Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2017 i Trout & Salmon

“Salmon are repeatedly catapulted by huge blades into the outer caging. It’s a sickening scene that has upset anglers and the wider public” SOME OF YOU will have seen the shocking footage of the “award-winning” hydro-electric scheme on the River Wear in Durham city centre, showing salmon and sea-trout being battered by an Archimedes screw. Despite the video evidence and condemnation from anglers, the Environment Agency (EA) - who approved the scheme - appears happy to let this upsetting environmental injustice continue. The “eco-friendly” scheme was installed on the Framwellgate weir to power the new Freeman’s Reach development in Durham (soon to be the new offices for Her Majesty’s Passport Office) and has been hailed in the local press as “the first UK city centre development to incorporate a fully-operational…

“Irrelevant, continuous chatter about nothing in particular does my head in” WHAT MAKES A good boat partner? A very subjective question. One man’s meat is another man’s poisson, after all. And before I start, I promise that there will be “no names, no pack-drill”. I’ve said before that boat fishing is, for me, the most enjoyable style of fly-fishing by far. I love the camaraderie of it, but only if I share the boat. There are so many aspects of fishing that are improved by the presence of another. The sharing of ideas, reminiscences, and observations. The chance to explore differing approaches - lines, patterns, methods of retrieval - leads to a deeper understanding of the problems faced. Two heads are better than one. In Orkney, where I learned my…

The 15-year-old brown trout record at Pitsford Water was broken on September 27 by Bob Collins (pictured), who caught a 15lb 8oz fish from the bank at No Fish Point on a size 12 Dunkeld. Bob, who's fished Pitsford since the 1970s, said the fly had just hit the surface when it was engulfed. His family has form: brother John held the brown trout record in 1976 with a 6lb 10oz fish. Bob said “It’s only taken me 41 years to beat it.” When stocked, the record fish would have weighed no more than 2lb.…

JEALOUS ANGLERS A salutary lesson was learned last week while I was fishing for three days on a tributary of the Naver in the Highlands: never blather and ramble on excitedly about the fish you have caught when others have not caught anything. Keep your mouth shut and only speak if spoken to. If you do bash on, after 30 seconds or so you will get a long sigh, a glazed look, mutterings between gritted teeth followed by some rather cutting put-down. Maybe I am very naïve but I have always been delighted to hear other people’s stories of catching salmon when I have not. This was a new experience for me. The only time I have ever been slightly jealous with a fellow fisherman was a few years back…

AS THE SALMON season draws to a close and we are faced with high and cold water, we must search the depths for taking fish. To present the fly deeper we must use a sinking line - either a multi-tip (floating belly with sinking tips), a sinking shooting-head or a sinking full spey-line. The sinking rates are normally between three inches per second and six inches per second, but in some situations an even faster rate is needed - ten inches or more per second. It can be difficult to lift these lines, along with the leader and fly, cleanly from the water to reposition them for the anchor of the next cast. As you begin the casting cycle, some line may still be beneath the surface, gripped by the…

Catch in the thread at the eye and form a double layer of thread over the front half of the shank in readiness for the foam. Secure a length of foam immediately behind the eye, but take care not to cut it with too much thread-tension. Remove the waste foam, then secure the foam post with further, tighter turns of thread. Take the thread down to the bend. Catch in a bunch of rabbit fur (golden barred in this variant), bind it tightly and make one or two turns under the bunch to lift the tail. Trim the waste fur, then make a rope of your chosen dubbing (alternatively, use extra fine Straggle String or similar). Wind the dubbing loosely to reduce bulk. The dubbing will also cover the butt…

Q I’M KEEN to try nymph fishing for grayling this winter, but modern techniques seem complicated. Can you give me a duffer’s guide to get me started? Tommy Abbott, via email A: WHEN GRAYLING are in the mood they are fairly easy to catch. Unfortunately, they tend to favour well-known sections of river and can grow “wise” to basic tactics. That’s why experienced anglers, especially those in Europe, have developed more technical methods to fool them. However you will have every chance of success if you follow this straightforward advice: 1) A long soft-actioned rod is vital. Try a 10ft 4wt, for “feel” and to cushion close-quarter takes from decent fish. 2) Add a small, bright indicator to the leader, which you will find easy to spot. 3) Leader strength…

“She wore white jeans, a bubble-gum-pink bomber jacket, a platinum-blonde bob, shades and some wholly unsuitable shoes” SO HERE I am standing ankle deep in the noble Spey beside the Bridge of Doom on our final morning of the annual sojourn and I am, against all the odds, attached to what might reasonably be described as a decent fish. Although, to be honest, after a three-rod week where the only piscatorial contact has been a solitary sea-trout, any fish - at this juncture - might be described as a decent fish. This fish, however, even disregarding a wholly understandable last-few-hours-of-the-trip tendency towards possible exaggeration, did actually seem like quite a decent fish. There was a degree of headshaking and there were a couple of powerful runs downstream. And all the…

HIGHLAND SALMON fishing rewards anglers with some of the most stunning scenery Scotland has to offer. The Beauly is no exception, combining beautiful views with a high chance of fishing success, all within a 12-mile journey of Inverness where the local airport receives regular flights from other British and Irish cities. Salmon Although there is trout fishing, particularly in the tributary rivers Farrar and Glass, it is as a salmon river that the Beauly is largely known. The river is divided into two beats, Upper and Lower, both of which fish well for salmon given the right conditions. The Lower Beauly usually produces the lion’s share of the salmon. Beauly Fishing Syndicate controls 3¼ miles of the lower river, which is divided into three beats: The Falls, Home and Dounie.…

THE DON is one of the best wild brown trout rivers in Scotland. Every season anglers from all over Europe travel to fish its pools, which is no surprise when you consider the impressive size of the specimens that are caught every year. It is not just a trout river, either: there are runs of salmon and sea-trout, too. For anglers in the know, the Don is one of Scotland’s fly-fishing jewels. Salmon As with many rivers, the Don’s run of spring salmon is not quite what it was. However, there is still the chance of a springer in the early months of the season with the lower beats providing the best chance. The middle of June usually sees the arrival of the river’s grilse, which cause sport to hot…

AS FAR as famous salmon rivers go they don’t come much more famous than the Spey, the river that gives its name to the style of casting that is synonymous with salmon fishing. More than deserving of its place among Scotland’s famous four salmon rivers, it has given rise to countless innovations in fly patterns and methods. Salmon The most productive beats are found between Grantown-on-Spey all the way downstream to Spey Bay, including some excellent stretches managed by angling clubs and associations where day tickets are available at very reasonable prices. The salmon season opens on February 11, and the first fish may come from any beat in Strathspey all the way up to Grantown depending on water height and temperature. Early season salmon don’t tend to be of…

THERE ARE four trout fisheries that come under the Anglian Water umbrella: Rutland, Grafham, Pitsford and Ravensthorpe. Each offers some of the best stillwater sport available from boat or bank in the UK with stocked rainbow and brown trout, many of which over-winter to become true specimens. Rutland Water Rutland has a fleet of more than 60 boats available to book through the lodge, which also has a large tackle-shop. Hambleton Peninsula splits the reservoir into the famous north and south arms, merging in the main basin. Exploring the whole reservoir is a challenge so it’s worth spending time quizzing the staff for news of catches and carefully planning your day. Rutland is an excellent venue for autumn and winter when the shallows come alive with fry-feeders. Grafham Water The…

ONE OF Hampshire’s famous chalkstreams, the Itchen is shorter than its equally famous neighbour, the Test, and is therefore more exclusive. Many Itchen beats are controlled by syndicates and private owners with fishing reserved for members and friends only, although there is some day-ticket availability – and even a free stretch through Winchester city centre. Salmon The lower reaches provide the best chance of a salmon, with the Lower Itchen Fishery one of the best beats to try. Most Itchen salmon are caught on spinners or the prawn (fishing with worms is prohibited) but they can be induced to take a fly. The more unusual method of fishing a salmon nymph, by casting upstream and fishing down to a sighted fish, is one of the most effective ways of taking…

THE DOVEY, or Dyfi, is possibly the best of the Welsh sewin (sea-trout) rivers. It is known for producing a remarkable number of big fish. The river rises in southern Snowdonia and meets the sea in Cardigan Bay at Aberdovey, flowing through beautiful Welsh countryside. As befits a premier fishery, it can be a difficult river on which to get day tickets. Salmon While the Dovey is primarily known for its sea-trout, the river also has a good run of salmon. The back-end is the prime time, but day and week permits are hard to come by from September to the end of the season in October. August therefore offers the best chance for the visiting salmon angler when double-figure salmon regularly appear in the catch records. Sea-trout The Dovey…

THE USK, or Wysg, is chiefly associated with some truly excellent wild brown trout fishing. The hatches can be phenomenal, especially in the early months of the season when March browns and numerous olive species emerge in numbers. It also has a very respectable run of salmon, which are best targeted during the summer months following a spate. Salmon The best of the salmon fishing on the Usk is in the summer and autumn months. The chances of connecting with one of these summer fish is heavily dependent on rainfall. Late May can see the sport begin to pick up and this will continue through June and July as long as there is sufficient water to bring fish into the pools. The autumn months of September and October are usually…

THE SALMON season opens early, on January 1, and there will be fresh salmon in the system from opening day. It is with good reason Carrowmore is considered one of the premier spring salmon fisheries in Ireland. Salmon The lough will hold a good number of salmon from the very first day of the year, though fishing usually intensifies after the first mild weather arrives in February and the winter storms subside. The lake is shallow so it is important to take a great deal of care as there are a good number of submerged rocks. The Green Peter, Bibio and Dabblers all work well. Sea-trout From July onwards the principal quarry becomes the sea-trout. Some of the favourite drifts of local rods include Gortmore Island on the southern side…

CURRANE IS the main lough in the extensive Waterville system that includes the sister loughs Derriana, Namona and Cloonaghlin. A very high number of the specimen sea-trout that are caught every year in Ireland will come from Currane, and that alone should put it high on the must-fish list of the visiting angler, which is to say nothing of the excellent salmon and brown trout fishing that is also available. Salmon The salmon season on Currane begins early, on January 17, which is often when the first springer of the year is caught. It is advisable to seek the help of a local gillie as even experienced rods can benefit from assistance in holding the boat over the known lies, which allows the angler to cover the water with typical…

LOUGH SHEELIN is a fascinating sheet of water split across three Irish counties: Cavan, Meath and Westmeath. Its 1,880 hectares are highly fertile, a consequence of the limestone common to nearly all the famous Irish lough fisheries. There is an abundance of aquatic fly-life, which sustains an extremely healthy population of wild brown trout. Brown trout Sheelin has the potential to give the visiting angler truly memorable days. It is often referred to as the jewel in Ireland’s angling crown. The quality of the trout is high: there’s always the distinct possibility of catching a fish over 4lb. There is even a local, unofficial “over 8lb club”. The limestone gives Sheelin a high pH level and that coupled with the shallow nature of the lough means that there is a…

United Utilities (UU) has been fined £666,000 for polluting the River Medlock, near Manchester, with raw sewage on October 14, 2014. The Environment Agency prosecuted the water company when two-and-a-half miles of riverbed at Ashton-under-Lyne were contaminated with grey sludge and brown trout were killed. The EA described brown trout in court as “a key indicator species of good water quality”. In July last year, UU were fined £600,000 for polluting Bradshaw Brook, near Bolton, with sodium hypochlorite, also killing brown trout. If you spot pollution, call the EA hotline: 0800 80 70 60.…

The Scottish Information Commissioner has ordered the Scottish Government to disclose the names of Scotland’s “liciest” salmon farms to Salmon and Trout Conservation Scotland. The Commissioner ruled that Scottish Ministers tried unlawfully to protect the worst-performing fish farms from public scrutiny. The decision follows repeated requests by S&TC Scotland for details of farms that had notified Marine Scotland that the numbers of adult female sea-lice on farmed salmon had exceeded the industry’s own “trigger level”, agreed with the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation in 2016. But Scottish Ministers had declined to provide the information, on the basis that to do so would cause “substantial prejudice” to the commercial interests of the fish farmers. Guy Linley-Adams, solicitor for S&TC Scotland said: “We are delighted the Commissioner has made it so plain…

“Some who take advantage of these new freedoms have no sense of responsibility to other users or respect for the land” CAN THERE BE anything more promising than turning up at your favourite pool, anticipating the day ahead? You fit your rod together and pull on your waders, ready to amble down the grassy bank to the water’s edge, enjoying the moment and the solitude. Except that there, on the other side of the stile, parked on the grass is a bright blue pup tent. The entrance is open but you are approaching from the rear. What to do? To say I was put out by this encounter at the start of a summer Dee week is an understatement. Not wanting to disturb the occupants, I tiptoed past and began…

FRY-FEEDING HAS started and my Floating Fry and Popper Minkies are ready. But I have a dilemma. October is a transitional period between fishing small dry-flies, wet-flies and nymphs or opting for bigger fry patterns. On the one hand, I don’t want to retire the smaller flies because that’s as good as saying imitative surface fishing is over when it really isn’t, but on the other, those big fry-feeders are difficult to ignore. I think I have the answer. Over the past few seasons, competition anglers have developed fry patterns that meet size restrictions imposed on them under International rules (total fly length must not exceed 15/16in and hook length is limited to 5/8in). These patterns include scaled-down Floating Fry and Minkies, the latter of particular interest to those who…

Q I HAVE always been told to “follow the advice of your gillie” and rightly so. This year one highly respected gillie impressed on me that, if you fish a pool and have no luck, change something – the size of fly, the depth you are fishing, the way you move the fly. The following day, another gillie instructed me to “Stick to a conventional floating line with a sinking tip, a small fly, have patience…” What would be your advice? Rob Larkman, via email A: IT ISN’T uncommon for two gillies to offer conflicting advice. And little wonder. In many cases, what they tell you is highly subjective and, in truth, the question they are answering is “What would you do in these circumstances?” and what works best for…

AS AN ENTHUSIASTIC photographer, I’m always seeking inspiration from my favourite professionals and friends, photography websites, and the entries and results from competitions. Photography can be very subjective, but there is a benchmark I use to tell when I’ve spotted a winner, which goes something like this: “Damn! I wish I’d taken that.” Occasionally I come across a photo that’s so good I am consumed by jealousy. Eventually the jealousy subsides and I am able to evaluate the image objectively, appreciate it, enjoy it and learn something from it. The same goes for fly-tying. I’ve lost count of the flies that I’ve admired and been moved to copy - it must run into the thousands - but the number of “Damn! I wish I’d tied that” flies are much, much…

OTTLITE LAMPS AND MAGNIFIERS FROM £35 If ageing eyes are making it difficult for you to tie flies, these lamps and magnifiers will help. The Freestanding Magnifier (£35) has 5x optical-grade magnification. The lens is rimless and includes a spot magnifier for intricate work. With a desktop base and a sturdy, yet flexible arm it can be manoeuvred around the tying bench. This is the perfect accessory to complement the freestanding OttLite 18w Table Lamp (£60), which also has a flexible arm, adjustable head angle and a daylight bulb, which delivers brightness, contrast and accurate colour representation. Or you can opt for a light/magnifier combination. OttLite has two. The first is the LED Clip-On Light and Magnifier (£63). This has Optical-grade 1.75x magnification with a 4x spot magnifier and 360-degree…

England & Wales BORDER ESK RIVER LEVELS were generally good from late August to late September, with big spates on Sept 8 and 11. Sport, however, was not as good as expected. Salmon catches on the Willow Pool included 12 lb and 10 lb fish for Geoff Harvey, 14 lb 8 oz for David Laidler, 8 lb and 17 lb for Iain Blackett, and 10 lb for Colin Hudson. J. Lockhart had a 10 lb salmon on Cauldron, and Tom Lockhart fish of 12 lb and 8 lb from the Willow and Cauldron. Fishing the Tower beat, C. Markwith caught salmon of 12 lb and 13 lb from the Crooked pool. Tim Duffield had a 2 lb sea-trout. Gerry McCulloch had a 16 lb salmon in the Dunk, while Cyril…

THE DEE has enjoyed an excellent salmon season in 2017 with good numbers of fish showing on all beats. Visiting anglers have enjoyed excellent sport from the upper reaches to Aberdeen, and there is reason to hope 2018 will be just as good. Salmon The Dee is recognised as one of the best rivers to fish the fly for salmon. There are many famous beats and storied pools where the fly swings perfectly in the flow. Should we experience a cold winter then the early-season salmon fishing on the lower and lower-middle beats may be some of the best to be had anywhere in the UK. Day tickets at this time of year start from £52 a day, plus VAT. If you want to give yourself the best chance of…

THE OUTER Hebrides offers an almost unimaginable wealth of angling opportunities for visiting fishermen, with some of the best summer salmon and trout fishing to be found anywhere in the country. Lying just off the north-west coast of Scotland, the Outer Hebrides is a chain of islands that ranges from Lewis in the north to Barra in the south via Harris, the Uists and Benbecula. Salmon Although the salmon season officially opens in February, it is not until June that fishing really begins – this is a deliberate attempt to allow the precious spring-running fish to reach their redds unmolested. Fortunately, the summer and autumn runs of both salmon and sea-trout more than make up for this comparatively late start to proceedings with fish of 20lb or more being caught…

THE RIVER Tay is the longest river in Scotland and its mighty flows are bolstered by a number of important tributaries, many of which are excellent salmon fisheries in their own right. The Tay is also the first of Scotland’s famous four salmon rivers to open, with the season beginning on January 15. Fresh salmon will enter the river every month of the year, making the Tay a popular early-season destination for anglers in search of an elusive springer. Salmon Salmon fishing on the Tay is world famous, and beyond the main stem there are many other beautiful adjoining rivers such as the Earn, Isla, Ericht, Tummel, Garry, Dochart and Lyon. Sport begins in January, and while there will be fresh fish entering the system from day one, the chances…

WITH RUNS of spring, summer and autumn salmon, excellent wild brown trout stocks and a good run of summer sea-trout, the River Eden is one of England’s finest game-fishing rivers. For the winter rod, its good head of grayling – with plenty of fish over 1lb – provides great sport in the colder months. Salmon The early days of the season give the salmon angler the chance of a bright springer while there is still snow on the fells. Given the right conditions, fish can be caught from opening day on January 15 and through February and March. In recent years the spring run on the Eden has been good, and with a day’s fishing starting from £25 it is well worth visiting at this time of year. As the…

IS THERE a more famous river in the history of fly-fishing than Hampshire’s Test? It’s regarded by many as the birthplace of modern fly-fishing, with prolific mayfly hatches and an abundance of trout and grayling. Unlike the neighbouring Itchen, many Test beats are available to the visiting angler. Salmon As with many other chalkstreams, the best salmon fishing is generally found lower down the river. The famous beats of Broadlands, Testwood and Nursling all offer the chance of a salmon, whether by spinner, prawn or using specialist nymphing tactics. Brown trout The brown trout fishing on the Test is world-renowned, and the famous mayfly hatch brings some exceptional sport. Mayfly time on the Test can see the price for a day’s fishing rise above £200. May is not the only…

THE TEIFI is known as the Queen of Welsh rivers. It is famous for its salmon and sea-trout, but the brown trout fishing can be excellent, too. There are even some grayling in the river, largely concentrated around the town of Llanbydder. Salmon Although the spring run is modest, fish of more than 20lb are caught occasionally. The best of the salmon fishing usually comes from summer and into autumn, when the main runs of fish, including grilse, enter the river. The timing of the run is heavily dependent on rainfall, with the potential for good sport in August during a wet year, or a delay until well into September if it is a dry summer. The best chance of fish is generally on the lower beats where day tickets…

THE WYE, or Gwy, forms part of the border between England and Wales. Indeed, most of its lower reaches flow through England – though it is “born” in Wales, on Plynlimon mountain. It is also the fifth-longest river in the UK, flowing into the Severn Estuary. The Wye also has a number of significant tributaries that are great fisheries in their own right, such as the Irfon, Ithon, Monnow, Lugg and Arrow. Salmon The Wye is a rare thing in salmon fishing in that it retains a good run of large spring salmon. Fish of 20lb are regularly caught in the early months of the season, fish of 30lb occasionally show up in the catch returns, and in recent times rumours of 40lb fish have been heard. The Wye is…

PART OF the River Moy catchment, Conn is one of Ireland’s Great Western Lakes. There are a number of public access areas for anglers to launch boats. Salmon The majority of anglers who deliberately target salmon in Conn do so by trolling with lures or spoons. However, it is not unheard of for salmon to be caught on the fly by anglers pursuing trout and so targeting salmon with the fly is possible. Brown trout Conn is a very good wild brown trout lough. Fishing is usually with traditional lough-style wet-fly tactics. Although the lough also fishes well with dry-flies, particularly during the extended Mayfly season. Some of the favourite early season flies include the Fiery Brown, Peter Ross and Bibio. Success in the later part of the year usually…

LOUGH MASK is the wilder and lesser-known neighbour of the famous Lough Corrib, but for all that it is no less productive and is rightly considered one of the great loughs of Ireland. The 20,500-acre lake holds very good stocks of wild brown trout, though it is deeper and more exposed than Corrib so weather can be an important factor in determining success. Brown trout The primary quarry of the Mask angler is the hard-fighting brown trout. This is an entirely wild fishery with no stocking. The hatches may not be as prolific as Corrib, but they are steady and follow a similar pattern. Fishing begins in March with duckfly, which continues to May when mayfly appear and its hatches often continue into June. Summer will bring on very good…

“It had been nearly 20 years since the river had last seen a party of anglers” FROM TIME TO time an invitation comes along that really doesn’t take too much thinking about. “Would you like to join our scouting expedition to fish an unfished Greenland river for huge numbers of sea-run Arctic char?” When the question is posed by somebody with the destination-angling pedigree of Swede Christer Sjöberg it doesn’t need a second thought. Sjöberg’s company, Solid Adventures, has operated fly-fishing lodges in some of the world’s most far-flung regions for decades. Long-running programs in Patagonia, Venezuela, Costa Rica and India were being joined this year by Greenland. With a fully-serviced lodge on the Kangia river acting as base camp, the week-long scouting trip to the nearby Amitsoasuk river was…

“Experiencing bumper hatches of various flies is what makes my seasons special” HOW’S YOUR SEASON been? It’s a question we often ask, a way of breaking the ice, and as we’re all cast from different moulds the answers vary enormously. Some of us are besotted with numbers - if we don’t catch half a dozen trout every outing we feel hard done by - and some of us are species-specific and derive pleasure from ticking off the varieties. Then there are those of us who collect rivers, gaining as much satisfaction from experiencing a new venue as having a fish bend our rod. As a dry-fly enthusiast, fly hatches float my boat. I’ll yomp up and down dale to see a handful of flies stretch their wings and bring on…

In response to angler concerns about declines in juvenile salmon numbers, the Spey Fishery Board plans to increase its annual stocking by more than 30 per cent next year. The Board stocked 250,000 hatchery-reared fed fry into burns around the Spey this year (see report, p106). This will increase to 330,000 in 2018. Mitigation stocking takes place above man-made obstacles, such as weirs or road culverts, which deny access to adult salmon and prevent them spawning above the obstacles. Some 45,000 fry were stocked this year into the Tommore Burn at Ballindalloch, a collaborative project between the Board and Spey Gillies. The Board is also working with The Macallan Distillery to stock Ringorm Burn at Craigellachie. SFB director Roger Knight said, “We have taken onboard the very real concerns raised…

PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP Our sheds and garages are full of discarded, unloved and disappointing tackle. Often this is a result of thinking short term, especially with rods and reels. You may be torn between buying two rods and opt to save a few quid by buying the make that performs okay, looks okay, is fairly well made and suits your needs in that moment. But if you can afford to pay a little more to buy the make that really captures your heart and mind, it’s generally a good idea. You will never tire of pulling each section out of its bag. Many of us keep our first rod or reel all our lives – see Letters, page 52 . It’s also best to buy a rod that will…

Olive Mini Mink Hook Size 10-12 Mustad R50 Thread Brown 12/0 50D Semperfli Nano Silk Wing Veniard rabbit Zonker strip (natural), tied in bunches Body hackle Olive cock Cheeks Small jungle cock over one strand of gold holographic tinsel Head As thread Mini Mink Cat Hook Size 10-12 Mustad R50 Thread Brown 12/0 50D Semperfli Nano Silk Wing Veniard rabbit Zonker strip (white), tied in bunches Body Veniard extra-fine UV Straggle Fritz (fluoro yellow) Cheeks Small jungle cock Muddler head White deer hair (one bunch) Mini Mink Popper Hook Size 10-12 Mustad R50 Thread Brown 12/0 50D Semperfli Nano Silk Head 3.5mm Veniard Booby eyes tied as post Wing Veniard barred rabbit Zonker strip (white), tied in bunches Body Ice Pearl Prism Dubbing Eyes Funky Flytying 3D, secured and coated…

ONE OF THE most enjoyable aspects of writing this column is getting to know new flies, especially ones with an unusual name. So when my friend Colin Harvey sent me a message about the Second Year Medical Student (SYMS), I was intrigued. I met him on the River Dee where he was giving a fly-tying demonstration at Ladies’ Day. He pressed a few copies of the fly into my hand and then showed me how to tie it. Sometimes you see a fly and think, “Yep, that looks the part.” The SYMS is every inch a great-looking late-season fly, although I can think of no reason why it wouldn’t fish at any time of the year in peaty water. It was created by the late Angus McArthur. Colin met Angus…

LUXURY LIVING BESIDE THE TEST The Longparish Estate in Hampshire has a long sporting tradition, and not just because it is situated by the River Test, iconic chalkstream and mecca of dry-fly fishermen worldwide. In the late-18th and 19th centuries Longparish House was owned by the Hawker family, the most famous member of which was Colonel Peter Hawker. His Advice to Young Sportsmen, first published in 1814, remains one of the best introductions to country sports. Retired from the army as a result of wounds sustained in the Peninsular War, the comprehensive diaries of this eminent sportsman are now kept at Yale University. The estate, with its extensive fishing on the upper Test, is on the market for the second time since the turn of the century (Trout & Salmon,…

THE ANNAN is best known for producing specimen brown trout and grayling, with some seriously big fish caught in recent years. There is also a respectable run of salmon and sea-trout. It is a river that offers excellent sport throughout the year. Brown Trout The Annan has a great wealth of aquatic insect life and experiences many of the key hatches, which makes it an extremely popular fishery among trout anglers, many of whom travel the length of the country to fish it. The season begins in March but it is in April and May that the very best sport is usually to be had, continuing into early June. Trout fishing is available throughout the Annan, with the very real possibility of catching the fish of a lifetime in the…

THE DEVERON is often considered to be Scotland’s fifth salmon river, lining up behind the Spey, Tay, Dee and Tweed. A position that doesn’t fully reflect the river’s beauty or importance to the history of salmon fishing – after all, the record fly-caught salmon of 61lb was caught from the Deveron by Mrs Clementina Morison. Big fish still run the river, with 30lb-plus fish appearing in the catch records each year. Salmon The majority of Deveron rods concentrate their efforts on the autumn run, with September and October considered the prime back-end months. However, the river also has a good run of spring and early-summer fish, which is underexploited. This means that Deveron beats often represent good value for early-season sport. Grilse usually enter the river in June and July,…

THE RIVER Oykel rises on Ben More Assynt, from where it flows through lonely moorland until it eventually meets the Kyle of Sutherland. On its way, it passes beneath Oykel Bridge, site of the famous fishing hotel that has been welcoming bands of travelling anglers for many decades, the majority of whom return year after year to enjoy the sport and the scenery. Salmon When it comes to salmon fishing in northern Scotland, the River Oykel is one of the region’s most famous and best fisheries. The rules are strict, fishing is by fly only and a conservation code is in place to protect stocks. Most of the fishing is pre-booked by long-standing returnees. It is managed by The Oykel Bridge Hotel and is divided into two sections: the Lower…

FOR A long time, few would have disputed the reputation of the River Tweed as Britain’s best salmon fishery. In recent years, there has been a reduction in the number of salmon returning to the Tweed, particularly towards the back-end of the season, however it remains one of the most productive rivers in Scotland. Salmon Early season usually offers the best value for money, and the Tweed arguably offers the best chance of a fly-caught springer of all the rivers in the UK. Similar to the Tay, fresh fish will enter the system throughout the course of the year. As the weather warms towards May the number of fish in the river grows and water height plays a vital role in determining whether the middle or lower river will have…

THERE CAN be few places in fishing more famous than the Royalty Fishery on the Hampshire Avon, even Mr Crabtree has fished its illustrious waters. Two seasons ago an enormous salmon of 40lb was caught in the spring at the Royalty and big salmon are regularly caught in the early months of the season. Salmon The Hampshire Avon is a truly mixed fishery, its fertile waters home to good numbers of specimen coarse species such as roach, chub and barbel along with chalkstream brown trout and some truly monster salmon. The best of the trout fishing can be found in the upper reaches, where wild browns lie between waving fronds of ranunculus. The Royalty is only a few miles from the sea so the best time to fish for salmon…

WHEN IT comes to catches, the Tyne is the most prolific salmon river in England. Similar to the famous Scottish rivers such as the Tweed and Tay, there are fresh salmon entering the Tyne in every month of the year. The North Tyne rises close to the Scottish border while the South Tyne’s source is in the North Pennines. Both rivers provide excellent salmon and sea-trout fishing before they join together near Hexham and continue to the North Sea at Tynemouth. Salmon The salmon-fishing season opens on February 1 when there will be snow in the high places – and possibly in the low places, too. Your breath will form a cloud of vapour and you will rub your hands to try to keep the feeling in your fingers. Spring…

THE TOWY, or Tywi, is perhaps the most accessible of the big three Welsh rivers for the visiting angler. There are a number of fishing associations that offer day tickets throughout the length of the river, plus the extremely popular and productive Golden Grove fishery. The Towy is a noted big fish river, with double-figure sea-trout regularly appearing in the catches. It also has a good run of salmon, and brown trout throughout most of its length. Salmon As with most of the Welsh rivers, the salmon fisherman is best advised to visit in the autumn. The Towy is a spate river and it is the last few months of the season that generally provide a better chance of a dropping river. That said, summer rains will bring grilse into…

THE BLACKWATER rises in the boglands of County Kerry, and although the peaty tinge it carries gives rise to its name it also flows through limestone and that helps it to support a diverse range of fly-life which provides plenty of sustenance for salmon parr and trout. The river is one of Ireland’s most productive salmon fisheries, along with the River Moy. Salmon The Blackwater drains a large catchment that includes 14 main fisheries and a number of angling clubs, which make it an accessible river for the visiting angler as day tickets are available for many beats while others are run on weekly lets. There are few restrictions in terms of methods, with room for those who wish to fish the fly, spinner, worm or prawn. All methods have…

PROBABLY THE most famous fishery in Ireland, and certainly its greatest limestone lough, Corrib has been attracting anglers to the Emerald Isle since Victorian times. At a staggering 44,000 acres it is the largest lake in the Republic – a vast expanse that’s characterised by sheltered bays, rocky shores and an array of islands. Salmon Although it’s notable for its trout fishing, Lough Corrib receives a considerable run of salmon. The River Corrib, which flows out of the lough, is home to the famous Galway Weir salmon fishery. Every year, a great number of salmon head for spawning grounds in the Clare and Cong rivers, which can give visiting anglers tremendous sport from May onwards. Many fish are taken from the lake by trolling, but some are taken on the…

ALTHOUGH THE Blackwater has been running it close in recent years, the Moy system is still Ireland’s most productive salmon fishery. It is a large watershed, extending from the Ox Mountains in the east to Castlebar in the south, and it drains both Lough Conn and Lough Cullin. It is famous for its salmon and grilse runs. Salmon There is a prolific grilse run that in a normal year begins in June, peaks in July and continues through August. There’s good news regarding the spring salmon, too, as the numbers of these most desirable fish seem to be increasing. The way fishing is organised on the Moy is unusual in that it’s controlled by the state, a few private owners and a number of angling clubs and associations. The visiting…