Malloch Trophy 2018

It's not everyday you get a call from one of your pals to say he has won the Malloch Trophy with a fish that was caught on a fly you tied up for him. That's just what happened to me last week when Philip Black called me up to say he was the official winner of the prestigious Malloch Trophy with a stunning fish he landed from the Lanrick Estate on the River Teith back in March.

Philip Black and his Malloch Trophy winning salmon from the River Teith.

I remember that day he caught the fish well as I was fishing the Dee at Carlogie and I had just got off the phone from him to let him know I had just returned a nice fish around the 13lb mark. Not to be outdone, Philip returned my call soon after to say he had just landed a large fish which broke his rod in the process of drawing it into the bank! He didn't put a weight on it; he never does but he said it was a very big fish and I could tell by the excitement in his voice that it was a special fish. The fish took a Monkey type fly of blue, yellow and silver colours which Philip named the Craig Fleming Special after landing his prized fish.

The smile says it all!

Well done again Philip and it was a pleasure to know that one of my creations had the privilege of fooling the salmon that won the Malloch Trophy! Look out for the full story in next month's Trout & Salmon magazine. I am currently in the process of tying some more creations for Philip so lets hope for a repeat performance next year.