Andy Britton has won the Bemersyde Trophy with a 32lb salmon. The fish, which was caught at Tweedmill Beat, near Coldstream, secured Mr. Britton’s award for the annual trophy, which celebrates the largest – and best-caught – salmon landed on a fly on the River Tweed.
Harry Brownlow of Denholm won the junior award with a 16lb specimen caught at the Hawick Association Water at Rulefoot on the Teviot. The winners were announced live online from Bemersyde House on Saturday, 27 March.
Andy, from Braidwood in Lanarkshire, caught his fish on 11 August 2020 on a light 12lb nylon and tackle, using the latest Gaelforce fly line and a self-tied, size 12 double-hooked fly. He played the fish for 45 minutes before it was netted by Jock Veitch, one of the two ghillie witnesses to the triumph and winner of the Ghillie’s Award. Harry also landed his fish on a 12lb nylon with a Conehead Ally Shrimp on 29 October 2020.
Harry Brownlow’s fish was described by the judges as a “super catch in every respect”; it was caught on a cold and windy day with coloured water and his party was about to head home. Harry’s father offered to cast for him but he refused before casting, hooking, playing and landing the fish – his first salmon – on his own. The fish was returned safely to the river after 15 minutes of rest in the water. Harry, who was 11 at the time, kept the fish in the water only taking it out briefly for photos.
Andy Britton said: “It feels fantastic. I have fished the Tweed quite a lot but and caught big salmon before – including a 43lber in Norway – but to land a 32lber is a massive achievement and something I never thought I would achieve, especially on the Tweed. I was so pleased when they lifted the restrictions last August and it was great to get a 32lb salmon on light tackle.”
Harry Brownlow said: “I am very happy to have won the trophy, but most of all it was worth the wait for the fish. I have fished for a long time and the salmon finally came along!”
A rare opportunity to purchase a five-rod lease on the renowned Lower Scone beat of the Tay.
This prime mid-September week (week 36) has a 10 year beat average of 271 salmon and 18 sea trout. The ten-year, week average is 11 salmon.
The beat is divided into upper and lower beats, namely Waulkmill upstream and Goldcastle downstream. The beat is fished on an alternate day basis by no more than 5 rods per beat. There is one full time ghillie with 8 years’ experience of the beat, two boats, 2 fishing huts and excellent vehicular access.
The fishing’s form the lower part of the stretch of river formerly known as Lower Scone Salmon Fishings and starts at the bottom of Fishponds Beat and extends for about 1.6 miles downstream to a point just below Goldcastle at the top of Almondmouth Beat.
The top fishing hut at Walkmill is situated just up stream from the Old Ferry and vehicle access is by way of Stormountfield Road.
The two fishing huts are well maintained and comfortable and each is equipped with Calor Gas heaters, tables and chairs as well as a separate toilet. Adjacent to the huts are designated car parking areas.
The week offers enjoyable fishing over one of the finest big rivers in Scotland. The two beats include several well-known pools including Berhaugh, Arns, Greenbush, Broxie, Girnal, Hatton, Cadgers Hole and Bleachings. The beats are fished on alternate days by way of a reciprocal agreement.
he beat benefits from an experienced Ghillie, boats and two fishing huts along with good access with parking – read more.
Price – Offers over £50,000.
Goldsmith & Co Chartered Surveyors & Estate Agents
Looking for a safe family staycation with trout fishing this summer?
Ledmore is a traditional island house in a totally secluded location next to a large wild trout loch.
A private waterfall in the garden is a much loved feature and an ideal spot to relax and enjoy a BBQ, or wander through the meadows surrounding the house and have a picnic with a view of the lake. There are no other houses nearby, so it’s about as secluded and private as you can get!
It’s the perfect place for children to learn to fish and those who love wild flowers won’t be disappointed. Eagle watching, wild swimming and canoeing can all be done at Ledmore. There are plenty of good walks and cycling routes and you can rent the owners boat to go fishing or just go to the loch for a leisurely picnic – read more.
If it rains there is a large barn to play mini versions of football/tennis/badminton etc and a den for teenagers with a table tennis table and seating area.
This is an ideal escape and for your safety comes with specialist covid cleaning by trained professionals. It sleeps 4 to 5 people and well behaved dogs are welcome.
The Isle of Mull (half way up Scotland’s West Coast) enjoys spectacular scenery, lovely beaches, castles, harbour villages, dolphin/whale spotting, the iconic Iona Abbey and Fingal’s cave on Staffa. Plenty to keep young and old happy, both on and away from the property.
Ledmore has recently been added to FishPal and we expect availability for summer and early autumn weeks to go quickly.
In stark contrast to last year some of us have been able to get out on our local waters and have a cast and enjoy the best of the spring fishing. Until recently this was restricted to your local authority area and a short distance out with. Now we have more flexibility we have had a greater number of members and visitor anglers enjoying the Kemnay Angling Club beat, which I’ll be delighted to feedback upon further as the season progresses.
The cold winter has certain slowed growth this year and the seasons, river and it’s inhabitants are a good few weeks behind. Salmon numbers have been low across the Don this spring and little effort has been put in as a result on the club water. Several kelts were taken early in the season but no fresh fish have yet to be landed.
The brown trout fishing on the other hand has been very good, with trout in surprisingly good condition following such a hash winter.
Steady hatches of March brown and LDO’s were witnessed throughout early April when conditions were above average for the time of year. Members picked away at trout up to 2lb mainly on nymphs but the odd one taking a dry. As April progressed challenging winter conditions returned and hatches and trout seemed to go off the boil for a week or two until better weather retuned in May.
One new member to the club had a cracking afternoon last week on the Coffee Pot where he took several fish to 2lb, on the dry on his split cane rod in under an hour. “When you hit it right it’s just bliss, I could have had a better day for several season now” he recounted.
Prospects are looking better as day and evening temperatures are set to improve over the coming weeks. A rise in the river last week has brought a chance of some salmon moving into the beat and freshened up the pools for trout. Hatches are occurring throughout the early afternoon from midday when conditions are right and there is also a glimpse of some evening rises as well which bodes well for the rest of the month and into June when the sedges really get going.
A few terrestrials are on the move now with dung fly and hawthorns flitting about so plenty of variety on offer for the resident trout. May heralds the start of sea trout running the Don in significant numbers so worth running through with some sea trout flies as well.
An absolutely cracking week for my clients and guests on Altyre Estate for W/C May 10th, with a total of 19 fresh Spring salmon, with the largest two fish of around 15 lbs, and all fish safely hooked and released! Another 10 fish were hooked and lost during the week, so all in all it was Spring salmon fishing at its’ very best on the fabulous Findhorn!
River levels were reading 3’3″ on the Forres gauge on Monday morning on the back of the recent snow melt water, so clarity was excellent. John Butcher managed to hook and release 2 fresh fish in the morning of around 9lbs and 10 lbs apiece, both caught from Roan pool on the lower beat.
On Tuesday levels had risen once again overnight with more melt water running off and reading 2’10” on the Forres gauge. Paul Coogan hooked and released his first ever River Findhorn salmon of around 10 lbs from Palamore pool on the upper beat just before lunch time. Jonathan Howitt hooked and lost a fish from Roan pool in the morning. In the afternoon, John Butcher was back in action once again with another really fabulous deep sea liced salmon of around 15 lbs, quickly followed by another fresh fish of around 10 lbs, yet again both from the Roan pool on the lower beat!
Then on Tuesday evening, Leslie “The Tysonator” Tyson was back on the Upper beat for a cast. He managed to hook and release a lovely fresh fish of around 12 lbs from Palamore pool, quickly followed by another fish of around 10 lbs from the tail of Palamore. He then moved down to Palamore Island and hooked another fresh fish of around 10 lbs, safely hooked and released. A short while after and another fish hooked and lost from the same pool. Later, he moved upstream and managed to hook and release another fresh fish of around 8 lbs from the Roehillock pool. Now that’s what you call a good evenings’ salmon fishing!
By Wednesday river levels had fallen away and reading 1’6″on the Forres gauge. Paul Coogan hooked and lost a fish in Roan in the morning and apart from that, no other fish were reported for the day!
On Thursday morning river levels had risen once again and reading 1’11” on the Forres gauge after heavy rain falling over the catchment overnight. Ian Neale hooked and lost a fish right down in the tail of Roan in the morning. Robert Mull and his daughter Lily had an amazing day of sport, with a 12 lb fresh fish for Robert, then followed by a cracking fresh fish of around 15 lbs for Lily, both caught and released in the Roan pool on the lower beat. Lily and Robert also hooked and lost another four fish fish between them through the day from Scur and Roan pools.
On Friday morning levels were running at 1’3″ on the Forres gauge and river was looking in good order. Robert Mull had another really enjoyable morning, with two fish of around 8lbs apiece hooked and released from the Garden pool on the lower beat and another two hooked and lost in the same pool, all before lunchtime! Later on in the afternoon, Robert managed to hook his third fish of the day, of around 10 lbs from the Roehillock pool on the upper beat.
By Saturday river levels were still reading 1’3″ on the Forres gauge and that niggling North Easterly breeze kept on blowing upstream all day! It also became bright and sunny which seemed to put the fish down until later in the afternoon when we could take advantage of the shadier pools. So, at around 4.00 pm, Ian Neale managed to hook and release a cracking fresh sea liced fish of around 12 lbs from the Soldier’s Hole pool on the upper beat fishing off the ledge! Later on in the evening and Leslie Tyson was back on as night watchman! He managed to hook and release a cracking fresh fish of around 15 lbs from Palamore, followed by another fish of around 12 lbs from the same pool. Before finishing off he went back up to the Soldiers Hole pool and caught another fresh fish of around 10 lbs fishing from the ledge and then finally another fresh fish of around 8 lbs from the tail of the pool.
This was a truly fantastic week for all of my clients and guests fishing on the Altyre beats. It was really heartening to see such a strong run of these fantastic hard fighting Spring salmon, which were literally pouring through the Altyre beats all week!
It looks like the unsettled weather is to continue right through into next week and therefore hoping my clients and guests are able to enjoy another great week of Spring salmon fishing on the River Findhorn.
A virtual exhibition celebrating 20 years together, showcasing work created during lockdown by Redspot Artists: Ben Hoskyns, Sam Macdonald, Rodger McPhail, Jonathan Sainsbury, Tania Still, Jason Sweeney, Keith Sykes & Owen Williams.
The exhibition runs from 21st May to 20th June, preview from 15th May
A full preview of the all the work available with details and prices can be seen at redspot-artists.com
Redspot Artists Redspot was founded in 2001 by a collective of some of the finest wildlife artists in Britain. Together they are widely acknowledged as being one of the most innovative artistic groups in their field, producing work of the very highest standard in a diverse range of media – delicate watercolours, bold oils, detailed scraperboard and beaten metal sculpture.
Redspot Artists are defined by their talent and passion for representing their vision of nature and wildlife through their work. They are all deeply knowledgeable about the rural environment and the countryside and their commitment to conservation shines through everything they do. They have held numerous exhibitions as a group, throughout the UK, over the past 20 years and their work is collected worldwide and has been reproduced in dozens of books and publications.
Exhibition With things still uncertain, Redspot Artists are so disappointed not to be able to hold a physical exhibition to mark their twentieth anniversary but, as the country finally begins to unlock, they are delighted to be able to show you what they have been up to.
Charities Supported Redspot Artists have chosen to support two charities this year the The Atlantic Salmon Trust and the Countryside Alliance.
Contact details for all the artists are on the website Redspot Artists
Galbraith is pleased to bring to the market the Finsbay, Flodabay and Stockinish fishings, a wonderful and mixed wild fishery in spectacular rivers and lochs on South Harris, Outer Hebrides.
The property offers fishing on three river systems and around 100 lochs, with a five-year average annual catch of 49 sea trout, 264 brown trout and the occasional salmon.
The fishings are for sale as a going concern and the sale includes three superb Scandinavian style three bedroom lodges, generating significant holiday rental income, a comfortable modern five bedroom bungalow and a traditional three bedroom cottage, all with far-reaching views.
John Bound of Galbraith, who is handling the sale, said: “This is a superb wild fishery set amidst the dramatic and unspoilt scenery of the Hebrides, which with its wonderful lodges and holiday cottage offers an excellent opportunity for the purchaser to develop a very successful business. There may be the potential to further expand the lodges, subject to planning permission. This is a perfect location for private parties to come to Scotland to fish and enjoy the spectacular and wild countryside.”
The Finsbay, Flodabay and Stockinish fishings comprise three separate beats, all linked to the sea and with fishing rights on about 100 lochs between them, some with salmon and sea trout but many with brown trout only. Fishing has traditionally been restricted to fly only and the current owner has encouraged the release of salmon and sea trout. A number of lochs are fished by boat, with many being fished only from the bank.
The surrounding area is one of spectacular open moorland. The coastal waters are dotted with charming bays and peaceful inlets that abound with seals, the occasional otter and with regular sightings of sea eagles.
Cottages / Lodges • Two Water Lodge Two Water Lodge is a detached bungalow situated at the southern end of Stockinish. The single-storey accommodation comprises: sitting room, dining room, kitchen, utility room, five bedrooms, (four en-suite), bathroom and WC. The house stands in a pleasant garden with four useful storage sheds and there is a slipway in the bay. It is currently used as the owner’s residence.
• Cliff Cottage Situated on the coast by Loch Beacrevic, between the main road and the sea, just over two miles from Two Water Lodge, with a lovely outlook over the Minch towards Skye. Cliffe cottage is a traditional, detached cottage. It is currently let as a holiday cottage, with kitchen/dining room, three bedrooms and bathroom.
• Finsbay Lodges These three timber framed Scandinavian style lodges, Coll, Arran and Inver, have stunning views, overlooking the river that runs into Loch Finsbay. They sit in some 15 acres which are included in the sale and lie below the main road on the edge of the coast and include the attractive fishing bothy and the site of the old Finsbay sporting lodge, that was built by Lord Leverhulme and was demolished in 1925.
Subject to planning consent, there may be potential for building further lodges or indeed a sporting lodge on the site of the old lodge.
The lodges are all similar, spacious, extremely comfortable, well equipped and built to a very high standard. They are let as holiday homes and generate significant rental income, details of which are available on request. For the current season, bookings secured for the lodges show an occupancy rate of 69 per cent, despite the recent travel restrictions.
• Fishing Bothy Situated just to the south east of the Lodges and on the edge of the bay, this traditional stone-built fishing hut has a bunk room and a kitchenette catering for overnight fishermen.
The Finsbay, Flodabay and Stockinish fishings are situated on the east coast of South Harris, amidst a maze of rocky inlets and a stunning landscape known as the Bays.
On the south eastern tip of the island lies Rodel, site of the medieval church of St Clement. A short distance along the coast from Rodel is Leverburgh, once a centre for the herring fishery and now the ferry terminal to Berneray, giving access to all the Uists.
Also nearby are the famous Isle of Harris distillery and the Harris Tweed shop.
Stornoway is 48 miles distant, with an airport offering connections to the mainland and ferry service to Ullapool.
The Finsbay, Flodabay and Stockinish fishings is for sale through Galbraith as a going concern for offers over £1,350,000.
Would you like to learn how to salmon fish or improve your casting skills this Summer on the River Tweed in the Scottish Borders.
Scott Povey, Fishery Manager of Lower Pavilion will be hosting a series of three day courses on his beat during August.
Whether you are new to fishing or an experienced angler looking to improve their technique this three day course will give you the information you need for a successful day salmon fishing.
The three day course will cover the following: A selection of casts covering different conditions. How to read the river. Wading tactics. Fishing tackle and what flies to use. Fishing Etiquette. Safety planning.
Casting tuition will be one to one and group sessions.
Dates available: Thursday August 12th until Saturday August 14th Monday 16th August until Wednesday August 18th Thursday August 18th until Saturday August 21st
There is a maximum of four places available on each course. Price is £300 per person and includes tuition, fishing permits and lunch on each day. Equipment is available if required.
Lower Pavilion Beat
Situated between, on the South bank, the historic abbey town of Melrose and to the North the village of Gattonside, Lower Pavilion offers double bank salmon fishing of over two miles in a stunning location with panoramic views of the Eildon Hills. Access is directly to the beat from the village of Gattonside, and access around the individual fishing beats and pools is possible by vehicle, or on foot. At the centre of the beat is the famous and often featured suspension footbridge, built in 1826.
The beat has a well appointed fishing hut with both female and male toilets. There is a large decked area for outdoor eating and plenty of parking.
Scott Povey
Scott is the Tweed representative for SAGE, VISION, REDINGTON and RIO. Tackle and fishing lines will be tackle available to test and use.
Conditions for evening trout fishing have been exceptional over the past few weeks.
With the warm evening conditions trout were beginning to feed on late hatches of olives and the odd yellow sally drifting downstream anytime from 9pm. Interspersed in these olives were the first of the sedges which have built over the weeks as the evenings extended and have now become the main fodder for trout with ample big browns in 2-3lb homing into them with confidence.
A single CDC bubble sedge in a size 14 has served me well alongside a size 14 CDC and Elk. I’m pleased to say that the sedge hatches haven’t hit their peak yet and the trout are still get into top gear so I’m looking forward to some further action over the coming weeks.
As weather conditions are set to change in the next few weeks daytime hatches should become more likely offering up further fishing and a welcome rise in water forecast for next week should help freshen things up and perhaps bring a silver tourist or two onto the beat.
At FishPal we value your opinion and would like to know what you think of the site and the service we provide via this quick survey.
As we move into a new chapter of investment as a result of the acquisition of the company by SpeedyBooker, the FishPal survey gives you the chance to have your say, including what you would like to add to a new website and system.
Everyone who completes the survey will be put into a prize draw to win a £100 FishPal Gift Voucher. Deadline Tuesday 27th July 2021.
The results of the survey will be published in the autumn, once we have finalised the plan for the new look website and systems.
FishPal is looking for a Sales & Support Executive to join the team.
This exciting role will include managing existing fisheries, recruiting new fisheries, customer and marketing support. If you have a passion for, and knowledge of, fly fishing.
Role and Responsibilities This role includes:
Fishery Support: managing existing fisheries, ensuring their website profiles are up to date, requesting they update their availability and prices and assisting them as required.
Sales: recruiting new fisheries to join FishPal, via telephone and email, you will initially be focussed on recruiting salmon fisheries to our new website, once it is launched later this year. There is no cost to new clients in joining the website, nor any fixed annual costs (we work on commission). Identifying and partnering with 3rd party affiliate and non affiliate partners.
Customer support: providing support for customers who email or phone with questions about our service or their bookings.
Marketing: support for marketing manager, help with drafting newsletters and social media posts.
Please send your application by email to: applications@speedybooker.com stating reference: “FishPal Sales & Support Executive” in the email title as soon as possible. Please include your CV and a short covering letter – more information.
Following Covid delay, 2019 winner of Scotland’s most prestigious angling award, is finally presented with the Malloch Trophy on the banks of the River Tay
The 2019 winner of the Malloch Trophy – for the most outstanding salmon caught by an angler on a fly and safely returned during the year in Scottish waters – was announced back in December 2019. However, the successful angler, Ian Mitchell (of Bromsgrove, Worcestershire), was unable to be presented with the Trophy until now because of Covid restrictions. Mr Mitchell caught a 32 lb salmon in the River Conon, understood to be the heaviest caught in the Easter Ross river for 35 years.
Iain Mitchell, who is a frequent visitor fishing for salmon on the River Tay, will be presented with the Malloch Trophy at 1pm on Friday 6 August 2021 at the Fishponds Fishing Hut on the River Tay. The presentation will be made by Bob White, who is not only a ghillie on the Tay and Trustee of the Tay Rivers Trust which now owns the prestigious trophy, but fittingly, a past winner himself.
Calum Innes, Chairman of the Tay Rivers Trust commented: “We are delighted that after all the difficulties caused by Covid, we have at last found a fitting opportunity to present Mr Mitchell with the Malloch Trophy, formally recognising his great achievement. Although the winning fish was caught on the River Conon, there is something fitting about the presentation being at “Fishponds” a name that is associated with the founding P D Malloch himself”.
NOTES
1)The Malloch Challenge Trophy is named after the former Perth manufacturer and retailer of fishing tackle, Mallochs of Perth – recognised as the greatest name in Scottish tackle history and founded by P D Malloch, one of the leading salmon authorities of his day. The Trophy was first awarded by P D Mallochs in 1972 for the largest fly caught salmon in Scotland.
2) After 1999 the trophy was not presented and it remained locked in a cupboard for over 10 years; it was lost to the salmon fishing world until the Tay Foundation, now renamed as the Tay Rivers Trust, was able to acquire it. The Trophy is now owned and presented annually by the Tay Rivers Trust.
3) Ian Mitchell’s name will be engraved on the Malloch Trophy, joining an illustrious list of previous winners which stretches back to 1972. He will also receive a replica of the Trophy and some fishing tackle.
4) The Fishponds Hut is easily accessible near the village of Stormontfield, Scone, Perth, PH2 6BJ or Grid Ref NO 102 306. See enclosed directions. Photographs can be provided after the event should it not be possible to attend.
About 2 miles of both single and double bank fishing for sale on the River Deveron with a fishing hut and cabin. Guide price £200,000
The Lower Castle beat accommodates 4 rods over approximately 1.25 miles of double bank fishing with 21 named pools. This water offers a number of deep holding pools as well as fast streamy water with many easily accessible pools and all productive in the right water conditions.
The River Bogie joins the River Deveron at the Meeting Pot and lower down a boat may be used to fish Forsyth Pool to its best. The upper section of this beat has some gorge features which although challenging can reward the adventurous angler – read more.
The Upper Castle beat accommodates 2 rods over approximately 0.75 miles of single bank fishing with 7 named pools. In recent times, this beat has been under fished yet offers some good holding pools and some challenging fishing due to its wild nature. The water is of modest width and is easily waded, or fished from the bank – read more.
Productive and accessible fishing on the River Deveron with a fishing hut and cabin About 2 miles of both single and double bank fishing 5 year average to 2019 of 23.4 salmon / 18.2 sea trout Attractive varied water with 28 named pools Fully serviced (solar) fishing hut and cabin with wifi Maintained as mainly a private fishery Easy access FOR SALE AS A WHOLE
Contact Galbraith on 01343 546362 Email elgin@galbriathgroup.com
Fishing enthusiast required to deliver excellent customer service and fabulous fishing holidays for guests at Horncliffe Fishings Tweed.
As Head Boatman you will be required to keep the beat well maintained and groomed to the highest possible standard as well as being the foundation for optimising guest experiences. The successful candidate will be personable and a knowledgeable freshwater fly-fishing enthusiast who is a good communicator.
Essential experience / skills: This full time position requires boatman to be able to chest wade and handle Tweed boats in all seasons – read more.
Horncliffe Fishing consists of two miles of single bank fishing on the right (south) bank of the Tweed. The upper limit of the fishing is at Norham Castle whilst the lower limit is the top of St Thomas’ Island, approximately six miles inland from Berwick-upon-Tweed. It is essentially a low water beat and with fish coming in on the tides which at times can reach just below St Thomas’ Island, it is a popular beat during the summer months.
For more information and to apply for the job please read more.
Fishing on Tay tributary, River Almond, just outside Perth at Huntingtower. Portfolio includes 2 acres approx, which includes 250m of the River Almond.
Freehold title. Offers around £30,000.
For more information please contact Stewart Davidson on 07850 648500
Due to retirement, Lower Dess Estate in Royal Deeside are seeking a ghillie. The fishing at Lower Dess is on an exceptionally attractive, secluded left bank (2.25 miles) stretch of the river Dee which can be fished at low, medium and high water. The beat benefits from two, well-appointed fishing huts, self-catered accommodation and a modern Lodge.
This is a full time, permanent position starting late Feburary /early March. The successful candidate will be an ambassador of Lower Dess Estate and deliver excellent customer service whilst promoting and developing the beat. Applicants should have the knowledge and experience to ensure guests experience a safe and enjoyable day on the river as well as being able to undertake Estate maintenance to an excellent standard.
Criteria required:
Experienced angler.
Experienced in providing angling tuition (qualifications preferable but not required).
Ability to provide excellent customer service.
Experienced in Riverbank and Estate maintenance with relevant machinery and equipment qualifications.
Experience in using social media.
Full UK driving license.
Any other skills of benefit to the Estate would be welcomed.
If you would like more information about the role please call: Dan Newcombe on 07471 216229 or email queries and applications to Dan.Newcombe@StruttandParker.com
2022 Salmon Anglers Almanac follows the salmon fishing year – starting in Spring (ending in Autumn) – detailing the conditions, techniques and flies to use for each season. Along with all the info, there’s pages to jot down your notes and catch return for each season.
The almanac includes sections for each fishing season:
Articles from experts on the conditions you are likely to find, and how best to tackle them.
Detailed images and descriptions of which flies to consider for each of the conditions, including Singles, Doubles & Tubes.
Pages for Catch Returns – enabling you to keep a track of fish caught, river conditions, flies used (and more importantly, how you fished them).
Notes pages – to allow you to draw rig setups and take notes on which techniques worked (and which ones didn’t!).
Printed using high-quality uncoated paper (allowing you to easily jot any notes etc)
This Leather Edition is limited to only 100 signed and numbered copies and delivered in a presentation box for safekeeping. Also included is a pen and 2 stylish ‘salmon art’ bookmarks. It is now available for immediate delivery for only £49.99.
The Standard Edition Almanac will be released on 12/11/2021 @ £19.99 until 31/12/21, then £24.99.
A leading Scottish artist has joined forces with a new Highland whisky distillery to raise awareness and funds for one of the country’s most ambitious nature-restoration projects.
To celebrate its launch, the Burn o’ Bennie Distillery collaborated with Peter Howson to commission a unique series of major oil paintings and sketches entitled “The World is on Fire”, on the theme of the environment, ahead of COP26. The Banchory distillery has also produced a rare and old whisky series to support the River Dee’s #milliontrees campaign.
The trees will help save endangered species including the river’s iconic salmon by shading the water against dangerously rising temperatures.
Special, limited-edition prints of Howson’s work are being sold alongside numbered bottles of the rare whisky, provided by the distillery to raise funds for the nationally-recognised restoration scheme.
And the art-whisky initiative will culminate in the auction next year of an original preparatory Howson sketch, along with the first of the limited bottles of 30-year-old Aberfeldy from a single cask. A leading auction house will be conducting the sale, and has valued the joint lot at £5,500.
This is the first in a series of sponsorship initiatives by Burn o’ Bennie Distillery, with a total value of more than £100,000 to help plant a million native trees along the Dee’s tributaries.
The distillery’s co-founder Liam Pennycook said: “Whisky is known as the water of life, and the life of the river which flows past us is under threat. We are delighted to be able to help the River Dee Trust deliver such an important project, and to collaborate with Peter Howson on such a critical theme for us all.”
Describing his main painting, Peter Howson said: “Two children are guiding humanity through the wasteland of devastation, suffocating smoke and heat, in an industrial nightmare. My vision is a hopeful one and pays tribute to the young people leading the way towards saving the planet.”
Sandy Bremner who chairs the River Dee Trust said: “We are in a race against time to help the river adapt to rising temperatures. We are making good progress but funding is a constant challenge, so we are extremely grateful for this generous support. It will help us deliver on our ambitious plans.”
The 30-year-old whisky has been described as “A magnificent Aberfeldy” by Charles MacLean, who is considered to be one of Scotland’s leading whisky writers and a world authority on the subject.
Anyone interested in registering an interest in purchasing a numbered bottle of the Aberfeldy with a limited-edition Howson print should contact Burn o’ Bennie.
The River Dee Trust also wishes to thank Charles Beamish of Beamish International for his continued support and advice on all whisky matters, and Gordon Robertson of Robertson Fine Art for his assistance with this project.
With nearly 100 sustainable salmon fishing rivers in Iceland and most of those allowing between 4 and 20 rods to fish privately per day, there is a lot of fishing to be had in Iceland, but without the feeling of ever being cramped for space. A third of the salmon rivers can be reached from Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, within a two hours drive.
The fishing comes with accommodation included in the price and most of the accommodation is in “full service lodges” or in self catering lodges, and these are both seriously equipped types of accommodation with kitchens, living rooms, sitting rooms, en-suite bathrooms and some with saunas and jacuzzis.
Brown Trout and Arctic Char Fishing
Iceland is known the world over for the quality of it’s salmon fishing. However, it is less well known that there are also outstanding angling opportunities for brown trout fly fishing. Some waters are the perfect habitat for some very large wild brown trout indeed. The trout fishing permits are very reasonably priced and day trips can easily be arranged if you‘re visiting Iceland as a tourist.
Arctic char are the most common freshwater fish in Iceland. They are found in rivers and lakes all over the island. The average weight of the char ranges from a half to two pounds, but fish up to four pounds are not rare. The largest recorded char caught in Iceland was 22lbs, taken in Lake Skorradalsvatn. Sea-run char are also widely distributed in Iceland but predominantly in the north.
Sea Trout Fishing
Why go to Argentina when monster sea trout are only three hours away in Iceland. Iceland’s sea trout fishing is somewhat neglected and overlooked. Until relatively recently, very few people have realised the great potential of the Icelandic sea trout rivers. Permits are still very reasonably priced and self-catering accommodation in a fishing lodge is normally included in the price. The sea trout fishing starts in late August and continues until October 20th.
A very rare opportunity has just come up regarding salmon fishing in Iceland in June. With high-tide at sea on June 14 you will have fresh salmon running up the river Nordura in the hundreds.
The Nordura river is one of the best salmon rivers in Iceland and quite often being the most productive one. Every year the Nordura frequently produces more than 2,000 salmon throughout the season. The river is fished with 12 rods and the total length of the Nordura is 65 km, with more than 100 named fishing pools. The Nordura is excellent for fly fishing and challenges anglers of all skills.
The Nordura river, commonly called “the most beautiful river” in Iceland. Anglers will enjoy the excellent fly fishing in the beautiful landscape and surroundings which are quite unique. The upper part of Nordura is rather flat and the bottom is mostly gravel. The middle area, up and down from the beautiful waterfall, Glanni, is predominated by rocks and lava mixed with bushes, trees and green grass flats. In the lowest part, below the Laxfoss waterfall, the river runs through wide canyons and there you can find many of the most magnificent fishing pools in the river, first class fly fishing wherever you wet your fly.
The lodge at Nordura Full board accommodation is provided in the comfortable Nordura lodge with magnificent natural scenery and anglers will have first-class cuisine prepared by leading Icelandic chefs. The lodge features a dining room, twelve twin-bedded bedrooms, all with private bathrooms and showers. A jacuzzi is located under the main lodge building. The lodge has central heating, a drying-room and storage areas for your fishing gear along with refrigerators and freezers for your catches.
Your meals will be served at fixed times. Breakfast at 7 am provides a good start to the day and a healthy lunch served at 1 pm during the break. After a wonderful day of fishing, the chef will prepare a delicious gourmet three-course dinner to be served by a caring staff. Wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks are available at extra cost.
Fishing at River Nordura Your fishing starts on June 15 at 4 pm and ends at noon on June 18. Included in the pricing, you‘ll have salmon fishing for 3 days, full board accommodation, single private room, guiding service (one guide for 2 rods) and transfer from Reykjavik – Nordura – Reykjavik. Rod sharing is common when salmon fishing in Iceland.
Other availability in 2022:
Salmon fishing on the East & West Ranga rivers with spectacular catch rates
Highland Adventure with brown trout and arctic char fishing for five days
Monster Sea Trout Fishing during September and October
For more information please contact Jon Sigurdsson at FishIceland on mob: +354-8994247 or email: jon@fishiceland.com
