Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2020 i Trout & Salmon

An Angler’s Hours. (1905) £80 to £150, depending on condition. Elements Of Angling. (1908) First edition £50 to £100. Other editions £20 to £50 An Open Creel. (1910) Around £100, but up to £200 in the scarce dust-wrapper. Coarse Fishing. (1912) Issued in a number of different bindings, the earliest being the most elaborate. Price depends on binding and condition but generally between £50 and £150. Trout Fishing: Memories And Morals. (1920) Around £50, but up to £100 in the scarce dust-wrapper. Fishing: Its Cause, Treatment And Cure. (1925) £40 to £60, depending on condition. The Book Of The Fly Rod. Edited By Hugh Sheringham & John C. Moore. (1931) Around £50, but up to £150 in the scarce dust-wrapper. There is also an inexpensive modern paperback edition, usually less…

I’VE TAKEN UP BELL-RINGING, which, you must agree, has nothing remotely to do with fly-fishing. My sons mock me. One of them has described it as a family embarrassment and “seriously uncool”. On the degree of coolness, I make no observation, and if my offspring choose to disown their father, that’s their business, but I would take issue with the assumption that there is nothing in common between fishing the fly and ringing a church bell. Do you remember the day you first picked up a fly-rod and made a few tentative casts? It wasn’t pretty, I’d guess. The same applies to finding your rhythm pulling a bell rope, and so does the approach to learning; you have to break down what seems a straightforward action into its constituent parts.…

I CAN TELL FROM A DISTANCE IF an angler ties their own flies. It’s easy: if they are casting close to trees, they probably haven’t paid £1.75 a fly. Tying your own flies makes you rather more sanguine about the possibility of losing one. So why do we want to take the risk of getting snagged? Trout need cool, oxygenated water, a place to feed efficiently, shelter from predators and somewhere to breed. Setting aside breeding, these occur in water near the bank, beneath trees and close to the riverbed. “Get close to the fish: distance casting sacrifices accuracy” If you don’t cast close to vegetation and under overhanging trees, you are not fishing where the fish are. When nymphing, if you don’t get snagged occasionally, then you are not…

IT WAS LATE EVENING WHEN I returned from my spring salmon trip to the beautiful River Drowes. I set down my gear beside the fly-tying bench that had witnessed such intense activity only a week before. Materials lay abandoned across its surface, reminiscent of a scene aboard the Titanic. “Ah, well,” I mumbled as I closed the door and headed for the cool Chardonnay waiting in the fridge, a promised reward after the long drive back to Scotland. The problem was the usual one — no water. In the river, not the fridge. Planning a salmon week these days is a gamble. The weather is so unpredictable, and no two years are the same. The writing was on the wall when I spoke to fishery owner Shane Gallagher a week…

Practise what you preach I refer to the article “King of Clubs” by Mike Handyside (February). I thoroughly enjoyed the insight into the Prince Albert Angling Society, no doubt the most successful angling society in the UK. However, and not wishing to be overly critical, I would draw your attention to where it states, “We will not take waters off other clubs”. This is certainly not the case on water previously leased for many years by the Seiont, Gwyrfai and Llyfni Anglers’ Society on the rivers Seiont and Llyfni. The problems caused by sewage pollution on Llyn Padarn, the Seiont and, to a lesser extent, the Llyfni have been well documented by T&S since 2009. The pollution led to a dramatic fall in fish numbers, resulting in a much-reduced angling…

In last month’s issue, Ronnie Glass replied to Reg Clifford regarding tapered leaders. He referred to the “double blood knot”. In the immortal words of Harry Enfield, Ronnie, I would have to say “No”. The knot in question, as you rightly stated, was universally used by all of us for droppers until the water knot came along. However, it is a “blood knot”, pure and simple, not a double or treble or quadruple. The double grinner was a similar knot and a “half blood knot” was used for tying flies and hooks for bait fishing on to the line. This is not the first time that this fictitious knot has been mentioned. Let’s stick to the tried and trusted. John Robertson, Northumberland…

Rooms with views Craigenveoch at Aberfoyle in Stirling is a converted former hunting lodge in a spectacular setting with extensive mature landscaped grounds overlooking Loch Ard in Stirlingshire. Flat Two, on the first floor, with sitting and dining rooms, three double bedrooms and bathroom, is for sale. Loch Ard, in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park and thought by some to be the source of the River Forth, has good stocks of brown trout. There are two boathouses, a jetty, and fishing and boating rights. £290,000 Allen & Harris, 01786 445 011 Build a home on the coast The adjoining High Auchans and Kilnaish Estates at Dunmore in Argyll & Bute extend to 700 acres of amenity land with two building plots, foreshore, superb West Coast views and sporting…

INCLUDING NEWS, WATERS TO FISH AND FLIES TO TIE AND TRY THIS MONTH England & Wales BORDER ESK AS I write, catches for the BEALAC waters stand at 60 salmon and 550 sea-trout for the 2019 season. There were still some catch returns to be submitted. There have been no large floods so there should be a good hatch of fry in the spring. The Langholm area proved productive last season. Some rods caught 40-plus sea-trout with many averaging 3lb. The AGM was set to take place in late February at the Cross Keys, Canonbie. Permit prices have not yet been announced. As a guide, last season’s charges were as follows: All waters season £350, Canonbie season £300, Langholm season £150 and Lower Liddel £150. Day permits for Langholm and…

OFFICIAL: CATCH-AND-RELEASE IN WALES FOR TEN YEARS All salmon caught by rod and net fisheries in Wales must be released alive, according to new byelaws that came into force in Wales on January 1. The laws will be in place for ten years. All rod-caught sea-trout over 60cm must also be released alive. There are also multiple restrictions on tackle: • You must use barbless or de-barbed hooks. • Salmon flies (trebles) are allowed up to a 7mm gape — approximately a size 8. If you use larger singles or doubles, they must be de-barbed or barbless. • Only single hooks are allowed on spinners, spoons or plugs for salmon, with a maximum gape of 13mm. You can use up to a maximum of three singles on a plug. •…

Releasing a salmon quickly and preserving the memory with a photograph can be tricky. Follow these guidelines to make sure your fish has the best chance of survival. Before fishing a pool, identify where you can land the fish safely. Somewhere without sharp rocks or grit, which can harm the fish’s protective mucous and scales. Play and land fish quickly to avoid exhausting them. Using a net is preferable and keep the fish in the water at all times. Do not drag it up the bank. Use a net with fish-friendly knotless small mesh. Never lift the fish by its tail or gills. Ensure your hands are wet. Use long-nosed forceps to remove the hook quickly and minimise contact with the fish. If a fish is deeply hooked, near its…

For information on the FBA Entomology for Anglers courses, run by Stuart Crofts and Andrew Dixon, visit www.fba.org.uk or e-mail them direct (follow the “about us” tab on the website). Anyone interested in collecting for the Adult Caddisfly Occurrence Scheme can contact Stuart at stuartmcrofts@ gmail.com for details and instructions. You can bid for a day of fly-fishing and entomology with Stuart in the Wild Trout Trust Auction (March 20-29, 2020). “A day of sheer indulgence on some very exclusive water on Derbyshire’s River Derwent (courtesy of the Waltonian Angling Club). The date is fixed for Monday the 25th of May 2020”.…

THERE IS A UNIQUE PLACE IN THE Harray Loch on Orkney that is correctly referred to as Stoneyhill, but is named the Paddling Pool by local anglers. Its uniqueness comes from its lack of depth, its isolation from the main loch, and, in specific locations, its muddy bottom. Its lack of depth ensures it warms quickly in the spring. It is one of the first, if not the first, to see major midge (buzzer) hatches in the early months. Another happy aspect of the Paddling Pool is that, on average, the trout inhabiting it are about 4oz heavier per capita than your run-of-the mill Harray trout. In the eastern corner a major burn enters and in its outflow is deposited a large quantity of silt in which buzzer larvae abound.…

“…a succession of bent hooks, bruised knuckles and bittersweet memories” THE LINE DRAWS UP SMARTLY through my fingers and a colossal salmon bursts through the glassy surface, climbing into the late golden light of the afternoon. All year I dream about this moment. Through the long dreary meetings, the rain and the traffic jams. All year. Now it’s here… I’ve been fishing the Yokanga River on Russia’s Kola Peninsula for 19 years, and it has given me some of the most memorable fishing of my life. For 51 long weeks, I dream of being back on its hallowed banks. However, not since 2001 has it given me a fish bigger than the 35-pounder that I wrestled out of Golden Reach with my old friend Vova after an unforgettable battle on…

Breaking the mould CND (Custom Nobuo Design) makes high-quality, cutting-edge rods, but has always operated under the radar. Something for the connoisseur. The firm’s owner and founder, Nobuo Nodera, first developed double-handers as part of his role as chief rod designer for Daiwa UK. By 1995 he had launched CND. It was in the fires of competitive spey-casting that the brand’s reputation was forged — setting three world records — and the ground-breaking Bias Versa Giga-Torque rod was born. Most high-modulus carbon-fibre blanks are made with one layer of fibres running the length of the blank and a second layer at 90 degrees, improving directional stability and performance. Nodera’s Bias Versa Technology uses two layers at 90 degrees to each other and a further two layers at opposing 45-degree angles.…

GLASGOW ANGLING CENTRE OPEN WEEKEND The UK’s Largest Free Angling Event FRIDAY 6th - SUNDAY 8th MARCH 2020 It’s almost Springtime and that can only mean one thing to the avid angler – the Glasgow Angling Centre Spring Open Weekend is just around the corner! This year, Scotland’s largest FREE angling event will be held on the 6th, 7th and 8th of March, and this one is already looking like it will be the best yet! The team at GAC will be making a few changes to the format this year, but all your favourite bits and bobs will still be there. Every major tackle brand in the industry will be in attendance with their latest products for 2020 on show and experts on hand to talk you through the…

Rutherford, River Tweed Rutherford is famous for its beauty, its wildlife and first-class fishing. The beat extends for 2½ miles on the south bank and two miles on the north bank, affording space and tranquility. Rutherford’s 14 named pools offer a wide variety of fishing from boat and bank with fine views to the Eildon Hills. In the middle of the beat is the Rutherford Dub, a classic and highly productive autumn boating pool. This leads into the narrow streamy neck of the Slap stream, a strong all-year performer often providing more than 50 salmon a season. The final half mile of the beat sees the river entering a spectacular and secluded gorge characterised by rocky ledges and deep holes. The length and variety of the beat ensures there is…

NO. 19 HUGH TEMPEST SHERINGHAM (1876-1930) H.T.Sheringham was angling editor of The Field from 1903 until his early death in 1930. He was an all-round angler, though much of his writing is about trout fishing, especially on the chalkstreams. He was a masterful storyteller, contributing much to the angling press and writing six angling books as well as numerous lesser publications and a few novels. He edited new editions of Scrope and Ronalds, and was at the helm of Where to Fish through the 1920s. If you have not yet read Sheringham dip into Tom Fort’s compilation - you have a rare treat in store! “H. T. Sheringham ranks among the finest fishing writers of the twentieth century … No fish escaped his interest, even if it did sometimes…

I REGULARLY CRISS-CROSS THE country giving talks on chalkstreams; it has become my thing. One of my missions has been to explain that this unique ecosystem is very much the product of man. We have taken nature, and over many millennia, since Neolithic tribes roamed the land, incrementally bent and moulded the river valleys to what today we regard as normal. But it isn’t really “normal” in any ecological sense. Should we all be struck from this earth tomorrow it would only be a few years before every chalkstream valley reverted to its pre-humankind state as a running-water swamp. And once again beavers would have their natural habitat back. For there was a time when beavers roamed these fertile, alluvial plains, unhampered by people. But early man was always in…

Season: March 17-September 30. Nire hatches: March-April: large dark olive (LDO), March brown, hawthorn, and small olive. May: blue-winged olive (BWO), LDO, hawthorn, alder and some stonefly. June: BWO, some sedge, spurwing, black gnat. July-September: sedge, BWO, spurwing and smaller olive. Tickets: Some Nire beats can be fished on a day-ticket, but not all. Some are guided-only and are rested on certain days during the week. Visit Clonanav Fly Fishing’s new website for all fishing package information (accommodation, guides and prices). Web: irishflyfishingguides.com Tel: 00 353 5261 36765. Address: Nire Valley, Ballymacarbry, Clonmel, Co Waterford.…

Q Taking a photo of one’s catch now seems to be the norm. Does holding a fish out of water damage it? Dick Fincher, by e-mail A There is the potential to damage any fish by holding it incorrectly, especially out of the water. Its spine and internal organs are normally supported by the buoyancy of water. Removed from its element, the fish suddenly feels the effect of gravity. However, a wild trout is a hardy creature that spends its life avoiding predators and surviving the rigours of spawning. One decent brown trout on the Tweed was caught five times last year. Gill spot recognition (using photographs) has shown that large trout often get recaptured. This is probably their need to feed overcoming the caution you’d expect them to develop…

Buy tickets: All-species day: £30. Season: £140 (if bought before March 15, then £160.) Buy from fishpal.com where you will also find catch reports. Tel: 01573 470 612. Tickets also from: R G Foreman and Son (Butchers), Castle Street, Norham. Tel: 01289 382 260. Robin Whitecross, Clarabad Mill Farm, Paxton. Tel: 01289 386 350. Allanton Inn, Allanton. Tel: 01890 818 260. Chirnside Post Office, Crosshill, Chirnside. Permits are available from the River Watcher, but must be obtained before fishing. Other salmon beats are: Blue Stone (fishpal.com) and Hutton Mills (tel: 01423 714 891; web: huttonmills.com). Season: February 1-November 30. Rules: BDAA water on the Whiteadder is fly only. No salmon may be killed before July 1, after which BDAA allows one salmon to be taken per week. If a salmon…

Matt Harris has been fishing the Yokanga River for 19 years, and having fished most of the celebrated salmon rivers of Northern Europe and North America, he believes it’s the most exciting Atlantic salmon fishery in the world. The Yokanga is under a new management structure for 2020. Passionate Russian fly-fisherman Alexey Strulistov is investing heavily in the operation, with a comprehensive conservation regime and an effective anti-poaching team that will sustain and nurture this special fishery. Alexey has appointed Matt Harris as an ambassador for the new operation. If you are interested in discussing the fishing on Yokanga, contact Matt at mattharris@mattharris.com…

Does Laurence Catlow seem compelled to kill a brace of wild fish on every visit to make him feel content? It seems to be the case: “I would drive home, almost always with a brace of 11 in-12 in fish in my bag.” This type of thing really should not be printed in a modern magazine and seems conflicting as you continually have articles on correct fish care and catch-and-release. I am not exactly a catch-and-release zealot, but wild brown trout in modern Britain are too precious to be killed in any numbers. There’s no need —despite what many people say, stocked trout can taste delicious, depending on the water from which they have been caught. Yes, as good as a wild fish. Laurence again: “I took my brace from…

Tame your threads We’ve seen many bobbin dispensers but this simple oak model from Glasgow Angling Centre’s Stillwater range is one of the most effective at keeping threads, wires and tinsels in order. Bobbins are pushed on to a dowel, each thread then travels under a metal bar and through a slit. The Semperfli bobbins pictured worked particularly well as each bobbin’s label helped to grip the dowel, maintaining tension on the bobbin when it turns. Slits cut into thick, flexible plastic grip the materials when not in use, stopping them from unravelling. The dispenser is fairly heavy and stable. As well as threads, wires and tinsels, it can be used for dubbing ropes and straggle strings — in fact, anything supplied on a bobbin. The dispenser holds 12 bobbins.…

Glasgow Angling Centre is just two minutes’ drive from junction 16 of Glasgow’s M8 motorway, at Unit 1, 29 Saracen Street, Glasgow G22 5HT. It has a huge car park and is also easily accessed via public transport – just contact them and the guys will tell you how best to get there. But don’t worry if you can’t make this event, the Centre is open seven days a week, so you can drop in at any time. Alternatively, order by phone using their hotline number 0141 212 8880 or visit the easy-to-use website at www.fishingmegastore.com – Glasgow Angling Centre also operates a bustling, multi award winning mail-order department, sending out hundreds of parcels every day to customers all over the world, and giving valuable advice to anglers who aren’t…

BUSY ELK HAIR CADDIS Hook Size 10-14 R50 Thread Danville’s Flymaster 8/0 tan Body Green or amber dubbing Underwing Natural CDC fibres Wing Elk hair BLACK PENNELL VARIANT Hook Size 10-14 Mustad R50 Thread Black 6/0 Tail Lady Amherst pheasant tippets, dyed hot orange Rib Fine silver wire Body Black thread Throat hackle Black hen Thorax SLF Finesse dubbing No 41, black OLIVE STREAMER Hook Size 6-8 Kamasan B-830 Thread Danville’s Flymaster 8/0 primrose Body Veniard’s pearl Glister dubbing Rib Copper wire Wing Olive dyed rabbit zonker strip Throat Orange marabou Eyes Dumbbell eyes Head Dyed olive sculpin wool MARCH BROWN Hook Partridge M2 single Thread Black Tag Gold flat tinsel Tail Partridge fibres Rib Gold wire Body Hare’s ear with pearl flash dubbing Hackle Partridge Wing Hen pheasant wing…

Jim Smith of Isfield, Sussex, who has died after a brief illness, was Ouse Angling Preservation Society’s head bailiff for 55 years. Well known in game-fishing circles, he was one of a vanishing breed of river-keepers, a man who devoted his entire life to the wellbeing of his beloved Sussex Ouse and its neighbouring River Adur. At the age of 14, Jim left school to begin work as a garden boy on Lord Nevill’s estate but when the nursery there closed, he transferred to the East Sussex River Board where, among other things, he worked on the early Lewes Flood defences. A keen angler since the age of ten, he was approached by the Preservation Society in the 1960s to take on the role of head bailiff. This was a…

To quote a close colleague on the Isle of Lewis, Michael Mackenzie “was one of life’s great characters”. A true Highlander and all-round countryman, he will be sorely missed by so many who have enjoyed memorable days with him on the water, moor and hill in the north Highlands and the Hebrides. Growing up at Rhimsdale, in north central Sutherland (as remote as it gets on the Scottish mainland), Mike spent his entire working life on sporting estates. His career began at nearby Badanloch as a humble trainee “dogboy” and where he earned his lifelong nickname “Turbo” — so-called “because he did not have one”; he worked at his own steady, unflappable pace. He then gravitated to Berriedale Estate and thence to Altnaharra Hotel, where in the mid-1990s he was…

I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN A GOOD DEAL OF concern about my recent return to a contemplation of the very basics of salmon fishing: to wit, wading and casting. But there has been a perfectly good reason why I have been addressing these subjects of late. More than one actually. It is always, in my view, entirely proper, from time to time, to go back to the beginning and just check the foundations. The road to experience is long and hard and has many twists and turns — not to mention tumbles and tangles — and it is easy enough to lose one’s way, so it is only sensible now and again to check the fundamentals before proceeding further. If in doubt, go back to first principles. It was by…