Graham Nichols - ghillie on the Achentoul Estate on the prolific Helmsdale River
This month Graham Nichols, ghillie on the Achentoul Estate on the prolific Helmsdale River sits in the hot seat and faces the 10 big questions!
1.SSFS:What is the biggest salmon you have ever caught?
GN: My biggest Salmon was caught from the River Tay on the Stormont Angling Club Water. It weighed just under 31lbs. As you can imagine, the fish gave an unbelievable fight and for much of the battle I did not see it. That was one salmon that I will never forget!
2. SSFS:What is the most memorable salmon you have ever caught?
GN: My most memorable Salmon would have to be my first salmon caught on the fly. It weighed 18.5lbs and was caught from the Sunderland Hall Beat on the River Tweed.
3. SSFS: What is your favourite fly?
GN: I would have to say that it would probably be a very simple Black & Orange copper tube around 1-1.5 inches in length, with a silver body. I have had great success with this pattern especially in the autumn months.
4. SSFS:What is your favourite salmon pool?
GN: The Grain Head Pool on the Stormont Angling Club Water on the River Tay has a special place in my heart. You need to wade deeply and cast a decent line to cover the pool, which is a challenge that I love. The quality of some of the fish I have caught from this pool has been second to none.
5. SSFS:If there was one place in the world you could salmon fish, where would it be and why?
GN: I know this is a bit biased but for me nothing beats catching a salmon in Scotland. The variety and range of salmon fishing available is mind boggling with the quality of fish being magnificent. Also, fishing in Scotland, often the scenery that you find yourself in is nothing short of spectacular.
6. SSFS: What is the most unusual sight you have ever seen on the river?
GN: I remember that one day I was sitting on the banks of the River Tay, whilst fishing on the Stormont Club Water. The water was very high and I was looking over to an Island in the middle of the river. Suddenly I saw something fall out of a tree on the Island and into the river which I thought was a stick. The stick then started to move upstream and towards my bank. To my surprise, I realised it was a Grey Squirrel when it got to my bank. It then shook itself off and ran into the fields. Around two hours later, what was most likely to be the same squirrel went back into the water, swam across to the Island and back up the tree. Nature never ceases to amaze me!
7. SSFS:What are the worst conditions in which you have seen a salmon being caught?
GN: I was fishing the Stormont Club Water on the River Tay. There was an upstream wind that was so strong that it was producing two-foot waves on the river with massive white horses. I could not believe that I caught a fish that day, as it took so long to realise that the fish had taken the fly because of the upstream wind!
8. SSFS: What do you love about being a ghillie?
GN: So many things make being a ghillie a very rewarding experience. I love seeing my guests catching salmon. Recently one of my guests who was 86 years old caught an 18lbs salmon. His expression said it all. It is moments like these that make my job so special.
9. SSFS: What is your salmon fishing pet hate?
GN: I find anglers that fish down a pool too slowly frustrating. I much rather prefer to fish down a pool twice than take a long time and cover the water just once.
10. SSFS: What is your favourite fishing dram?
GN: I am a typical Englishman! I love the smell of whisky but it is not my tipple of choice. If, however, you offered me a coke with a splash of Russian Standard Vodka, I could be very tempted!