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News release from the Savills Malloch Trophy Committee:
2011 winner of Scotland’s most prestigious angling award, the greatest honour in British gamefishing
Sam Valentine (right) and Dougie Smith, gillie at Dalswinton on the Nith, (left) with the 34.5 lb salmon from the River Nith, which was carefully returned to the water.
The Chairman of the Tay Foundation, owners of the Savills Malloch Trophy – for the largest salmon caught on the fly and safely returned during the year in Scottish waters – is delighted to announce that this year’s winner is Sam Valentine for a fish of 34.5 lb landed on the River Nith.
Mr Valentine commented on being told of the decision of the Savills Malloch Trophy Committee on December 12th: “In 27 years of fly-fishing it has always been my ambition to catch a salmon of over 20 lb. In November this ambition was well and truly achieved! I saw something huge breaking the surface of the water. It appeared almost like the back of a seal. Two casts later my line just stopped. At first the fish seemed unaware that it was hooked. Then it took off and I had an epic battle of 45 minutes before eventually we were able to land it. After quickly weighing it, we returned it to the water and with a flash of the tail it swam off very strongly”.
Mr Valentine’s magnificent salmon was caught on the Dalswinton beat of the Nith on November 16 and weighed in a weigh-net, before being carefully released back into the river. To be eligible for the trophy a fish must be caught on a fly in a sportsmanlike manner and be returned unharmed in accordance with best catch and release practice.
At the Savills Malloch Trophy Committee meeting on December 12th nine possible contenders, the great majority in excess of 30 lb, landed by both male and female anglers in a wide range of rivers between the north Highlands and the Solway, were considered. Mr Valentine’s entry, which fulfilled the relevant criteria including best evidence and careful handling, was after lengthy consideration endorsed as the winner for 2011. His name will be engraved on the Tay Foundation’s trophy, joining an illustrious list of previous winners which stretches back four decades.
Savills Director Roddy Willis said: “As sponsors of the Savills Malloch trophy we are delighted to see it head south to the River Nith. It exemplifies that one does not have to fish one of the Big Four Scottish rivers to be in with a chance of winning this trophy and indeed of catching a leviathan salmon”.
The Committee also agreed to make a special award to 14 year old Frank Cotton, who landed and released a fine 28.5 lb spring salmon in the Tweed at Sprouston in May. Robert Rattray, of CKD Galbraith and Secretary of the Savills Malloch Trophy for the Tay Foundation, commented: “Frank’s tremendous achievement should be a real inspiration for all young salmon fishers. In his youth he has caught the fish of a lifetime! Furthermore the fact that he returned the fish sends out a highly positive conservation message”.
The encouraging number of large salmon entered for this year’s Savills Malloch Trophy is consistent with a remarkable, unprecedented in recent decades, increase in 2011 in the numbers of larger salmon – fish that have remained at sea for three or even four years. On some rivers fish in the teens of pounds dominated catches in May and June and throughout the season heavier fish have been unusually common with plenty in the 20 lb to 30 lb class and several in the 30 lb to 40 lb class.
Issued on behalf of the Secretary of Savills Malloch Trophy for the Tay Foundation.
August 2011
"The Glorious Twelfth"
As we rapidly approach that highlight of the sporting calendar – “The Glorious Twelfth”, teams will be looking forward in anticipation to the start of this year’s grouse shooting on Friday.
After last year’s generally good grouse season in Scotland, stocks were looking good for a repeat, and grouse moor owners were very upbeat after the exceptional weather we had in March and April. However, the cold wet weather over the critical months of May and June, has reduced grouse numbers resulting in a number of estates having to reduce their grouse shooting programmes this year. Areas affected include parts of Inverness-shire and Speyside, and moors in Aberdeenshire. Areas still looking good include the Lammermuirs, and the Angus Glens.
Demand for grouse shooting has been particularly strong, following last year’s season, and we have been pleased to be able to place a high proportion of our clients. Many come from abroad, and see shooting grouse in Scotland as the pinnacle of their annual shooting programme. Some teams have been clients of ours for nearly 30 years, and it is important that they can rely on us to provide best and up to the minute advice as to how the season is shaping up. Most estates have now completed their counts, and adjustments are being made to estate shooting programmes. We have been fortunate in only having to reorganize a few of our shooting parties, and I am pleased to say that we have been able to find alternative grouse shooting locations for them.
I am particularly pleased to say that Dorback Estate, near Nethybridge, one of our managed estates, is predicting good numbers of grouse this year, and we still have days available, in late August, and also the week commencing 12 September, with an expectation of 50 brace per day for up to 9 guns. Mayshiel Estate in the Lammermuirs is also predicting a good season, and we have 75+ brace days available in early October. Please enquire for further details. With the cancellations on some moors, these days will go quickly, and are being offered on a first come first served basis.
Dounie Update
The week beginning 11th July provided good water but very few fish. Stephen Gilchrist had three salmon. The first weighed 8lbs and was from Mackenzie, the second, weighing 3lbs, was from Marge and the third, weighing just a pound and a half, was also from the Marge pool. He also had a brace of sea trout. Stephen's companion, Alan Mackenzie, had one salmon of 6lbs from Mrs Ross.
The following week, beginning Monday 18th of July, started with good water but the beat was under fished, with just one rod fishing Monday morning. Peter Rea had two fish for the week, one of 12lbs from Mrs Ross and one of 13lbs from Marge. His guest, D Stewart, also had a fish of 12lbs from the New pool. Peter went home a day early and Stephen Gilchrist was invited to fish his rod. He scored with a 4lbs fish in low water conditions from the Captain's Cabin.
June & July Report from the Upper River Mourne Fishings, Abercorn Estates, Northern Ireland
Salmon fishing on the river Mourne got underway in earnest at the end of June with 5 good sized fish landed in the last week. 25th June J. Hutton caught 8lb salmon on the Halfwater and two days later visiting angler J Fending used a gold shrimp to land a fine 9.24 lb salmon, the largest fish for the month. A total of 7 fish were caught for the month.
The first two weeks in July have seen a good showing of small pods of fish travelling through the river with a total of 11 fish landed. Many more fish have been reported lost, the blame being placed on fresh grilse with soft mouths! I. Gordon caught a fresh 6lb grilse in the Top Stream. Visiting angler S McCabe caught two good fish, 3lb and 7lb both in the Snaa pool. J. Hutton landed the largest fish of the month at 11lb on 10 July, Sunday, in the famous Snaa pool. The fishery is now producing good and steady catches.
We still have some availability of accommodation on the Estate with salmon fishing, accommodation in the below properties (self catering) between the listed dates. This is an excellent opportunity to sample the best salmon fishing in Northern Ireland
Clock Tower (2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms sleeping 4), 6 - 15 September, for 2 rods (1 beat).
Governors Lodge (2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms sleeping 4), 24th – 30th September, for 2 rods (1 beat)
Up to 25% discount for these dates. Short breaks also available
River Brora Spring Report 2011
Whilst the early part of the spring could only be described as slow, with very low water, near freezing conditions and a continuous easterly wind, from mid April onwards, fishing conditions improved rapidly. The rest of the spring weeks produced some of the best catches for a long time. Several large fish of 20lbs plus were caught, with the best a magnificent 26 pounder. The remainder have been of a good average size around the 8/9lb mark, and in excellent condition.
Low water has returned at the end of June and now we await the grilse run which will enter the system regardless of water height any day now. This can be a very good time for the lower river, with low water holding the grilse back in the lower pools. Stealth is required, and those fishing with singlehanded rods of 6 or 7 weight and small flies can have some very good sport. Fingers crossed for the grilse!
Stop Press
Bywell celebrated its 100th fish of the season with a lovely sealiced thirteen pounder, caught yesterday on 28th June from the Pipleline Pool. The lucky fisherman was Paul Oakley
Paul Oakley with Bywell’s one Hundredth fish of the season – a lovely thirteen pounder.
Dounie update, River Carron
With the early summer being so wet Rods were washed off the river on a number of occasions. There were two notable fish, one of 22lbs and one of 20lbs, both being taken in the Marge pool by Alan Mackenzie. Sean Nicholson and Ernie Mackay both had fish of 16lbs.
Mark and Antonia Andrew had a red letter day when they both managed to catch their first ever salmon on the same day on 31st May under Kim sawyer’s expert guidance. We would like to congratulate them on their double success. Mark's fish was from the Marge pool and weighed 11lbs and Antonia's weighed 9lbs and was from the Campbell.
Mark Andrew with his first ever fish – an eleven pounder from the Marge Pool
Antonia Andrew with her first ever fish, with Kim Sawyer – a nine pounder from Campbell
Last week w/c 13 June, was only lightly fished, but yielded three fish, Alan Mackenzie's and Sean Nicholson's fine fish of twenty and sixteen pounds, both of which have already been mentioned, and a grilse of 5lbs.
Stop Press
Due to cancellation, Lodge and prime fishing week at Rhidorroch 23-30 July, substantial discount available
We have just had a photo of Annie Henderson’s 10lb seatrout from the Pipeline Pool at Bywell on the Tyne, caught last night, 15 June.
June
The last month has been unseasonably wet and cold, in stark contrast to the warm and dry weather of March & April. Grouse prospects have been looking good over much of Scotland, and we just hope that this recent weather has not affected the young broods too much. We will be in a much better position to know at the end of this month when the main counts start. We still have some driven grouse days available for 50-100 brace for up to 9 guns. Please let us know if you are interested in a day.
The salmon fishing has fared well in these conditions with many rivers having good water levels over much of May, and experiencing good runs of quality spring fish.
The Naver and Carron in the North have fished particularly well. We have reports of a 22 pounder from Dounie, weeks of 30 plus fish on various Carron beats, and one lucky Naver party hitting the river right with one foot on the gauge, and landing 29 springers for the week, averaging over 11lbs.
Downie Park on the South Esk reported its first seatrout off the beat at the end of May – a lovely three pounder, and numbers will now start to build for the main seatrout months of June and July. Most of the fish are caught at night, and expectations are high for a repeat of last season, with the best seatrout recorded last year at 8 pounds, with bigger fish lost.
A 2011 Downie Park springer of 11 pounds about to be returned.
Pitchroy on the Spey had fish last week to 14 pounds, with one rod catching his first two salmon ever, of 14 and 12 pounds.
A first fish of 14 pounds from the Spey
There have been reports of some big fish, with an estimated 39 pounder from Commonty on the Dee, a 36 pounder from Borrowston again on the Dee, and a lovely 28.5 pounder caught by 14 year old Frank Cotton from Sprouston on Tweed on 27 May.
Frank Cotton and his 28.5 pounder caught on an Ally’s Shrimp
These are all potential contenders for the Savills Malloch Trophy. If you catch a noteworthy fish on a fly from a Scottish river, have it witnessed and then release it back to the water, please enter your fish for the 2011 Savills Malloch Trophy. Entry forms can be downloaded from this website.
A cast in the lovely Garden Pool at Woodend opposite Commonty
The Annual Scottish Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Game Fair at Scone Palace, Perth will soon be upon us on Friday 1, Saturday 2, and Sunday 3 July. We shall once again be the main stand sponsor, and we very much look forward to seeing you there for some refreshment. We are situated next to the GWCT Members enclosure. It’s a great day out!
May Update
Downie Park had an excellent closing 10 days of May, when the water finally arrived, culminating with a day of four wonderfully fresh sealiced springers to twelve pounds on Saturday 28 May. The season’s tally by the end of May at Downie Park is 22, with the first seatrout of the season – a three pounder caught on Wednesday 25 May.
Bywell is still catching fish, with fish of tenand a half pounds and eight pounds caught earlier this week. There are still good opportunities for rods on a daily basis from £60 per rod per day.
A lovely Bywell tenand a half pounder from the Pipeline Pool caught on a ghillie shrimp
MAY 2011
After one of the driest Aprils on record, rain has fallen with a vengeance throughout Scotland over the last ten days or so, breathing new life into some very low rivers. Catches have picked up significantly, with some very good reports filtering in.
The Kyle of Sutherland rivers did well, and records may have been broken for a spring week, with 119 from the Oykel last week, and 65 from two of the Carron beats. Mrs Milne’s party at Cornhill and Gledfield had eleven fish for their week, with a number in double figures.
The Kirkaig reported its first salmon to George Combe last Friday 20 May - a lovely thirteen pounder from the Bridge pool, with a further fish lost from the Elder Stream.
Simon Grant had an unforgettable introduction to salmon fishing with the capture of a magnificent 25 pounder from the Lake pool on Middle Brahan, on his first day of flyfishing for salmon. Luckily head ghillie Robert Kotschujew was on hand to provide advice and a landing net, with the fish being safely landed and returned after a 45 minute battle. Simon’s fish has been entered as a contender for the Savills Malloch Trophy (awarded each year for the biggest fly caught salmon from a Scottish river that is safely returned to the water).
Simon Grant’s 25 pounder
STOP PRESS
Bywell Fishing on the Tyne has experienced some of the best and most prolific spring salmon fishing in the whole of the UK. With record numbers of fresh salmon caught this season totalling 54, it is possibly the most productive beat of any river so far this season.
March itself has seen virtually unprecedented numbers of fresh spring salmon being caught, weighing up to 20 lbs, all of which have been caught on the fly, the preferred method of fishing at Bywell. In March alone, Bywell has caught 49 salmon so far and is still counting. With a new release of water from Kielder reservoir the number of salmon caught will hopefully total 50, making this the best March for over 10 years.
It should also be noted that, in accordance with the English Environment Agency regulations, all spring salmon at Bywell are released.
CKD Galbraith, the biggest sporting agency in the UK, exclusively handles the sporting lets for Bywell Fishing and has experienced a marked increase in bookings this year with the prime lettings season of August to October selling well.
Robert Rattray, head of CKD Galbraith’s sporting department said: “The river Tyne is now recognised as one of the best salmon rivers in England – probably now the best, and it is very encouraging to see such a strong spring run this year. Bywell is one of the river’s most productive beats, lying at the top of the main stem of the river, and is thus ideally positioned.
“We have been handling the lettings for Bywell since last year and we are delighted to report that this second season is proving to be extremely popular. Although the latter months of the year are well let, we still have good availability for day rods throughout April and May, which offers an ideal opportunity to catch your first springer of the season.”
Bywell Fishing is split into two four rod beats, each with their own fishing huts and full time Ghillie. There is also the extremely comfortable fishing lodge of Sod Hall, located within a five minute walk of the river on the edge of Bywell Park, available through CKD Galbraith.
Gary Hillary, Head Ghillie at Bywell, said: “This is a fantastic start to the season and is showing the true potential of Bywell as a Spring beat to catch that first salmon of the season.”
Bywell owner, The Hon. Wentworth Beaumont, said: “This flying start to the season is a boost for the Tyne, and also for the local businesses that benefit from the increased interest in this ever improving river. Bookings at Bywell have leapt, and we are being approached by fishermen from as far away as America. It is very exciting, and a credit to everyone who is involved in making the Tyne into what it is – a fantastic salmon river in a great area.”
CKD Galbraith’s sporting portfolio containing some of the finest salmon and trout fishing opportunities available throughout the country, as well as shooting and stalking, combined with an unrivalled selection of sporting lodges and houses available for let through its dedicated sporting website www.sportinglets.co.uk.
For further information, please contact Lorna Gardner of Media House on 0141 220 6040 or email: lorna@mediahouse.co.uk. Alternatively please contact Robert Rattray of CKD Galbraith on 01738 451 600 or email robert.rattray@ckdgalbraith.co.uk.
April 2011
We now have the pictures of Bob White’s 35 pounder from the River Tay at Stanley, caught early last week. He caught it harling on his own in the Pitlochrie Pool, one of the best early season pools on the Stanley Fishings water. This magnificent sealiced cock fish succumbed to a yellow Kynoch, and was carefully measured and weighed before being released back into the water.
 
Bob White and his 35 pounder
If his fish had been caught on a fly, it would have been a serious contender for the prestigious Savills Malloch trophy, awarded each year for the largest fly caught (and released) wild Atlantic salmon from a Scottish river or loch. Last year’s winner, Mr Huston McCullough received his award for the capture of a magnificent 36 pounder from the Spey at Delfur last May, at Scone Palace on Tuesday evening, along with beat ghillie Grant Morrison, and beat owner Sir Edward Mountain who also received an award. The event coincided with the launch of the River Tay Dalmore dram, a single malt whisky uniquely blended by Whyte and Mackay Dalmore’s master blender Richard Paterson, and making up the last whisky to be launched of the 4 rivers collection featuring single malt whiskies blended specially for the Dee, Tweed, Spey and Tay. A contribution from all sales of these whiskies will go towards each of the river’s Trusts, to fund specific projects of conservation and restoration. Please let us know if you would be interested in purchasing any of these whiskies.
 
Huston McCollough with the Savills Malloch trophy and Huston McCollough with Grant Morrison and Roddy Willis, and the fish!
STOP PRESS
Bywell had a flurry of activity earlier in the week with an amazing 17 springers caught over a three day period on Tuesday 15, Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 March, including a twenty pounder, with a total of 18 for the week so far. Most of these fish are very fresh, and a high proportion in double figures, including these cracking fish of fifteen and eighteen and a half pounds to Steve Wellard and Chris Hill. All these fish have been caught on a fly, the preferred method of fishing at Bywell.
Chris Hill with his eighteen and a half pounder caught in the Bridge Pool on a Tosh
Steve Wellard pictured with head ghillie Gary Hillary, with his fifteen pounder caught in the Pipeline Pool on a Toucan
Please note that we have good availability for day rods throughout March, so an ideal opportunity to catch that first springer of the season. Two beats of 4 rods, each with a well appointed hut and ghillie on hand. Bywell is only three and a half hours from Kings Cross by train, two and a half hours by car from Edinburgh, or 20 minutes from Newcastle airport. The beat lies just off the A68/A69. There are good local hotels in the area, all very convenient to the beat. Please phone us for availability and ask to speak to Susan on 01738 451600
Spring 2011
After the second unseasonably cold winter, one would have thought our salmon fishing would have got off to a slow start, but the river Dee had a great start and continues to fish well with 97 springers to 20lbs from all Dee beats last week. The Tay is now also fishing well, with 58 springers last week, best 18lbs. The South Esk, always a later starting river had its first fish last week from Finavon, and we are hoping to see the first fish from Downie Park and Cortachy shortly. Low water has dogged rivers further North, although parties that are prepared to persevere have still been catching fish in these conditions. Last week, John Grant’s party on the Lower Brora had three for their week, including an 8 pounder to John from the Bengie………..on his ubiquitous Willie Gunn!
John Grant’s 8 pounder, showing its sealice, about to be returned.
The Bywell beats on the Tyne have also been picking up fish. As I write this on 8 March, I heard that Ian Walker, fishing with head ghille Gary Hillary, had two fish yesterday with the river running at a reasonable 11 inches on the gauge. They were a 13 pounder from the Pipeline Pool, and a 9 pounder from the Fish Pass Pool. Both were caught on a tadpole, a fly invented by Neil Graesser on the Cassley, and which has proved a longtime favourite spring fly.
Ian Walker with his thirteen pounder from the Pipeline Pool.
Ian Walker with his nine pounder from the Fish Pass.
We are now busy taking bookings for salmon fishing, mixed lodge weeks, walked up and driven grouse shooting, as well as our pheasant and partridge shooting in Scotland and Ireland, and our very popular driven partridge shooting at Las Beatas in Spain. In addition to full teams of 8 and 9 guns, we can accommodate individual guns and smaller parties to join a line of guns. Currently we have vacancies for individual guns for driven grouse in the North of England, and in Spain. The season has extended to the end of February at Las Beatas, which gives pheasant shooting teams the opportunity to shoot in Spain after the UK shooting season has ended.
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