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FISH OF THE MONTH
Having fished for trout for more than 30 years, Simon Clumber decided to try his hand at salmon. He contacted guide James Armstrong at Chasing Fins of Alnwick, who organised two days on a private stretch of the River Whiteadder. Simon said, “On the Friday morning, my inexperience showed when I lost my first fish, but I went on to land a beautiful fresh 14lb springer, my first-ever salmon.” Simon repeated the feat the next day, losing a fish in the morning before his Willie Gunn tube was taken again, this time leading to a 25-minute battle and even better outcome.
He said, “When James slipped the net under the silver beauty, I could hardly believe my eyes. I was over the moon.”
The salmon was 108cm long, weighing over 20lb. It was landed on a 10ft eight-weight single-handed rod. After a quick photo, it was released to continue its journey upstream.
Simon said, “It was a very nice introduction to salmon fishing. Thank you so much, James, for looking after me and helping me catch this fish of a lifetime.”
You won’t be surprised to learn Simon plans to return to the Whiteadder next year.
TAKING IT STEP BY STEP
An excited Matilda Edwards, aged seven, holds the first trout she’s caught all by herself. Matilda was on a family break, fishing with her dad Daniel on a remote mountain llyn in Snowdonia and landed the half-pound wild brownie on a float-fished worm.
Caught on barbless hooks, the trout was easily returned, and Matilda went on to catch another, slightly larger, to make a fine first brace.
“She is totally hooked,” said a proud Daniel. “She even hiked the six-mile round trip to the llyn in her wellies, without a single complaint, such is the lure of wild trout fishing.”
ONE FROM THE BIG PUDDLE
Shaun Halleron shows off the best of three fish he caught on a recent day at Loch Leven, Kinross. The beautifully conditioned brown trout weighed around 3lb. Shaun was straight-lining Buzzers at Hole O’ Inch when the fish took a size 10 Black Buzzer with silver cheeks. “It’s a nice early success on the Big Puddle,” he said.
A MONTH TO REMEMBER
Florence Bauer from Lincolnshire has much to celebrate, landing her first trout, followed by her first salmon, in the same month.
Flo’s partner Charlie has been brought up fly-fishing for trout and more recently chasing salmon on the Tweed, so he needed little persuading to take her along. With a trip to the Lower Birgham and Tillmouth beats looming large, the party loosened their collective casting muscles with a day at Rutland Water and a spot of spring buzzer fishing.
Flo said, “After a long boat ride and a few practice casts, I caught the first fish of the day and was hooked.”
The Tweed tr
