MEET THE TEAM
WATERSIDE WISDOM
Our panel of expert anglers offers advice for better fishing this month
ROB EDMUNDS
Highly successful competition angler, reservoir bank and boat specialist.
RONNIE GLASS
Former Scottish champion on rivers and stillwaters and curator of the Tweed Salmon Fishing Museum.
STEVE CULLEN
Guide, instructor and all-round game angler with a wealth of knowledge.
IAN GORDON
One of the UK’s most respected salmon-fishers and spey casters. Ian runs fishing courses and hosts overseas trips.
PAUL PROCTER A vice-president of the Wild Trout Trust, AAPGAI master instructor, guide and renowned fly-tyer.
PETER GATHERCOLE
Photographer, expert tyer and chairman of the Fly Dressers’ Guild.
PETER COCKWILL
Small-water expert with more than 60 years’ fly-fishing experience.
STAN HEADLEY
Author of
Trout & Salmon Flies of Scotland, The Loch Fisher’s Bible
and
Reflections on the Loch.
SPENDING TIME WATCHING SALMON
Teamwork on the River Kirkaig
When I fished for salmon in the 1970s and ’80s, it was common to see a fish ‘boil’ at a fly without taking it. This occurred more often then due to the greater number of fish in the rivers and their intense competition for prime spots. As a gillie, I witnessed this regularly, especially during summer. At the time, it was exciting to experiment with different tactics to entice a fish to take, although this phenomenon now serves as a sign of the declining fish population.
When a fish showed interest but didn’t take the fly, the main approach was to wait a moment – perhaps take a few steps back or have a cigarette – giving the fish time to return to its lie. Often, it would come back for a smaller or different fly. While many believed fly size was the key, I found that patience was more crucial.