INCORPORATING TROUT & SALMON MARCH 2021
Box of tricks
Indispensable stillwater flies for opening day
THE ULTIMATE PRIZE Improve the odds of catching a springer
TROUTANDSALMON.COM
Hidden valley
A trout-fisher’s getaway by a Cheviot stream
Wadham’s way
The wisdom of a reservoir legend
MARCH 2021 £4.50 ON SALE FEB 4-MAR 3
RESERVOIR LURES AND NYMPHS • SPRING SALMON ADVICE • CHEVIOT GETAWAY • JOHN WADHAM • CUMBRIAN LAKE TROUT
THE VOICE OF GAME-FISHING SINCE 1955
COV E R I M AG E : T H E O L D B R I G O ’ D E E , BY D E N N I S BA R N E S/G E T T Y I M AG E S
Contents
MARCH 2021
26
76
12
62
INSPIRATION
ADVICE
COMMENT
12
26 Reservoir legend John Wadham shares wisdom with Rob Hardy
3
Editor’s letter
8
First Cast
Paul Procter finds seclusion and feisty trout in a little-known Cumbrian reservoir
40 Tackle expert Allan Shephard’s favourite fishing items 76 A trout-fisher’s getaway in Northumberland, experienced by Andrew Flitcroft 93 Digby Lewis recalls his perilous pursuit of the African mpasa 4
44 Ways to improve your chances of catching a spring salmon
20 On the River with Marina Gibson
84 Stan Headley argues that we should allow nature to stock more of our stillwaters
22 Letters to the editor
86 Jim Coates chats to Welsh maestro Steffan Jones about the dark art of targeting sea-trout
39 Bob White is The Gillie
37 Simon Cooper’s chalkstream diary
130 Last Cast goes to Giles Catchpole
56
44
86 THE STILLWATER ANGLER
TACKLE & FLY-TYING
REGULARS
56 Peter Cockwill visits Markle Fisheries near Edinburgh
25 Rob Denson transforms a sacrificial fly into a fish-taker
10
62 Three favourite nymphs selected by Ed Foster, former Team England captain
34 The Banana Shrimp is a fly that will put a bend in your rod, says Ross Macdonald
64 Our Trout Surgery experts offer advice on barbless hooks and finding an all-round reservoir rod
50 Six striking patterns from Polish couple Arek and Agnieszka Kubale
123 Get a great deal on a Mackenzie six-piece salmon rod
100 New season tackle reviewed
125 Crossword competition
104 Our pick of new fly-tying materials
126 Dream properties with fishing
68 Rob Edmunds shares his fly strategy for opening day
Gallery
105 Fishing reports from around the UK and Ireland 120 Troutmasters results
5
SOMEWHERE ELSE Andrew Flitcroft discovers a hideaway for trout-fishers in Northumberland
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OR ORDER BY POST ANOTHER 258 MODERN FLIES & HOW TO TIE THEM Complete the form and send it with your cheque/postal order (payable to Trout & Salmon) to: Trout & Salmon 258 Flies Book, c/o Samantha Toombs, Bauer Media, Media House, Lynchwood, Peterborough PE2 6EA. (Please write in CAPITAL LETTERS.) Please send me (insert number) ___ copy/copies of ANOTHER 258 MODERN FLIES & HOW TO TIE THEM at £12.99 plus £2.99 p&p per book (a total of £15.98 per book). Name ........................................................................................................................................................................... Address ...................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
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FROM
INCORPORATING
THE STILLWATER ANGLER Your monthly guide to trout fishing on lakes and reservoirs
P56
WELCOME TO MY FISHERY East Lothian lochs with abundant history and wildlife
P62
WHAT’S IN YOUR BOX?
Ed Foster selects three of his favourite nymphs
P64
TROUT-FISHERS’ SURGERY Discover the enduring appeal of black and green, plus the rod for all jobs
P68
THE KNOWLEDGE
Every reservoir lure and nymph pattern you need this season
55
A SALMON BY ANY OTHER NAME Digby Lewis recalls his perilous pursuit of a silvery African fish
93
FISHING REPORTS
All the latest news from our local experts. The only monthly record of catches and news from the major fisheries of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland
TROUT MASTERS
’s badge Plus this monthEurope’s winners from fishing largest fly- n competitio See page 120
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