Innholdsfortegnelse for Autumn 2022 i Trout & Salmon

OCTOBER 7 MARKS THE CENTENARY OF THE capture of the British record salmon. Take a breath and ponder that for a moment. It is staggering that Miss Georgina Ballantine's 64-pounder, hooked on the River Tay's Glendelvine beat on a dace bait, still holds the record — unless, of course, between me writing this and the upcoming anniversary celebrations on the Tay, a monster fish sidles its way upstream on to an angler's hook. Could the record ever be broken? I have somewhere inside of me a notion that an even bigger giant may yet be caught. It is not impossible. UK fish over 50lb have been landed in recent decades and carcasses of dead monsters have been discovered on the banks of our rivers. Why shouldn't one freak fish that's…

FISH OF THE MONTH LOCAL ADVICE PAYS OFF A family holiday to the beautiful seaside town of Enniscrone on the west coast of Ireland led to the capture of eight-year-old Frank Lambert's first salmon. Frank and dad Danny, from Lancaster, called into The Angling Centre in Ballina, overlooking the famous Ridge Pool on the River Moy, a favourite fishing spot of the late Jack Charlton. They met shop assistant Robbie Cording (pictured, centre, with Frank and Danny) who arranged Frank's fishing permit through Peter McHugh of Ballina Salmon Anglers' Association. Peter has been instrumental in getting youngsters into the club and he offered the pair sound advice. “The Association is doing excellent work for the community by getting youngsters into the sport of fishing,” said Danny. Robbie kindly agreed to…

Locally, there is a strong cultural and social history associated with Cambrian AA past members and the lakes they manage. One such character was Emrys Evans, a lifelong member and author of the acclaimed book on local flies and their history Plu Stiniog (Ffestiniog Feathers) who sadly died a few months before his book was published. I met the man only once, when he came one evening to watch a fly-tying demonstration that I was giving for the club in Penrhyndeudraeth, a few months before he passed away. He was helped into the seat directly in front of my vice, said nothing as I tied my way through a selection of wet-flies until the end, when he gingerly stood up, looked straight at me and said “Da iawn” (Well done).…

Catching them young Your lovely article on the River Guash (September) brought back a special memory. Sixty years ago, aged six or seven and armed with a small splitcane brook rod, which I still have, I caught my first fish with a fly on the Guash. A small grayling. So thrilled was I that I could not be parted from my catch and surreptitiously took it to bed that night, so that I would know when I woke up that I hadn't dreamt it! My poor mother, noticing more than usually noxious smells emanating from her son's bedroom, recovered it some days later. Roll on 30 years or so and I was teaching my son (roughly the same age as I had been) on a small stream near our home…

In 2015, the British Record Fish Committee closed claims for cultivated game fish and it now only recognises wild fish. This means there is no longer an official status for the reared rainbow trout or brown trout. It also means it is unlikely any form of “record” status will ever be given to colour variants or hybrids in the UK, although the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) does recognise the tiger trout (world record 201b 13oz) because they can, and do, occur in the wild What's interesting is that no one in the UK has been able to rear a brown trout of a size to beat the British record “natural” specimen of 31lb 12oz caught from Loch Awe in 2002 by Brian Rutland (above, cutting from T&S. Note unexplained…

Hook Size 14-16 Partridge SLD2/Dry Fly Supreme Thread Semperfli 12/0 brown waxed thread Body/wing Natural CDC plumes Collar Roe deer hair fibres Initially designed as a caddis imitation, this little number also appeals to trout feeding on small stoneflies and olives. CDC feathers are arranged in the “staggered” style along the hook shank. I suggest securing two plumes at one time, the plumes getting shorter as you near the hook eye. The fly is finished with a pinch of roe deer fibres loosely arranged behind the eye.…

THE KNOWLEDGE A tangle, a stumble, and thinking about pork pies are signs your fishing focus has wandered. But there's a neglected, simple and effective fix — wade out of the river and sit down. We all get caught up in the process of cast after cast. “Ya'll not catch a fush if your flea's not in the watter,” the gillie in your head says. But pausing for five minutes should be guilt-free and makes sense. A fresh start will encourage you to shorten the line after steadily extending it in pursuit of longer casts, or re-tie that wind-knotted leader. You'll have the time and space to decisively change your set-up or the way you approach the pool. And, yes, you can also take a bite out of that pie.…

The sky's the limit when you chop and mix Globrite floss to make your own super-fine dubbing. The 16 fluorescent colours on offer give a fantastic palette to work with. Comb through the floss with velcro to loosen the strands, chop into 4mm-5mm pieces with scissors, then mix by hand. I used no.1 (pink) and no.8 (amber) to get Orkney Peach. The floss is folded three times to form an eight-ply tail on this size 10 hook. If you're laying a flat tinsel body, tie the floss in along the full length of hook, as illustrated. Trim tail to desired length and brush through with velcro. Multi-strand threads and flosses can be spun with the bobbin holder into a tighter “rope”, or “unwound” so that they lie flat as you…

A LIGHTER TIPPET improves your chances because the fish don't see it, right? Wrong. Well… right, but for the Wrong Reasons. While the debate rages among ichthyologists over whether a trout can spot a size 30 at fifty yards, or its eyesight is so poor it has to inspect every single fly Mr Magoo-like, for half a minute before daring to open its mouth, here's the important point — It Doesn't Matter. Mr Trout is not a Detail Man. We know this because, after inspecting your fly like a VAT officer ogles a dodgy receipt he doesn't say “D'you know what? That crafty little caddis seems to have fashioned itself crude artisan wings out of deer hair!” He often just says, “Oh sod it,” and scoffs said fly anyway. So…

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…

MANDATORY CATCH-AND-RELEASE A total ban on the killing of rod-caught salmon is being signalled by Scottish Government. In its Proposed River Gradings for the 2023 Season, it said it's “seeking views on the encouragement of voluntary measures to enhance catch and release rates to 100% across the whole of Scotland. These measures would include highlighting catch-and-release best practice guidance to reduce post-catch mortality. Should these voluntary measures be unsuccessful in achieving 100% catch-and-release we are also seeking views on the prospect of introducing mandatory measures in future to achieve this aim. This would potentially involve amending legislation to prohibit the retention of Atlantic salmon on all rivers in Scotland, regardless of their river grading.” Some 13 rivers are to be downgraded to Category 3, mandatory catch-and-release, for 2023. They are:…

CLUES ACROSS 6. Step before mate in chess (5) 7. Obsolete term for salmon fly hooks (5) 9. Upstream movement of several salmon (3) 10. A tug on the line when a fish has taken the fly (4) 11. Green ***, trout fly (3) 12. Long fish (3) 13. Former spouse [colloqu.] (2) 14. Ally's ******, salmon fly (6) 15. Large lough in Western Ireland (6) 18. Warty walking amphibian (4) 20. ***** Dog, salmon fly (5) 21. Fly-reel centre shaft (4) 22. Egg-bound female salmon (6) 24. Rowing item (3) 26. Spoken (4) 27. Consents (6) 30. Wide hackle found on the back of a cock bird (5) 33. Game-fishing river in south-west Scotland (3) 35. The two of us (2) 37. Hopping amphibian (4) 38. Commands (6) 39. Expression of surprise (2) 40. Alternative (2) CLUSE DOWN 1. Male pronoun (2) 2. “Lady's fingers” vegetable (4) 3. Equipment used to store loose…

I ONCE HAD A CONVERSATION IN L.A. about the seasons. My friend was a Scottish expat transported to the States by the radical success of the band he played for, and I was passing through on my own musical journey. He talked at length about missing the seasons, how L.A.'s year-round sunshine, its endless summer, was making him long for the ups and downs of the Scottish year. Naturally, I laughed and figured it was nostalgia and beer talking, and he shrugged it off too. But this throwaway talking point has always stuck with me — the thought of missing the seasons. It's something we fishers can relate to, but we probably don't realise how it affects us. Imagine a season with no end, no opening day and no close…

I was fishing on the Macallan beat of the Spey when one of my guests handed me a copy of the September issue and pointed out your editorial letter with the picture of the 34lb salmon that I caught from Kinnaird on the River Tay in 1987. I have fond memories of that day, leaving Dunkeld Primary School sharply to head to Kinnaird by boat from Dalguise. If I were ever to have the pleasure of hooking a fish of that size again, I'm not sure I'd handle the nerves so well now. It was such an afternoon of excitement from setting off, the battle, to the celebrations afterwards with mv father and the late Bob Grant — Kinnaird's gillie. I was told it was too expensive to have a…

1. SALMON REEL, CIRCA 1939 I found this reel many years ago half-buried in sand on the banks of the Eden. The maker's stamp on the back reads “J Strong and Son. Carlisle”. I never discovered who had lost it, but it has been involved in catching hundreds of salmon from rivers home and away. Although not a reel for the biggest of waters, it is a delight for somewhere like the Derwent and still gets used on occasion, as it sings the most wonderful song when a salmon is involved. And being old and locally made somehow adds to the magic. 2. MR CRABTREE GOES FISHING As a boy I was an avid reader and Mr Crabtree was one of my favourites. Although its idyllic settings depicted a world…

Short fishing breaks TROUT & SALMON HAS SELECTED 16 VENUES that are synonymous with fishing, where anglers are made to feel special, and where the talk is all about riffles, flies and wet nets. All have close access to fishing, usually owning or leasing the right to fish a river or lake. The editorial team and our contributors are glad to recommend them, but our picks are by no means an exhaustive list, and if you know of other gems that marry fishing and hospitality this well, please let us know. TUFTON ARMS RIVER EDEN, CUMBRIA Nestled in the Cumbrian market town of Appleby-in-Westmoreland on the River Eden, the family-run Tufton Arms has hosted many generations of anglers. Like most great establishments, its success is due to the character of…

ROB EDMUNDS Highly successful competition angler, reservoir bank and boat specialist. RONNIE GLASS Former Scottish champion on rivers and stillwaters and curator of the Tweed Salmon Fishing Museum. DELIVER A DOWNSTREAM DRY-FLY Where it's impossible to cast upstream to a fish, it may be possible to present a dry-fly from above them with a type of downstream cast. The simplest of these is a reach cast, where your rod is “laid off” to the side in an upstream direction while simultaneously slipping line into the cast so it reaches the target. Once your line has landed, track the line downstream with your rod in tempo with the surface currents (diagram 1). The reach cast has limitations, and if you're after longer drag-free drifts, consider a slack-line cast. The best types…

SUMMER CAN BE A CHALLENGING TIME for reservoir anglers. A period of hot, still, and sunny weather will make water in the surface layers warm and less oxygenated, and the fishing will increase in difficulty as the day wears on. In the very early morning and late evening, fish will leave the safety of deep water and venture into the shallows to feed, providing the only realistic opportunities for the bank angler. Look for clear water and a natural feature, such as a large weedbed or drop-off. If there's no action within 15 minutes, move on and cover different water. Have a clear plan of where you are going to start, and where you will move to if it doesn't work — time is of the essence in these short…

The fly-tying benches at these events are always one of the main attractions with enthusiasts travelling from all over the country to watch demonstrations from the world's best fly-tyers including Barry Clarke, Alex Rook, Darryl Mooney and experts from Veniard, Regal, and Partridge. The format has been revamped once again with the help of materials supplier Veniard and with the help of hook makers Partridge they will have an inspiring line-up of top tyers to show you how to perform the latest techniques and use the latest materials. When not tying, they roam the fly tying aisles, giving free advice and helping you to choose the best materials from the Glasgow Angling Centres vast selection. Sea Angling GAC has long been one of the country's top sea tackle retailers and…

TROUT MASTERS News of the Junior and Youth finals, plus the latest badge winners See page 118 FISHING REPORTS ENGLAND AND WALES England & Wales BORDER ESK DOWN at Burnfoot, June produced 19 salmon with July catches in the mid-20s. Getting among fish was Gary McAvoy with an 11lb salmon caught in Wilkies. Antony Lydiate had a double figure salmon from the same area. Mark Harrison landed one of 16lb. Salmon to 17lb were released. Areas such as Wilkies, the Roost and Boxes produced sport with salmon, grilse and some sea-trout. Rods fishing at night had some success with small flies. Frank Braviner caught a 13lb salmon in the Roost. Paul Mickley had a nice 5lb grilse. On some days multiple fish were lost. As the month progressed, the warm…

I EXPECT YOU ARE ALL WONDERING HOW the new and improved casting technique went down on the annual jaunt to the highlands. Well, let me say first that there wasn't a great deal of water in the river. It was not on its bones, as they say. But it was close. I do find, however, that wading in low water presents its own problems. Wading in deep water has its issues as well, of course, but on the whole I find the deeper pools easier going. There is something strangely supportive about standing with the current wrapping about your thighs. Movement is agreeably slow and there is a natural buoyancy that I find reassuring. I am almost certain to drown, of course, should I ever be up-ended at this depth;…

THE SUN HANGS LOW OVER Birnham Hill on the evening of Saturday, October 7, and Georgina Ballantine is keen to make the most of the evening light (the clocks are due to go back the next day). They have already landed three large salmon, fishing in place of the Laird who felt indisposed, and Melvin the boatman (“blind of one eye” and taking size nine boots) has knocked off at five. Her father James settles back at his oars, and Ina steps into the boat, and into her immortal place in piscatorial history. In 1922, she was 32 years of age. James had been the last of the Caputh ferrymen on the Tay, before the road bridge was built there in 1888 to mark Queen Victoria's Jubilee. Since then, he…

TO CATCH A BEAUTIFUL WILD brownie in stunning surroundings was once the only goal of trout-fishers, but the times change. While we must strive to maintain our wild waters and protect our much-loved wild brown trout, I think we must accept that there isn't enough wild fishing for everyone. Fifty-odd years ago, the development of farmed rainbows and brown trout opened the sport to more people and led to the growth of Stillwater fisheries, which provided additional fishing opportunities. Further advancements in fish-farming saw the development of sterile “triploid” fish. These keep their condition all-year round, unlike hen and cock fish, which can go dark and flabby around spawning time. While rainbows led the way it is now possible to stock triploid brown trout where wild ones do not occur…

To slightly change the angle the boat is facing when fishing at anchor, rather than attaching the anchor rope to the rowlock, attach it to a G-clamp. This will allow you to manipulate the angle the boat sits in the wind so you can cast along the feature or bank. When drifting, traditionally the boatman would use an oar to adjust the boat's position. Today's competition anglers have adapted their drogues with a pulley-and-cleat system that allows the drogue ropes to be adjusted. In effect, one rope is made slightly shorter than the other so the boat will drift along the feature.…

GLASGOW ANGLING CENTRE OPEN WEEKEND The UK's Largest Free Angling Event FRIDAY 23rd - SUNDAY 25th SEPTEMBER 2022 WITH THE END OF THE season approaching, that can only mean one thing to the avid angler –the Glasgow Angling Centre Autumn Open Weekend is just around the corner! This year, Scotland's largest FREE angling event will be held on the 23rd, 24th and 25th of September, 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 2022 on show and experts on hand to talk you…