Malloch Challenge Trophy for heaviest salmon back after 10 year absence

The beautiful Malloch Challenge Trophy – a solid silver leaping salmon and the most desired award in Scottish angling,  is coming back into circulation after an absence of ten years.

It was first awarded in 1972 for a 43lb salmon caught on the Tweed and until 1999 was awarded annually to the fisherman credited with the heaviest salmon landed in the season,

Since 1999 – when it was awarded for a 33lb salmon on the River Spey, it has been withdrawn from competition. Why? Well strict conservation measures had an impact on landings and this situation was aggravated by the consequent withdrawal of sponsorship.

The Tay Salmon Foundation has now acquired the trophy and is restoring it to competition. The winning fish must have been caught on a fly and released alive back into the water.This requirement now neatly associates the trophy with conservation.

During the 28 years of its previous competitive life, the Malloch Trophy was awarded for fish landed from a variety of rivers including the Dee, Spey, Tweed, Tay and Naver.

The 2009 salmon season opens on some of Scotland’s northern rivers – the Helmsdale, Thurso, Naver, Borgie, Oykel, Cassley and Carron – on Monday 12th January and on the Tay on Thursday 15th January.