What’s happening in the world of game-fishing
NEW LIFE FOR HISTORIC SALMON
A painting of one of the biggest salmon ever caught in the UK has been uncovered in Wales.
The Llantrisant salmon, 68½lb, was netted by two coracle fishers in 1782 on a stretch of the River Usk corresponding with the modern Llangybi fisheries.
The painting, found in storage at Abergavenny Museum, is believed to be contemporary with the fish, a preliminary work for a more refined oil that sold at auction for £5,000 in 1992 and is understood to be in private hands in Devon.
Earlier this year, the former owner of Sweets Tackle, Jean Williams, along with Rita Edwards, secretary of Usk Rural Life Museum, and Michael Cowburn, secretary of Usk Fishing Association, enquired after the painting, hoping that it might be displayed in the town of Usk.
However, it was discovered in a fragile frame and was badly split (pictured left and above). Its varnish had yellowed with age and there was much surface dirt. Curators decided it couldn’t be safely moved.
Happily, the manager of Abergavenny museum, Rachael Rogers, decided to finance its restoration. She said,
“The painting is very relevant at this time. Environmental issues mean that people are very interested in our rivers.” Conservator Rachael Howells is working to remove old varnish, stabilise the paint and add a new frame.
The painting has inspired a new exhibition entitled “Big Fish” to be held at Abergavenny Museum from February.
It will explore the historic importance of the rivers Usk and Wye to commerce, defence, transport and recreation. A fascinating twist to this story is the suggestion put forward by the respected Usk fisheries consultant
Dr Guy Mawle that the fish may have been even bigger than the record suggests.
Dr Mawle cites angling historian Fred Buller’s belief that the original weight may have been given in “pounds Dutch” rather than avoir dupois, a common practice in 1782. A Dutch pound is a heavier measure — 494.09g compared to 453.59g avoir dupois. This would make the Llantrisant salmon 74½lb, the biggest salmon ever caught in Wales and England.
The provenance of the painting and its artist remain unclear. If you can add to the story, please write to troutandsalmon@fieldsportspress.com
NO PLACE TO HIDE
The Angling Trust claims its Water Quality Monitoring Network has passed a “major milestone”. For the first-time since the WQMN was launched in 2022, its volunteers will be gathering “catchment-wide data from source to sea” across the Test, Itchen and Meon in Hampshire. The Trust is not working alone. Some 45 volunteers from the Test & Itchen Association and
Watercress & Winterbournes Partnership will be joining the project, using 34 kits supplied by the Trust and Orvis to test for phosphate, nitrate and ammonia at 30
