Salmon Fishing Scotland Redford Trophy for largest Opening Day Salmon on Tay, Perthshire 2016.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Redford Trophy for largest Opening Day Salmon on Tay, Perthshire 2016.

ARNOT MCWHINNIE PRESENTED THE REDFORD MEMORIAL TROPHY FOR THE HEAVIEST SALMON TO BE CAUGHT FROM THE RIVER TAY ON THE OPENING DAY OF THE SEASON 2016.

This was his speech at the Ceremony this past Saturday lunch time on the banks of the river at Taymount.

"FIRST OF ALL, FOR THOSE WHO WHO DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE ORIGINS OF THIS SPLENDID SILVER CUP, IT WAS NAMED AFTER THE LATE IAN REDFORD, A POPULAR MINE HOST ON THE NEWTYLE BEATS AT BIRNAM WHO TRAGICALLY DIED FAR TOO YOUNG IN 1985.

AS A MEMORIAL TO HIM, GEORGE MCINNES WHO IS HERE TODAY AND I DECIDED TO PUT UP A TROPHY SO HE WOULD BE REMEMBERED EVERY YEAR IN THE FUTURE.

THE TROPHY WAS DULY BOUGHT WITH SUBSCRIPTIONS FROM IAN'S MANY FRIENDS, AND ENGRAVED.

IN 1986 IT WAS PRESENTED TO THE FIRST-EVER WINNER AND SINCE THEN HAS BECOME A MAJOR EVENT IN THE LIFE OF THE RIVER.

I CAN'T GO ON WITHOUT MENTIONING DUNCAN GLASS WHO ALAS DIED LAST MONTH, AND WHO HELPED THE TAY GHILLIES ASSOCIATION GET SO MUCH FUNDING FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE RIVER AND ITS FUTURE.

DUNCAN WON THE REDFORD IN 1987 WITH A 25 POUNDER, FOLLOWED TWO YEARS LATER BY HIS WIFE JANE WHO LANDED A 19 � POUNDER, THE ONLY WOMAN UNTIL NOW TO HAVE HAD HER NAME ENGRAVED ON THE CUP.

THIS YEAR. ALL THESE DECADES LATER, WHILE FISHING THE LINN POOL AT TAYMOUNT. GAIL O'DEA LANDED A BEAUTIFUL 14 POUNDER UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYE OF HER HUSBAND COHN THE GHEAD GHILLIE ON THE BEAT.

GAIL, WHO IS A NURSE, HAD A REAL SCRAP WITH THE SALMON WHICH CONSTANTLY THREATENED TO RUN OUT OF THE POOL. BUT ENCOURAGED BY COHN, SHE PUT GREAT PRESSURE ON IT AND PREVENTED IT FROM DOING SO.

NOW COMES TO THE NEXT BIG MOMENT. GAIL, AS THE REDFORD'S 2016 WINNER, IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO PRESENT YOU WITH THIS COMMEMORATION OF YOUR GREAT DAY.

NOT ONLY HAS YOUR NAME ENGRAVED ON IT FOR POSTERITY, BUT YOU ARE ABOUT TO RECEIVE A �250 TACKLE VOUCHER FROM ROBERT JAMIESON OF JAMES CROCKART & SON, THE FAMOUS TACKLE AND GUN SHOP IN BLAIRGOWRIE WHO HAS BEEN A LOYAL AND GENEROUS SUPPORTER FOR THIS EVENT FOR DECADES.

YOU ARE ALS0 ABOUT TO RECEIVE TWO LOVELY ENGRAVED GLASSES WHICH WILL BE PRESENTED BY GEORGE MCINNES, A FOUNDING MEMBER OF OF THE TAY GHILLIES ASSOCIATION."

Salmon Fishing Scotland - By Robert White