Table of contents for July 2021 in Trout & Salmon

SOMETHING’S BUGGING ME. I WAS CHATTING to someone about river trout the other day and we were wishing we were knee-deep in a heavy hatch of large dark olives. Then we moved on to the big trout we’d seen caught in recent weeks and I raised the subject of repeat captures. Repeat captures of wild trout on rivers are more common than you may realise. For example, Kenny Galt, scientist at the Tweed Foundation, uses repeat captures (identified through angler’s photographs) to help gather fascinating information about trout distribution and migration in the Tweed catchment. Now you may not be concerned about the same fish being caught numerous times, but it may bother you that anglers are deliberately targeting known big wild trout. It bothers me. It appears that some…

“The scent of alliums in my rod room that night and for several nights afterwards was a reminder of a good day” IT’S GREAT TO SEE FAMILIAR FACES returning to the Spey and meet new ones as the season continues. With intermittent blue skies, banks heavy with lupins and more fish making it to the net there are many reasons for smiles on Speyside. No matter how many times you’ve fished a beat it’s always worth walking the pools before setting off. Much can change over winter or after a spate. It’s a chance to inspect shifted gravels and assess safe wading lines. Recently, as one of my fellow guides stepped down a shallow pool, I pointed out that there was a large boulder in front of him and three…

THIS IS A FASCINATING AND, arguably, sad story, and one that has a strong geographical aspect. It tells a tale of a meteoric rise in public acceptance and ends in a dramatic fall from grace. “The Loch Ordie as a wet-fly” concept exploded on to the fly-fishing scene, courtesy of the late Jim Yorston in the 1970s. The original Loch Ordie (LO) was a dapping fly, and the story goes that it was an idea of the Duke of Atholl turned into a practical pattern by the American fly-tyer Edward Hewitt. It is also claimed Hewitt’s Neversink Spider played a part in the Ordie’s construction. To address the problem of fish coming short to dapped flies it was common to add a flying treble to the pattern. W S (Billy)…

“One of the best-equipped fisheries in Scotland” COBBINSHAW RESERVOIR HAS always had a reputation for being a cut above your average fishery. It is run to a high standard by the Cobbinshaw Angling Association, established in 1906 by a group of affluent Edinburgh businessmen, and bills itself as being one of the best-equipped fisheries in Scotland. It also has a reputation for providing great top-of-the water and dry-fly sport, which is what drew me to it in the first place. Set in the rolling countryside of West Lothian, it feels slightly off the beaten track, despite being close to Edinburgh and Glasgow and sitting on one of the main railway lines between the two cities. This was a key factor in the CAA’s decision to base itself here — the…

The Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni) is common in Europe but was thought to be extinct in the UK. It was re-discovered in 2004 and since then has spread across north-west England and north Wales and is now widespread in the south-east (see map). It is predominantly found on alder trees but also on hazel, birch and hornbeam. The adults overwinter in soil near alder trees, emerging in April. The beetles and their larvae are present on the alders through to July and early August. They eat the leaves, leaving them with a skeletonised appearance; often the leaves turn brown. This does not kill the trees but markedly alters their appearance. The 7mm-8mm long beetle appears black but is actually dark metallic blue with purple reflections while the larva is…

THERE ARE VARIED PATHS TO becoming an angler, though perhaps the most enduring is when one begins as a child. In less cautious times, it was normal to cycle off with friends to the local river and spend the day trying, with a pot of maggots, to hook a few small roach and perch. It didn’t require expensive tackle or specialised techniques, just a love of being beside water and the wonder of what we might catch, if anything. Some of us, however, were lucky enough to have an older friend or close relative who could show us the ropes. At eight years old, and thanks to her father, this is the way Yvonne Borrmann began her angling career. Living in a small town in northern Germany, Yvonne’s family were…

I AN TENNANT HAS BEEN HELPING fishers for many years and at the end of this season he will retire from the position of head gillie at Gordon Castle on the Spey. Ian has been on Beat Three since 1984 when he moved from the Castle Water. It’s a job he loves dearly: “If you cut my arm, Spey water would flow,” he said. A career like his commands respect. It’s a material period of time. His depth of knowledge, watercraft and connection to the river’s moods can be compared to only a vital few. JIM Did you always plan to be a gillie? IAN Absolutely, my father was the head gillie at the Orton beat, just upstream. My father and grandfather were both fishers and it was in my…

The neoprene booties of breathable waders can be a tight fit. Extracting your feet can be tiresome at the end of a long day in the river, especially if you’re less than agile and nurse a sore back. It also doesn’t do the stitching any good to pull on the bootie’s toe and heel as you manoeuvre your foot free. Plastic, scourge of the environment, in this case provides a solution. You’ll need two carrier bags or strong food freezer bags. Slip them over your socks and slide them, frictionless, into the booties. Remove each foot with the same slippery ease. Will your feet sweat in plastic? Yes, but it’s not much of a trade-off — neoprene isn’t breathable, either.…

MIDSUMMER CAN BE A TRYING time for the trout angler; with the spring bonanza behind us and the dog days fast approaching, it can feel for long periods like the river is asleep, the resident trout apparently in hiding for much of the day as picnickers, canoeists and wild swimmers descend upon the more accessible parts of our favourite places. However, the very upper reaches, far from population centres and major roads, offer the adventurous spirit an opportunity to avoid the “staycation” crowds and enjoy some entertaining sport in wild and unspoilt surroundings. An adjustment of expectations is required to get the most out of headwaters sport. Trout in the uppermost reaches seldom grow large and with rough going underfoot and tight, sometimes tree-lined confines to contend with, one could…

If you don’t tie your own flies, what should you look for when buying a Teal, Blue and Silver in a tackle-shop? • A strong hook with a wide gape will improve hooking. • Make sure the body material is wrapped in tight, neat turns. This suggests that the tyer has taken time to create a well-tied fly. • Avoid an overdressed hackle. If it’s bushy, it will stop the fly from fishing correctly and be hard to sink. • As teal wings are difficult to tie, some commercial tyers use a “whole” teal feather rolled to shape. The feather stalk inside the wing will be stiff and the fly will not fish correctly. • A sparse, thin dressing will fish much better than a heavily dressed fly.…

England & Wales BORDER ESK THE river has had no rain since the end of March and is very low indeed. Experienced Esk anglers have said it is as low as they have ever seen it. It is unlikely that many migratory fish will run the river in its present state. Rainfall is desperately needed as the river is stagnant, with slippery algae on the river bed. Cold nights have kept spring at bay with many trees still bare. There is no serious rainfall forecast. A good flood is needed to encourage fish to run in from the Solway. Until this happens the season will be slow to get started on the Esk and Liddle Angling Club waters. Down below Longtown at Burnfoot there has been some activity. Phil Dixon…

England ■ ALBURY ESTATE FISHERIES, Guildford, 07976 810737 1 Mark Becker, London, 8lb 2oz rainbow, Damsel Nymph. ■ ALDIN GRANGE LAKES, Durham, 0191 384 6090 1 Malcolm Proudlock, Stanley, 7lb rainbow, on fly. 2 David Soulsby, Co Durham, 6lb 7oz brownie, Olive Buzzer. 3 Duncan Elliott, Durham, 5lb 9oz brownie, Red Buzzer. ■ BESSY BECK TROUT FISHERY, Cumbria, 01539 623303 1 Duncan Elliott, Durham, 3lb 5oz rainbow, Klinkhamer. ■ BRANSFORD GAME FISHERIES, Bransford, 01905 830548 1 Peter Boyd, Worcester, 8lb rainbow, Cat’s Whisker. 2 Michael Rees, Worcester, 7lb 4oz rainbow, Viva Hothead. 2 Mike Warden, Malvern, 7lb 4oz rainbow, Damsel. ■ BRICK FARM LAKES, Herstmonceux, 01323 832615 1 Tim Tyrrell, Lewes, 9lb 7oz rainbow, Green and Black Cat’s Whisker. 2 Alan Franks, Hythe, 9lb 6oz rainbow, on fly. 3 Richard…

ENGLAND BLITHFIELD ANGLERS, Abbots Bromley, 01283 840284 DRAYCOTE TROUT FISHERY, Rugby, 01788 812018 HIGHAM LAKE TROUT FISHERY, Ponteland, 07950 428159 LEIGHTON RESERVOIR, Ripon, 07815 114890 LENCHES LAKES, Evesham, 01386 871035 WASHBURN VALLEY FISHERIES, Harrogate, 01943 880658 SCOTLAND MOFFAT FISHERY, Moffat, 01683 221220 TARVIE LOCHS, Tarvie, 01997 421250 WELLSFIELD FISHERY, Denny, 01324 822800 WALES ELAN VALLEY, Rhayader, 01597 810383 LLYN GWYN, Rhayader, 01597 810383 FRANCE MOULIN DE CHAISE DIEU DU THEIL, Le Theil, 00330687 099653…

SO OFF WE GO THEN. IT WAS ONLY AS I was wending my way across the Fens that it occurred to me it is many months since I have undertaken a journey in the car of more than a few minutes. And now I am headed for Inverness. I won’t bore you with the details of the long drag northwards or the now notorious trek through the Cairngorms National Park because the editorial postbag is hefty enough without the annual cataract of commentary from the A9 Road Safety Partnership Appreciation Society but suffice it to say that the cameras now stand in such serried ranks that you’d think the damn things have been breeding with the windmills that now seem to festoon every slope. They used to say a pair…

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Caught a memorable fish? Send us a picture and a brief story to troutandsalmon@bauermedia.co.uk Each picture published will receive a Sharpe’s of Aberdeen baseball cap. The captor of the Fish of the Month will receive a Sharpe’s rod of their choice. Our winner may have landed a big fish, a first fish, an unusual fish or simply told a wonderful tale. The editor’s decision is final. Fish for the next (August) issue must have been caught between May 11-June 8. Closing date for submissions is June 8. For terms and conditions, visit: bauerlegal.co.uk/competition-terms.html For our Privacy Policy: bauerdatapromise.co.uk…

FISHING There are no day-tickets, but memberships are available and anyone interested in joining should contact the secretary at cobbinshaw anglingassoc@gmail.com Web: cobbinshawaa.co.uk The one-off entrance fee has been reduced from £450 to £150. Other costs include an annual subscription of £306 plus a small charge on each outing that covers running costs. An Open Day is planned for July 4th when prospective members can view the facilities and have a few hours’ free fishing. The reservoir is located near Woolfords, south of West Calder. There are 22 Coulam 16 boats equipped with outboards, nets and drogues, including a new Coulam 16 Wheelyboat for disabled anglers. There’s a well-equipped log cabin for members’ use. The association employs two full-time keepers. The main season begins mid- to late-March and finishes on October…

The Wrackleford Estate offers luxurious on-site accommodation. There are four self-catering properties, including a spectacular shooting lodge that sleeps eight in four rooms. Bed-and-breakfast is available in four double rooms at Wrackleford House. Guiding, tackle hire, fly selections and lunch hampers (available when booking) complete a very desirable package. Dorset is a beautiful county with plenty to do for the whole family, fascinating places to visit and excellent local cuisine. BOOKING Wrackleford Estate, Stratton Beat, 2021 price per rod: April 1-April 30, £75; May 1-May 15, £120; May 16-June 19, £150; June 20-October 15, £95. Book through Fishing Breaks. Tel: 01264 781 988. | Email: info@fishingbreaks.co.uk Web: fishingbreaks.co.uk The Wrackleford Estate, Wrackleford House, Dorchester, Dorset DT2 9SN. Tel: 01305 267643. Mob: 07980 694487. Email: enquiries@wrackleford. co.uk Web: wrackleford.co.uk…

Run the thread down to the bend and apply a pinch of kapok dubbing or a similar fine-fibred dubbing. Dub it into a thin rope and wind it along the shank to form a slim body. Stop the body approximately 2mm short of the eye. Select two CDC plumes of the same size. Catch in the first plume so that it curves downwards well past the bend. Secure the stem with tight thread turns then place the second plume on top of the first so that it curves upward to create a distinct V-shape to the wing. Ensure the tips are level. Lock the wing in place with further tight thread-turns then trim the waste. Add a half hitch to prevent the thread from loosening then carefully split it with…

JIM What management mistakes do you think have been made that have affected salmon survival? What advice would you give the next generation? IAN There are many factors — climate change, intensive exploitation of the seas — that are global issues, but we’ve made mistakes much closer to home as well. Salmon farming is a major threat. We catch a few escapees here, even though the farms are not close by. JIM It shows the very real risk of disease — it’s far from a West Coast-only issue. IAN Within the Spey catchment, I think extensive forestry operations have led to big changes in the river. When I was a boy, big floods were rare. It took four or five days for the water to peak, it would stay big…

Q I want to buy a new scoop net, but I’m worried I won’t get a big trout in it, if I’m lucky enough to catch one. Any advice would be welcome. Simon Gregory Last year, a customer complimented me on my answers to this magazine. He then rocked me back by stating, “You’re a bit old school, aren’t you?” As a competition angler, with a first “cap” in 1985, I have always thought I’m at the leading edge of tackle and tactics. However, there is one area where I am definitely “old school” — landing nets. I grew up in the era of the creel (or bag) where a brass ring on its strap allowed a long-handled net to slip in and out easily when a fish was hooked.…

Many wild, less-explored rivers can be accessed through local angling passport schemes, which provide affordable permits (tokens) to fish, as well as advice and maps. ■ Fish Pass: find unsung beats across Devon and Cornwall in a scheme run by the Westcountry Rivers Trust. Web: fishpassapp.co.uk ■ The Fishing Passport: wild stream fishing in Wales and the Welsh Borders organised by The Wye & Usk Foundation. Web: fishingpassport.co.uk ■ Ribble Passport Rivers Trust: a selection of waters in Lancashire and the Forest of Bowland. Web: ribbletrust.org.uk ■ Peak Angling Passport: a few beats in the National Park administered by Trent Rivers Trust. Web: peakanglingpassport.co.uk ■ Also try FishPal, which sells tickets to a huge number of beats across the UK. Message their office for advice on finding more remote locations.…

Hook Partridge Patriot up-eye or similar sharp double Tag Silver wire Butt Glo-Brite floss no.4 Tail Hot-orange dyed golden pheasant tippet Rib Silver wire Body Silver holographic Mylar tinsel Hackle Hen hackle dyed blue Underwing Pearl Krystal Flash Wing Natural grey squirrel tail Head Black varnish…

ORVIS PIONEER Leigh H Perkins, the inspiring American businessman who bought The Orvis Company in 1965, has died, aged 93. Perkins grew Orvis, founded in 1856 by Charles F Orvis, from a niche business with 20 employees and $500,000 in annual sales to a mail-order and retail powerhouse with more than 700 employees and sales topping $90 million. Today, the company is run by his grandson, Simon, who Perkins once told, “You always learn more by listening than by talking.” Perkins would often spend time taking phone calls from customers and reading their letters to ensure that he was serving their needs. In 1966, he launched one of the world’s first fly-fishing schools in Manchester, Vermont, teaching 150 students the basics. The company now offers free instruction to more than…

Junior ENGLAND ■ ALDIN GRANGE LAKES, Durham, 0191 384 6090 1 Harris Armstrong, Co Durham, 5lb 8oz rainbow, Peach Blob. ■ BESSY BECK TROUT FISHERY, Cumbria, 01539 623303 1 Harris Armstrong, Co Durham, 3lb 8oz rainbow, Black Buzzer. ■ BRANSFORD GAME FISHERIES, Bransford, 01905 830548 1 Ewan Loturco, Cardiff, 4lb 2oz rainbow, Orange Minky. ■ MEON SPRINGS, Petersfield, 01730 823134 1 William Goodwin, Petersfield, 4lb 5oz rainbow, Blue-flash Damsel. 2 Rose Marriott, East Preston, 4lb rainbow, White Booby. ■ NEW MILLS TROUT FISHING PARK, Brampton, 016977 41115 1 William Jolibert, Penrith, 6lb 5oz rainbow, Emerger. 2 Joel Wood, Newcastle, 4lb rainbow, Snake. SCOTLAND ■ ALDERNEUK FISHERY, Dumfries, 07901 602020 1 Hunter Robson, Kelso, 5lb rainbow, Black Daddy. ■ GLEN OF ROTHES TROUT FISHERY, Aberlour, 01340 831888 1 Jordan Low, Keith,…

Witness to wisdom I was much amused by David Profumo’s article (May), in particular his anecdote about Hugh Falkus and how opinionated he could be. Once, when I was fishing an upper Tweed beat some 50 years ago and I was one of five or six rods, Hugh held forth to us all about his latest theory, which was not to swing the fly through a known salmon lie in low water but to hold it out above the fish as long as possible, which meant wading as deeply as possible down every pool and consequently disturbing it for any fishers following — we were all frustrated by this at the time but did not dare say anything to the great man. Another strong memory was Neil Graesser, who came…

Jonathan is particularly fond of casting with what we would call “conventional tackle” as opposed to out-and-out tournament gear. Being able to cast 40 yards with a five-weight outfit is impressive, but also beneficial as it helps you to get that little bit farther if needed or just to deal with tough wind conditions. “It is also about making your casting more efficient. If I can put my fly where I want it in just two false casts as opposed to several then I’m spending less time casting and more time fishing. By the law of averages I should catch more fish,” he said. “I can’t see the point in ‘making do’ with old equipment. Although I appreciate that tackle can have sentimental value, the development of modern fly rods,…

The most common aphids are green (greenflies), but they appear in other shades, including black, brown and pale yellow. The dressings here are generic and their body colours can be altered. TWINKLE APHID Hook Size 20 Partridge SLD Thread Semperfli 18/0, primrose, waxed Body Superfine dubbing, light olive or caddis green Hackle Grizzle cock Wing Two strands of Semperfli Micro Glint, pearl This little number usually fools fussy fish. To create a low-riding pattern that sits in the surface, clip the underside of the hackle. PARA APHID Hook Size 22 TMC 2488 Thread Semperfli 18/0, primrose, waxed Abdomen and Thorax Superfine dubbing, light olive or caddis green Hackle Grizzle cock Wing TMC Aero Dry Wing Tiemco Aero Dry Wing is available in many colours. Because of the fly’s small size…

1. MACKENZIE-PHILPS RODS I often fished, particularly in February, with the late Bill Currie, who swore by Mackenzie-Philps rods, and at his recommendation I acquired a Yorkshire Graphite 15ft (circa 1980). Heavy by modern standards and well worn, I have used it for spring fishing for decades (it has been rewhipped once); its reel seat easily accommodates the long feet of Dingley reels. Incidentally, readers should note — aside from waders and nylon, I am not a lucrative customer for tackle-shops! 2. DOUBLE-TAPER FLY-LINES I invariably employ lines from the 1980s and early 1990s, including double-taper dark green Scientific Anglers Wet Cel 2, double-taper rust-colour Masterline Intermediate (my all-time favourite) and weight-forward sky-blue Hardy Floating. Perhaps lines were of higher quality then, but none have developed memory or are at…

THE CHALK STREAMS OF Dorset used to have a bit of a Cinderella reputation when compared to their better-known cousins in Wiltshire and Hampshire. This situation is rapidly changing, particularly with the River Frome, which has established a superb reputation as one of the premier big grayling rivers in the UK and one that in 2019 produced the current record fish. It was a warm sunny day in July when I made the trip down to Dorset to fish the Frome at Wrackleford with Peter Hayes. The Wrackleford Estate lies two miles north-west of Dorchester. It is a true sporting estate with one of the best shoots in England, seven fly-fishing beats on the middle Frome, each suitable for one or two rods, and Langford Lake, stocked with rainbow trout…

Hook Size 14-18 Ahrex FW541 Thread Black 12/0 Semperfli Nano Silk Tail Four or five pheasant tail fibres, natural or black Rib Copper or light gold 0.1-0.2 Semperfli wire Body Pheasant tail fibres, natural or black Thorax Natural Alpin (marmot) fur or hare’s fur Head Red 12/0 waxed thread Finish Clear UV resin During grayling season this is one of Yvonne’s favourite patterns. In clear water she will often use a very small version fished dead-drift. It can be tied with either natural brown or dyed-black pheasant tail fibres.…

HALFBACK NYMPH Hook Size 8-12 longshank nymph or lure Underbody Lead wire Tail Eight tips of cock pheasant centre tail Rib Copper wire to suit size Body Peacock herl Rear hackle Cock saddle shorter than hook gape Half shell back Cock pheasant tail fibres Front hackle Larger cock saddle feather I discovered this fly at a fly-tying show in the United States. It is intended as a dragonfly nymph. I was immediately struck by the way the hackle held the fly off the table. By using a stiff cock hackle at the front, it avoids the weed and can be trundled along the bottom at a snail’s pace. Early experiments were so successful that it is now my first-choice heavy nymph for when the fish are deep. Hackle colour is…