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Putting the fly into fishing

Reviewed by Terry Lawton

Early morning frost soon clears. Sun rises. Blue sky. And not a breath of wind. Salmon fishing on the famous river Tweed. Late November and famous for big fish at the back-end of the season. River full of fish. But running. A 30lb+ fish was caught three days ago. Fish caught two days ago. Nothing caught yesterday. Overnight rain has put an extra three or four inches on the gauge. That's why the fish are running. Not stopping around to be caught. Not stopping to look at late autumn/early winter colours still on trees and hills. Water looks excellent: clear, no leaves.

In the crisp morning air there is no time to feel tired, even after an early start. Seven fourty-five flight from Stansted to Edinburgh. A little over an hour after landing I am Spey casting a 15 foot rod. Sinking line and a tube fly. This was the start of day on one of Bobsport's Shuttlefish packages. Flying to Scotland for a day's fishing? Fishing friends were jealous. Non-fishing friends thought I was mad. On the water about 10 o'clock. Between Peeble and Galashiels. Fourty-five miles from river mouth.

Fish jump their own length clear of the water. Slap back into the water. Fish jump, turn as if scratching their backs. Nice to know there are fish in the river. Cast again. Leave the fly on the dangle. Was that a knock? Could be. Not felt anything like it before. If it was a knock or a touch, I had another one later on.

On the way to the river we passed other anglers. Three were fishing the other bank of the Scrogbank beat where we fished the Island and Burkie pools. Mr Bobsport, Bob Brownless, looses a fish as does the ghillie opposite. Typical of running fish says Bob. Bob has two clients fishing. Vaughan catches a little trout. At least it is a fish! Alastair? Like me: nothing on the bank.

Spey casting - double Spey no less - is essential. Trees and 20 foot high stonewall behind. No room for back casts. Bob shows us how. Not too difficult to get a line three parts of the way across river. Must be more to it. Falkus has written a book on Spey casting. Will have to investigate.

Soon it is 1.30. Feeling hungry. Not eaten since four. Lunch in fishing hut. Plenty to eat washed down with a glass of wine. Back to the river. Finish off bottom end of Birkie pool. Bob suggests moving back up to Island pool. Fish still jumping. Slapping hard back into water. Sounds painful. A pair of dippers offers a pleasant distraction. Salmon need to be looking for somewhere to rest. Defending chosen lies. Agression. Keeping lie for itself. Attach other fish. Attack anything that intrudes. Attack fishermen's flies. That's when fish are caught. Not running fish. No time or need for agression.

As light falls pheasants fly into trees to roost. Just before five o'clock it is too dark to fish any more. Just one more last cast. It is often the last cast that catches. It is not to be. Has been a pleasure and privilige to be on the water. Bob returns me to the airport in good time for return flight south. It's the next day when I crawl into bed. It has been a full day on the water.

All tackle was supplied and is serviceable. You won't be using a rod that you might want to buy. The rods have killed many fish over the years. It's beginning to show. Bob has his ear to the water and knows where the good fishing is to be had.

What does it cost? The Shuttlefish package is £165 plus VAT per day. For the lone angler, there is a supplement of £55 plus VAT. Worth taking advantage of any cheap flight offers.

For anyone living within easy reach of an airport with an early morning flight to Edinburgh, a Shuttlefish day is excellent. There is obviously more to salmon fishing - and fishing successfully - than can be gleaned in a day. But it is a very good introduction. Highly recommended.

To find out more visit www.bobsport.co.uk

Win a day's salmon fishing

The lucky winner of a day's Shuttlefishing courtesy of Bobsport is:

JOHN PENNY

Congratulations John, we'll be in touch by e-mail to arrange your prize.