Fishing for salmon in Scotland but could Stewart Calligan's first catch be on his doorstep in a Yorkshire river?

Plans were cancelled this year as Scottish hotels were all shut then, low and behold, the First Minister announced that the hotels would open mid July. My friend, Alan, has four rods on the Tay system of Scottish rivers in Perthshire.

Three experienced salmon catchers, Alan, Derek and Ray and I travelled north nearly 400 miles on a quest for those elusive fish. Conditions were near perfect, the rivers had plenty water and the gentle, kind wind would not hinder casting out my number 10 fly line.

There were plenty of griles (young salmon that had one winter at sea) jumping right at my feet as I waded in the tumbling white water. Without the fisherman’s tendency to exaggerate they would be around the 8lb mark. The scene was idyllic.

I was casting a cascade fly, resembling a shrimp, recommended by our ghillie, Dougie. It went across the rapids allowing the current to bring my Hardy’s floating Spey line and fly round into the pool.

Casting out three or four times I moved downstream a few paces and repeated the process, covering all the beat before going back up to the top of the rapids. By keeping moving I have more chance of tempting any curious or snappy salmon.

The fishing outfit had been chosen by my fashionista fiancée, Marilyn. My sartorial splendour had to be seen to be believed so please judge for yourselves from the photo which was taken at dusk to hide any imperfections! Some walkers from overseas asked if they could take my photo – I was very honoured.

Although I tried floating line, sinking line, various flies and a House of Bruar expensive spinner, I caught nothing. Losing the spinner and breaking my fly rod as I tried to yank the fly from gorse on the opposite bank, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. On the five-hour drive home I had time to contemplate the salmon visiting Yorkshire. Wouldn’t it be something if my first salmon was caught in Yorkshire?

The Yorkshire salmon rivers near me are the Yorkshire Derwent, the Ouse, Wharfe with the Esk near Whitby and Ure and Swale in North Yorkshire. I live half a mile from the tidal Ouse and all the Yorkshire salmon will have had to pass my back garden.

For me the attraction to water is not knowing what is swimming to and fro. I have had reports of local salmon catches and salmon jumping locally, even in the South Yorkshire river, Don.

Various river trusts are still working on water quality and access for migrating species. I will have to start to fish nearer home for the elusive salmon and, thereby, support the Yorkshire economy.

Salmon Facts

Salmon live from three to eight years.

They start as eggs then alevin.

In around three years they go from parr to smolts then they go to sea.

They are called griles after one winter at sea.

After several winters they are fully blown silver salmon ranging from ten to 30lbs.

After returning to their original streams to spawn their condition deteriorates and then they are called kelts.