Tweedside Trophy for the first salmon of the season from Tweed
From Tweedside Tackle
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The first salmon of the season on Tweed was caught on February the 5th at 4.00pm; it was caught by Lee Craig, ghillie from Carham. Lee was fishing on the Carham beat when the 13lbs hen fish was caught from the Long Stream pool. The fresh springer was caught on a Junction Shrimp fly using a Guideline sink2/sink3 shooting head line. Prior to releasing the fish, Lee took a scale sample which Ronald Campbell, the Tweed Foundation Biologist, confirmed it to be a spring fish. It was also confirmed that the fish had spent three winters at sea. The Tweedside Trophy was commissioned last season by Tweedside Tackle by the locally renowned artist Jason Sweeney and was presented to Lee on Wednesday night. The trophy is made from stainless steel and will remain on show in the shop for all to see. Lee’s name will be the second name to be added to the plaque, following that of Bob Miller who was the winner last year.
A fish was reportedly caught on February the 4th at Upper Mertoun, by Craig Burmann-Duke, but unfortunately, Craig was unable to produce a photograph of the fish – a stipulation of the trophy rules and a requirement to authenticate the catch …. no doubt Craig will carry a camera in future!
Tweedside Tackle intend to follow in the tradition next year of other Scottish rivers with an opening day ceremony to bless the river.
Tweedside Decanter for the first salmon of the season from KAA Teviot Water
For the first time this year, a trophy has been put up for the first salmon of the season to be caught from the Kelso Angling Association (KAA) water on the Teviot. The first fish of the season was caught on February the 6th by Danny Swan. The 7-8lbs cock fish was caught on a Junction Shrimp fly from the Castle Pool. As with Tweed regulations, the fish was returned. Danny was presented with a crystal decanter which will be engraved each year with his and future winning names.
Tim & Caroline Pilcher