What’s happening in the world of game-fishing
TALKING SALMON
Actor Jim Murray, star of Masters of the Air and The Crown, is to host a new podcast, The Last Salmon, which aims to provide an “international, 360-degree platform” for the plight of wild Atlantic salmon. Jim and author Daire Whelan will chat with leading scientists (professors Ken Whelan and Phil McGinty), international activists (Canada’s Alexandra Morton, Sweden’s Mikael Frödin, Patagonia’s Yvon Chouinard and environmental journalist Charles Clover) and the actor-anglers Paul Whitehouse and Dominic West. Jim said, “The Last Salmon explores with fresh gusto the man-made challenges the silver king of fish faces in arguably his final bid to find cold, clean water before he is lost forever.” The Atlantic salmon is now an Endangered species in much of the UK.
Jim will also seek solutions to the salmon’s problems. His expert guests will unpick topics such as aquaculture, industrial overfishing, hatcheries, and topical events, such as Iceland’s recent fish farm escapes, to “shed as much light as possible on the situation.” The podcast wants its listeners “to link arms and mobilise the global fight for our fish.”
The Last Salmon, a 12-part series, will be on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and other podcast providers from March.
UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
Don't know your baetis from your caddis? You would do well to pick the brains of Stuart Crofts and Andrew Dixon. The former England internationals are running three one-day entomology courses for anglers on the banks of Windermere in the Lake District, starting in May.
Stuart said, “We will look at all the invertebrate types that are routinely seen by fly-fishers here in the UK, through a mix of presentations and practical sessions.”
Stuart said the courses should appeal to anyone wanting to better understand what is going on in the relationship between the various bugs and grubs, and the fish that eat them.
He explained that “nobody need have any prior knowledge of science. They just need enthusiasm. Fly-tying is covered, but those attending do not have to be fly-tyers themselves.”
The May date is hosted by the Freshwater Biological Association, and there will be deeper dives into entomology in July and October. To find out more, email: events@fba.org.uk
FORMULA TROUT
One of the star lots in the Wild Trout Trust’s Spring Auction is a day’s fishing on former F1 boss Ross Brawn’s beat of the River Itchen near Winchester, including lunch with Ross himself, a passionate fly-fisher. It is an example of why, for many rods, the WTT auction is a highlight at the start of their season, the chance to secure exclusive fishing as well as bid for art, tackle, flies, books and shooting days.
The money raised funds the WTT’s hands-on work to conserve wild trout and improve
