21.5lb salmon caught on the fly | Dochfour | salmon fishing Scotland 2022 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

That's a proper fish.
As each new salmon fishing season begins, there is always the anticipation of hooking and landing a leviathan, a fish of a lifetime. Stories persist of exceptionally large salmon that continue to run the Ness system; what catches my interest in these stories is that they are told, not by fantasy filled anglers who talk of the one that got away, but by far more credible sources.
On a day early in the 2022 season, an angler battled for 45 minutes to land a stonker of a salmon on the upper Ness system. That fish was assessed and recorded by NDSFB staff as weighing in at 32.5lb before it was released. Interestingly, there was another salmon observed holding station in the vicinity that was considerably bigger than the fish that had just been landed.
The largest fish that made it into my net in season 2022 weighed in at 25lb. Several much larger fish that were hooked on the fly unfortunately came off; one such fish was played for around 8 minutes and 30 seconds, kindly showing itself just prior to spitting the fly. It looked every ounce of 40+lb to me, a bar of silver in the height of the summer run, the power and pace that it demonstrated was simply outstanding. Definitely a fish that I'll never forget.
So, we made it through into September and along comes visiting angler Steven, accompanied by his friend John. They told a very common story; the river they were booked onto had next to no water in it, and they suddenly realised that the Ness had plenty cool clean water. They booked their day and the rest, as they say, is history. Steven's fish was the largest fly caught fish that I netted in season 2022 and you can tell from Steven's response that he never fully appreciated just how big the fish was, until it was in the net.
Unfortunately I forgot to photograph Steven's fly after we had recovered it from the mouth of the fish. The fly, a #8 double, was completely destroyed. Hooked in the left side of its lower jaw, the fish was able to crunch down onto the fly and almost broke the fly apart. Although squashed flat, thankfully, it retained its hold on the fish.
Hopefully season 2023 will be as kind to us as season 2022 was and perhaps, just perhaps, the fish Gods will allow us to land one of the many specimen salmon that travel though the Scottish Highland River Ness, each and every year. One thing is for sure, as long as your fly is in the cold clear water of the Ness, you have a chance. Happy days ;)
#salmon #flyfishing #scotland #lochness

[@jimmunro8069]

Fantastic fish-an absolute shark! I was fishing the beat that day and still remember how delighted Steven was. A great fish, landed with your excellent support.🎣🎣

[@CameronChapman]

Hi Jim, many thanks for your kind words, much appreciated. I think you had a fish out of Coulbuie earlier that day. Happy memories indeed, tight lines for the season ahead 🎣🎣🎣.

[@harleyhillgang]

Well done Cameron! Love the release and underwater vid! Cheers, from Canada-Mike

[@CameronChapman]

Many thanks for your kind words Mike, they’re very much appreciated.

[@AndrewMcGall]

Great fish and fight Cameron.. and Ghillie did well too, well done 👏😄🎣👍

[@CameronChapman]

Much appreciated Andrew, definitely relieved to see that one fitting into the net 😅 Tight lines for the coming season 🙏🏼❤️🎣👍🏼

[@clarkson7777]

Now that's what I call a salmon. What a fish!! A very pronounced pointed head. He looks like he is ready for spawning. And easily netted when they are played out. It came straight to the gillie as if it was attracted too you, which it is totally opposite to what it should have done. You must be getting a bit more handsome lately. Well done you, and the angler for catching it.

[@CameronChapman]

Couldn’t agree more, an absolute stonker of a fish Brian. If you try to bully a fish that size toward the net, there’s only ever one outcome and it’s not a positive one! It doesn’t look like it but there’s a strong flow of water which we used to bring the fish over the net. It was either that or my new deodorant that attracted it to the net, definitely not my good looks. Very special moment to land a fish that size, especially with it being the angler’s first from the Ness. 🙏🏼❤️👍🏼

[@shirleywright2117]

What a beauty. Cracking fish - congratulations guys. 🎣🐟🎣

[@CameronChapman]

Many thanks Shirley 🙏🏼❤️👍🏼

[@user-zu9qw3dj2c]

THASS NAUWT AGRILLLSSS….nope homie indeed it is not. Beautiful Salar. Excellent work between both of you. I see people loose big Salmo every year and it’s 97 percent attributable to lack of patience, you have to concentrate on your breathing and slowing down your reaction time. Get in the flow state and really be present. Big Love from New Hampshire.

[@CameronChapman]

Thank you very much for your kind words Casey, I really appreciate them. I couldn’t agree more with your sound advice about patience and being present. Best wishes from the Highlands of Scotland.

[@jpsflyfishing]

What a fish!! Well done both of you

[@CameronChapman]

Many thanks for your kind words, much appreciated 🙏🏼❤️👍🏼

[@spate.flyfishing]

What a fish! 🤯

[@CameronChapman]

Couldn’t agree more ❤️

[@frankfitzpatrick5168]

That was one beast of a Salmon. Proper indeed! You were fantastic at coaching the fisherman. I would have peed in my waders!

[@CameronChapman]

Cheers for that Frank, I definitely laughed out loud 🙏🏼❤️🤣👍🏼

[@Madmicksoutdooractivities]

Fantastic this. Just subbed

[@CameronChapman]

Delighted to hear that you enjoyed this. Hope you enjoy future vids.

[@oldsmugglerflyfishing]

Scotland is a beautiful place! With excellent fishing.

[@CameronChapman]

Thank you very much for your kind comment, we are indeed very lucky to be living and fishing in Scotland.

[@kylelamb1314]

How would one enquire about fishing these stretches?

[@CameronChapman]

All availability is found and sold on the Fishpal website; www.fishpal.com/Scotland/Ness/Dochfour/ I hope that helps you Kyle.

[@kylelamb1314]

@Cameron Chapman thank you so much. Still yet to catch a salmon. I'm 33, still have my house of Hardy double hander with my magnum 200d reel from my 12th birthday which is yet to have one on. Looking at a cottage for October time. This beautiful river needs a visit

[@CameronChapman]

@@kylelamb1314 You’ve got all the gear required, just need to get a fly in the water!

[@stevendora1424]

A very memorable day for a lucky angler 😉 thanks Cameron🫡 ! Very much looking forward to returning to Dochfour 😊

[@CameronChapman]

Definitely a fish that neither of us will ever forget Steven. I still can’t believe that I forgot to take a photograph of your fly after we unhooked it. It’s always interesting for other anglers to see the fly that caught the fish and on this occasion, seeing how the fish had crushed the fly would definitely have been a talking point. Tight lines for the season ahead, hopefully we’ll see you back at Dochfour 🎣🎣🎣

[@stevendora1424]

@@CameronChapman I still have the mangled fly somewhere, will send you a pic 🙂