 A nice selection of shrimp flies  |
Flies and Lures |
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Fly fishing is the most successful method for catching Ness salmon, fished on double-handed rods of 14 to 16 feet using lines rated at AFTM 9 to 11. The ability to Spey cast, for which Ness anglers are famed, is useful as many pools do not offer sufficient room for overhead casting. Small flies – 8s, 10s or 12s – are more productive than large flies, depending on water height. Popular patterns include shrimp flies in red, yellow, orange or black (Ally’s Shrimp, Cascades and NessC) along with Munro’s Killer, Stoat’s Tail and Silver Stoat. Traditional or modern flies with any or all of these colours will attract fish. Long tailed flies, with a lot of movement, and silver, gold or other metallic-style bodies, work well, particularly for grilse. For further suggestions, see the Fly Fishing Tutorials and Fishing Flies Gallery on The Forum. Spinning and worming are allowed. Popular spinning lures include Devons and Tobies of various sizes, depending on water height. Worm fishing is permitted between March 15 and September 30. |
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The birth of the Black Shrimp During the early 1960s, when fishing the Inverness Angling Club water, I met up with another keen angler, Steve Fraser Jnr. We often met at our favourite pool, the MacIntyre, on the Rossie Lodge side, and our friendship grew. We were both very interested in fly-tying and we began to experiment in making wooden devons. When we met up on the river with a whole day ahead of us, we would fish as a team. If Steve fly fished, I spun. If we both fly fished, he would fish his favourite fly, The Sweep, and I would fish my then favourite The Shrimp. [Pop up picture] The fish were plentiful in those days and one day, fishing as a team, we landed the grand total of 12 fish, six each weighing from eight to 18 lbs! We bought a wood turning lathe and began to seriously produce wooden devons in fair quantities – and we had plans! But things seldom go to plan and, on 9th September 1965, poor Steve, in his prime at 27 years and with so much ahead of him, was tragically killed.
I reckon that some of Steve’s magic was passed on to me through this fly for I have since caught many hundreds of salmon on it. My best was 13 in a day, on the Dochfour beat of the Ness, and my best tally on the club water was 51 in three weeks. Those were the days!! Dressing for the Black Shrimp
Hook size 12 to 2 double or treble Visit the Black Shrimp Fly tying tutorial page to see the step by step tying. On the beat with Black Shrimp 27th June 2007 Written in the last months of his life, John Cathcart’s stories from a lifetime’s experiences record over half a century of Highland angling history and reflect John’s enduring passion for the sport and his unique understanding of the freshwater environment. It was John’s hope that the book would stimulate the interest of the next generation and inspire them to develop the skills and enthusiasm for angling for which Inverness exponents of the noble art are renowned.
On the Beat with Black Shrimp, a beautifully produced, 222-page hardback originally priced at £9.99, can be purchased from Graham’s Tackle Shop in Inverness, or through their online service – www.grahamsonline.co.uk - at the special offer price of £5 plus post and packing. Buy online Here
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I was put off fishing for a while after that but, one night with nothing to do, I took out my fly-tying kit, put a number 6 double in the vice and wondered what fly I would tie. It was then I thought I would tie a fly in memory of Steve. Using the colour of the Sweep and the long tail of the Shrimp, the Black Shrimp was born.
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