Hamish Rae - South Chesthill Estate
This month, Hamish Rae, Head Ghillie and keeper on the South Chesthill Estate, of the River Lyon sits in the hot seat and faces the Ghillies 10!
1. SSFS: What is the biggest salmon you have ever caught?
HR: An eighteen pounder caught from the River Naver in May on the fly.
2. SSFS: What is the most memorable salmon you have ever caught?
HR: It was more a memorable day than a memorable fish. I was fishing the River Naver in July and managed to land six salmon and a Sea trout in just over an hour.
3. SSFS: What is your favourite fly?
HR: My favourite fly would have to be the Cascade, as it tends to work well throughout the course of the season.
4. SSFS: What is your favourite salmon pool?
HR: Biased I know… but it has to be the Rock pool on the River Lyon because of it’s sheer dramatic nature. During a fight the fish can go under the massive rock which can give some heart stopping moments!
5. SSFS: If there was one place in the world you could salmon fish, where would it be and why?
HR: I would love to fish in Russia, as it would be a big adventure. I love the thought of arriving at a salmon pool by helicopter and you always have the chance of catching that fish of a lifetime.
6. SSFS: What is the most unusual sight you have seen on the river?
HR: I was ghilling for a guest on the Lyon and suddenly out of nowhere an otter surfaced directly underneath the rod tip. It then proceeded to swim towards the bank, get out and charge towards us stopping eighteen inches away. My guest was terrified as he thought we were under attack. Fortunately the otter then promptly jumped back into the river and disappeared!
7. SSFS: What are the worst conditions in which you have seen a salmon being caught?
HR: It was the Indian summer of 2014. The sun was beating down, with the sky cloudless and the thermometer reading twenty seven degrees. The water was very low and I had lots of children swimming in the Gate pool, playing on their boogie boards. Suddenly one of the chidren, a 12 year old, decided to go to the head of the pool and have a cast. He promptly caught a small grilse against all the odds!
8. SSFS: What do you love about being a ghillie?
HR: The satisfaction I get from seeing my guests catching their first salmon or any salmon. I think I get more excited than my guest!
9. SSFS: What is your salmon fishing pet hate?
HR: When anglers wade too deeply in low water and end up spooking fish in low water conditions! ARRGH!
10. SSFS: What is your favourite dram?
HR: A fresh orange juice, as I am not really a drinker!
The South Chesthill Estate is situated on the River Lyon