Fishing records

Nicola, Pete, Lola and Nell want to travel the world with a difference. We hope to get a taste of many countries without adding to climate change (with needless emissions from aeroplanes) or having to waste hours of holiday time in airport terminals. We hope our adventures inspire you to take a Grand Tour of your neighbourhood. This post is from Nicola

11 June 2007: Today, fourteen years ago, my dad rescued a German tourist from certain death near the Devil’s Pulpit. Despite having to forego a few minutes of his precious casting time Dad managed to throw a lifeline to the man who had slipped on these notorious rocks and fallen into a treacherous bit of the River Orchy.

The incident is recorded in the blue leather bound estate fishing book kept in the bothy used by salmon fishermen. Most of the entries detail which fly was used, which spot proved successful and condition of the hen/cock (fish) as it comes up to spawn, but on this particular day Dad wrote: “Fresh German. No sea lice.” The weight – 150lb – might also be a give away. Sitting in the bothy with it's whisky-history atmosphere I can imagine my Dad’s wicked expression as he made this entry in such a splendidly deadpan manner.