fishing in scotland

North East Group of Angling for everyone of 10 lady anglers braved bright blue skies but cold January weather to try for grayling

Host Kevin kindly fired up the wood burning stove Lynn had the stew on the go and a great time was had by all

Carmel had the first fish of the day as the photo proves !!

Carmel with her 45cm grayling

Lynn the cook, Kevin the gillie and Lucy the boss

The FFE ladies with kevin and Chris

Salmon at Selkirk

Yes a genuine salmon on the Tweed System!

Believe part of the media , some of the fishing professionals and the like and you may be mistaken into thinking that the Tweed saw no salmon in 2009.

My how we like to moan and bleat at times

First the spring was rubbish. Then we had 5 months with virtually no rain

Finally we had another dry period in the prime month of September

OK there were record floods in November but that is only a variation on what normally happens

So I am guessing now but I reckon that about 9000 salmon were caught on the Tweed in 2009. Down yes Disaster no Cause for concern yes for spring fishing

Apart from the Dee which had an excellent spring it was pretty well business as usual for salmon but the headlines are dire

If we continue to knock the Tweed then we will deserve fewer fishers, empty hotels  less jobs and a reduction in the number of people discovering that the Scottish Borders is an unsung inland island of beauty and heritage

So get real and tell it as it is

In the summer of 2009 I managed to see this life size carving of a cock salmon of around 8-10lb. Originally it was painted to show spawning colours  but when it was discovered in the early 20th century some bright spark gave it a wash!!!  They were trying to sell it to the Germans at the time and thought they had better give it a rub down first.

So how long have mankind been fishing for salmon?

Admittedly this ancient French man wasn’t using a Willie Gunn a Posh Tosh or even a Collie Dog.   A series of puncture wounds carved into the side show that he was a bloomin gaffer.

But the amazing thing

This carving was made 25000   … yes twenty five thousand years ago.

8 or so times as old as the pyramids or whatever

To see this thing the French have decided that you need blind luck ( that was me) and planning and ability to speak French + it is only on show twice a week to 8 people each time.

The route to it is hidden

The tourist centre next door don’t know where it is ( and don’t care).

But find it , see it . The guide is fabulous , gorgeous , enthusiastic , speaks English although she says she doesn’t

I went a bit misty eyed and emotional but then I am a fishing fool