Home > News and Views > SAVILLS MALLOCH CHALLENGE TROPHY

The most prestigious and historic trophy in the Scottish angling world, The Savills Malloch Challenge Trophy has been reinstated from the opening of the 2009 salmon fishing season after an absence of 10 years.

The magnificent silver model of a leaping salmon, which for decades was the most coveted and keenly contested award in Scotland, has been acquired by The Tay Foundation. It will again be awarded annually to the angler catching the heaviest salmon of the season on any Scottish River. The new criteria for the Trophy will reflect the Tay Foundation’s promotion of Conservation in that the fish which must be caught on a fly must also be released alive back into the water.

History:

The Savills Malloch Challenge Trophy is named after the Perth-based manufacturer and retailer of fishing tackle, Mallochs of Perth – one of the most legendary names in Scottish tackle history. Its founder was P D Malloch, one of the greatest authorities of his day on salmon.

The Savills Malloch Trophy was first awarded in 1972 for a 43lb fish caught on the Tweed by Lady Burnett and last awarded in 1999 following a run of 28 consecutive years for a 33lb fish caught on the Spey by Mr J Montupet; during this time the winning fish came from a variety of rivers including the Dee, Spey, Tweed, Tay and Naver. 2 ladies apart from Lady Burnett have been winners of the trophy with fish from the Tweed (33lbs) and the Spey (35lbs).

After 1999 the trophy was not presented and remained locked in a cupboard for over 10 years and was lost to the salmon fishing world until the Tay Foundation was able to acquire it.

Secretary to the Savills Malloch Trophy:

Robert Rattray of CKD Galbraith has been appointed by the Tay Foundation as Secretary for the Savills Malloch Trophy. Entries should be submitted in line with Challenge trophy critera and the final decision will be made immediately after the end of the season by a committee.

Criteria for application for the Award are detailed below.

Entry forms will be available from the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board office on 01738 583733 or mobile no 07974 360787.

Savills Malloch Challenge Trophy Entry Details

Criteria

• Entry form: The Malloch Trophy entry form must be duly completed and signed as required and returned to the TDSFB offices as soon as possible and no later that one month after capture (except in the case of a November capture, where the entry form must be returned by 9th December 2010).

• The fish must be caught on a fly and must be returned safely to the water.
Full details including fishing tackle used (rod, reel, line, leader and fly) should be recorded as should the date, place and time of capture.

• Witness/Photograph:The capture must be verified by a minimum of one
independent witness and wherever possible with accompanying
photographic evidence.

• Weight: Ideally the salmon should be carefully weighed in either a weigh-net or with scale and net, the weight of the net being deducted. The weigh-net or scales should be available for independent testing if required. Alternatively Sturdey’s formula will be used to assess the weight of the fish in the event that the fish cannot be weighed.

• Measurement: An accurate measurement of the length (from nose to fork of tail) and girth (around the body just forward of the dorsal fin) should be taken with a tape measure. These measurements must be verified by the independent witness/es

All entries will be considered by the Malloch Challenge Trophy committee. The Malloch Challenge Trophy Committee’s decision in all matters is final and no correspondence will entered into subsequent to the award being made.

The winner for 2010 will be announced after the last salmon fishing rivers close on 30 November, and by 17 December 2010 at the latest.

The winner and their guest will be invited as guests of the TDSFB to receive the Award (which remains the property of the TDSFB) and their prize at the Annual River Tay Conservation & Awards Dinner. (2009 winner Sandy Walker received his award at the River Tay Conservation & Awards Dinner on Friday 11 June 2010 at the Hilton Dunkeld House Hotel)

For ENTRY FORM click here

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