One Heckuva Trip!

We'll have a more detailed account next week when our long-range expert Richard Birnbaum returns, but in the meantime, here's where a picture is worth more than a thousand words!

Each day's fishing reports from our 2011 Shogun Trip can be found here.

Carlo's UK Adventure - Spey, Izaak Walton & The River Test

Fly Department manager Carlo Bongio and his wife Lynn just returned from a three week trip to the UK, focusing on the Highland Rivers of Scotland using mostly spey techniques. Some highlight photos from his trip appear here, but there were a couple of days which were particularly special.



Starting out on the River Test, Carlo landed and released a number of gorgeous Brown trout - here he shows one of "average" size.


And, of course, it's always proper to land a fish with a reel that came from the same area. (One of Carlo's Hardy reels).



During one of the non-fishing days, they traveled to Winchester Cathedral, which is the final resting place of Izaak Walton (which is spelled Isaac Walton on his marker). The stained glass above is from the Fisherman's Chapel within the Cathedral.

After a stop to help a local innkeeper pick some gorgeous chantrelle mushrooms, Carlo and Lynn enjoyed their best days under the guidance of Ian Neale (speycaster.net) who accompanied them on the River Findhorn. (Ian graciously took the time to write up the day on his "Fishing News" page - search for September 21st to find the beginning of the report.) Below, Ian and Carlo proudly show off the first Atlantic Salmon of the day, caught and released from the "Ladies' Pool".



Moving next to the "Maharajah Pool", Carlo continued to work his spey magic, and landed a beautiful fish.



If you would like to hear more about Carlo's trip or the techniques used to catch these fish, drop by the shop - Carlo is available Monday through Friday and would be happy to talk with you.

Photo Album for Carlo's UK Trip

Both Carlo and Lynn were highly complimentary of the guiding services from Ian Neale. If you are interested in finding more information about him, please visit Speycaster.net -

About Ian Neale:
Ian Neale is an expert salmon fisher, casting tutor, writer, photographer, and fishing guide. Ian is a passionate angler, who cares for his quarry and its fragile environment.

Ian has been working professionally as a guide and casting instructor since 1980 when he owned his own fishing lodge on the West coast of Scotland on the Isle Of Mull. Ian has extensive knowledge of all aspects of salmon, sea trout and trout fishing, from the smaller spate rivers and lochs of the West Coast to the larger flowing rivers of the East of Scotland where he has organised annual fishing parties on the River Dee, River Findhorn, and River Spey.