Well folks, all our salmon rivers are now in full swing, with lots of spring salmon being caught the length and breadth of our rivers, in what has been a positive start to the season.

It takes great pleasure to see the Tay having what appears to be a red letter February with March looking like it’s going the same way. The Tay is without a doubt a tremendous spring river and it is always a true pleasure to see spring catches excel, not mentioning the impeccable standard of the fish themselves.

A typical River Tay spring salmon.

What is interesting is that we have heard that the few rods that have been out on the upper Tay between Kenmore and Aberfeldy have been scoring well although not reported online. We have heard that one beat landed 6 fresh fish in a week for only a very limited rod effort. For those of you who prefer the small to medium sized rivers then the Tay below Kenmore should offer you something of interest not to mention the cracking scenery. 

Yours truly into an opening day fish on the North Esk

Given the modest mid week fishing effort on the Tay and the affordable fishing that is available. If you have not fished the river so far this season then I would get booked up to get in on some of this 1st class action.

As many of you may already be aware we have been out filming over the few months for Hooked UK for our online fishing TV channel (www.flyfishingchannel.tv). We are humbled by the uptake on these shows where only in the last 30 days we have had in excess of 17,500 views! This certainly bodes well for the future and we are taking pride in using these shows not only to help build Salmo as a brand, but to help develop Scotland and the UK as a global fly fishing destination. We have some exciting sponsorship in the pipeline which in time can only help us raise the standard.

Our latest show from the South Esk can be views at the foot of this blog or by visiting the channel link at the top of this page.

Andy filming at the Kinnaird Dyke on the South Esk

Some of our forthcoming shows include, Spring Salmon  on the Helmsdale, Loch Leven, Harris and Lewis, The Tay, Lake of Menteith, North Uist, The Tyne, The Spey. Additionally, we will also have much more from the Dee and Esks with some nice surprises lined up along the way.

We have a sister channel also (www.fromfield2stream.tv) which although will still feature Hooked UK shows, will also feature other fishing disciplines. FF2S will also feature hunting, shooting, gun dogs as well as country affairs and more. Both these channels are free to subscribe to so if of interest, please join the many other viewers and subscribe to keep up to date with our shows.

Kayak fishing on the west coast for a forthcoming show.

Lastly, as the spring salmon fishing is now in full swing being mid March, for some of us, thoughts now start turning to the opening of the Trout fishing season.

Although still likely to be very cold given the whiteout conditions outside my window today, next Friday will give the green light for trout anglers to hit the rivers and lochs as it will be the 15th March. Our first trout fishing trip of the season will be on the one and only Loch Leven at Kinross. This year Michael Wilson has advised that he will open the loch for business from the season outset. This is a few weeks earlier than normal so it will be interesting to see what turns up in the catches. Never one to turn down a challenge, Myself and Stan Headley will be out onto the loch to hopefully catch that early season trout from this fantastic loch.

A 6lbs Loch Leven trout caught by Colin McGlone. This a classic example of why Loch Leven is as prestigious a loch as it is.

The NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) have been carrying out ongoing extensive research on Loch Leven in order to try to get a better feel for the fish population of the loch in terms of trends in numbers and sizes of fish. Last week, they produced the an update with what made some very interesting reading. Click here to read the update.

If any of you are looking to book fishing of spend a days guided fishing on Loch Leven or indeed any of our rivers with one of our guides, then please email us at bookings@salmofishings.com or call us on 0845 838 1936 for details.

As always, we wish any of you who are braving the elements over the coming week, whether it be on the river chasing silver, or fishing for trout, Tight Lines!

Until next time,

All the best,

Greig Thomson

                         Here is the latest Hooked UK from the South Esk in Scotland chasing Spring Salmon

How I love March 15^th.  When I lived in the North, regardless of snow, ice, gale or whatever, I would venture out for the first cast of the new brown trout season.  It was like a first meal to a starving man and I could, at last, put the winter behind me.

Nowadays, with the availability of year-round trout fishing (if only for trans-Atlantic aliens) many don’t get the full relief effect of that wonderful spring day  Because the boats wouldn’t come out from hibernation until April, I would stand in freezing water, clumsily tie some favourite patterns with chilled fingers, and make that first cast with more hope than expectation.  It would always be hard work, but it was a poor opening day when I wouldn’t enjoy a meal of wild trout at the end of it.

Many think that opening day fish must, of necessity, be poor, thin, kelt-like things not worthy of the table.  I never found this to be the truth.  Feeding, for trout, doesn’t start on March the 15^th, and what you will probably find is that anything caught in March is more likely to be fish that were not only fighting fit, but hadn’t spawned in the previous winter.  These ‘maiden’ fish would make up the bulk of the catch, if not all of it, and had probably been feeding, off and on, throughout the better weather of the winter.

Of course, some lochs were better than others for producing prime trout in March.  In my Orkney days, Stenness and Harray were my favourite lochs for a first of the season fish, which was handy as at their nearest point they were only a matter of a few yards apart.  The tactics for Harray were to stand, with the wind at your back, well back from the edge and search through inches of water for fish feeding on shrimp.  Great patterns were long-shank Worm Fly, Invicta, Jersey Heard and Green Peter.  On Stenness, there was little change from standard tactics, fishing through the bladder-wrack with hideously bright patterns with lots of tinsel and materials of red, orange and pink.  The only nod towards the spring weather would be to fish areas where a reasonably gentle breeze was following the sheltered shoreline.

A tasty brace from the salty waters of Loch Stenness

I would always try Stenness first because if I was going to keep a trout for dinner, this loch produced the best eaters.  Harray fish were good enough but not a patch on those from her sister loch for table-worthiness.  Once a fish was caught and consigned to the bag, I could travel where the fancy and expectations of sport took me.

It was amazing how close-in those early spring grazers would feed.  There are those who think that deep water is where you should hunt for spring fish, but that is not the case.  Food production in the form of weed and algal growth upon which the small invertebrates feed is triggered off by weak, early season sunshine, and the less water this light has to penetrate the greater its effect.  Once the growth is underway and the aquatic bugs have started to feed, trout will enter ridiculously shallow water to take advantage of this cold buffet.

So, that’s what happens in the Far North.  How does that extrapolate across the nation?  Several rules for early season trout fishing are suggested by these revelations:

1. It is misguided to think that during the spawning period that all trout, even all mature trout, will spawn.  Nature doesn’t put all her eggs (no pun intended) in one basket.  At any given time only a proportion of trout stock will hazard the spawning burns.  Should a disaster occur then there will only be a proportion of the stock endangered.

A perfectly conditioned ‘maiden’ fish from L Leven in March 2012

The fish remaining safe and secure during the spawning season, commonly referred to as ‘maidens’, are the fish which can be expected to be most active in the very early months of the year.  Recent spawners will tend to be dormant until plenteous food is available, a period somewhat later in the year, coinciding with May or June.

2. Always explore regions where a good level of fish food can be expected.  In Harray these are the very margins where water temperatures and accessibility to good levels of sunlight ensure that invertebrate activity is assured; in Stenness, the weedy shallows are full of life; Loch Leven aficionados tend to head for the Hole o’ the Inch.

A ‘belter’ from the shallow water off the Gabions, Hole o’ the Inch
April 2011

The ‘Hole’ contains all the factors already mentioned plus one vital feature.  Because it is sheltered from most quarters, water temperatures in the early months can be a degree or so higher than that in the main body of the loch.  This slightly elevated temperature will almost always prompt early insect activity.  Last year, in late March, there were significant buzzer hatches in the Hole, and above average sport was to be found there through April and into May.

3. Another lesson learnt is avoid deep water in the early months, unless of course, that is where the food is.  Always explore shallow water before the deeps. Although the name ‘Hole o’ the Inch’ gives an impression of great depth, it is on the whole generally quite shallow, and on the slopes into what depth there is generally prove to be the best locations.

I expect to break my fast in late March, and it will probably be on Leven, but if I was back in Orkney I’d be out on the 15^th casting into 6” of Harray water, or crunching mussel shells on Stenness.

Stan Headley

P.S. Check out our latest Hooked UK episode from the North Esk opening. Click the link below to watch the full 30 mins

Anglers were greeted with what can only be described as near perfect conditions at the opening of the Spey last Monday. New Sponsors Glenfiddich’s Global Brand Ambassador, Ian Millar said a few words on behalf of the anglers and declare the river open, followed by a lament on the pipes from keen anglers Alan Sinclair. To complete the formalities, Rev Shuna Dicks, Minister for Craigellachie & Aberlour, blessed the river and last year’s Spey Quaich winner Bruce Cameron poured a bottle of 12 year old Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whisky from the suspension bridge at Aberlour into the river as a toast to bring luck to all those taking part.

Alan Sinclair on the pipes and Brucie Cameron, captor of the first Spey fish of 2012 pouring good whisky into the river!

Before heading out in search of the spring salmon, anglers were offered a small dram of Glenfiddich Single Malt Whisky along with some delicious Walkers shortbread. The mild weather resulted in most beats being fully rodded and the conditions ensured that the majority of anglers connected with fish although admittedly, mostly were Kelts.  In recent years around 4-6 fresh fish had been caught on average and this years opening day was no different.

Delfur Ghillie Grant Morrison with Alex Robertsons 7lb fish from Holly Bush today.

At the presentation, held in the hospitality suit at the Glenfiddich distillery, 4 fresh fish were confirmed. 2 were landed at Rothes & Aikenway, the largest of which weighed 11lbs and earned Bill Lasseter from Craigellachie a bottle of Glenfiddich18 year old Single Malt Scotch Whisky a luxury Walkers of Aberlour hamper. Head Ghillie Mike Ewan was also presented with a bottle of Glenfiddich 15 year old and a Walkers hamper. The other Rothes fish was caught by Bill’s son Ross which incidentally was his first ever fresh Salmon! A fantastic achievement especially at this time of year and a very worthy entry for our Glenfarclas Fish of the month Competition.

80 year old Davie Leith with the first Spey Salmon today at Kinermony.

Delfur also registered a 7lb fish caught mid way through the afternoon by Alex Robertson in the Holly Bush.  There was little surprise that Delfur registered a fish and again few surprises that Alex landed it as his spring record speaks for itself.

Another angle of Davie Leith’s fish prior to release.

The first fresh fish of the season however was caught at Kinermony by 80-year-old Davie Leith, who incidentally won the Quaich in 2006.  The fish weighed 8lbs and was caught on a Kinermony Killer. Along with the Anniversary Quaich, Davie was also presented with 2 bottles of Glenfiddich; 21 and 18 Years Old respectively and a Luxury Walkers of Aberlour hamper.  Along with Davie, I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time and was delighted to receive a bottle of Glenfiddich15 year old Single Malt Scotch Whisky together with a Walkers hamper.

Ross Lasseter with his first ever Salmon caught on opening day at Rothes & Aikenway. Well done Ross!!

Bill Lasseter with the largest fish caught on the Spey on opening day. Caught at Rothes & Aikenway.

Currently we are experiencing pretty mild weather on the whole, therefore I’d encourage all fair weather fishermen to visit the river. There is a variety of availability from Spey Bay to Grantown which can be seen on fishspey at very realistic prices. You will always be made welcome the team of very knowledgeable and welcoming ghillies.

If you’d like further information or have any stories to share, please let me know at speyghillie@hotmail.co.uk.

Salmo International also run hosted trips and packages on the Spey amongst other rivers. Should you want full details on these packages then please contact them on 0845 838 1936. Alternatively you can email them at info@salmofishings.com or by clicking the links above.

This coming Saturday, the North & South Esks in Angus open their doors for the 2013 season. Greig will be on the North Esk with the film crew hoping to catch the first North Esk Springer. There will of course be a full report on here from both rivers once we compile the reports.

In the meantime tight lines to all who are out on the river in the coming days.

All the best,

Jock Royan

The sharp ones amongst you will have worked out that Greig, and esteemed guest bloggers, are the real deal: fanatics of the fly and sages of the salmon. You’ll also have noticed that I rarely talk about my own catches (ahem, funny that) but am happy to prattle on aimlessly about a myriad of subjects tenuously related to our fine sport. A bluffer blogger, if you like.

With that in mind, may I quickly introduce Hugh Edward Lance Falkus, as the first of an occasional, sideways glance at fly fishing legends.  Not that he needs any introduction, thanks to his 1984 book Salmon Fishing which has become a bible for a generation of anglers.

When it came to writing, the man was a fanatic, sitting up half the night, fuelled by huge slugs of whisky. He was zealous to the cause, always observing, never missing the minutiae.

As his Sunday Times obituary in 1996 noted: “Falkus went at life full-tilt. He caught his first fish when he was 4, learnt to shoot when he was 6 and was an expert helmsman at 15. By 18 he had learnt to fly, by 19 he was married and by 20 he was a pilot in the RAF.”

Hugh Falkus with Niko Tingerben. Image courtesy of Larry Shaffer/Chris Newton

The thrice-married gent was a renown author, naturalist, helmsman, marksman, actor, film-maker and TV presenter. Not only is the seminal Salmon Fishing still in print, but with his first volume Sea Trout Fishing (1962), he virtually invented the modern sport of fly-fishing for sea trout at night.

Oh, and he was a champion advocate of the Spey cast, refining techniques with carbon fibre rods and aerodynamic lines, whilst running his legendary courses.

On top of this all, his war exploits are totally Boy’s Own stuff: “One night he was scrambled to intercept enemy bombers and managed to shoot down two and damage a third before running out of fuel over France. He was taken by the Germans, who surmised that he must be a spy because of his kenspeckle dress . . . pyjamas under his flying suit. He was interrogated, beaten, and taken out to be shot.”

“As the firing squad raised their rifles, Falkus turned his back on them in a gesture of defiance and concentrated his attention on a trout rising in a nearby stream. The expected shots never rang out as, at the last moment, an English educated Wehrmacht major-general drove up and took Falkus away. He spent the evening drinking champagne with his saviour, but the following day was taken to a prison camp.”

The man himself working in his study. Image courtesy of BBC History.

“He suffered the horrors of four years in camps in France, Germany, and Poland but always there was his characteristic flash of spirit. He caught and cooked the camp Commandant’s favourite cat and added further insult by making himself a pair of cat-skin mitts. Naturally, he was in solitary confinement for much of his time, but when he mixed with his fellow prisoners, he worked tirelessly on methods of escape, including the famous Wooden Horse tunnel.”

Did the man ever have a stop-button? Let’s raise a glass of his favoured Scottish nectar (Speyside malt, anybody?) to the elder statesman of fly fishing experts. Times and techniques have moved on, but his presence is still felt by many an enthusiast the world over.

Tight Lines wherever you may be Hugh!

PS.  Hmmm, my riverbank inadequacies aren’t helped either by his mantra: “Whatever species you’re fishing for, the angler who cannot speycast can never realise his full potential.”  Where are you Hugh, when I need you?

Until next time,

Tight lines,

Will

P.S. For those of you who have not seen our 25 minute opening day feature on the Dee, here is the link below. If you like what you see then please subscribe to our channel. Hope you enjoy.