Robbies Brief Fishing Reports

Reports Index

October 2004

Friday the 1st

Fished the Tweed yesterday, the last day of the trout season. I caught ten grayling to 45 cm. These were mainly taken on the bugs on the Teviot but I did spend the last hour on the Junction Pool of the Tweed. There I had two smaller Grayling on a dry fly, a Size 16 Cul de Canon. I then rounded off the day and indeed the Season with a 40 cm Grayling taken on the Duo. I did not do as much trout fishing on the river as I would have liked to this season.

Just where does the time go.......

Saturday the 16th

Yesterday evening I was very privileged.

Well actually I am very privileged all the time.

I have a wonderful wife, two fine sons, an easy job, a nice house and I get to go fishing around two or three times a week.

However yesterday I was especially privileged as I was able to attend the 175th Year Celebration Dinner of the Ellem Fishing Club.

Oh and yes, my good friend Mark Howard and me got to wear our England Blazers again.....

The Ellem is the oldest fishing club in the world and we have both been members for around 14 years.The dinner was held in the magnificent setting of Paxton House. This is a Stately Home now owned by the National Trust. The meal was served in the Gallery Room which has the most amazing ceiling. This was designed and built I believe by Adam. The ceiling is supported by magnificent marble pillars and the walls are adorned by priceless works of art. Just amazing……

The evening was presided over by Henry McCreath who has been a member of the club for a staggering 72 years! A sumptuous meal accompanied by fine wines was served and we were entertained by some anecdotes from Henry the Club's President and by an after dinner speech from Andrew Douglas-Home. Andrew is the recently elected Chairman of the Tweed Commissioners and nephew of the late Prime Minister Sir Alec Douglas-Home.

All in all it was a fabulous evening and one that is unique in the rich history of fishing clubs. No other fishing club has been around as long as the Ellem and now that we are in the lead we won't let anyone to catch us up!!

So I really am privileged and I hope..... no I sincerely hope that I am blessed to be around for the 200th Celebration Dinner.

Now that would be something..........

Below is an extract from the local paper the Berwick Advertiser.

Oldest angling club celebrates its 175th anniversary

THE ELLEM Fishing Club, the oldest in the world, held a commemorative dinner in the Picture Gallery at Paxton House to mark the Club's 175th anniversary on Friday.
Forty members were welcomed by the Chairman of Council, Mr Peter Cowe.
The President of the Club, Mr Henry G McCreath, after proposing the toast to the Ellem Fishing Club, welcomed the guest speaker, Mr Andrew Douglas-Home, Chairman of the River Tweed Commissioners.
His topic was the remit of the Tweed Commissioners which, in conjunction with the Tweed Foundation has done, and is doing much for the welfare of the River Tweed and all its tributaries.
There is particular emphasis on the improvement of salmon, trout and grayling fishing throughout the Tweed system which will be to the ultimate benefit of the local community in particular and the whole community in general.
The Ellem Fishing Club is the oldest trout angling club in the world and is recorded in the Guinness Book of Records as such.
It was founded in 1829 at the Ellem Fishing Tavern, Ellemford, Duns (which is now demolished) by a small group of men, the majority of whom were domiciled in Edinburgh and who had been in the habit of enjoying fishing holidays on the River Whiteadder and Dye and residing either at the Ellem Fishing Tavern or Ellem Cottage which was owned by one of the party.
Two of the members , Mr Henry McCreath and Mr Adam Calder - who was unable to attend on Friday - have been with the Club for 72 years, a remarkable record. Two others, Mr Bill McCreath and Mr Allan Herriott joined 67 years ago.
It is hoped there will be an exhibition of memorabilia of the Ellem Club beginning from the opening of (Paxton House in 2005 and the exhibition is likely to become a permanent feature.
Dr James H Mitchell is busy working on a history which promises to become an outstanding record of a unique club which still retains its original championship medal.
Original members were John Patterson, Jas. Stuart, James Renton, William Alexander, Alexander Low, James R Patterson, James Marshall, John Patterson jun., Thomas Trotter, W G Watson and Andrew Girvan.
There was, in the early days, a strict dress code for members attending the dinner. They wore long, green frockcoats, buff coloured waistcoats, black trousers and long, white silk stockings. It is hoped that a model of an early Club member in the uniform, together with another of a modern angler will be on display at the exhibition.
The Club had its own chaplains, assessors and even a Medical Officer, Dr Stuart from Duns.
The first winner of the massive championship medallion which was gifted by Mr James Marshall, was Mr George Trotter.
Ellem Fishing Club is not a charity but it has played a major part in helping others. During the first World War it gave great assistance from its funds to war charities, and it has always been very helpful to other clubs, notably the Berwick Angling Association. They gained substantial benefit from the Ellem Club during their efforts to improve the waters of the Whiteadder from Canty's Bridge to Allanton.
As far back as 1833, the Club minuted their concern at the 'destructive practice of net fishing". The main offenders at the time were tradesmen from Duns and district.
The Club exists not just for the pleasure its members derive from the sport. Its primary object is to assist in fostering the gentle art and preserving and promoting it in the district.
21 October 2004

Thursday the 14th

Watch Water near Duns. 110 acre reservoir Ten till Six

I had eight Rainbows and no Browns and they were all caught on Dries.

When I arrived it was flat calm and a few fish were rising. By the time I got out in the boat there was a gentle breeze and I had a couple of rises and a fish within twenty minutes.

Here we go I thought. Well an hour and a half later nothing else.

So I changed to small flies and had seven more fish in the next six hours with a few more offers and a couple of fish dropping off.

All in all not a bad day and really quite good for the time of the year.

Sunday the 24th

Watch Water  Not a great Day I only fished Dries and managed two Brownies and a small Rainbow. The weather was about perfect for the time of year but there was just not a lot happening. Probably my last visit here for the season unless I hear that it has suddenly switched on. (T)

Margaret & Robbie Bell
Game Fair
12 Marygate
Berwick upon Tweed
Northumberland
TD15 1BN

Telephone: 01289 305119
E.Mail: robbie@gamefair-flyfishing.net