley. moving into the Wear and there of the Irish Fisheries Research
Clwb Godre’r Mynydd Du has A few anglers ventured out
FEBRUARY WAS ruined by vacancies at present. Full in the first week, but I have not
persistent high water that membership costs £50 with heard of any catches yet.
seldom dropped below two feet concessions for OAPs and Indeed hatches of fly have
above summer level and with juniors. The club no longer has been minimal.
considerable extra water from the Wenallt beat, but still has The nearby Wentwood
Kielder releases conditions two rods on the Pipe pool. Reservoir is currently closed for
were not exactly conducive to Contact Emyr Jenkins at fishing due to engineering work.
good fishing. The odd brief [email protected] The water level is right down to
opportunity did occur and Carmarthen & District AA below normal summer heights.
some anglers took ticket prices are: adult season It is not known when the
advantage of these. £75, OAP and young adult £35, reservoir will reopen.
Bywell rods had some under 16s free if accompanied The annual meeting of the
lovely fish. G. Gannam landed a by an adult. A weekly permit Usk Fishing Association
15 lb salmon at Fish Pass on a costs £80, and 24 hours £30. reflected a period of uncertainty
yellow Pot-bellied Pig. John Tickets can be bought at West with concerns as to whether
Gross had a 14-pounder in Wales Tackle, Carmarthen, and tidal lagoons will be built in the orvis.co.uk
Millers on a Willie Gunn. Mr E. Davies, Llanddarog. Severn Estuary and what

F I SH I NG R E P ORTS Scotland
Department. The project will be silt run-off on to the redds. considerable number of fish
officially launched at the fishery “The EA has stated that were never recorded in official
association’s AGM on April 22. significant amounts of silt (PSI catch returns for one
Thanks to efforts by local level of 50 per cent) is now the reason or another.
anglers a series of obstructions ‘expected level’ in our There has been considerable
preventing salmon reaching the chalkstreams (some of our sites gravel movement and erosion in
upper catchment have been on the Avon haven’t yet got some areas and we have no
removed in recent years. As anywhere near that level). idea how many fish spawned in
Charles Dutton explained, “There is a massive decline the main stem or the major
“Research by GWCT has of fly-life, particularly the blue- tributaries. Very few dead fish
demonstrated that juvenile winged olive, due to silt have been found, as always
salmon survival rates are displacing overwintering eggs. used to be the case, and no
significantly better in the upper This species is highly sensitive doubt most kelts have already
catchment where there’s less to siltation. At the moment made it back to sea.
siltation and possibly less we’re fighting a losing battle.” Goosanders are visible in
predation. There’s now more – GRAHAM MOLE. many areas; I am told that up to
spawning and juvenile habitat 40 birds were seen in one flock
available to salmon in the Frome WYE in the Hereford City area in
catchment than any time in recent weeks. As usual,
living memory.” WITH FIVE days of the new restrictions on any real
Meanwhile, the EA’s Heb season behind us as I write, reduction in numbers are
Leman has been Googling the there have been no reports of draconian and fail to address
companies that advertise springers landed, though a what is a real problem.
fishing on the Test and Itchen. possibly new fish was lost Trout fishing has been very
Both, of course, are SSIs, with on the lower river. slow off the mark and things
the Itchen a notch even higher In truth conditions are now need to warm up considerably.
as an SAC. But, Heb’s found, becoming much better after the Fish should be in good condition
there was only one mention that opening days were dogged by and hopefully respond when fly
a fishery was an SSI and that high, coloured water chilled by a hatches get going.
was on the Itchen. His question: little snowmelt.
“How can we expect rods to There should be fish in the
engage with the importance of river right up to Builth Wells by
FREDERICK H. E. the SSSI when those selling or now, although it could be that Wye opening
BULLER, MBE owning the fishing never many of the very early running
dogged by
1926 - 2016
mention it? There’s lots of talk fish are no more or perhaps just
of tradition, history, Halford, running later. There has been a
FRED BULLER’S colossal contribution to angling Skues, waxing lyrical about this small increase in Wye springers
high, coloured
extends well beyond his widely acclaimed The Domesday and that but not a mention of
their designated status. If this
of late, but bear in mind this
component of the run was a
water
Book of Giant Salmon . The result of more than 40 years of
research and investigation, delving back through history were New Zealand or the major contributor to the Wye’s
and across the globe, this vast tome records salmon of States they’d be saying ‘it’s so total in the past – a position
50 lb or more and is both a fitting tribute to what many special it’s been designated’.” now occupied by the 2SW fish The salmon beat at Letton,
class as the king of fish, and a hugely significant He adds, “Every hut should have for the past few decades. The opposite the Red Lion fishing, is
and valuable resource. an information SSSI species list days of 1,000 fish before the under new management with,
But Fred wrote books just as widely acclaimed by the showing the local species and end of March are now but a so far as I can ascertain, no
coarse-fishing community, including Pike, often cited as its habitat. This would educate memory and is one of the news as to how, or if, the beat
the foundation of modern pike angling,and rods and hopefully engage them reasons why the middle river will be available this year to day
The Domesday Book of Mammoth Pike. with their surroundings and now performs pretty poorly. It or season rods. Plenty of day
Fred’s last book, volume two of The Domesday Book of move away from the ‘neat and obviously takes a huge number rods are available through the
Giant Salmon, is soon to be followed by tidy’ gardening that is presently of fish to stock the river from Wye and Usk Foundation.
a third volume. Fred provided the foreword to this new how our rivers are managed.” top to bottom and the springers Please keep a lookout for
edition, as David Hatwell, who assisted with both previous Meanwhile, if ever we’re in were the main component of fin-clipped fish as there are sure
editions, takes on Fred’s request that he continue need of a wake-up call we middle beats up to May to be some and, if possible,
researching huge Atlantic salmon and produce should heed this warning from or early June. take a quick photo.
the third volume. Dr Cyril Bennett, the Salisbury Expectations are high among Late report: The river has
Fred’s massive involvement in the tackle trade began club’s guru of invertebrate some this year, but we need to again gone into spate as I write
when he opened Chubbs of Edgware in 1947. His part in sampling. He writes: “Professor at least maintain the current rod this (March 9) and is very
the development of carbon-fibre rods was notable, along Penny Johns at Bristol catch to remain optimistic that heavily coloured, so anglers will
with other innovations in tackle, often the result of University has said catches will improve continue to be frustrated for a
collaborating with many of the other luminaries of the ‘Intensive farming, with further. The river has always few days. – GEOFF FRANKS.
time. Together, through the application of science and agricultural run-off (containing been subject to big fluctuations
logic, by providing practical solutions, born out of sediments, nutrients, herbicides in catches – not always
experience, experimentation and a thoroughness for detail
bordering on the obsessive, they redefined angling.
and pesticides) is now the single
largest polluter of our rivers and
weather dependent, either. A
wet year often gives a higher
Scotland
Not only a scholar of the highest order, Fred was also a if we don’t address this problem return as all available fish can ABERDEENSHIRE
true gentleman, a sportsman and a skilled all-round angler. soon the consequences for our
water resources are going to be
run the river and populate all the
beats. This is not always the
DEE
Hooked from childhood, Fred’s 80 years dedicated to
angling leaves us and future generations with huge, and will get worse.’ case, however, and sometimes I BEGIN WITH with an apology
the richest of legacies. “The Game & Wildlife the fish are just not there. for a glaring omission in my last
Conservation Trust says the Catches are better monitored report – and a very impressive
ROBERT MARSTON WALKER survival rate of the unique now than they have ever been fish caught on Feb 4. Ian Ross,
genetic strain of salmon in the and are a better reflection of visiting from the Tweed with
Frome and Avon is down to fish numbers in the river. It’s two Bemersyde gillies, was
about two per cent due to true to say that in the past a rewarded with a cracking 25 lb

fish taken from Middle
Blackhall’s Malt Steep pool.
A FLY TO TRY THIS MONTH Fingers crossed this won’t all
come down in one large melt
ANNAN
The fish measured 40 inches and put the river in flood. THE FIRST salmon of the season
and was all the more impressive February ended with three was caught in Kingswell pool
for being caught on a borrowed confirmed spring fish landed – at Newbie by local Iain
rod with which Mr Ross hadn’t the same total as last year. Graham. It took a black-and-red
even had time to become Eddie Bisset got Grandhome Devon and weighed 14 lb.
acquainted. Gillie Davie Gibbon Estate’s first of the season, He lost another fish
described the fish to me as landing a plump 6 lb sea-liced 30 minutes earlier.
“solid” and suggested that it fish on a Devon minnow. Charlie There is a meeting of the
had probably been in the river Robertson had Manar’s first – fisheries improvement
since around Christmas/New a sea-liced eight-pounder on a association planned for April. It
Year. The fish was only one of Black-and-yellow tube – and the is to discuss whether
four the beat took in February, other fish, another eight- it might be appropriate to
which surely makes it even pounder, fell to Mike Thornton, take action in response to the
more noteworthy. fishing near Inverurie. crazy government’s policy
While the first full week of Into March catches resulting in the Annan
the season saw 73 salmon increased: the ADAA waters at being graded category 3,
reported to the FishDee website Parkhill began landing a few and thus a 100 per cent catch-
– spread between Middle
Drum in the lower river and Orange Flashy Willie Gunn sea-liced fish and one was
reported from their Netherdon
and-release policy being
imposed, which to nearly
Dinnet in the upper – the Thread Black Body Orange holographic tinsel Rib Black wire stretch. Beats in the Inverurie everyone seems
following week saw this total Wing A mix of orange, yellow and black bucktail with strands of area also landed another five completely unnecessary. –
drop to 54, and most catches Nasty Rusty SS Angel Hair Cheeks Jungle cock Head Red varnish over the first week – all from ANTHONY STEEL.
were concentrated in the middle 6 lb-9 lb. There has been
river. Beats around Kincardine o’ nothing reported BEAULY
Neil fared best – Ballogie, catches almost double – and suggest that May will bring caught from above here.
Kincardine and Dess become rather more widely bumper catches – as Throughout February and THE RIVER was in flood for most
accounting for 14, ten and ten spread. The 65 fish, including a historically it has – and I into March brown trout – some of the winter. However, by mid
respectively. Ballogie, Carlogie 21-pounder from Ballogie, were have no reason to believe in the 2 lb-3 lb class – have been March, around the time one
and Dess all produced caught between Lower this year will be any unintentionally hooked by might reasonably expect the
18-pounders. The farthest Crathes & Durris and different. The days will be salmon anglers. This bodes well first fish, it was very low indeed
upstream a fish was caught was Monaltrie & Lower longer and, fingers crossed, for the trout season, which with little prospect of rain.
Headinch & Cambus o’ May Invercauld. Ballogie’s 13 fish warmer. Fish will have starts on a few beats in mid Despite the bare-bones
but readers should bear in mind made it the most successful forged farther and farther March. Early season dry-fly conditions, the first salmon of
that many beats in the upper beat again. I have no doubt upstream to reward the sport can be fantastic the year was caught on March
river have yet to begin any real these improved catches have efforts of fishers on the throughout the river, last year 15 – 7 lb (liced) to
fishing effort – no doubt much to do with water that is upper river. The lower seeing large dark olive hatches Gordon Max Muller in the Ferry
their time will come. warming up a bit. As I write, beats, which have been daily around midday and on a size 4 Sheila.
Catches during the following however (March 12) we’ve had faced with a very atypical continuing into early afternoon. The first tenants on the
week remained quite steady three successive nights of hard dearth of fish in recent While out walking the Lower lower Beauly are due on April 4.
with 54 fish – and middle beats frost. Doubtless these will have weeks, should have their Parkhill stretch of river I came The Fishery Board is
continued to do best. Ballogie served to slow the snowmelt, patience rewarded, too. I across a number of freshwater “extremely concerned”
accounted for 14 fish and Dess which has kept the river high. will be on the river for a pearl mussels that had been that the river has been given a
ten, including the week’s We have also enjoyed almost a week with every hope of washed up on the bank after the Category 3 grading
biggest – a cracking 20 lb fish. week of sunny and warm days – being able to report plenty massive flood early this year. (100 per cent catch-and-release)
The week – rather surprisingly – the frost is a small price of success for my guests. – Most were opened or broken-up by Marine Scotland and
saw the first sea-trout reported to pay for these. POLMONIER. halves of shells, and had taken has questioned the
to the website – a two-pounder Most of the fishers to whom many years to grow. I knew a basis upon which this decision
from Borrowston beat. The I’ve spoken have been singing ABERDEENSHIRE small population existed on the has been reached,
week also produced a couple of the praises of varieties of black- DON Don but to find about 50 in a particularly the use of catch
first salmon, or first Dee and-yellow flies – always a short section is unusual. statistics with apparently little
salmon. Martin Allday’s first popular combination on AFTER THE opening week of the Please contact me at regard for long-term
salmon was, also, Invery beat’s Deeside. salmon season angling effort [email protected] fish-pass count data. –
first for the season – a 10 lb hen The fact that the bulk of the dropped away to only a handful with any news. – ANDREW
that will live long in the memoy fish this season have been of individuals. Although we had MARTIN WEBSTER. GRAHAM-STEWART.
of Mr Allday and his friends, caught in the river’s middle some raw, bitterly cold days
who were anxious that he reaches has given rise to with easterly winds many beats
should break his duck. Craig speculation that these might be remained lightly fished even
Fleming caught his long- fish that were planted out from when conditions were more
awaited first February salmon the Middle Dee Project and favourable.
at Carlogie and Graham Paul, Dess hatcheries – neither of River levels fell gradually as
fishing the charming which is operational now! the month progressed and the
Commonty beat, caught his My customary “nature note” water ran gin clear. Water
first Dee salmon – a 12-pounder from Ian Murray advises that temperatures fluctuated from
– and proceeded to land aconites and snowdrops were 36-38 deg F, which is average
another two later in the day. out before opening day this year for the time of year. A slight
As February drew to a close, – very early for the Ballater thaw on March 1 gave us an
catches fell back to 33. The area. eight-inch rise, which benefited
aforementioned Commonty all. A good layer of snow then
emerged as top beat with eight PROSPECTS fell on the 3rd and the 7th, and
and the week’s biggest, 17 lb, Predicting fishing is, I think, although it melted nearer the
came off Dess. like moving water using a coast, the top of the catchment orvis.co.uk
Thankfully, March saw fork! It should be easy to is still holding a few feet.

BORGIE were more dog-walkers and when compared to the number already hard pressed to fund the Our second fish, 16 lb, came
birdwatchers on the banks than killed by frequent discharges of higher costs involved in looking off Upper Netherdale on
FOLLOWING THE first salmon of anglers. In fact, the best catch raw sewage in Glasgow. Thanks after the salmon. Caution is March 8 and fell to F. Watt. As I
the season on February 8, the fell to one of the wardens who to poor fishing conditions last being advocated by anglers, but write (March 10) levels are
river was hardly fished (perhaps had time on his hands and an summer and autumn, catches there seems to be a desire to again up after melting snow.
half an hour per day by one rod) empty river all to himself. were relatively poor but the impose new demands by the This should distribute fish
in the next five weeks. He managed to find a few spawning grounds were filled to time the new Scottish through the system and with
On March 14 this fleeting grayling willing to take a nymph. capacity with salmon. Government is voted in. more settled and milder
approach paid off with a The best weighed just over 1 lb If a significant number of weather forecast prospects
brace (8 lb and 10 lb, neither but even the smaller fish made Clyde anglers go elsewhere, the PROSPECTS look good for the rest of March.
sea-liced) landed. the effort worthwhile. In the reduction in angling effort will Trout were rising freely in The Deveron, Bogie and Isla
The first tenants were due on first few days of March, the fish result in poorer catch returns, March, and by May they Rivers Trust is still running the
March 21. – ANDREW were in tip-top condition, giving the impression that the should be feeding on the scheme sponsored by Chivas in
GRAHAM-STEWART. giving the impression that Clyde is indeed in decline. As abundant fly-life. which you receive a bottle of
spawning was the last thing one member of the Association Greenwell’s Glory, Black Chivas Regal if you return a
CARRON on their minds. said, it is not the number of fish Spider, March Brown, salmon up to the end of May.
On waters looked after by being caught that demonstrates Harelug nymph and Dark The trout season will be
CONDITIONS IN the four weeks the United Clyde Angling the health of a river, it is the Olive should all be open in another week and with
after the first fish of the season Protective Association, salmon number of fish reaching the accepted. – excellent trout in the river, and
on Feb 17 were far from optimal. anglers were unable to gravel beds that should be TOM McGREGOR. fish between 2 lb and 5 lb
Generally there was too much purchase a permit. Everything assessed. This is where the regularly caught, anglers could
water (it has been a dismally had been put on hold because good science ought to come in. CREE AND switch to these if they feel
wet late-winter period), often the conditions that came with The next stage of the Wild BLADNOCH despondent about
fluctuating wildly. As I write on the lease renewal, from the Fisheries Reform is coming hard salmon fishing.
March 13 the second springer of Crown Assets’ representative, on the heels of the farce that NEWTON STEWART Angling Availability for trout and
the year is still awaited. were so outlandish that there has already affected several Association opened the new salmon fishing is plentiful and a
The forecast for the next was no alternative other rivers. This will see the season on March 1 and call to Turriff Tackle on
week or so is dry, so before long than to refuse to sign. formation of the fishery celebrated their 70th 01888 562 428 will see you
the issue is likely to be lack of Eventually, a compromise management organisations, anniversary at the Belted fixed up. – F. R. H.
water! There is very little snow was reached. The permits were which should have been making Galloway Visitor Centre.
in the high hills to melt. – obtained from the printer and the important decisions locally. Although the Cree was running DOON
ANDREW went on sale three months later It has still not been decided how at 8 ft and unfishable, a toast to
GRAHAM-STEWART. than they should have done. No many of these the country the river was made, and the IN MY opinion the Doon should
such compromise has been needs. It has still not been Association’s oldest member, never have been given category
CASSLEY reached with the unelected assessed how much they will Avon McKeand, cast the first 1 status, and I am sure that
bureaucrats who are acting on cost. It has still not been agreed line of the season. when the 2015 catch returns
UP TO March 12 there was still behalf of the Scottish who should pay for them, The big flood on the Cree at become available it will be
nothing to report. Water levels Government. The Wild Fisheries especially on those rivers where the end of December caused a reclassified in a year’s time.
have been reasonable but the Reform has been making there has never been a salmon huge shift of gravel into the The bailiffs were out
pools have only been decisions without the use of the fishery board. lower part of Linloskin pool, and regularly, attempting to collect
occasionally and “good science” which it was With all species supposedly completely destroyed the broodstock for the hatchery, but
intermittently covered. promised would direct all being looked at, it is clear that fishing platform. Linloskin beat even after being granted an
The first tenants were due on recommendations. the Central Belt plays host to proprietor Jamie Hyslop has extension to our stripping
March 14. – ANDREW Despite steadily improving many more different species recently removed the concrete- licence until the end of January,
GRAHAM-STEWART. catches over the past 30 years, than the rest of Scotland put and-steel remains from the pool we ended up with just three hen
the entire Clyde has been together. To manage rivers, and hopes to replace it soon. fish. I am regularly on the river,
CLYDE labelled as declining and lochs, and even ponds, Although good numbers of and just like last year, I’ve yet to
compulsory catch-and-release effectively for these mainly rods have been out on both Cree see a kelt thrashing about in
THERE HAS been relatively little has been imposed. The number alien species will be an and Bladnoch, only kelts have Burnpool at Holms.
happening on the Clyde. Bailiffs of salmon actually killed by enormous drain on the been caught so far. At the time Tight lines lines to all Doon
and river wardens said there anglers on the Clyde is trivial resources of those who are of writing (March 11) there anglers for 2016, and let’s all
appears little prospect of heavy ignore the Government
rain for at least a week. categorisation and return all
However, since temperatures fish caught. Anglers are the
Altnaharra Hotel are gradually rising, a few

spring fish should begin to
appear in the lower beats very
best judges of stocks – not the
politicians and their so-called
expert advisers. – C. v H.
Sutherland, Scotland IV27 4UF soon. – D. A. B.
PROVIDING HIGHLAND FISHING BREAKS SINCE 1820 FINDHORN
DEVERON
2016 OFFERS OUR FIRST fish, an eight-
THE FORRES AA waters were
lightly fished during the first
FISHING PACKAGES pounder caught on fly by month of the season. The
3 day packages including full board, J. Donald, came off the Wrack weather – cold and often wet –
boat hire and fishing on Feb 16. Conditions remained was hardly encouraging. Those
from £320 per person. excellent for the next few who did venture out
HIGHLAND TWEED weeks but angling pressure encountered fair numbers of
For every 3 days fishing break taken at was virtually nil. kelts. The water level fluctuated
The Altnaharra, hotel guests will be offered one March arrived, and so did wildly – not the most propitious
free day of Autumn fishing on Haystoun Beat, winter. Snow has put in an conditions for holding spring
River Tweed (subject to availability – appearance once if not twice a fish in the lower river.
see www.tweedbeats.co.uk)
week but has not stayed around The club’s first salmon of the
long and river levels have season (around 7 lb) was
www.altnaharra.com • Tel: 01549 411 222 been mixed. returned in the week of March 7

Avon gorge we discovered an whole of Central Scotland and
abundance of shrimp; we also is well worth a cast or two.
A BEAT TO TRY THIS SPRING found large dark olives and New members will be
March brown nymphs. The made very welcome. –
second site at Westfield was FORTH FISHERIES TEAM.
more interesting where we
found a large stonefly nymph GIRVAN
and lots of March browns plus
caddis larvae, cased caddis and HEAVY RAIN persisted
uncased caddis. The river looks throughout February and into
in good shape for the season. March, with some very high
Permits are available at water recorded. The damage to
Livelines Tackle in Armadale, banks is significant and the
for the season beginning siltation from the erosion will
on March 15. cause problems for fry
On the Allan Water anglers production and egg survival
are looking forward to the early along the whole Girvan system.
sea-trout run which, if we get I have seen major changes to
water, should arrive in the next pools in the middle reaches.
week or two. There are one or Time will tell if these have a
two reports of sea-trout already positive or negative impact.
being seen in the Forth. The Some anglers were on the river
trout fishing has been improving in the opening days of the
and the brownies are always season but there are no reports
worth fishing for during the of fresh fish or kelts landed.
early months, particularly if we After two poor fishing seasons
get some good hatches of flies. in succession, we can only hope
River Tay, Dunkeld House A number of anglers have for an improvement this year.
Dunkeld House Fishings is one of the most scenic beats on the middle Tay. Situated immediately expressed real concern that The weather will be the major
above Dunkeld’s Old Tay Bridge, the beat boasts 14 named pools, with fishing available on both there is now a total ban on factor, as it was in 2014 and
banks. Water conditions permitting, two boats and two gillies work the beat. killing salmon on the Allan and 2015. After four months of
Day-tickets for salmon cost from £70. have said they no longer wish to constant rain until the end of
Contact Tom Carter, FishPal. Tel: 01573 470 612. fish the river in favour of fishing February, there is little in the
Purchase tickets online at http://www.fishpal.com/Scotland/Tay/DunkeldHouse/?dom=Pal on the Forth or elsewhere. long-range forecast. This is a
Some anglers feel very strongly similar pattern to last year,
about this but they should be when we had long dry spells
aware that there are also likely until the end of October.
in the Suspension pool. This and I am pleased to announce have reported five fish caught at to be conditions and restrictions Dailly Angling Club is seeking
should inspire a few more that our local owner, David Callander to date. At on rivers where Grade 1 status new members for this season
members to cover the pools, Martin, caught the first fish of Cambusmore water levels and applies and they may still not be and anyone interested should
particularly given that the season in the Long pool on temperatures fluctuated able to take all the fish they contact Peter Connolly on 01465
(as I write on March 13) the air Feb 23. It was a fresh 9 lb hen throughout February and would like. The Allan Water 811 578. – DALMAKERRAN.
temperature is up to a balmy fish and returned safely. 2012 doubtless fresh fish moved Angling Improvement
15 deg C. In addition, at least was a record season for the through the beats. One of those Association offers some 15 HALLADALE
two fish have now been landed Forss so I am hopeful that 2016 that did pause long enough to be miles of excellent trout, sea-
on the beats above. will be a good year, weather tempted was caught in the Hut trout, and salmon fishing, most THE HALLADALE remained
There is concern at Forres permitting. Since opening day pool on beat 2 and was of which is double bank, and blank up to March 12 but hardly
AA committee level that many the weather has not been kind, estimated to weigh around daily/weekly/season permits a line was being cast.
members have thus far failed to 20 lb. An early sea-trout has are readily available and Surprisingly during April
renew their permits, perhaps also been recorded from beat 4. permits can now be purchased (approaching prime time on
because they are waiting until Two early salmon of around 8 lb online. Full details of the some neighbouring systems) the
April 1, the end of the statutory 2012’s record and 22 lb have also been Association and the fishing river plays host to just the
“no kill” period. This matter will caught on the Leny. offered can be found at www. occasional tenant. It is only fully
be on the agenda for the April season The River Carron opens on allanwaterangling.com. The booked from May 7.
committee meeting. –
ANDREW
bodes well March 15, and the first stocking
of triploid brown trout from
Allan remains the prime small
river fishery throughout the
Willie Grant was pleased to
report that his system for
GRAHAM-STEWART. for Forss Howietoun Hatchery will have
been released to ensure some
FORSS early sport. The river normally
comes to life in late April when
AS USUAL our river opening with cold winds, rain, sleet and the flies begin to hatch in
took place on Feb 11. The snow but hopefully we shall numbers. At the moment (early
weather was fine and there was have more fish in the book prior March) the river is looking good,
an excellent turnout of some 30 to my next report. – running clear, and at a nice level.
anglers and guests. The toast MICHAEL WYCHERLEY. Our 100 per cent catch-and-
was made by Michael Miller of release policy for salmon, now a
the Old Pulteney Distillery (our FORTH Scottish Government law, is
sponsor) in Wick, which was being well publicised on
followed by the first cast ALL PARTS of the Forth District, permits, notices and
of the new season by with the exception of those in local media.
Mrs Sarah Anderson. fisheries within the Teith SAC, On the Avon pre-season
The timeshare ownership are mandatory catch-and- walks and inspections have
starts in earnest on March 28 so release for salmon. included invertebrate sampling
the earlier weeks are being let On the Teith Stirling Council on beat 2. At the first site at

slowing down egg development NAIRN to assist with estimating smolt NESS fish reported this season.
was paying dividends. runs; this should give a more The first day of March saw
As of March 12 the eggs ON MARCH 5 Nairn AA’s accurate assessment of IT IS highly unusual for the main another big rise in water – over
in the hatchery were just opening ceremony was held at migrating smolt numbers than stem of the River Ness to get off 6 ft at SEPA’s Drumlanrig gauge
starting to hatch – Jubilee Bridge, and club relying on other juvenile the mark before the upper – but since then the river has
some two weeks later than members met and discussed the sampling methods, notably tributaries, but on February 16 dropped away and settled down
some northern rivers. Fry are state of the river and prospects electro-fishing. at Ness Side Paul King landed to become ideal for grayling
likely to be planted out in mid for the forthcoming season Nairn AA has been able to a 9 lb sea-liced salmon. fishing. In fact it has been a
April. – ANDREW before dispersing, some to a extend its fishings slightly by Upstream, Dochfour’s first bumper few weeks with good
GRAHAM-STEWART. warm fireside, others to stand leasing the stretch from Clava of the season was recorded on grayling being caught in
for hours in a freezing river. Only Bridge to the viaduct, left bank March 3 – 10 lb (liced) to Iain numbers, especially in the
HELMSDALE the odd kelt was caught. only. Though short, this stretch Hall in the Weir. middle reaches.
On the 8th, however, having has several pools and some With frequent frosts the Friars Carse has provided
BY EARLY March the total for spent the previous day clearing very nice fly water. water temperature in the River good sport, all parties catching
the river to date was four – part of the left bank to make a At the time of writing (March Moriston remained low; grayling, many around 2 lb with
hardly setting the heather pool fishable at Rosefield, 14) snowmelt has produced a consequently fish were the biggest at 2 lb 8 oz. Ian
alight. For the most part Gordon Rennie returned and his spate of around 1 m on the reluctant or slow to enter the Griffin took a grayling of 21
the weather had been fly was taken by a springer first Firhall gauge, and it is to be river from the loch. Fishing inches on a Gold Willie Gunn
open and very wet with cast. The fish jumped once on hoped that this will induce more effort in the Moriston up to the while fishing for salmon. He
fluctuating water levels the way down the pool, and fish to run. – ANDREW time of writing (March 14) has
(often 2 ft and above) and the again on the way back up, before GRAHAM-STEWART. been fairly light. The first
occasional hard frost making three strong runs salmon of the season was
(down to minus 10 deg C). downstream which had to be NAVER landed on February 22 – 10 lb to Early Nith
Catches picked up turned, for it was not possible to John McIsaac on a Devon. John
significantly in the week of follow due to a clump of trees on AS WAS the case in 2015, the Boyd had the second on March sea-trout fall
March 7 with at least
six landed; the water level was
the near bank. After a spirited
20-minute fight a pin-bright 18 lb
Naver has started better than
any other far north river. Up to
12 – 11 lb in the Graveyard.
Perhaps benefiting from the
to grayling
more settled (hovering around
1 ft) and by the Saturday the
salmon was netted. The lip-
hooked fish was quickly
March 5 some dozen spring
salmon had been landed. The
tardiness to enter the river, the
Glenmoriston Estate boats on
anglers
weather was positively photographed and released total for 2015 has now been Loch Ness enjoyed
springlike. without being taken confirmed as 1,935. This considerable success, returning
Eggs in the hatchery out of the water. amounts to a 52 per cent 14 salmon for the season to reported seeing salmon and
were all hatched by Prospects for more captures increase on 2014 and is some March 12 with the heaviest at suggested a couple may have
early March. The cold snap in are good as the bailiff has seen 450 fish above the ten-year 18 lb (Billy Neil) and 16 lb (Angus been fresh but it is impossible
February helped prevent any fish of a similar calibre running. average. Last season was the Mackenzie). Robert Ralston to say until they are landed.
premature development. Fry The Nairn District Salmon most prolific for rods for 35 enjoyed a red-letter day Trevor Shreeve, however, did
should be planted out in the Fishery Board met on March 7 years. The spring total was 90 (March 12) with three – manage a fresh fish – a sea-
second week of April. – and discussed conservation per cent up on 2014. – 8 lb, 8 lb and 10 lb. trout of about 1 lb, hooked while
ANDREW strategy. A decision was made ANDREW To the south-west of the fly-fishing for grayling.
GRAHAM-STEWART. to purchase a rotary screw trap GRAHAM-STEWART. system, Peter Thomas landed a A party of anglers from the
10 lb salmon on Feb 26 in the Crownkingfishers landed 34
Estuary of the River Garry. grayling on the Boatford beat
Then on March 12 Scott Ramsay at Thornhill, the biggest a
A BEAT TO TRY THIS SPRING caught a magnificent fresh-run
24 lb-plus cock salmon in the
splendid fish of 3 lb.
At Drumlanrig, grayling
Estuary of the South Bank of the have been the main quarry,
River Oich. – ANDREW Hugh Skeoch’s party having the
GRAHAM-STEWART. best day on the lower beat with
31 fish to 2 lb. Barjarg have had
NITH their share of grayling anglers
with similar results.
ON OPENING day the river was Drumlanrig are looking into
settling and clearing after the the idea of a ladies’ day on the
biggest rise of the year on Feb river with a suggested date of
17. The river was opened by the May 27. Details to follow. –
provost of Dumfries, Ted ED BAXTER.
Thompson, who blessed the
river with Scotland’s finest. A NORTH ESK
few brave souls went out on the
river but nothing fresh was FROM DAY one the river has
reported. performed, with beats such as
It’s been a difficult winter for Canterland, Gallery, Pert and
grayling anglers with the river Stracathro providing excellent
big and coloured most of the sport. The recovery from the
time, but with the river now huge spates of January has
River Tyne, Eltringham quite low and settled a number been rapid and I am full of
are venturing out, even though praise for the huge effort put in
Eltringham’s 1.6 miles of single-bank salmon fishing on the south bank of the Tyne is about three
the salmon and sea-trout by many beats to get the river
miles upstream of the tidal limit. The upper pool, Merryshields, is opposite the Bywell Fishings. The
season has begun. One was fishing again. Some good has
water offers a good mixture of glide, stream and pool.
Colin Simmons, fly-fishing at come of it, too, as on, for
Day-tickets for salmon cost £40. Barjarg on Feb 28. As well instance, the Luther pool on
Contact Tom Carter, FishPal. Tel: 01573 470 612. catching grayling, he hooked a Pert, which has improved
Purchase tickets online at http://www.fishp.al.com/England/Tyne/Eltringham fresh sea-trout of 1 lb 8 oz. This enormously. The eddy of recent
is the first fresh migratory years has gone and there

A FLY TO TRY THIS MONTH create seed sources and
riparian buffer zones on two key
Gordon Castle got off the
mark with their first fish of the
have had some anglers out but
only kelts have been caught.
Oykel tributaries in the upper season, and congratulations to There is snow on
catchment close to Benmore. Mr Boyd, who was fishing Beat the mountains, which is
The planting was part of the 2 on Feb 29 and caught his first- encouraging, but a little
Pearls in Peril project. Particular ever spring salmon on the Spey. more would not go amiss. Let’s
thanks go to Neil McInnes, Delfur is ticking over with hope it melts slowly and
environment manager for the fish being caught. Orton have provides the right conditions
North Highland District of got their season under way with for some spring fishing.
Forest Enterprise Scotland, for a fish, but I have no more My thanks to
sourcing the trees and for details. Malcolm Newbould for his help
assistance in ensuring they Rothes/Aikenway, in compiling this report. This is
were planted correctly. – Arndilly, Easter Elchies my last Spey report for T&S; I
ANDREW and Upper Arndilly have have handed over the reins to
GRAHAM-STEWART. all had fish. Malcolm, who I am sure will
The Gordon Group and keep you well informed. –
SHIN guests had an enjoyable week TOM CARTER.
Silver Wilkinson Shrimp THE THIRD week of February,
at Rothes with four fish. Kevin
James had one from Creachy TAY
Hook Size 6-14 Tag Flat or oval silver Tail Golden-pheasant red when there was limited flow and Ian Hutchinson had a
breast feather Rear body Flat silver tinsel ribbed with medium or fine due to hydro work, was hardly sea-liced fish from the COMPARED TO the early weeks
oval silver wire Middle hackle Magenta Front body Flat silver favourable for further success, Long pool. Ed Douglas had of 2016, the period from mid
tinsel ribbed with medium or fine oval silver wire Wings Jungle following the first of the season one from Burnmouth and February to mid March has been
cock, roofed Head hackle Medium blue cock Head Black the previous week. However, Quaich winner Graham much kinder, weatherwise.
water was restored on Saturday During this period it has
the 20th (2 ft) and Robbie Elliot generally been much drier and
is now a strong stream, ideal for of fish caught in the Orchy. The thought he would just try a the Tay’s level has remained in
fly-fishing. Awe benefited significantly. couple of pools. In the second – SpeyÕs Gordon the 3 ft-5 ft bracket. For some of
I fished there a couple of The real story of the Orchy the Home – he caught a fine the time we have had frosty
weeks ago with David Cossar. last year was a season of two 14 lb liced salmon on a Willie
Castle gets nights and snow on the hills
As the light was fading he told
me he had seen a big fish move
halves. Early on, in May and
June, catches were well up. The
Gunn tube; clearly the fish a
week earlier had been no fluke.
its first fish with a couple of rises from
snowmelt as much as anything.
on the Lower Bridges. I wished
him goodbye and went on my
early fishing on the Orchy
continues to improve. Then
Robbie picked up yet another
(7 lb liced) in the Home on
of the season As a result of these better
conditions, February finished up
way. Early the following came the delays to the run of March 1, again on a Willie Gunn well. For example, for the full
morning I got a call from David, fish and there were poor fishing tube. It has been an encouraging month 154 springers had been
who told me he had caught the conditions towards the end of start to the year. – ANDREW Ritchie had one from Junction. reported on the fishtay website.
fish –all 22 lb of it. All the the season. We could have GRAHAM-STEWART. Arndilly had a couple: Bruce The average of the previous five
aforementioned beats are now expected to do much better Cameron from Aberlour had one years is only 109. That was very
into double figures and Pert is after such a good start but the SOUTH ESK estimated at 15 lb-16 lb and good news, therefore. As I write
there with 19 salmon and four luck deserted us. Mel McDonald had another. (mid March), catches have
sea-trout. There is no reason to expect THE RIVER has had a really slow Delagyle are off the mark continued steadily and are now
Pert had several good fish: a repeat of the hydro start, with few reports of fish with a couple of fish, even slightly increasing, with almost
Ian Niven 15 lb from the Luther compensation water issues so I sightings. There is no doubt that though the beat has been only 100 reported on that website,
pool, Colin Imray 15 lb from the have high hopes for a good start the immense floods of early lightly fished. and not all beats report on it. So
same pool, Alan Atkins 18 lb to the season from early May. January must bear some of the Wester Elchies have been things seem to be continuing in
Lower Weir, and Norrie Mcleod These early fish will run hard for blame, but the fisheries board’s catching kelts since the same vein as the past few
14 lb from Upper Stob. the middle reaches of the river, far-sighted buy-out of the spring the beginning of the season and years with something of a
Be warned: bookings on the where they will be held up by nets for nearly ten years has not are looking forward to spring resurgence, albeit a
North Esk are at a high level, so the falls. – URCHAIDH. produced the result we their first fish. modest one so far.
get in quick or you might be expected. Laggan had their first of the So far as individual beat
disappointed. I know of two OYKEL Upper and Middle season on Feb 24 from the Gas catches go, things have
beats that are fully booked for Kinnaird have produced fish (Carron) pool. It was estimated continued relatively quiet at the
the whole season and with the THE FIRST salmon of the year and I hope that this is the start, at 9 lb. That is an early fish very bottom of the river but that
coastal nets no longer there the was caught on March 4 by however late. I have no reports for the beat. is usual at this time of year. For
prospects are good – WESTIE. Richard Sankey during a fleeting of fresh fish above the Kinnaird Castle Grant beats example, Almondmouth
visit north. With some 2 ft on Dam, and Brechin Angling Club
ORCHY the gauge and a water members have encountered
temperature of 36 deg F, he only a few kelts.
FINAL FIGURES for the 2015 landed a 16 lb fish in Inveroykel With the demise of coastal
season showed a small on a Monkey; it was unliced and netting, I have booked all my
decrease in the total catch, but had the appearance of having fishing for the year. The promise
this gives a misleading been in the Kyle for a fortnight. of fish running freely into the
impression of the state of the On March 12 (2 ft, 42 deg F river excites me, so I look
fishery. The number of fish and a balmy air temperature) forward to meeting you on the
entering the system, as Scott Mackenzie caught an 8 lb banks. – WESTIE.
recorded on the counter at the salmon in the Whirl. This was
Awe barrage, was up marginally Scott’s first springer of the year, SPEY
on the previous year. However, his first Oykel fish and his first
the operation of the hydro- on one of his brand-new FX1 ALL BEATS have been fishable
electric system on the Awe led graphene rods. There was in the past few weeks, but as is
to a serious delay for the fish much celebration! typical for this time of year
passing through the Awe. This In February Kyle water angling pressure has been
caused a drop in the proportion bailiffs planted native trees to pretty light.

reported only one fish in in February and Cargill one. nine for the same periods
February, a 19-pounder caught However, things have picked up respectively. Newtyle, on the
by Tay Board chairman, Bill a little more recently and so, for other hand, had three for
Jack. Waukmill had its first early March, Ballathie has February and two for early
fish in early March, a 9 lb sea- reported five and Cargill six. On March. On first visits to the Tay,
liced fish, but Fishponds has Cargill, Steve Curnow had two Gavin Perry and Andrew
not added to the two in early fish on a silver Toby, David Thomas had 15-pounders each.
February that I mentioned last Harrington had a 6 lb fish on a Steven Cope caught his first
month. Other beats in that area Toby, Brian Morrison a 14 lb fish, salmon, a nine-pounder on a
have yet to open the scoring. also on a Toby, Kevin Knights a pink-and-pearl Payo 110 and
Stanley Fishings’ Benchil beat 12 lb sea-liced fish, and Lewis followed it with a six-pounder
reported two fish in February McKee a 15-pounder on a Kinkuro Payo 110. Brandon
and one to mid March. There, on a pink Kynoch. Bryant had the beat’s first fly-
Lee Conway had an 8 lb fish on Islamouth also had a caught fish of the year, an
fly. However, their Pitlochrie relatively slow start to the 11-pounder on an Ice Maiden.
beat has done rather better, season, reporting only three for The one beat which perhaps
reporting ten for February and February, but has had six fish to more than any other stood out
four to March 12. Among these, March 12. These included a most last season was Dunkeld
Sam Robinson had a lovely 16 lb cracking 25-pounder for John House. Following on from that
fish, John Bennett an McElroy. The Meikleour success, it has also started 2016
11-pounder on the fly, David House and Upper Islamouth on good form, reporting ten for
Ecclestone a 15-pounder on fly, beat had four in February and February and six to March 12.
Danny Fulton a 17-pounder on four for early March. Among Among these, Duncan Goodwin
DUNCAN GLASS, BEM fly, while Ed Slaven and Peter
Fine both had 13-pounders.
those, Chris Plank caught his
first-ever springer, a seven-
caught a 7 lb fish on his first-
ever day’s salmon fishing and
1931 Ð 2016 Over the same two periods, pounder on a copper Toby then promptly caught another of
IT IS with great regret that I report the passing of a Upper Scone, which Salmo, Mark McGillivray had a similar weight. John Cransden
great Tay legend, Duncan Glass, BEM, who died peacefully alternates day about with one of 13 lb and Mike Wojtowicz had an eight-pounder harling,
in hospital on February 22. Benchil and Pitlochrie, had had a cracking six-pounder Paul Carrigan had a cracking
Duncan had a lifelong love of fishing, kindled from a seven and five respectively. Of on a Tomic Lure. 21-pounder, and Robbie Ross
childhood at Dysart on the Firth of Forth. From an early age these, Guy Oliver had a fish of The next beat up, Kercock, had three lovely fish in a day,
Duncan mastered boats, the sea and fishing for “podlies” 9 lb, Brian Brown four to 14 lb, including a sea-liced 18-pounder
(saithe), cod and lobsters. As well as becoming established Dave Downie had one of 7 lb and a 20- pounder. Finally, Brian
and Olivier Fournier one of 11 lb. Joseph had a 16-pounder
as a successful businessman, Duncan started fishing the
Tay in the 1950s. He had the magic touch as a salmon- Another beat that Tay’s Linn harling with a Tomic
traditionally can do well in drier, and Ian Dorrian had a
catcher which, combined with a drive to be the best at
cold conditions in early spring is
pool is ten-pounder harling.
whatever he did, meant that he became one of the
towering figures during the glory days of the Tay. While he Catholes. It reported 14 in
February and nine to March 12.
February However, on the beats
immediately upstream it has
fished on many Tay beats, Islamouth being a favourite, and
on other rivers, he came to concentrate on the Burnbane Again among these, Johnson
Stewart had a fish of 15 lb on a
hotspot been less remarkable.
Dalmarnock reported three for
beat, which he managed for many years – in fact
right up to last season. Devon minnow, Ken Towner a February and have yet to score
From the late ‘90s Duncan’s boundless energy focused superb 20-pounder from the in March. In February, Steven
on giving back to the river. Having seen catches decline, he boat, and David Ecclestone a reported two fish for February Grant caught his first-ever
was determined to see things put right again. He was a 13-pounder on fly. but none has been reported for salmon, a beauty of 14 lb, and
driving force behind the formation of the Tay Ghillies’ Burnmouth did not start early March. The two fish were his friend Robert had a lovely
Association and was the power that sustained it for more fishing until Feb 1 and had 16 for a 14-pounder caught by George fish of 12 lb. Dalguise has yet
than a decade before he could no longer continue as that month and also has had Hunter on a Posh Tosh and a to score and Lower Kinnaird’s
secretary/treasurer. Duncan was directly or indirectly nine so far in March. There, seven-pounder caught by only fish of the season wasn’t
responsible for raising certainly well over £100,000 Jordan Paterson had a red- Graham Sharp on a Black-and- reported until March. However,
through grants, Tay Ghillies’ fun days and other fund- letter day with three fish to yellow tube. A couple of fish Upper Kinnaird reported
raising events, which supported everything from hatchery 20 lb. Jason Stratton had a fish were also reported from five in February and one
work to clearing burns. In 2002 he also became a member of 21 lb harling and John Dewar Burnbane in February and so far for March.
of the Tay Board and later a trustee of the Tay Foundation. a sea-liced 13-pounder. three for March so far. Of these, A few fish have now started
Without Duncan’s dogged determination I do wonder However, the real hotspot in Jimmy Lapsey had an eight- sneaking into the Tummel. For
whether a hatchery would ever have been built at all. February was the Linn pool, pounder on a Vision 110, and example, Pitlochry Angling
Duncan’s achievements were recognised first when he which is shared day about Brian Joseph a cracking Club’s Dam beat reported three
was presented with the inaugural Tay Salmon between Taymount and 16-pounder on a Tomic lure. in February and has had one in
Conservation Award in 2006. In 2013 he was awarded the Stobhall, although by March With Burnbane in mind, it is early March. Saul MacKay had
British Empire Medal for voluntary services to salmon fish are now spreading through with great regret I inform you two of them at 10 lb and 16 lb on
conservation on the River Tay. the system with more ease. that Duncan Glass, BEM died fly, George Renwick had an
Through all Duncan’s fishing exploits and larger than life Stobhall reported 17 for recently (see obituary, this 11-pounder, also on fly, and
adventures, which incidentally could fill this whole February and four for early page). As many readers will Martin Wilson had a 13-pounder
magazine, his wife Jane of almost 60 years was always by March, while Taymount has know, for many years until last on fly. One fish has also been
his side. Jane was his constant fishing companion, usually reported a very impressive 32 year, Duncan managed the caught on their Sawmill beat –
playing the fish. They did everything together. Our sincere and ten for these periods Burnbane beat. Indeed he was an eight-pounder by Les Dargie.
condolences go to Jane, Lesley, Donald, granddaughters respectively. Among the Burnbane. We will all miss I have also heard that the East
Jane and Jennifer, all taught to fish by Duncan, and their Taymount fish, Gina Jones Duncan here on the Tay. Haugh beat has recently had
families. The Tay has lost a true champion and will be a caught her first-ever springer, a Glendelvine also reported a its first fish of the season.
poorer place for his passing. seven-pounder, while Andrew couple of fish for February and A few fish have also been
DAVID SUMMERS Spencer had fish to 13 lb on fly. three for early March. There, caught on the upper Tay
Moving upstream, the next John Jones caught a recently. For example, both
pair of beats is Ballathie and 16-pounder. However, the Edradynate and Upper
Cargill. Ballathie reported two Murthly 2 beat had seven and Farleyer reported their first

G A L L E RY
Congratulations to these anglers who have had great success in the past few months
MAILYS BILLET
A B OV E
Alastair Peake with an early-March salmon from Dinnet on
the Aberdeenshire Dee, the fish took a Black Sheep.
A B OV E
Ian Shaw
caught this
beauty on the
Tyne at Bywell
on a Gold-
bodied
Willie Gunn.
LEFT
Robbie Ross
landed three
fish – 8 lb, 18 lb
and 20 lb – at
Dunkeld House
on the Tay. A B OV E
Ian Wilson with a February Dee springer of
15 lb taken at Invery on a Garry Dog Drainer
Disc tube.
A B OV E
Ben Thompson with a
14-pounder from the Tyne
at Bywell.
B E L OW
Fishing guide Moray
McFarlane took this 19 lb
fish on a Cascade Skullhead
from the Guay pool at
Dalguise on the River Tay.
A B OV E
A B OV E Scott Ramsay with the first fish of the season
Paul Greenacre with a fat 25 lb springer from from the River Oich. The 24 lb 8 oz springer
Hoodies Pool on the Hampshire Avon. was taken on a Cascade conehead from
The fish took an Eternal Optimist. the Estuary pool.
IN ASSOCIATION WITH WWW.FISHPAL.COM

F I SH I NG R E P ORTS Ireland
fish of the season in early of recent years, including number of times, but never the sport was in the Kelso area, Flying C, and Dave was helped
March. However, as is often the last year. We are hopeful first, so congratulations to him. with the first fish taken on the with its landing by ex Lower
case at this time of year, some that this may happen again It weighed 7 lb and was caught Junction. Nine fish were Floors head boatman Jim Smail.
fish have been pushing right this year. Of course, on Beat 7. The second followed reported on the two websites The 12-pounder from Upper
through unseen as evidenced by although the run may a couple of days later, when for the first week and 16 for the Makerstoun was taken by Ian
the fact that fish have also been strengthen, things do Paul Smith had a fish of 9 lb on second. Unsettled water Yorkston, over from New York
caught on Loch Tay. For change at this time of year. Beat 9. The third was a seven- conditions didn’t help, with fly- state, and was caught in
example, Grant Tigwell’s Loch The water is starting to pounder from Beat 4, caught only mandatory until Feb 15. the Laird’s Cast on a
Tay Fish n Trips reported five for warm up a little and fish by D. Mackay. With high water through the Willie Gunn tube.
February and seven for early push on faster. So expect Maintenance work has winter it seemed that most of A cool, dry weekend gave us
March. Among all these, David the hotspots to move to continued on the river and one the kelts had gone. A number of fairly decent levels at the start
Duffy had an 18-pounder, a beats like Islamouth, the of the main improvements rods beats had reduced their prices of the new week on Feb 22. This
personal best, Mr MacMannan middle Tay as well as will see is a new track on Beat for the early weeks, with prices was to be a fairly good week,
had two fish in one day of 11 lb tributaries such as the Isla 8. The gives much easier access down to £30 a day. Some beats every day being fishable with
and 13 lb, Stewart Lang had one and Tummel. Loch Tay might to the hut, particularly when the frosty nights at times keeping
of 18 lb and fish of 20 lb and still be producing fish, ground is wet. Other changes levels down and cold – under
23 lb have also been caught. especially in April, and if visitors will notice is that the 40 deg F most days. It was
So that’s the situation as of there is a bit of water the road up to upper beats has been Most Tweed warm in the sun but cold out of
mid March. A good overall total lower Lyon and most repaired and the large potholes it and, for a whole week, settled
for February, especially for especially the lower Ericht that were a feature last year springers levels gave most rods a decent
some of the beats around might start to produce good have now been filled in. chance. Some beats did well,
Stanley, and hopes that things numbers. As to how you As we move into the middle coming from the Junction taking 13,
will continue to improve. It is
good to see quite a number of
might get on, well there is
still plenty of fishing
of March we would expect the
spring run to get under way and
Kelso area Hendersyde 11 and Sprouston
eight. Lower Floors had six, as
good-sized fish too, with available on the www. we should be picking up fish did Birgham Dub, with the
numbers in the mid to high fishtay.co.uk website and every day. Given that Loch Lees taking four. Ladykirk had
teens of pounds and even much of it is excellent More is full, we should have still had vacancies most days their first fish of the season on
some over 20 lb. value. – BEN LUI. reasonable water into early with rods waiting to see what Friday, as the water came into
April at least. – TIM HAWES. happens with catches and order for the lower beats. Friday
PROSPECTS THURSO conditions before booking. was also the best day of the
In terms of overall numbers TWEED The end of the second week week with 14 fish reported, the
entering the river and being AS I write this (March 11) the brought wintry weather over best fish of the week, a
caught, the latter part of Thurso has had three fish. The ALTHOUGH THE new season the Borders, with rain, sleet and 17-pounder, coming from
April/early May can see first came off on March 3 and didn’t exactly start with a bang snow on the Saturday, and a Hendersyde on Saturday. Over
some of the best runs of the was caught by local rod and there were a few fish around to cold easterly wind. This gave us 50 fish were taken for the week,
spring. Certainly that has gillie, Pat Nicol. Pat has had the keep rods interested. As in a small rise through Saturday many of them good clean fish
been the case in a number second fish off the river a previous seasons, most of the night with most of the extra and some sea-liced. This was
water coming down the Teviot. more like it – but just as we
The cold weather lasted into the were getting used to settled
third week, beginning Monday, levels and clear water the
A BEAT TO TRY THIS SPRING Feb 15, with frost over the first
two nights. These were the best
following week, beginning Feb
29, saw the water unsettled on
water conditions so far this some days. On Monday, rain
season but they weren’t to last late in the day had most gauges
long. Wet and windy weather on the rise the following
on Tuesday night and into morning. Most of this water
Wednesday morning saw levels came from the upper Tweed and
rising fast through the morning Ettrick, and peaked around 6 ft
with a lot of colour and debris. at Norham. This was just what
This made almost 12 ft on the we didn’t need and it was quite
Norham Bridge gauge, with dirty right into Wednesday. The
water coming from all over the water dropped through
system. This dropped over the Thursday and into Friday but
next couple of days but rain on rain and snowmelt gave us a
Friday had some of the upper small, dirty rise overnight into
gauges rising late in the day. Saturday. Most of the rise came
All but the Norham and from the lower Teviot with a
Sprouston gauges were falling small rise down the Leader,
the following day, the former and it was quite coloured
gauge making almost 6 ft. below Kelso.
Fourteen fish were reported for Some 60 fish were taken this
River Orchy, Craig Fishings the week, Hendersyde taking week, the Junction doing best
The Craig beat is a two-mile stretch of outstanding natural beauty in the middle of Glen Orchy. There four of them. Three of these with 11 and Birgham Dub taking
are 21 named pools with double-bank fishing. The great variety provided by these pools ensures that were taken on Friday – all of seven. Upper Floors and
there is always an opportunity to fish despite the Orchy being a natural spate-river. them by Jessica England on fly. Lower Floors, Hendersyde and
There is roadside access to all the pools. Fish were taken from Dryburgh South Wark all took five, most
The Urchaidh Falls in the middle of the beat are a temperature barrier in the early season and ensure Lower down to Lower other successful beats having a
that there are salmon in the pools immediately below the falls from mid April. By September and Birgham with the best, a single fish. The best, a superb
October the beat is well stocked with fish. Summer sport is dictated by water levels. 12-pounder, coming from Upper 24-pounder, was taken on
Makerstoun. The first fish Dryburgh Lower by John Jordan
Day-tickets for salmon cost from £50. came from the Teviot on on a gold-bodied Willie Gunn.
Contact Tom Carter, FishPal. Tel: 01573 470 612. Monday, taken by Dave On the same beat the previous
Purchase tickets online at http://www.fishpal.com/Scotland/Argyll/Craig Simpson from the Castle pool. week John Martin had a seven-
Weighing 14 lb, it took a yellow pounder on a Red Bullet.

A FLY TO TRY THIS MONTH lice infestations associated
with salmon farming to the
between 7 lb and 8 lb, was
caught on Feb 17 on a Flying C.
productivity of respective sea- Glenda Powell of
trout fisheries will also vary Blackwater Salmon Fishery
according to geographic reported the first springer of the
factors associated with the season on Feb 25. It fell to Ian
areas into which respective Powell. The fish was caught on
rivers discharge. Lower Kilmurry at the Jole on
Catch figures for 2015 for the spinner. Conditions were
River Carron, which has a high- improving in the first few days
profile stocking programme, of March and fishing should
have now been published. The improve in the coming weeks. –
total of salmon and grilse was PAUL BOURKE.
just 76, compared to a ten-year
average of 252. Apparently CORRIB
there were desperately few
one-sea-winter fish in 2015. KEVIN CROWLEY reports that
Garry Dog (tube variant) While sea-lice numbers on the fishing has been fairly quiet so
Tag Brass or aluminium bottle tube (undressed) Underwing Red bucktail Overwing Yellow bucktail farms in Lochcarron are far, with high water levels and
Throat Kingfisher-blue cock hackle Cheeks Jungle cock Head Red generally low, smolts from the cold weather prevailing since
river are obliged to pass through opening day. Jackie Coyne,
some heavily infested areas on however, fishing with angling
their way north. – ANDREW guide John Somerville, landed a
Bemersyde opened their WESTER ROSS smaller trout in systems such as GRAHAM-STEWART. cracking 3 lb 4 oz trout on a
account for the season with an the River Balgy, is likely to have Silver Dabbler. John reports
11-pounder, taken by Sandy THE WESTER Ross Fisheries that they met several more fish,
Scott on a Black-and-pink tube.
Friday was the best day of the
Trust recently published a
detailed report “About the wild
Ireland all in good condition for
the time of year.
week with 17 fish reported. trout of the River Torridon and Carron’s CONN Jacek Gorny has also been
This was a decent week other nearby streams in relation providing great sport for his
considering the sometimes to an infestation of the sea poor season DECLAN COOKE reports that clients, with some cracking fish
unsettled conditions. louse on salmon farms within trout fishing got off to a flying caught. On March 3 they had
Saturday’s extra water, Loch Torridon in 2015” (available blamed start with the capture of a eight trout on small lures, all
which made over 3 ft at the on the Trust’s website). beautiful 8 lb brownie by local handmade by Jacek. With the
bottom of the Teviot, dropped Sea-trout were sampled by on sea-lice youngster Fearghal Reape. The weather improving and
back and steadied into the new the Trust during the period May- fish was caught off the shore at temperatures rising at the time
week beginning March 7. It was July 2015 using sweep-netting, Knockmore. Meanwhile on the of writing, more anglers will
a dry, cool start to the week and rod and line and electro-fishing. been reduced by 50 per cent or other side of the lake, at Errew start to fish this great lough and
15 fish were reported on the In October and early November more as a result of sea-lice Point, Dublin-based angler Sean it won’t be long before the
Monday, Sprouston taking four 2015 a fyke-net trap was infestation. Goulding had a nice 1 lb 4 oz fish duckfly fishing will be in full
of them. Tuesday produced 14, operated in a tributary of the However, many mature sea- on a Fiery Brown Bumble. swing for the Easter period. –
so it was not too bad a start to River Torridon to learn more trout were caught in the Several boats ventured out from PAUL BOURKE.
the week. We just need the about the spawning population Torridon River fyke-net trap in Cloghans Bay. Among them
water to settle down, and the of trout within that river system. October and November 2015. were Peter Roche and Joe CURRANE
weather to warm up a bit, to Sea-trout carrying high or These fish had survived and McBride, who had trout of
give us all a chance. very high sea-lice burdens (100 grown despite their proximity to 1 lb 8 oz and 1 lb 4 oz VINCENT APPLEBY reports that
A bit of rain late on Tuesday lice to over 400 lice per fish) sources of larval sea-lice (ie respectively. – most of February was very cold,
gave us another small rise of a were sampled from the River nearby salmon farms). The PAUL BOURKE. windy and often very stormy.
few inches on gauges through Balgy sea pool, Inverbain extensive intertidal area and Very few anglers ventured out
Wednesday. Although river estuary, Sand (by Gairloch) west-facing characteristics of CORK on the lough, though Brod
not a lot of water, it didn’t help river estuary and Flowerdale the Torridon River estuary may BLACKWATER O’Sullivan landed a 10 lb salmon
as it just kept everything River estuary. The most heavily provide River Torridon sea-trout on the troll. Two days later,
unsettled, especially below infested fish were between with better prospects of ON THE Ballyduff Bridge another gillie, Mike O’Dwyer,
Kelso. The beats on the lower 250 mm and 350 mm long and survival than sea-trout entering Fishery the first salmon of the caught a 9 lb salmon on
and bottom stretch need the were caught between late May the sea from other nearby season was caught by Connie the troll. From then to the end
water to drop in and hold any and early July 2015. The stream systems (eg sea-trout Corcoran. The fish, estimated of the month, no further
new fish back long enough to majority of lice on heavily from the Shieldaig River).
get a chance at them. infested fish were “chalimus” In conclusion, this study
These rises every few days (juvenile) stage lice. suggests that the consequences
weren’t helping. The occurrence of heavily of a severe sea-lice infestation
As last year, most of the lice-infested sea-trout can most (associated with salmon
sport is around Kelso on seven easily be explained by proximity farming) on wild trout
or eight beats, the rest of the to a very large adult female populations varies according to
river sharing the remainder. sea-louse population on the whether or not sea-trout from
Hopefully as we move into the salmon farms in the Loch respective river systems have
best months of the spring the Torridon area during the period opportunities for finding fresh
fish will be more spread January to June 2015 as or brackish water areas where
out on the beats. confirmed by the industry’s they can evade or rid
By my next report swallows own quarterly reports. themselves of parasitic sea-lice,
will be with us, the Levels of lice infestation on find food, and evade capture by
brownies will be rising, and sea-trout in some samples were seals and other potential
hopefully we will have clearly in excess of potentially predators of lice-infested fish.
sun on our backs. – lethal thresholds. The marine Therefore, the report orvis.co.uk
BOB HARRISON. survival rate, especially of concludes, the threat from sea-

F I SH I NG R E P ORTS Ireland
for much of February and sea-trout and trout fishing, we

A BEAT TO TRY THIS SPRING despite quite light fishing
pressure a number of salmon
have the wonderful dollaghan
and the Lough Melvin
were caught. John Gallagher sonaghan. There is fishing from
had a fish of 10 lb from the March through to the end of
Crooked Hole on a black-and- October, with designated
orange Devon. The following rainbow waters open all year.
week Eddie Roulston had his While there is the
second fish of the season on a opportunity to fish some
Flying C at Tinkers. On the 19th, wonderful private beats for
Richard Todd had a fish of 7 lb trout, salmon and dollaghan, the
from the Stone Ditch, again on a amount of club or association
Flying C. The first fly-caught fish water available runs into
of the season, 8 lb 8 oz, came on hundreds of miles of river.
Feb 22 to the rod of Johnny B., Private beats include the
who used a size 8 Willie Gunn to Baronscourt water on the
tempt it at the Crooked Hole. Mourne, which will see salmon
Brian McEvoy and Joe Broderick from April (+44 (0) 28 8166 1683
both had fish spinning on the or [email protected]). The
last Saturday of February. Irish Society’s beats on the
Brian’s fish of 7 lb took a Devon Lower Bann, well known for
at Briney’s and Joe had his on a their numbers of salmon, may
Stirling Council Fisheries NEW AVAILABILITY Flying C in the Bridge pool. –
DAVY STINSON.
be booked via Fishpal or directly
with the office at Coleraine (+44
Stirling Council owns one of the last remaining local authority owned salmon fisheries in Scotland, (0) 287 0344 796). The Shanes
it is arguably one of the best value for money fisheries in the country with fishing on both the River
Teith and River Forth.
SHEELIN Castle beats on the River
Maine will see summer salmon
Predominantly the main runs of salmon come in early season, with prime time being March, April BRENDA MONTGOMERY but here you might well hook a
and May. The River Teith really is a hidden gem of Scotland, not only does it produce fantastic runs of reports that the weather was dollaghan in double figures.
salmon but also large runs of sea trout every season very rough and cold at the start Contact Sam Andrews (07889
Day Tickets for salmon adult £30 and junior £5 of the season but some nice 423 965). The Loughs Agency
Contact: Tom Carter, FishPal. Tel: 01573 470612 trout were caught despite the website has lots of information
Purchase tickets online: http://www.fishpal.com/Scotland/FirthofForth/StirlingCouncilFisheries harsh conditions. Flies fished on all rivers in the Foyle
deep and slow were the order catchment, which includes the
of the day, with a Di3 Finn, the Mourne and its
the preferred line. tributaries the Derg and
fresh fish were recorded. salmon of 20 lb 6 oz on fly. The the same area for no result that The best area was the north Owenkillew, as well as the
On March 4 Terence great fish was taken on a day and on the way home I shore of the lake, from Faughan, the Dennett and the
Wharton Junior had an 11 lb Norwegian conehead tube remembered the words of the Chambers Bay to Crover into Roe. Their licence costs £8 for
salmon on the troll. Anglers are below the rock in the Waterfall late Terence Bradley who, 30 or Merry Point. For Sheelin’s first 14 days or £3.50 for three days.
very frustrated at the continuing pool. The fish was netted by her more years ago, described week the best flies were Fiery In addition, it is a requirement to
bad weather but fishing should husband, Werner, and great Melvyn as being “lethal with a Brown Dabbler, Humungous, hold a permit to fish on many
improve now with higher celebrations ensued. It is fishing rod”. It seems he still is. Hare’s Ear, Connemara Black, stretches of river and on the
temperatures and lighter south- Yvonne’s biggest-ever salmon Well done to both Melvyn and March Brown, Claret Dabbler, lakes in the Foyle and
westerly winds prevailing. and was the first 20 lb-plus John and indeed to Seamus Golden-olive Bumble, Bibio, Carlingford systems. Guidance
– PAUL BOURKE. salmon to be caught this season Silver Dabbler and Minkie. The is available from the Loughs
in Ireland. It was the second heaviest fish in the first week Agency. While there are private
DELPHI biggest of the modern era at the
Melvin’s first was a 3 lb-plus trout caught by beats on some of these rivers
fishery and lies in 14th place Peter Boyle on a Minkie at most of the waters are
DAVID McEVOY reports that
February did not match the
since records began. For fishing
information, contact the fishery
fish of the Holywell, and 25 trout were
recorded in the first few
controlled by clubs and
associations that issue day or
spectacular fishing of last year
but three fish were landed. The
at www.delphilodge.ie or by
phone on +353 95 42222. –
season taken days of the season.
At the time of writing
weekly permits. As an
indication of affordability, a
“Blast and Cast” team from PAUL BOURKE. on Feb 18 (March 11) warmer weather has typical day permit costs in the
Germany landed the first on brought the first big hatches of region of £10-£40.
opening day – a sea-liced fish of DROWES chironomids. – PAUL BOURKE. Then there is the DCAL public
6 lb from Morrison’s on a AND MELVIN angling estate with numbers of
Cascade tube. O’Dare, who had an 8 lb fish at NORTHERN stocked lakes and loughs as
The second salmon of the AT THE end of my last report, I the Garrison River on March 7. IRELAND well as certain river beats,
month was taken by Michael expressed the hope that we Overall fishing pressure on including the Bush salmon
Griffin – a fish of 11 lb 10 oz might have a fish or two in the the lough so far this season has stretches. The cost of a joint
from the Waterfall pool on a book by now – and I am happy been quite light but with OUR SEASON opened at the licence and permit from DCAL –
Delphi Collie in high water and a to say we do. The first Melvin warmer weather and more fish beginning of March to snow, which allows you to fish all the
north-westerly gale. On the last fish of the season was taken on around I expect this will sleet and freezing public angling estate as well as
weekend of the month a party Feb 18 by Garrison man John soon change. temperatures. At present there being a valid licence when
led by Angus Sutherland visited Flanagan, who had an excellent This year the Rossinver is little to report. fishing any private beats where
the fishery and Angus landed a 8 lb 8 oz fish in Flanagan’s Bay. Syndicate, in an effort to With little news – and you have bought a permit – is
sea-liced fish of 10 lb 4 oz The Rossinver Fishery had to encourage more early fly- prompted by the recent letters only £26.50 for 14 days or just
in the Meadow pool on a wait until Feb 25, a very cold fishing for salmon, is offering a to T&S concerning the value and £9.50 for three days.
Sunray Shadow. day on the lough, when I small prize of a box of salmon cost of fishing trips in the UK Information on the public
Some fish were met and lost spotted Melvyn Schofield flies and a trophy to the first and further afield – I thought I waters, which includes Lough
in the difficult days of early playing, and landing, a fine 10 lb angler to take a salmon on fly might remind you of the wealth Erne, is on the nidirect.gov.uk
March, but on March 8 Yvonne fish just off Ward’s Point. I, and this season. of angling to be found here in N. website. –
Zirngibl landed a magnificent a few other boats, had fished The Drowes fell gradually Ireland. Apart from the salmon, MICHAEL SHORTT.

NEXT MONTH
RODS FOR RESERVOIRS
The latest 10 ft 7 wt stillwater trout rods on test
AN INTERVIEW WITH APRIL VOKEY

Matt Harris talks to one of fly-fishing’s famous faces
SALMON WHEN THE SUN SHINES

Jim Coates offers advice for the salmon-fisher faced with a long spell of hot weather
TROUT ON THE NIDD

Summer surface sport on a Yorkshire river
START RESERVOIR FISHING

A step-by-step guide for beginners
J U N E I S SU E O N S A L E M AY 5
DON’T MISS ISSUE 482
RIVER
TACTICS
Make the most of early
season sport for brown trout
BOAT FISHING
Expert tips on going afloat for
the first time
MARCH
BROWNS
Jon Barnes fishes the River
Tees during an April hatch
DRY FLIES
How to connect with surface-
feeding trout
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Fish Of The Month entry form competition celebrates your great fishing
achievements. If you’ve caught a big fish, you could be
NAME OF CAPTOR .................................................................................. one of our monthly winners. But it’s not always the
Address ........................................................................................................
captor of a big fish that triumphs – other factors that
may make the catch special are taken into account: the
......................................................................................................................... water in which the fish is caught, the method and the
......................................................................................................................... circumstances (perhaps it’s your first fish; perhaps
you’re a young angler). Each entry is carefully judged
.........................................................................................................................
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Species ......................................................................................................... either a Sharpe’s landing net (available in many sizes
Date caught…………………………Weight*........................................……… and styles) or a wading staff with lanyard and measure.
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Type of fly/bait ..........................................................................................
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Where caught ...........................................................................................
......................................................................................................................... THE TWO CATEGORIES ARE...

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Call: 01543 481534 or Snabdough Farm, Northumberland. 1-3 rods available Sleeps 4.
Excellent local opportunities email: [email protected] ½ a mile of trout, Trout fishing 300 yards
sea-trout and salmon.
to fish for salmon on the Tyne web: www.baitline.co.uk Limit to 3 rods per day. from front door.
from early March. All Major Credit & Debit Cards Accepted Four star accommodation. Tel 07501 720523
Contact 01434 240239 www.till-fishing.co.uk
Email: for full details.
A warm welcome awaits you Email:
[email protected] [email protected]
in a relaxed and friendly
www.
atmosphere snabdoughfarmbedandbreakfast Enquiries to Lucy Carroll
WORMS FOR FISHING -kielder.co.uk Mobile 07974 416692 Tel 01890 883060
Website: www.theboweshotel.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
Fishing to Let
Phone: 01434 344237 Tuition Holidays
Fishing to Let WILD BROWNIES RIVER EDEN

WESTLAKE 24 miles of great water on the River Eden with an
award winning family hotel and fish restaurant
NORFOLK VACANCIES FLY FISHING Oxfordshire SPECIAL 2 DAY
Select club. Fly only. 9 acre lake. Tuition in all aspects of fly fishing in TROUT FISHING COURSES
picturesque surroundings at the B&B from £320 for 2 people.
Stocked regularly. Fishing
Near Swaffam. £250 Season
beautiful Lockinge Fishery
Beginners foundation courses to
3 DAY SPEYCASTING
COURSES
Contact: 07776 141761 LOWER ITCHEN FISHERY Spey casting and specialist
advanced techniques.
APGAI / STANIC / REFFIS
With good spring fishing.
Full board from £645.
Leave message all answered Tufton Arms Hotel, Market Square,
IAN HOCKLEY
2015 a record breaking Tel: 01235 227228 Appleby, Cumbria, 017683 51593
RIVER KENT year - 285 salmon www.westlakeflyfishing.co.uk www.tuftonarmshotel.co.uk
Salmon, Sea Trout & Trout Fly

Fishing To let Nr Levens Village,
Kendal, Cumbria
Season Rod £300. Telephone 015395 63368
DALLAM TOWER ESTATE
07477 790210 or 02380 814389
www.itchen-fishing.net
To advertise please call 01733 366391
Ireland Holidays Wales
Fishing
Holidays Lakeshore
Holiday Homes FLY FISHING IN BRECON WALES River Teif,
On the beautiful River Usk Trout Private Salmon
Lough Mask and Salmon - £15.00 per day and Sea Trout
Season Tickets available
A warm West of Ireland Telephone 01874 622884 (am only)
S/C cottages, Rod/Freezer/
Washing/Drying Room facilities.
welcome from the Hall family Or email [email protected]
For online ticket purchase and map contact Well Behaved Dogs Welcome
www.lakeshoreholidays.com www.wyeuskfoundation.org Brochure 01559 37 1 265
Telephone 01874 711714 www.fshermencottages.co.uk
[email protected]
00353949541389 Holidays
DOLGELLAU
Lakeshore Bed & Breakfast Country house/cottages, sleep 2-9. country mansion estate
accommodation on shores of Dolgellau, Penmaenpool 1 mile. With private salmon & trout fishing on
LEENANE, CONNEMARA, CO. GALWAY Lough Sheelin, County Cavan Private beat on river Wnion. Free permit
for 13 miles rivers Wnion and Mawddach.
river teifi, 4 well equipped cottages with
gardens. Pets welcome. Free WiFi. close
Prime angling location Log fires, large garden. to Llandysul aa waters, cardigan Bay &
Fish the Erriff river, Derrintin Lake and Tawnyard Lake Pembrokeshire coastal path.
Tel: 00353(0) 868940228 WWW.HOLIDAYSINWALES.ORG.UK
and stay in the picturesque Aasleagh Lodge Email: [email protected] TEL: 01341 423481 contact: www.dolhaiddmansion.co.uk
www.lakeshoreaccommodation.com 01559 371802
3, 4 and 7 night packages
RIVER TOWY
available from £295 per person Fisherman’s dream
Overseas
river bank location,
Packages include fishing plus accommodation, 5 star S/C barn. Sleeps 4,
Holidays
breakfast, lunch and dinner daily at Aasleagh Lodge Max two rods available.
Salmon, sewin and sea trout
Àshing on approx 1 mile Destinations with
double bank Àshing.
Brochure 01550 720410 a Difference
www.cwmgwyn-holidays.co.uk The Best Flyfishing in the Caribbean and Latin America
Tel: +44 20 7351 3552
www.castawayflyfishing.net
Lough Inagh
SPECIAL Lodge Hotel ****
OFFER! Connemara, West Coast of Ireland
20% discount available Fishing Packages available
Make sure you
for all angling club
May Fly @ Lough Corrib don’t miss the
members on Aasleagh
Lodge accommodation Telephone 353 95 34706 June issue of
Call us and quote [email protected]
‘TroutandSalmon’ www.loughinaghlodgehotel.ie
Tuition
Located on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way
www.errifffishery.ie Craig Evans
AAPGAI advanced instructor
+353 (0) 95 42252 Single handed fly casting tuition
Including spey casts – North Wales in the shops
[email protected] Tel: 01824 750650
Email: [email protected] 5th May
www.fly-casting-instructor-north-wales.co.uk
TO ADVERTISE HERE CONTACT OUR SALES TEAM ON 01733 366391

Classifieds
Fishing Holidays
Scotland
Fishing MIDDLE BEAT BLACKWATER RIVER, ROSS-SHIRE Fabulous, spacious house
Salmon Fishing on spate river available to rent by the week on Isle of Lewis
Monday to Saturday inclusive for up to 4 rods, fly only. Salmon fishing 3 mins walk.
April 4 Ð May 28 £400 per week
Fishing & Stalking Required May 30 Ð Sept 30 £600 per week
Please apply to Eliza Leslie Melville
Amazing views to Atlantic and beyond.
Sleeps 6 in 3 double rooms.
Contact 07788796897
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01997 414242 or Mobile: 07795 825949 or visit taighsolus.co.uk
River Orchy Holidays SUE MACNIVEN

Casting frustration!
Fishing Quality AAPGAI instruction without
the jargon. Relax in our calm, quiet
MacIntyre & Thomson is looking Dalmally Beats FISHING ON B&B in SW Scotland.
for in-perpetuity fishing rights Salmon fishing available THE TAY www.damselflyfishing.co.uk
Tel:- 07740243269
to sell but also salmon / sea for single rods / parties. www.royaldunkeld.co.uk
trout fishing & stalking to rent. May until 31st October. THE ROYAL
If you own either fishing or stalking Booking via Fishpal or Loch DUNKELD HOTEL Please mention
you have nothing to lose. Awe Stores 01838 200200 Former coaching inn and now a 3***
Please visit website – STB hotel in picturesque Dunkeld
Brilliant terms make this an opportunity on the banks of the River Tay.
too good to pass: No Sale - No Fee. www.riverorchyfishing.webs.com
Informal atmosphere, good food
and hopefully good fishing
For sales and rentals please contact: Ghillie Services
MacIntyre & Thomson.
Bed and breakfast from £40.00 per person
per night based on 2 sharing when replying to
The Traditional Sporting Agency Tel: 01350 727322 advertisers
Tel: 01764 - 670150
E: [email protected] Holidays
www.macintyreandthomson.co.uk
GALLOWAY, SW SCOTLAND
Beauly Tributary RIVERS BLADNOCH/CREE-SALMON/TROUT
Lower & Upper Beat River Farrar Holidays
Special offer - April rods £50 per week
Lanrick Estate, River Teith, Daily permits (¾y only) - RIVER SPEY
Doune, Perthshire Trout (£15) - Salmon (from £35 to £70). with cottage rental - £110-£140 pw rest of year
Also holiday cottages. Weiroch Lodge, Ballindalloch
Last minute deals with 10 miles of private beats. Quality Salmon/trout/sea trout on good open
FRANK SPENCER NAIRN, fly water. Spring Salmon Fishing on River Bladnoch from 11th Feb -
accommodation if required CULLIGRAN ESTATE, 01463 761 285 wading mainly unnecessary. Enthusiastic fishermen owner.
Short Breaks & Day Tickets info@culligranfishing.co.uk
Available BOOK NOW FOR PRIME SUMMER SALMON/GRILSE FISHING.
Tel: 07721838679 or Superb 4-star s/c accomm adjacent 3 traditional cottages close to the River sleeping 4-8 from £310 pw.
Log fires, attractive countryside, coastline, wildlife, hills & golf.
Email: [email protected] River Spey. Sleeps 6. Stunning
Jonathan Haley, Oak Cottage, Mochrum Park, Kirkcowan, Newton Stewart DG8 0BX
location. Fishing arranged if req’d.
www.lanrick.co.uk 01807 500797 Tel: 01422 316918 or 01671 830471
email: [email protected] web: www.mochrumpark.co.uk
www.weiroch.co.uk
Products/Services Fishing For Sale Tackle Wanted
Bait
WANTED
Hardy fishing tackle, old and modern,
Lobworms Dendrobaena also other makes of old tackle.
Worms STRATHMORE
‘The FISHInG TACKLE
Fishermans Smalls to Large Please telephone
Favourite’ – Tough
and Lively.
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when ordering
www.yorkshire-worms.co.uk 07462 474 223 Waders
SALMON LOBWORMS
Fishing Bucks/Beds
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100 LOBS £22.00
TROUT DENDROS Xtra Tough Fishing to Let Tuition
½kg DENDROS £17.50
Prices incl VAT & 1st Class Post Robin Elwes
TOMMY TOPSOIL Fly Casting Instructor
STANIC-REFFIS-AAPGAI
www.wormbait.co.uk Master
01422 831112 Mobile 07973 639 268

Email [email protected]
Web www.learn2flyfish.com
Fishing
Fishing For Sale

RIVER TEST
FISHING ON THE WORLD FAMOUS
BROADLANDS ESTATE
Trout & Salmon
RIVER CONWY
Day rods available
A rod in an exclusive
Single or group bookings syndicate has become
Further details contact: available. 2 miles of double
Neil Freeman
bank fishing at Salmon, trout and sea-trout flies 100’s of
Tel. 01794 518076/07785 281349
email: neil@broadlandsfishing.com the head of the tide with step-by-step fly-tying sequences now online.
www.broadlandsÀshing.com excellent salmon
holding pools.
Visit our gamefishing section at
Car park, fishing hut etc.
[email protected]
www.gofishing.co.uk
or Tel: 01352 720300
LAST CAST
Over the rainbow

Giles Catchpole welcomes brown trout to his pond
T
HIS MONTH I do this might actually be another bit
think that it is of optimistic self-delusion. I’m not
finally spring. sure they fight any harder than
For all there any other species if the truth be
were daffodils known but we have the sensation
blooming in the that they do because they
middle of February and brutal are different.
sleet in the middle of March – There was a time when we
don’t tell me, I was there – it is, introduced some steelhead on the
and I touch wood as I speak, that same basis. “Oh yes,” we opined to
the long wet winter is finally one another, “they’ll run you
behind us. ragged every time. Eat your fly,
Which is all good. chew your line and smash your
There are two issues that must top section, your steelhead will.
be addressed just now and the Take it from me. Mmmm!”
first of these is that there are What it turned out they did was
brown trout in our pond. they ate every other fish in the
They were acquired, according water, fought among themselves
to the Hon. Sec., on frightfully and refused point-blank to
good terms from our normal consider any fly we offered them.
OLLY COPPLESTONE
provider and were, apparently, So in the end we went back to the

slid into position in good old rainbows.
early February. Still, it remains a pleasure to
Since when they have cruised think that there are a few browns
about exploring their new cruising our depths. I am
environment and making their looking forward to catching one.
presence felt among the members who collect, from Eventually. The last brownie I caught was, as a
time to time, on the bank to pester them with poles matter of fact, on one of those fantastically exclusive
and bent pins. And we are all very excited about them. chalkstreams. In a competition. It was the biggest fish
What is it about the brown trout that makes it so of the day. How about that? It was also the only fish
iconic? Is it because it harks back to the days of Walton I caught all day while the other competitors filled
himself dangling his humble in the stream? Or is it their boots, which meant that I came stone
because they are so pretty? Proper pretty; in a last notwithstanding and was issued with
demure, sort of buttoned up and a bit blue-stocking a Duffer’s Trophy to loud and sustained
but wild of spirit underneath sort of way? Perhaps it is applause. ‘Twas ever thus.
because they sometimes go cannibal and then pile on The other big thing that we should think about this
the muscle in a prodigious way month is the referendum, isn’t it?
until they are the size of a small I would hesitate to advise any of
submarine and lurk about in the “What it turned out they you how you should act in this
depths until they emerge to give momentous event but I will share
some unsuspecting angler the did was they ate every this with you. There was a chap I
surprise – and perhaps
the fish – of his life.
other fish in the water” knew – decorated war hero, charged
any number of bunkers, led dawn
I suspect that the reason is raids, desperate stuff; successful in
because the brownies are the fish of the chalkstream. business later, buccaneering entrepreneur, made a
With everything that implies. Exclusivity. Privilege. fortune, generous and philanthropic; fished, of
And vast expense. Just knowing that there are course, salmon, dry-fly; all-round good egg; sound;
brownies in the water means that if we just squint our seen it all and done most of it; experienced; wise – and
eyes a teeny-tiny bit and let our minds drift for a what he said to me once when I plucked up the nerve
moment we can imagine that we are on one of those to ask him straight out for his advice, was this, “When
fabulous streams and are the proud owners of it’s all looking a bit bleak and none of the options
everything we can see in all directions. Which is a seem too promising, I have always found that the
good feeling, if a tad hard to sustain as I plod brave decision is usually the right one.”
back to the hut and sign out another nil return. “And how do you know which of the options is the
But what the hell: it feels good for a bit and brave one?” I asked.
that’s what it is all about. “That, dear boy,” he replied, “rather depends on how
And, of course, they do tend to run you about a bit, brave you are.”
should you connect with them. To be honest, I think ‘Nuff said, I think.

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MAY
2016
WHICH
SIX OF THE BEST YOU CAN BUY
GUNS • DOGS • CLOTHING • FOOD • CARS • EVENTS
START
PIGEON
SHOOTING
Your introduction to this
wonderful year-round sport
CHOOSING
A PUPPY
How to pick your
companion in the field
HOUND TRAILS
A spectacular tradition
of the high northern fells
SPRINGING
INTO ACTION
A celebration of summer sport
Understated British Clothing Since 1839
Exclusive
15% discount
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Readers. Bring this advert
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MAY 2016
SPORT
8
Contents
4 SIMPLE
PLEASURES
As the countryside springs to life,
22 STYLE IN
THE FIELD
Look splendid on and off the
will you be making the most of hill with this selection of tough,
the sporting opportunities? elegant country wear.
8 START PIGEON
SHOOTING
Seth Brown offers a guide to
25 WHICH
BINOCULARS?
Our pick of the finest field glasses
this absorbing year-round sport, you can buy.
22
26
including the art of using decoys.
FELL RUNNERS
13 VOLVO XC90
The new XC90 is generously
equipped with technology that
John Walsh witnesses an
extraordinary sport of the
northern hills.
29 RECIPE
improves safety and driveability.
14 CHOOSING Mike Robinson recommends

A PUPPY pigeon breast and peas with cider.
They all look cute, so how do you
pick one? Rob Hardy explains
the important factors to consider
when selecting a gundog.
14
18 STAYING SAFE
WITH GUNS
The BASC highlights the things to
remember when you’re out and
about with your shotgun.
Pigeon shooting offers the sporting
gun a chance to continue their
season through the spring.
Simple
pleasures As the countryside springs to life, will you be making
the most of the sporting opportunities?
4 May 2016 Country Sport
S
PRING MOST definitely sprang early this year,
and for many areas of the country winter didn’t
really bare her icy talons at all. In fact, it was one
of the warmest winters on record, with bulbous
perennials peeking through the topsoil as early
as January and trees blossoming in late February.
So what do we do with ourselves now that the
formal shooting season has come to an end and
the weather is more forgiving for venturing
outside and enjoying the countryside? Well, now
is the time to give your beloved guns some TLC, including a total
strip-down with maybe a deep clean and a stock wax. Although the game
season is at a close, this shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying your
shooting, so why not book yourself a few days of clay sport, just to keep
your eye in? It’s also a good time to book your shooting and fishing for the
year ahead – and there are some fabulous deals of which to take
advantage when booking early.
Of course, you don’t have to stop shooting for the table altogether. There
will be plenty of farmers who need their newly sown crops of peas,
cereals and oilseed rape protecting from ravenous pigeons. At this time
of the year woodpigeons flock in their hundreds and are in fantastic
condition for eating. If you have never tried a sauteed pigeon breast with
red wine and berry sauce, served atop a slice of black pudding nestled in
a rocket salad, you really haven’t lived.
Aside from shooting and fishing, the coming months are perhaps the
very best that our calendar has to offer in terms of enjoying the
countryside. There’s something magical about watching your
surroundings come to life once again after the annual hibernation.
Many bird-lovers eagerly await the arrival of the first swallows and
swifts, which signals the start of much better weather, but our
indigenous birds have a lot to offer, too. It can be truly rewarding to rise
early to listen to the dawn chorus.
As many of our animals and birds give birth to their young so new
wild plants, such as primroses and bluebells, begin germinating from
seeds sown in the previous year’s autumn breeze.
Take yourself off for a walk or a ramble as the cold, crisp mornings give
way to the warmth of liquid gold sunshine – it’s a time to feel alive and to
look forward to the fast-approaching summer months.
These are the simplest of life’s pleasures, which will reassure you that
the cold months of winter are long gone.
As well as the wonders of Mother Nature, spring provides us with
many great British country fairs, and we have compiled a list of shows for
you to visit over the coming months (see overleaf). Whether local village
fairs or national events, be sure to make the most of them, because just
like the wonders of spring they will be gone in the blink of an eye.
At many, if not all, of these events you will observe a celebration of food
and now is the perfect time to explore and expand your food horizons. A
trip to the seaside may be in order, where you will find fresh brown crab,
plaice and turbot in season – quite possibly the three tastiest bounties of
the sea. Combine these with spring greens, spring onions and early peas
from the garden to create some fresh, mouth-watering feasts. And don’t
PHOTOGRAPH © DAVID BURTON / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
forget the queen of green vegetables, the asparagus, which can be found
in peak condition throughout April.
Whatever you find yourself doing over the coming months,
be thankful for the bounty that is to come and be sure to
make the most of countryside living.
Primroses are one

of the first signs that
spring has arrived.
Country Sport May 2016 5

Celebrating rural life Robin Hood Country Show, Essex – May 1-2
Bring the whole family (and even the dog) along to this
Have a great day out and discover more about fantastic show filled with world-class arena events, such as
gundog training, horse training, jousting tournaments,
country sports, game cookery and rural crafts at bike stunts, dog tricks and falconry displays. Visit the
these shows in spring and early summer medieval village, clay-pigeon firing range, and All About
Dogs zone. Kids go free when you pre-book.
Info: www.robinhoodcountryshow.co.uk
Thoresby Country Fair, Notts – April 9-10
This event is a great day out for all the family. Featuring Highclere Country Show, Berkshire – May 29-30
arena displays with the Stunt Mania Motorbike display The Highclere Country Show is on track to welcome more
team, Shadowquest Dog Display Team, horseboarding and than 32,000 visitors this year. This jam-packed event offers
scurry driving, falconry, gundogs, fun dog show, lurchers, more than 200 exhibition stands, an aerial Spitfire
terriers, Fiery Jack, Moment in Time, chainsaw carving display, picnic areas, a crammed Main Arena schedule,
and so much more! children’s entertainment, food festival, craft and antiques
Info: www.livingheritagecountryshows.com fairs and live folk music. Accompanied children
aged 15 and under enter the show free of charge.
BASC Gamekeepers’ Fair, Derbyshire – April 16-17 Info: www.highclerecountryshow.co.uk
This year marks the 40th anniversary of this popular
event, with displays and demonstrations, plus activities Burghley Game & Country Fair, Lincs – May 29-30
and entertainment for all the family. Attractions include: Now in its ninth year at Burghley, this show is looking
bushcraft activities, the Taste Of Game food hall, gundog bigger and better than ever. With exciting arena displays,
competitions, game preparation, stick dressing, massive food halls, fishing and gun dog scurries down
a pigeon-plucking competition, clay-shooting school, by the lake, terriers, lurchers, fun dog show, falconry,
kids’ zone, antiques marquee and trade marquee. ferrets, clay shooting and archery.
Info: www.bascgamekeepersfair.co.uk Info: www.livingheritagecountryshows.com
East Anglian Game & Country Fair – April 23-24 Field & Country Fair, Oxfordshire – June 10-11
This two-day family event welcomes world-class attractions The all-new Field & Country Fair will feature world
at the Norfolk Showground in Norwich. Attractions include: renowned gunmakers, the best in shooting accessories,
motorbike display by the Royal Signals, John Bidwell equipment and demonstrations, leading clothing and
shooting demonstrations, terrier racing, gundog training, footwear retailers, the biggest names in game fishing,
horseboarding, clay shooting, dog shows, fly-fishing, a wide selection of fine arts, rural crafts and premium
archery, children’s activities, cookery theatre and food hall, gifts, expert falconry displays, have-a-go gundog scurries
forestry area stands, falconry, shopping and much more. and an eclectic range of food and drink.
It’s a great family day out in East Anglia. Info: www.fieldandcountryfair.com
Info: www.ukgamefair.co.uk
Sussex Country Show – June 18-19
Broadlands Country Show, Hampshire – May 1-2 This popular two-day show boasts a comprehensive have-a-
This show is ideally suited to fieldsports fanatics, with the go itinerary for the whole family, including novice gundog
Gunmakers’ Roadshow showcasing the latest shotguns handling, clay-shooting tuition, survival camp, field
from top international brands, plus there’s the reformatted archery, fishing, falconry and ferreting. There will be folk
Clay Shooting Festival and final of the Chudley’s Gundog music, The Devil’s Horseman display team, rural crafts,
Championship. There’s also novice gundog handling, locally produced food and a Spitfire aerial display
clay-shooting tuition, survival camp, field archery, fishing, Accompanied children aged 15 and under can
falconry and ferreting. Accompanied children enter the show free of charge.
aged 15 and under can enter the show free of charge. Info: www.sussexcountryshow.co.uk CS
Info: www.broadlandscountryshow.co.uk
Unit 1 The Point, 29 Saracen Street, Glasgow, G22 5HT
Tel: 0141 331 6336 Fax: 0141 331 6340
www.glasgowfieldsports.co.uk
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A good hide at harvest time. Some
guns prefer to avoid the peak of the
woodpigeon’s breeding season.
START
PIGEON
PHOTOGRAPH © RICHARD BRIGHAM / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
SHOOTING
Seth Brown offers a guide to this absorbing
year-round sport, including choosing the right
equipment and the art of using decoys

Shooting
A
LTHOUGH I HAVE no intention of putting limitations on my sport, I
have asked myself in one of those quiet moments: if I were forced to
choose just one quarry or type of shooting for the rest of my life, which
would I choose? Faced with the grand spectacle of high driven
pheasants, or the sheer speed and exhilaration of the grouse, why
would I opt to shoot the humble woodpigeon above all others? For me,
it simply has everything I look for in my sport. The quarry is a
challenge: sharp-eyed, wary and truly wild. It requires fieldcraft and
knowledge of its habits to be consistently successful, and the shooting itself is varied, giving
every angle, height and speed of shot in a single day. Couple this with the facts that the bird is a
considerable year-round threat to farm crops, its numbers in the UK are estimated to be more
than 9,000,000 and rising every year, and there is no closed season on shooting woodpigeon,
means that sport is sustainable and available.
“To achieve consistent results

throughout the year, you will need
to learn about your quarry
and its habits”
Gaining permission and following the seasons

While the demand for pigeon shooting has increased, there The woodpigeon is a true opportunist, and always keeps a
are still farmers willing to give you the chance to be a live keen eye out for the next meal – this is part of its success, but
scarecrow and keep woodpigeon off their crops. Contacts it can also be its downfall. Naturally a flocking bird, it will
made through beating or at the local shooting ground can soon spot other pigeon heading to a new food source.
give you the introduction or recommendation needed to get Whether this is a steady stream of birds heading to and from
a foot in the door. It’s then about building a reputation as a a field on a defined “flight line” or birds dropping in to join a
safe, considerate and reliable shooter. One who is willing to feeding flock, this movement is quickly spotted and birds
turn out to keep the birds off a frozen field of rape and not will be attracted from a large surrounding area by the
just when sport is at its best. This will get you on to the feeding activity, with numbers growing to hundreds and
farming grapevine and access to further land. possibly thousands of birds on the selected field. The
But getting land on which to shoot is just the start. As I said newly arriving birds are happy to join in the feast but there
earlier, to get the best of the sport and achieve consistent are certain protocols to which they adhere, either for social
results throughout the year, you will need to learn about or safety reasons (which I will go into in more detail over the
your quarry and its habits. As a wild bird the woodpigeon page) and these feeding habits are something we
follows the changing of the seasons, feeding on the most can use to our advantage.
available food source at the time. This may be wild nuts and
berries or a farmer’s crop. For this reason the pigeon-
shooting year will follow a seasonal pattern, starting in
January on fields of oilseed rape. Spring brings the first of
the freshly drilled and emerging crops and the first
highlight of the pigeon-shooter’s year. Into early summer,
birds feeding on peas, clover and chickweed and later on laid
barley can all provide great sport but they are really a build-
PHOTOGRAPH © RICHARD FAULKS
up to late summer and autumn. Harvest time brings a feast

for the pigeon and the pigeon-shooter. The rape is swathed,
other stubbles left and then ploughed and re-drilled with
autumn sown cereals and beans, while the pigeon are
feeding hard in preparation for the cold months ahead. The
onset of winter sees the bird making the most of any wild
crops, such as acorns and beach mast, before returning to
fields of oilseed rape that will see them through the winter. Understanding the birds’ behaviour can bring excellent rewards.

Shooting
woodie needs something a little more realistic to fool them,
in all but their most obliging moods. Shell decoys are still
made from lightweight plastic or rubber and a dozen can be
brought from a shooting supplier for £25-£30. The best have
a matt or even flock coating to stop them shining in the
sun or rain, something that will quickly arouse suspicion;
All decoys should have some even come mounted on sprung sticks to add
the white markings of a feeding motion. The main points are that they are
the woodpigeon. light to carry, don’t shine and have the all-important
white markings.
Guns, hides and decoys While you can crouch in a ditch or tuck yourself away in
Stripped to the basics, all you really need is a shotgun – 12 or the hedgerow to hide from incoming birds, there are going
20 bore are the most popular choices – and some cartridges – to be situations where the best spot to decoy in the field has
size 6 shot is the best all-round size as the woodpigeon is a little available cover. A day’s decoying can also mean many
deceptively hard bird to stop, although the extra pellets in hours sitting waiting for the birds to feed and, therefore,
the pattern can make 7-7½ shot good at short ranges over being comfortable, with a good view over the field, means
decoys. Add to this some dull clothing to stop you standing you will be better prepared to make the most of your
out and a hat to cover your face and you can stand in a wood chances. For this reason some sort of camouflage netting,
or hedgerow and shoot woodpigeon, but with a few additions with poles to create a frame, allows you to quickly make an
you can achieve better results on a year-round basis. effective hide anywhere in the field and, more importantly,
A few decoy birds to place out in the field and fool those up sticks and move to follow the feeding birds, if need be.
sharp-eyed passers-by into thinking there is a free meal to A net and four poles will set you back another £50; less
be had will take your sport to another dimension. These if you go to an army surplus shop. Go for lightweight
decoys used to be simple grey pieces of drainpipe, halved materials and a net that is well camouflaged but that you can
and roughly shaped with the all-important white stripes still see through.
painted on the wing and neck areas. These identification You will get far more birds to commit to your decoys if you
marks are what other woodpigeon look for and can draw sit and look through the net until the bird is within range
them like iron filings to a magnet. These days, through than if you have to keep sticking your head above the net to
increased exposure and shooting pressure, the modern see the incoming birds. While the hide is there to break up
Attracting the birds in front of your hide, if you let

them. It should channel birds
birds in front of our hide,
within effective range, time
to exactly the position you and time again.
want them in order to take the The classic pattern (see
most effective shot, using the illustration, right) is a horse-
birds own feeding habits and shoe shape facing the hide,
PHOTOGRAPH © ALVEY & TOWERS PICTURE LIBRARY / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
behaviour to get results. with the foremost bird ten to

If you watch a flock of 15 yards in front of you. The de-
feeding woodpigeon on a field coy pattern should face more
you will see that, firstly, they or less into the wind. Don’t lay
feed facing into the wind. The them out like solders in a row
birds at the back of the flock – nature’s not that neat – but
fly up and over the birds in place each decoy into or just
front slowly moving forward off the wind. Keep the legs of
with a wave-like effect. Any the horseshoe fairly long and
new birds joining the feeding most importantly keep the
group will land into the wind, landing space at the head of
either in available space at the pattern clear where you
the back, or off to the sides of want the birds to head for. This
Add shot birds to your the main flock. Is this polite is critical as you go through
decoys to make the landing social behaviour? I personally your day’s shooting: make sure
zone more attractive. believe it’s to avoid over-flying any shot birds are cleared from
the flock and risking a mid-air the “landing zone” and added
collision with the birds already to the edges of the pattern to
The use of decoys to attract quickly and with the minimum feeding. Whatever the reason, reduce that space and make
birds within a killing range was of fuss. In the hands of an it plays a major part of our the landing zone even more
used by Native Americans to experienced pigeon-shooter, decoying strategy. If we create attractive to incoming birds. If
attract geese within bow-and- who knows the bird’s habits a pattern with our decoys to arriving birds are showing any
arrow range; although I’m sure and how conditions will affect stop birds over-flying them difficulty landing, hovering for
it was used well before then its feeding behaviour, it is a true where we don’t want them to a moment before turning off
in some form or another. It can art form. A properly presented go and at the same time create and even circling again to land
be extremely effective and pattern of decoys can attract available space for them to outside of the pattern, then
can be adapted to fit varying birds from half a mile away and land where we want to take your zone is too small or is
crop and weather conditions have them landing ten yards our shot, we can present cluttered with decoys or shot

your outline and blend with the background, it is its ability to
mask movement that is the real advantage. It is amazing
how close, even without camo, that a pigeon will get to you
when you stand completely still and its attention is on the
decoys. The moment you move, the birds will spot the
To position
movement, even from half a field away and the game is up.
your hide and
So the golden rules are: keep movement to a minimum;
decoys, you
watch for birds through the net, not over it; leave it until the should observe
bird is fully committed and within range before you rise up the birds’ flight
SHUTTERSTOCK
over the top of the net to shoot; and build your hide against a paths and the
background so that your movements are masked and you are wind direction.
not silhouetted against the skyline.
The final must-have pieces of equipment are a comfortable
seat, for reasons listed above, and a good set of binoculars to various ways of imitating a landing bird in your set-up,
watch for flight lines and pigeon movement. You can use a whether worked by strings or by the motion of the wind. In
traditional shooting stick as a seat, but I prefer a small five- the late 1990s the rotary or pigeon magnet hit the market
gallon plastic drum. I cut off the top and fit a wooden, and was seen by many as the biggest advantage in pigeon-
cushioned seat. This provides a comfortable and stable seat decoying for decades. Basically it was two wire arms on
so you can sit without fidgeting and allows you to easily twist which you mounted some dead pigeons, their wings out in a
around to deal with birds approaching from the side. If you flying position. These arms were connected to a body that
leave the seat as a removable top and add a strap or rope housed a slow-spinning motor, which was stuck into the
handle you can also use the barrel to carry your hide netting, ground by a spike and powered by a small 12-volt lamping
flask and cartridges. Commercial versions are available with battery. This slowly spun the dead birds around, 2 ft-3 ft off
rotating seats for around £20-£30. the ground, giving the eye-catching movement that’s so
As with all sports there is an additional mountain of deadly in attracting passing woodpigeon. There is no doubt
equipment you can buy to add to your arsenal. All manner of that it was very effective in the right situation – placed in a
ingenious contraptions have been invented to fool the wary hole in a high crop or laid cereal – but it was only really at its
woodpigeon, most in an attempt to add movement and best when used with traditional decoying techniques. It also
mimic a feeding flock. Flappers, bouncers and gliders are all took time to set up and was heavy to carry any distance.
Hide Hide
Wind 10-15 yards 10-15 yards

Wind
Landing
Landing Zone
Zone
Shorter leg to
Longer leg to allow birds easy
stop bird over- access
flying to the left
Longer leg to
stop bird over-
flying to the left
ILLUSTRATIONS: ROB HARDY
CLASSIC PATTERN Direction ALTERNATIVE PATTERN Direction

of flightline of flightline
with wind at your back. into field with a quartering wind. into field
birds. If, on the other hand, the head below the netting and ground, wings tucked neatly in wind direction and the angle
birds are being attracted to the save any movement to the last as a feeding bird would look of flight lines into the field, will
decoys only to flare off before second before you rise and take – make sure you have some determine how you position
committing, they are either the shot. As passing pigeons kebab sticks or twigs from the your decoy pattern so as to
seeing you or your movement, are looking for a feeding flock hedgerow ready, to put under make the most of the available
or there is something unnatural- and safety in numbers, their chin and so keep their sport. The permutations of your
looking about the pattern, such generally the more shot birds head up in a feeding position. decoy patterns are governed
as a shot bird lying on its back. you can add to your decoy Once you have mastered this only by your imagination and
In this case, check the decoy pattern the greater its simple pattern and understand your fieldcraft, so with spring
pattern, look at your hide from pulling potential. Just brush that the shape affects how in full swing, why not get out
a distance to make sure it is them down to remove loose the birds will react to it, the and pit your wits against this
blending in well, keep your feathers and sit them on the prevailing conditions, mostly most sporting of birds? CS

Cars
VOLVO’S
•
OFF-ROADER
Price: from £45,750
•turbodiesel
Engine: 1969 cc four-cylinder
• Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic

four-wheel drive
THE NEW XC90 IS GENEROUSLY •
•
0-62 mph: 7.4 sec
Top speed: 137 mph
EQUIPPED WITH TECHNOLOGY THAT • Economy: 49.6 mpg, 149 g/km CO2
IMPROVES SAFETY AND DRIVEABILITY
D
ON’T BE FOOLED by the cage, rods and guns. The middle row can be
name, the new XC90 is a very FEATURES folded, too, for a truly cavernous effect. A boot-
different animal to the old Seven seats lowering function allows you to drop the load
–
model. Big strides have been Optional air- bay by 50 mm on the air suspension so you
made in terms of strength, suspension system don’t have to lift the dog quite so far.
interior space and driving dynamics. – As you might expect from a Volvo the XC90
Eight-speed
It is available as a diesel or in two petrol has a host of safety features built into its
automatic gearbox
options, including the hybrid Twin Engine. – Intellisafe function, including collision-
The optional air-suspension system is worth Sensus avoidance technology and a clever system
adding as it leads to a fantastically refined touchscreen that will “brace” the car for impact if it detects
interface
drive. You can tweak the system to your taste – a car approaching from behind that won’t be
and switch between drive modes that Adaptive cruise able to stop in time. What you might not
re-calibrate lots of other parameters, from control expect is the Sensus driver-orientated
throttle response to steering weight. – interface, with a sound system designed to
The all-wheel drive is more than capable Intellisafe system replicate the acoustics of the Gothenburg
–
when driving across fields, down beat tracks Park assist Concert Hall. There is a navigation system,
and along dirt roads. – too, of course, and voice recognition so you
Blind spot radar
The exterior design has been upgraded, – need only speak the words to switch between
giving the XC90 a premium feel. The plush Lane Keeping Aid music, directions or phone calls. Sensus links
interior accentuates the smooth, comfortable to the Volvo On Call smartphone app, which
driving experience. It is well insulated allows you to remotely seek roadside
from road noise. assistance, check the car’s status, or get
The seven-seat cabin is spacious, and even directions to the car if you’ve forgotten where
the third row of seats has enough head- and you parked it – though it might be best to wait
leg-room for adults. Both rear seats can be until you’re close before remotely asking it to
folded to give plenty of boot space for a dog honk and flash. CS

Dogs
CHOOSING
They all look cute, so how do you pick one? Rob Hardy explains the importance
I
N my article Which Breed? (Country Sport, While you are speaking to the breeder, take the
January), I looked at the types of gundog opportunity to ask a few questions about the litter. On
and their pros and cons, stressing the what are the puppies being fed? I would want it to be a
importance of choosing one that suited reputable brand capable of giving the puppies all the
you and the sort of shooting you plan to nutrition they need for the best start in life. Have they
do. Now that the season is over and the and the bitch been wormed recently? The bitch should
daylight hours are increasing, it is the have been treated against fleas and worms prior to
perfect time to track down your perfect her giving birth and the litter wormed again at two
future shooting companion. So where do you start? weeks of age. Have they or are they going to be
Good places are shooting websites and magazines vaccinated? Many good breeders will vaccinate their
that have advertising and classified listings for litters at six weeks with a live Parvo vaccine. These
gundog breeders and dogs for sale. Reading through questions will give you an idea of the level of care that
these will give you an idea of what is out there. You the breeder has put into the litter and whether they
will see a few kennel prefixes, such as Drakeshead, are trying to breed good, sound puppies or are just out
Tawnyhill and Chyknell, cropping up time and again. to make a fast buck. While on the subject of money, the
While I’m not saying that popular kennel names are a price of puppies can vary greatly and while I’m not
prerequisite they have become popular for a reason advising that spending more will necessarily
and offer a starting point to get to know the proven guarantee you quality, rearing puppies properly is not
bloodlines for your particular gundog breed. A little a cheap business. Quality food and treatments ensure
background knowledge of the puppies’ breeding goes the puppies get the best start in life but you have to
a long way and can save you wasted time and travel. expect this to be reflected in the price and if a puppy
If they’re a professional breeder they will probably were going cheap I would be asking myself why.
have a dedicated website, showing their facilities,
available dogs, at stud and for sale, and even copies of
their pedigrees. If it is a litter from a private sale that Understanding pedigree
catches your eye, then give them a call, and ask them Are some of the proven bloodlines for your chosen
to e-mail or post you a copy of the puppies’ pedigree breed on the pedigree? If so, does there seem to be
PHOTOGRAPHY: ALAMY
and Kennel Club registration form. This is important: some consistency from generation to generation?
the pedigree alone is not enough. Anyone can put Ideally, you want to see certain bloodlines and even
together a pedigree and make it look impressive, but the same dogs popping up throughout the pedigree –
without the KC registration there is no guarantee it is this is known as line breeding and means that the
worth more than the paper on which it is written. best genes of generations of proven gundogs are kept
A PUPPY
Focused, curious,
laidback, sad,
mischievious…
a litter full of little
characters.
of pedigree, health and personality when selecting a gundog
and improved upon, which is what every responsible of the highest standard, which suggests they are
breeder should be looking to do. trainable and free from faults, such as hard mouth or
You should also see new blood (outcross) brought squeaking. As mentioned above, the first three
into the breeding pool every so often, to strengthen an generations – Sire and Dam (mum and dad),
area deemed a weakness and improve existing stock. Grandparents and Great grandparents – are ideally
Genetics is a fickle mistress and good and bad traits where you want to see that red ink. If you are buying a
can take three generations to manifest themselves, so retriever and the hip and eye scores of the parents are
it’s not like mixing paint, but a good breeder should not shown on the KC registration, then ask the breeder
have a reason for each mating, and not just that it was for a copy of their test certificates. You are looking for
his friend’s dog and he got the stud for free. Is mum a clear/pass in the case of the eyes; the hips will have
You will notice that some dog’s names are written in healthy? individual scores (eg, 3-3) – these scores should be as
red and carry FTCh before their name: this stands for This may low and balanced as possible, to indicate that the
Field Trial Champion, showing that they have won two indicate the parents have little or no problem with hip dysplasia.
or more Open Field Trials. While many fine working care being The scores are then combined to give a final score and
dogs have little or no FT Champions in their pedigree, given to compared to a breed average. I would look for each
it does show that the puppies come from working dogs the litter. parent to have a combined hip score of 10 or below for
puppies to be considered.
So you have found a litter from a genuine breeder
and like the look of the pedigree: it’s time to arrange a
visit. I have no problem with viewing pups before they
are eight weeks old. In fact you may need to do this as
soon as possible to secure a top-notch pup. But I
wouldn’t consider taking it away from the litter before
that age. This gives the breeder time to properly wean
the puppy from its mother and avoids undue stress
before it is really ready.
When you go to see the litter, take notice of their
surroundings: the room or kennel doesn’t need to be
grand but it should be in good condition, clean with a
good supply of fresh bedding and drinking water. This
indicates the care that has been given to the pups’
upbringing and their resulting health and welfare.
Bright-eyed, puppy’s eyes should be clear and not runny or sticky.
interested Weeping from the sides of the eyes can point to
and full of entropion (an in-growing eyelid), which would need
energy: this treatment by a vet. Look at the puppy’s conformation:
lab is a good are its front legs nice and straight? Is its chest deep
prospect. and broad to give stamina? The tail action should be
brisk showing the puppy is happy and full of beans,
and not subdued and frail. With a spaniel this is an
essential part of the dog’s hunting action so I would
always look for a nice lively tail action. For docked
breeds, such as spaniels – and I personally would not
buy an undocked spaniel pup because I know that,
through working, it is very likely to damage it – the
dock needs to be right: too short and it will unbalance
the dog, spoiling its action. A correct dock for a spaniel
is about one-third, leaving two-thirds. If done
correctly, at an early age, before the pup’s nervous
system is developed, docking is quick and painless.
For retriever breeds the tail shouldn’t be carried too
high. Some walk around with their tail up like a flag
and while this may not affect the dog’s working
abilities, it is unattractive, especially with the dog
working in front of you.
Imagine being faced with a litter of labradors, six to
eight almost identical black bundles running around.
Unless one puppy stands out, you need to go through
an elimination process. To shorten the odds, I would
If the puppies are young and still with their mother, pick out the ones that I like the look of and that fit my
then take note of her condition: remember she has not criteria of size and temperament and ask the breeder
long had a litter of pups so she may not be looking her to place them on the lawn where I can watch them run
best, but she should look healthy and well cared for. around. I would note how inquisitive they are – the
The breeder will be keen to keep stress to the bitch interest they show in their surroundings and me; it’s a
and the chance of disease to a minimum so respect good sign if the puppy wants to be around you.
his/her wishes if they don’t want the puppies handled. I would pick up each pup, feeling along the legs for
To be honest, there is little you can tell at this age: you obvious problems, such as rear dew claws, which are
may be able to tell the bigger or smaller pups, and unusual and need to be removed by a vet. I would
with springers and cockers you can see their colours check for navel hernias: these can be caused when the
and markings, if these are going to influence your bitch bites off the umbilical cord or by the pup
choice. The breeder will point out the dogs and dragging itself over the side of the whelping box. If
bitches, if you have a preference, but unless you must, they are just a pea-sized lump they will generally
I would not pick a puppy at this age. If I liked the litter, disappear as the pup grows, but larger half-inch
I would much sooner agree to “put my name” on a ruptures may need an operation.
puppy and return when they are older and more Its jaws and Have a closer look and make sure the pup’s eyes are
developed before I made my final choice. teeth are clear and that the teeth come together in a straight
fine – and bite: you don’t want the top or bottom jaw over- or
it’s willing under-shot as this could cause the dog to have
Identifying the right pup to carry. retrieving difficulties. Try each pup with a knotted
If I were viewing a litter for the first time I’d ask to see
the dam and the sire, too, if he were available, or at
least a picture of him. This will give you an idea of the
size and the stature the puppies might become. Faced
with a litter of pups the cuteness factor is inevitable
and you need to be attracted to a likely puppy, but this
attraction should be balanced with practicality: don’t
pick the runt because you feel sorry for it. Watch the
puppies play and note their interaction: this way you’ll
get an idea of their characters. You’ll distinguish the
bolder, bossy pups from the softer ones; the best
choice is usually the one that fits your personality. If
you’ve a gentle nature, don’t go for the little bully that
will need firm handling in the future. Likewise, a soft
pup may find life hard under a demanding trainer.
However much you might be attracted to a puppy,
you need to check that they are physically sound. The
handkerchief to ensure they are willing to carry. This is what to switch to a different food, this should be done
Any pups you like less should be returned to the you hope gradually once it has settled into its new home. Also
kennel until you’ve whittled down the litter to the one the pup will avoid feeding the pup tit-bits and treats – stick to its
dog with which you think you could work. Remember, become: usual food to avoid problems.
you are going to spend the next ten or more years with a trusted
your choice so make sure you are happy with it. If I shooting
have doubts I walk away because if the dog is not right companion. Going home
now, I would be likely to find fault in the future. While Being taken away from the litter is stressful for a
I would listen to the breeder’s advice, it must be my puppy, so expect a mess on the way home and come
decision even if they try to convince me otherwise. armed with old towels and newspaper to put in the
When you are 100 per cent sure it’s the puppy for car. The puppy is less likely to be stressed or sick if it
you, you need to collect the paperwork – a copy of the can cuddle in a towel on someone’s lap for the journey
pedigree, KC registration and any inoculation and Now where home. If you must collect the pup on your own, a cage
worming records. Don’t forget to get the transfer of did I put or box with a covering of newspaper will keep the pup
ownership document sighed by the breeder and to my gloves? safely contained during the drive. Don’t feed the pup
leave your details with them. Buy a bag of the puppy’s Instincts are until you get home but a short stop at a quiet, safe area
food from the breeder to ensure consistency and revealed at for a stretch and a drink is a good idea; just remember
avoid diarrhoea and dehydration. Even if you intend an early age. the pup has not been fully inoculated, so avoid letting
them run around where other dogs may have been.
When you arrive home, everyone is going to be
excited to meet the new arrival, but try to keep things
calm and give the puppy space to explore at its own
pace. By all means introduce the puppy to children or
other dogs you have, but make it a controlled situation
– the puppy will be overwhelmed with all that has
happened. Like a human baby, it will quickly tire and
need to sleep regularly throughout the day. It is
important that it has a place to rest undisturbed. If the
puppy is in the house, then a travel cage or box where
its bed will be is a good way of giving it a sanctuary in
the day and a secure sleeping area at night, keeping it
out of trouble, at least until it settles into its routine.
Just make sure it always has access to a bowl of fresh
water – non-spill type travel bowls are the best option.
Good luck and good hunting. CS
Shooting
Safety is the priority for all
shooters regardless of age
or experience.
STAYING SAFE
WITH GUNS
The British Association for Shooting and Conservation highlights
the important things to remember when using a shotgun
I
T DOESN’T MATTER what type
of shooting you’re doing, be it
rough shooting, pest control or
driven birds, safety is the most
important thing to consider.
Shotguns can kill. Always be
aware of where your barrels
are pointing – and never point a gun in an
unsafe direction. Whenever you shoot,
you should know where the shot will fall
before you pull the trigger.

WHERE TO FIND THE PASSING A SHOTGUN Above left:
GUN’S INFORMATION If you want to pass a gun to someone, prove it’s empty
Knowing
what type of
If you’re unsure about which types of cartridges are first by showing the empty chambers. Then pass it – cartridges are
safe to use in your gun, check the flats of the barrels. stock first – to the other person. safe to use
You are looking for the proof marks, gauge or bore and with your gun
chamber length of your gun. If you are not sure what it CROSSING A FENCE is essential.
all means, then ask someone who does know. Your Open the gun and remove the cartridges. Close the
local club, gun shop, or police licensing department gun and, ensuring that the muzzles do not point at Above: When
will always be pleased to help. you, lean the gun (stock down and barrels up) against passing a gun
the obstacle so that it cannot slip or fall. Alternatively, to someone,
CARRYING A SHOTGUN place the gun carefully on the ground and out of show them
IN A GUNSLIP harm’s way so that you can easily reach it from the that the
To prevent a shotgun falling out of its gunslip if the other side. Climb over the fence and retrieve the gun – chambers
fastening should break, carry it with the barrels down again, keeping an eye on where the muzzles are are empty
and pass
and stock up when it’s slung over your shoulder. A pointing. Open the gun, check the barrels for
stock first.
shotgun should be opened before removing it fully obstructions and continue on your way. It’s never a
from the slip to check that it is unloaded. Do not touch good idea to carry the gun while you’re crossing an
the trigger even at this stage. Your next action should obstacle unless there’s simply no alternative.
always be to check that the barrels are clear. Do this
while the gun is pointing in a safe direction. Don’t CROSSING A FENCE
even point the muzzle end of the gunslip at anyone. IN COMPANY
A shotgun should always be considered loaded until Ensure both guns are open and unloaded. One person
it’s proven empty. Even then, always handle it as if it holds them while the other climbs over the obstacle.
were loaded. The guns are then passed over (stock first) one by one;
Before putting the gun back in its slip, always check the other person then climbs over and retrieves his
that it’s unloaded. Put the barrels in first, close the shotgun on the other side
gun and then secure the fastening.
Right: Never carry
CARRYING A SHOTGUN your shotgun over
an obstacle.
OUT OF A SLIP
If you’re carrying a gun out of its slip, it should be Below: The safety
unloaded, open/broken and over the crook of your briefing at the start of
arm. Do not carry it over your shoulder or in any other a driven shoot is the
way. When you’re standing still, do not rest the most important part
muzzles on your foot. of the day.
PHOTOGRAPHS: BASC

Shooting
THE BASICS
All this advice (previous page) might seem blindingly
obvious, but complacency can creep in with
familiarity. It’s when the guns are loaded, however,
that the real safety issues come to the fore.
For ease we’ve compiled a checklist of the basic
safety rules:
l Never point a gun, loaded or unloaded, in an
unsafe direction.
l Never shoot unless you are sure it’s safe to do so.
l Always have the safety catch on “safe” until the
moment before you fire.
l Always bear in mind the possibility of a ricochet,
particularly across water or off
branches and vegetation.
l Never fire blindly into dense vegetation.
l Never take chance low shots without a clear
fall-out zone for your shot.
l Never travel with a loaded shotgun.
l Never put down a loaded shotgun or l Never shoot at, or near, overhead obstructions, Only release
leave it unattended. power lines for example. the safety catch
l Keep your fingers away from the trigger l Be extra careful shooting near buildings when you’re
until you want to fire. or concrete structures; ricochets are a ready to fire.
l Always be steady on your feet before you shoot. real danger.
l Never shoot unless you are certain of your l At all times guard against shot carrying beyond
target and can see it clearly. the boundary of your permitted shooting area.
When you’re out...

Every shooter should be safe and sensible at all times – if only to reassure others that you
can be trusted with a shotgun. Here are a few examples of basic dos and don’ts…
l Advise the land owner and/or l Never break fences, walls, consider where the shot will go,
tenant when you intend to shoot and rails or hedges. allowing for possible ricochets.
check beforehand that it’s convenient. l Try to avoid walking through standing l Do not fire at quarry unless you are
l Confirm with the land owner and/or crops and don’t allow your dog to do so. sure it’s within range and be sure you
tenant what quarry you may shoot. l Know your own limitations and those know what is behind it. If you are
l Always respect the owner’s property, of your gun and shoot responsibly. If you not sure, don’t shoot.
crops, livestock and fences and follow are not reasonably sure of a humane kill, l Be extra careful in cold and wet
the Countryside Code. Open gates rather don’t shoot. Shooting at quarry is not conditions, which can lead to loss of
than climb them and close them after you. a competition. feeling in the fingers and difficulty
If you have to climb a closed gate, l Keep your dog under control. in operating the safety catch
do it at the hinged end. l Always treat a shotgun as though it and the trigger.
l On picking up, or being handed a were loaded and keep its barrels pointing l Remember that all shooters will be
shotgun, check immediately that there in a safe direction. judged by your actions and ensure that
are no cartridges in it and that the l Avoid disturbance to livestock. your conduct is always above reproach.
barrels are clear. l Before firing your shotgun, you should l Above all – be safe and sensible. CS
PHOTOGRAPH © INGRAM PUBLISHING
JOIN BASC
Shooting, like fishing, can be a minefield for the uninitiated so to find out more, check
out the BASC website: www.basc.org.uk Here you’ll find absolutely everything you
need to get you started; from advice on filling out your licence application form, through
to etiquette on shoot days. Welcome aboard and enjoy your new sport!

Clothing
Style in the
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Available in a blackberry wine colour
with contrasting faux leather piping,
this form-fitting unisex gilet features
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its most eye-catching feature is the
faux horn toggle at the collar, which
gives the vest a stylish European look.
Barbour holdall
This stylish cotton holdall is part of Barbour’s
collaboration with Land Rover. A detachable webbing
strap offers an alternative to the leather carry handles,
while aged brass-effect hardware adds extra
touches of luxury.
£369
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field
ELEGANT COUNTRY WEAR
Kevlar-blend Ali-Gaiters
Cult New Zealand clothing brand Swazi
Swazi Severn top
Apparel has completely redesigned the humble
gaiter and created its own super-durable, Stay hands-free and keep your
quick-drying version called Ali-Gaiters. Snug- binoculars secure with Swazi
fitting, they are fitted with boot ties made from Apparel’s innovative Severn Top,
steel cable – built to last for years. which features a specially
£67.80 + P&P designed optics pocket. The
Sizes: M-L lightweight Severn has zipped
www.swazi.co.nz side pockets for keeping hands
warm. Made in New Zealand
from Aegis windshield fleece, the
Severn is designed for moving.
£126.56 + P&P
John Field Nilo cargo trousers Sizes: S-XXXL
www.swazi.co.nz
Repel pesky mosquitos by wearing John Field’s Nilo cargo
making them perfect for travel to c
£110
Sizes: S-XXXL
www.johnfield.eu
Cordings Grenfell
shooting jacket
In collaboration with Grenfell,
Cordings have recreated this
belted shooting jacket, first made
in the 1940s. It has the same
design and fit, using the original
Grenfell Cloth and identical
production techniques True to the
original, this classic-fit shooter
has reinforced shoulders, three
external pockets and an internal
waterproof game pocket.
It has been laundered to give
a vintage look and feel.
£600
Sizes: 38, 44.
www.cordings.co.uk

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T: 0161 620 2190
E: [email protected]
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Hotel & Estate
Connemara
visit our
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supplies.co.uk
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Shotgun Cartridges
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Dates available in December 2016 & January 2017
Tel 00 353 95 31006
Tel: 01405 741706
Email [email protected]
www.mooredges.com www.ballynahinchcastle.com
Mooredges Road, Thorne, Doncaster DN8 5RY
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Essential kit
Which
binoculars?
Our pick of the finest field glasses you can buy
Leica Ultravid HD-Plus 50
The latest in Leica’s revolutionary Experience nature in razor-sharp
Geovid family, this top-of-the- detail using Leica’s new Ultravid
range rangefinder has the finest HD-Plus 50 binoculars. Incorporating
glass and lens coatings and offers top-performing lenses that keep stray
optimum transmission, contrast light to a minimum, the clever design
and natural colour fidelity. It also guarantees superb colour and
features state-of-the-art laser contrast, a bright and clear view and
range-finding technology and an the sharpest detail resolution. Thanks
internal ballistic calculator with to a large objective lens diameter, the
HD card slot that allows users to HD-Plus 50 is particularly suitable
upload their own specific ballistic for use in twilight and the early-
data, whether it’s a home or factory load. evening hours.
Magnifications: 8 x 42, 10 x 42, 8 x 56. Magnifications: 8 x 50, 10 x 50, 12 x 50.
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Bushnell Ultra Legend Bushnell Fusion 1-Mile ARC
Bushnell’s award-winning Legend Ultra HD binoculars feature: The ultimate in efficiency, the Fusion melds the best of Bushnell
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image; Ultra Wide Band lens coating, which maximises light Every detail is magnified with rich contrast and stunning
transmission; extra-low dispersion; and Bushnell’s patented clarity from edge to edge, using premium fully
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Rural traditions
FELL
RUNNERS
John Walsh witnesses an extraordinary sport of the northern hills

T
A group of trail HE SIGHT OF a string of lithe
hounds display hounds racing freely over the fells
their agility as has surprised visitors and
they leap over delighted residents in remote parts
a farm gate. of northern Britain for 200 years.
These are not foxhounds and this is
not hunting. It is hound trailing, a
sport unique to Cumbria, North
Yorkshire, the Scottish Borders and Ireland.
Hounds are trained to follow an aniseed trail across
10 miles of countryside, with no guidance from owners.
At the start line, they quiver with anticipation. Their
yips and barks grow louder and more urgent as they wait
for what is termed the slip. This is the moment their
owner lets slip the tight hold they have on their hound.
When the starting flag is dropped, the eager hounds
shoot away. Over the next 30 to 45 minutes, they race
across fell and farmland, tearing over fields, through
herds of sheep, over drystone walls and hedges, even
barbed-wire fences. As they approach the finish, knots of
people shout, whistle and bang tins (to encourage their
dogs to the front, owners reward dogs with tasty morsels
in a feed dish). The first six hounds receive prizes and
points towards the end of season championship.
It is said that the first race stemmed from an
argument over a pint between two owners of foxhound
packs in the 18th century. They decided to test the packs
against each other to see which was fastest.
Since those early days, this has been a gambling sport
with hefty wagers laid on the competing hounds.
In 1901 an article in Baily’s Magazine of Sports and
Pastimes said: “The miners and dalesmen, requiring
some form of sport, had selected one of the speediest
north-country foxhounds and by crossing and
re-crossing have obtained an animal little short of a
greyhound for pace, and as hungry for an aniseed drag
as it is possible to imagine.”
The hound-trailing season starts in the spring
(March 1 for the Borders Hound Trail Association) and
runs to the end of October. At the end of the season,
the hound with most wins becomes the champion
for that season.
Since 1906 trails have been organised by the Hound
Trailing Association (HTA). Originally, there was just the
one dog race. Now there are many classes of trail,
catering for hounds of different abilities. The top grades
are seniors and puppies, and the lower grades include
senior maidens, open non-winners and open restricted.
There are two trail lengths. The first is an eight to 10
mile course for seniors, with time limits of 25 to 45
minutes. The second is a four to five-mile course for
puppies, with time limits of 15 to 25 minutes.
Owners and hounds get

ready for the slip.

Rural traditions
A line of hounds
follows an aniseed
trail across the fell.
The biggest slips are often for hounds of any age most hound trailers have formed groups to train their
that have not won more than three similar or higher- pups, and they are running for about 10 minutes.
grade trails in the present and preceding season. Hounds are raced, on average, two or three times a
Most hounds fall into this category. Their owners run week. Fifty years ago their diet mainly consisted of a
them for the love of the sport and their passion for the rusk or biscuit meal, with beef, chicken, hare, rabbit
hounds. A win is to be celebrated, but they will run or fish, plus eggs, vegetables and milk. There were as
their hounds regardless. many diets as there were trainers. Often these were
Trail hounds are bred to be slightly lighter and well-kept secrets, designed to give their hounds an
leaner than foxhounds. When edge. Even today trailers have
working they will carry no their own closely guarded
extra fat. Their coats will be “Hounds are raced, secret ingredient or recipe for
clipped to avoid over-heating their hounds’ food.
and enhance their on average, two or Margaret Baxter, secretary of
performance.
Puppies are run in the year three times a week” the HTA, likens having your
own hound to training a
following their birth, so the racehorse in miniature. She
most desirable time to breed a litter is late winter or said: “The difference is that you do every single thing
early spring. The pups will then be more than a year yourself. It doesn’t matter whether you have a top-
old when the season starts the following April (pups class hound or one of lesser ability. If it does its best
must be born after Jan 1 to qualify for the following and gets round safe and sound, that’s all that counts.
PHOTOGRAPHY: ALAMY; CUMBRIAN NEWSPAPER

year – any earlier and they can’t run as pups). “There’s nothing like watching the hounds work.
Training begins at eight months old. Early lessons As they fly over the fields and fells, the way they move
involve one handler holding the pup, with somebody and the effortless way they leap over obstacles is a joy
else showing a tit-bit, walking away dragging the to see. This is an amazing sport that is part of the
aniseed rag, and then calling the pup. Very soon, the lifeblood of the families involved. It has captivated
animal learns that aniseed leads to food. The hunting thousands of people since it started, and long may it
instinct takes over and the pup no longer needs to see continue to do so.”
somebody walking away. He’s ready to go as soon as For information on upcoming trailing events visit:
he gets wind of the scent. Trails can then be www.houndtrailing.org.uk or www.onlineborders.org.uk/
lengthened and obstacles introduced. By Christmas, community/bhta/events CS
The trail hound

In the late 19th century and early years of Hound trails are run under very strict
the 20th century the trail hound remained rules and are very competitive. Hounds
in essence a foxhound. that continually play or try to interfere with
The Hound Trailing Association started other hounds during a race are banned
to record the breeding of registered from racing in future, as are hounds that
puppies from 1940. These records show are deemed to “cut”, meaning they start
that lighter, faster foxhounds were still be- guessing where the trail is going and cut The first six hounds will win prizes.
ing used to father trail hound puppies until off the corners – some are very clever!
the 1950s. To develop their stamina and Some young hounds are not fast enough,
speed, other breeds were cross-bred into or lack the competitive streak. Those that
the lines, including pointers and harriers. do compete usually end their racing career
The trail hound was established in its when they are seven years old.
own right by the mid 20th century. There Trail hounds are known to be loyal
were many trail hound sires and the use and affectionate. Many go on to make
of foxhounds gradually tailed off. The last excellent family pets, adapting very
foxhound-sired litter was born in 1981. quickly to life in retirement. Hounds have been bred for speed.
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t:-
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Included- ,-C ar
Sava-C and-Bandana
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oot-wax
JahtiJakt-b
The-waterproofing-of-a-JahtiJakt-Hunting-boot-is-achieved-with-a- The-completely-new-JahtiJakt-Kaira-is-the-top-of-the-class-hunting-
multilayer-structure.-The-new-AI--T-X2-membrane-and-revolutionary- suit-that-combines-the-technical-knowhow-of-the--orthern--urope’s-
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gives-an-excellent-grip. The Kaira bonus package
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includes this product

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Car Seat Einar Fleece Sava Cap Liner Moose
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Underwear
A-CTIC-OUTDOO--
Food
Mike Robinson is
the UK’s leading
game chef and
owner of The Pot
Kiln, Berkshire,
and London’s
only Michelin-
starred pub The
Harwood Arms.
He is a
passionate
deerstalker and
game-shooter,
and would
rather harvest
ingredients from
the fields and
woodlands than
a shop.
Pigeon and peas with cider

The key to this dish is small sweet petit pois peas 1. Start by removing the “true-fillet” from
the back of each pigeon breast. This has a
and evenly pink pigeon breasts. It makes a sinew that runs through it which will
delicious starter with one breast each or a light cause the breast to shrink when cooking
if left on. Discard these.
main course with two. As a main course it could
2. Gently sauté the shallots in butter until
be served with crushed roasted new potatoes. soft but not coloured. Add the garlic and
stir for a further minute before pouring
over the cider and adding the sprig of
rosemary. Allow to boil for a few minutes
to remove the alcohol.
3. Meanwhile cook off the lardons in

their own fat until crispy and drain
Serves 8 as a starter or 4 as a main on kitchen paper.
·· 8200g pigeon breasts, skin-off

frozen petit pois
4. Heat a frying pan until searing hot. Rub
the pigeon breasts with olive oil, salt and
·· ½2 shallots,
pint cider (preferably traditional)
finely sliced
pepper and sear for 1½ minutes on each
side, then set aside to rest for at least
·· 18 knob butter
rashers streaky, smoked bacon, cut into lardons
five minutes.
·· 1 cloves
4 garlic, crushed
cup sage leaves, finely sliced
5. While the pigeon is resting, remove the
rosemary and add the peas and sage to
·· 12 sprig rosemary
tsp grain mustard
the cider. Stir in the cream, bacon and
season (remembering that the bacon
· Splash double cream is salty!).
6. Serve a spoonful of peas on a plate then

slice your beautifully pink pigeon breasts
over the top. CS

see you there...
SET IN THE FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS OF

RAGLEY HALL Alcester, Warwickshire of the Great
British Countryside
FEATURING
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TROUT & SALMON MAY 2016

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4* DELUXE HOTEL / LODGES / SPA / RESTAURANT

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Lovely evening light

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One of the better fish that can be found in Lough Derg.

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A beautifully patterned Corrib trout safely landed.

Wish for a wind

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Head for the shallows on Mask

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Catch a trophy on Ree

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try Arrow prepares to bring an

The writer’s boat moored in

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Don’t miss the spent gnat on Sheelin

Beds, boats and guides

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Prices start from £199.99 RRP.

for a fancy desk.

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THE FLY FOR ALL SEASONS

For salmon and saltwater

Extra depth can be

Yvon’s Pheasant Tail and Partridge

They are also shorter, so a and durable. normal soft-hackle ties.

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NEW HOPPER GUMMI

NEW SPRINTER GUMMI

*When you buy HOPPER,

will be in shallow water where weak spring sunshine

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Most monofilament will have some stretch in it, as

a trout is beyond the scope of this piece, but the

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a big fish, leaving their smaller brethren to attack the

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SPORTFISH READING HAYWARDS FARM, THEALE, READING, BERKSHIRE, RG7 4AS

*T&C’s apply. @sportfishuk facebook.com/sportfishuk

the new range of CAST fly rods