A Ghillies View, Speycaster.co.uk.

Speycaster.co.uk Title.

Who would be a Ghillie?!! (for the Atlantic Salmon Trust)

How many people can put their hand on heart and say they look forward to Monday?   Who can honestly say “My day is just not long enough”! Not because of work load, but passion for the job. Having worked a 9 to 5 shift, how many people would relish going back to work, unpaid, until dark?

As a full time Ghillie at Knockando, one of the premier salmon beats of the River Spey, I find myself in the fortunate position, well for most of the time anyway, to answer yes to the above questions.   As a fanatical fly-fisherman, what could be better than spending every day on the banks of the world’s most famous river? Not to mention, spending the day in the company of people who have dreamt all winter about being there! Yes, it’s a tough life but someone has to do it!!

The general perception of the Ghillie would be that of someone who will help with their client’s fishing, i.e. - Advice on tackle, point out the best water, help with fishing/casting technique, along with rowing a boat etc.   Whilst all these do form an integral part of our job, the Ghillie must also be something of a diplomat! Looking after fishing parties consisting of between two and six rods can be “trying” to say the least. For me, this was epitomised by Former American Secretary of State, Mr Cyrus Vance, who at the end of his week's fishing, commented “if only we'd had some of you Guy’s during that damned hostage crisis”, it would have been over in half the time!

Salmon Fishing is one of those sports that can be enjoyed by people of any age, or indeed sex. But enough said about that for now! It brings the best, and very occasionally, the worst out in people.   Happily for both anglers and the Ghillie, the latter makes up only a very small minority. But, as with any sport involving more than one person, there is always that primeval human instinct – Competition!

Fortunately for both, the salmon loses the urge to feed in fresh water, which means for the people trying to catch them, irrespective of skill and knowledge, a fairly level playing field is created.   I must add however that experience will, over a period of time, prevail over luck.   But, as often happens, Lady Luck from time to time, deserts even the most skilful angler, which can be character forming to say the least!

So who are these fishermen/women?

The short answer to this would be people from all walks of life. From Kings to Carpenters! A common misconception is that only people from a “privileged” background fish for salmon.   This may have been the case in the past, but in 2005, could not be further from the truth.   Good sport can be found throughout Scotland for less than the cost of a game of golf.   Admittedly in some cases this may be at Gleneagles.

There I go, straying off the subject again.   So who are these people? Below are examples of different types of people dealt with by Ghillies on any given day.

Not in any order, you have –

• “Neurotic Fly Man”.
This poor fellow spends most of his day sifting through his perfectly organised fly-box containing hundreds, or in some cases thousands of flies, pondering over which one to pick.   He will often complain to the Ghillie about his “catch ratio”.   He finds it difficult to come to terms with the fact that others are catching fish on “Moth Eaten” flies, whilst he has tried every “work of art” in his box and remains blank!!   A quick time and motion study usually does the trick for Mr Neurotic.   Although it normally takes time to sink in, he eventually realises that whilst he is changing flies, they are catching fish. Rule one - Keep the fly in the water!

• Then we have the “Done it all before man”.
This chap epitomises the old adage of - Two eyes, two ears and one mouth, use them accordingly!   Quite eccentric and fiercely independent by nature, he is known in the Ghilleing fraternity as “Jimmy no Pals”. On Monday morning he will be found assembling his rod on his own, going through a weird rod taping ritual, different to that of everyone else. Inwardly he is hoping that someone will ask him why! – This is when experience comes into its own.   Being naturally inquisitive, the inexperienced Ghillie may ask – That’s interesting, I’ve never seen anyone do it that way before!   Why that way? Oh dear, big mistake! After being subjected to a fifteen minute diatribe on the subject, the inexperienced ghillie realises his mistake and tries to slip away.   His friends have heard all this before and have slipped away to look at the height of the water! On their return, one of the party will try to have a quiet word with the Ghillie before they begin fishing regarding, advice on flies, where to wade etc.   “Jim”, being a "fount of knowledge" will usually hi-jack this discussion, pointing out possibly, that he waded in this spot last year, it was only 18 inches deep then! “It couldn’t have changed that much”!   Normally we find it’s not too long before “Jim” is seen driving off to make an “important phone call”.   Trying desperately to hide the fact he has just fallen in and is soaked from head to toe.   The wet driver’s seat, along with the change of tweed always gives him away. His spare tweeds, bought 25 years earlier are now three sizes too small and growing smaller by the minute, absorbing water from his newly fitted “Keep me Dry” incontinence seat covers sold to him by a market trader for three quid. On his return he finds that his party have caught four fish. With gritted teeth, and a face that would turn milk sour, Jim will force a “Well done”, then, in a whisper, will ask the questions he should have at the beginning – What, Where and How.

• What about Mr & Mrs Hateeachother.
Sorry, forgot the hyphens, Hate-each-other!   Blissfully married for around 120 years, this couple could argue for Scotland, but around their friends try hard to put on a brave face!   Having worked a 16 hour day for the past nine months, mentally exhausted Mr “H” is on the river seeking to “get away from it all”. Unfortunately for him, the thing he really wants to get away from has decided that she also would like to try salmon fishing.   Anything for an easy life, he concedes and Mrs tags along.   Ever the gentleman, he soon finds himself in a catch 22.   Although eager to catch a fish, inwardly, he is hoping she will catch the first, as this will relieve the mental pressure.   By Wednesday he is three nil up, and is developing a nervous twitch. In company, Mrs “H” is pulling on all her resources to force a make-up cracking smile, whilst behind closed doors she has an expression that would halt a weather-front.   Mind you, Mr H’s cause is not helped by remarks form our inexperienced Ghillie.   Trying to make light of the situation, he asks Mrs H, Where did you get those flies?   Your husbands are much better, and they’re catching fish!   This comment sees Mrs H publicly loose it for the first time.   Mr H is now being singled out like a wounded wildebeest in the Serengeti. Belatedly, he fumbles with his fly box, offering her the pick, but it’s all too little too late.   As she moves in for the kill, his thoughts are already turning to the safety of the office!

• Then there is the “Road Runner”
This man, having received his instruction as to where to fish, with two “beeps” of his horn, disappears up the fishing track like Nigel Mansell.   Then, as if being chased by the “coyote”, re-appears from the cloud of dust. In his haste he has forgotten both rod and bag.   Always thinking ahead and never aware of the present, he finds it difficult to absorb information, the receive button has fallen off the hand-set!   Mind you, this chap will catch fish, if numbers are more important than company, then the road runner is your man!

• Women and Salmon Fishing – What is it that makes the fairer sex appear so “lucky”?

The word “Pheromones” keeps cropping up, but I think it is the fact that as fishermen are still mainly gentlemen, they will usually give the women what is perceived to be the best chance, which usually sees the ladies spending lots of time with the Ghillie. Having said this, it may be that these Pheromones do in fact somehow send signals to fish. Mind you, there must be an age thing here also. The Ghillies Tough Life, fishing with women.....

For some strange reason, younger women seem to do better than older women.   It just might be that younger women produce stronger Pheromones! But on saying this, it seems that there is yet another sub category. Not only do the young women do better, but somehow, good looking ones do even better.   Now call me cynical, but if I visit a beat where the men are out-fishing the ladies, then it would be backs to the wall around the Ghillie!

• Although far from complete, no list of salmon anglers would be complete without a mention of the“Fish is a Bonus man” [FIB].

The “Fibber” as he is more commonly known by Ghillies, is a man who usually shows his true colours towards the end of an almost blank week.   “It’s just great to be here”, he says, making sure everyone can hear, this place surely is heaven on earth, “The fish are a bonus”!   Now then lad, he says to the Ghillie, there’s no pressure on you this week, we’re all here for a holiday and a good time!   The main difference between this guy and the guy who genuinely means it is - The fibber always follows the statement without pausing for breath with a question – How many did you get last week?   You don’t spin here do you?!   So the intro would go something like this - It’s just great to be back, aye, this truly is Gods country “If we catch a fish it will be a bonus”, how many did you get last week?

By Friday the party have played every golf course in the area. The hot weather is taking its toll on both the river and the angler. The Fibber has completed his metamorphous! Doctor Jeckal, is now Mr Hide!   Having spent £8000 pounds, only caught one fish and been beaten 6 and 5 at golf, he finally snaps.   I tell you this lad, I don’t know why I keep coming here, £8000 for one fish!   Never again!   One bloody Fish!   I remember when we would catch 40 in the week!   No, this is the last.   I wouldn’t care if I never saw this river again.   Can’t even spin!   Just who the hell is running this shambles?   At this point he begins to foam at the mouth, his face turns crimson, he begins to hyperventilate and his throat is beginning make sounds like a coffeemaker!   Now, this is actually quite a good thing, as it means he must now pause for breath.   It gives the Ghillie a chance to determine the best course of action.   This is truly where experience takes over!   Does he want to see this guy back next year or not?   If the answer is no, then he will probably agree and may even embellish a little, just to make the guy feel a little worse, if that were possible.

If however, the answer is yes, ever the diplomat, he may point out – It was the hot weather, along with low water that contributed to the poor week.   Also, that he was one of many throughout the river to have a poor week, and there are positives to take from this.   That fish we caught happened to be one of the best that week. He may also point out that he had never seen him cast so well, and that the good weather had contributed to that.   Also, his family had remarked that they really enjoyed the break, the weather although not the best for fishing, made a nice change from what they normally find in Scotland.   Having caught his breath and listened to this, our man is feeling somewhat better and beginning to calm down; suddenly he has found the will to live again.

Yes, we meet some characters on the river-bank, people who by default provide us with so many stories and endless hours of fun.   But fun is not the only thing on offer from our fishing clients.   Over the years I have learned so much from clients who have visited Knockando.

Salmon Fishing is, some would say, an enigma. There are very few hard and fast rules and experience only comes with time on the river.   Realising this from an early age I would, if at all possible, try to do my fishing alongside old experienced anglers.

I have found that experienced salmon anglers impart their best secrets only to those who have their confidence, and also express a genuine interest in the subject.   Most of the time they will go about their business quietly and without much fuss.

Ghillies are also known for their wit, sense of humour and the love of an occasional glass of the local amber produce.   A glass or two is often the preface for some wonderful stories.   But that’s another story!

I remember my first day on the beat.   I had to meet the old Ghillie from whom I was taking over. George, an ex prisoner of war, was sat on the bench overlooking the tail of a fantastic salmon pool.   Typical, as I found out later, was his pose; “piece-bag” on back, with cup of tea in one hand and “roll up” in the other.     I introduced myself and focused on the women fishing the far side of the pool.   Hearing a loud crack every time she made a cast, convinced me she was fishing without a fly.   Trying to be tactful, I felt the best course of action was to stay quiet, however, after gaining confidence and listening to the circus act for what seemed an eternity, I finally said to George, do you think she still has a fly on?   There was a short pause and then he said - Na, she’s nae had a flee on ah morning but she’s dein fine!   This was my introduction to the job, laid back to the extreme!!

He turned out to be one of the most knowledgeable people I had ever met; a man who like lots of his generation, kept his ear to the ground.   By this time however he was nearing retirement and I think beginners and poor casters had taken their toll.   Mind you, he hadn’t lost his sharp wit.   Another day, I arrived to find him fishing the main pool from the boat, which I noted, was not positioned in the right place. It hadn’t stopped raining all day and he looked thoroughly dejected with the water pouring off his hat into his tea.   Aye you look like you’re getting soaked out there, I said, to which his reply was; I’ve never been so dry in my life! His client had caught three fish, but by the position of the boat, it was plainly obvious he had no chance of catching another.   Three fish without a “dram” was quite enough for anyone!

I have heard it said that Ghillies of this generation were generally better than their counterparts of today. I’m not so sure about this, but what is true, is that there were many more fish in our rivers at that time. And, when the fish are there and in the mood, it’s easy.

Salmon-Fishing has changed in the 21st century, some would say not for the better, but change it has.   It is now part of an ever expanding leisure industry, an intricate and important part of the Scottish Rural Economy, which in itself, calls for greater professionalism.   Today, people expect more for their pound than in the past.

Greater competition globally, fewer fish in our home rivers, along with fewer clients fishing for salmon, are only a few examples of what makes the Ghillies job in the 21st century more challenging than ever before. More information = More questions = More informed answers.

The Land Reform Bill Scotland has also brought with it new challenges for the Ghillie, with right to roam, increasing volumes of canoeing/rafting, all of which are dealt with, at the sharp end by the Ghillie.   Mind you, for most of us, this is just another diplomatic challenge, just another day in the office, like water off a ducks back!

Ian Gordon    Top of Page