Real Farm Holidays
Salmon School
Voted Best Salmon School in the UK! *
After 6 years of very successful Salmon Schools, hosted by Anthony Steel of Kirkwood & Mark Bowler of Fly Fishing & Fly Tying Magazine & expert guidance from Glyn Freeman,
for 2012 we offer 4 versions of this fantastic fishing experience:
Our normal 4 Day School: 4 – 8 November 2012. £890 Salmon School Brochure
Our normal 3 Day School: 8 – 11 November 2012. £690 Salmon School Brochure
Novices 4 day school: 7 – 11 October 2012. £890 Novices Salmon School Brochure
Ladies 3 day school: 11 -14 October 2012. £690 Ladies Salmon School Brochure
All Salmon Schools
October and November are the best months for salmon fishing on the River Annan and you will be fishing on two top-class beats, Kirkwood and Jardine Hall. On each beat you will be accompanied by experienced anglers and instructors for casting tuition. You will mainly fish hard and learn by experience but there will be talks and tuition sessions as well. The spey casting tuition from Glyn Freeman is second to none.
Based at Kirkwood, your accommodation will be in one of our holiday cottages situated in the Stables Courtyard. You will have your own bedroom but will share a cottage with a fellow “student”. All meals, breakfast, packed lunch and evening meal (lots of Real Farm Meat!) are included in the price, as is the fishing, accommodation, guidance and tuition.
* Feedback from 2010 & 2011 Salmon Schools (average of 24 people replying anonymously):
“Value for money of school overall” – we scored 9.0 out of 10!
“Learning Benefit of the school overall” – we scored 9.2 out of 10!
“Enjoyment of the school overall” – we scored 9.4 out of 10!
Book Now!
Phone 01576 510 200 or email AS@SalmonSchool.co.uk
See bottom of page for terms and conditions.
Novices 4 day Salmon School 7 – 11 October £890
Our normal schools (see below) are aimed at those who have experience in fly fishing, however, brand new to 2012 and first up on the calendar is our Novices Salmon School. This school is especially for beginners and has focused tuition with no less than 1 instructor to 3 participants.
You will learn how to tackle up, cast, tie flies, wade with health and safety in mind as well as the basics of fishing, and a lot about the king of fish, the salmon.
There is no better place to learn how to salmon fish from scratch, surrounded by experts and with access to 2 different beats, you will leave the school with a good knowledge and varied experience which allows you to enjoy salmon fishing on your own.
For more details see our Novices Salmon School Brochure
Ladies Only Salmon School 11 – 14 October 2012 £690
Brand new to 2012 we are introducing the Ladies Only School! In addition to Salmon School hosts, Anthony and Mark, the Ladies Only School will be co-hosted by Fiona Armstrong, journalist, broadcaster (BBC News, ITN, GMTV), and keen angler.
In her report for the Telegraph April 2012 Fiona wrote, “Fishing is traditionally a man’s world, but statistics show some of the most phenomenal catches have been by women…Let’s face it girls, we’re naturals.” We think she has a point and want to encourage more ladies to fish and to fish well with expert tuition, guidance and shared experience on the school.
As well as Glyn Freeman (AAPGAI), we also have another brilliant instructor, Sue MacNiven (AAPGAI) who is at present the only lady in the UK qualified at advanced level to teach salmon spey casting with double handed rods, so you will be in very good and impressive hands!
You will learn to tackle up, cast, wade with health and safety in mind, tie flies, as well as the basics of fishing, and a lot about the king of fish, the salmon. We will also have culinary demonstrations (fish smoking and cooking) hopefully with fish caught on the school! Massages are an optional extra for the ladies only school, for those who want a bit of pampering as well as experiencing some fantastic fishing!
For more details see our Ladies Salmon School Brochure
Our Normal Salmon Schools
4 day 4 – 8 November 2012 £890
3 day 8 – 11 November 2012 £690
November is one of the best times of the year for salmon on the River Annan and if you want to learn and improve spey casting while standing a good chance of catching a salmon with expert guidance on techniques and water craft, then this school is the one for you.
For this school, we don’t encourage fly fishing novices (for beginners see Novices School above), but there’s no need for previous salmon fishing experience. This school ideally suits anglers who have caught trout on flies, but possibly never salmon.
An excellent experience and a must for anyone wanting to improve their fishing and up their game on the river.
For more details see our Salmon School Brochure 2012
Read the 2011 Salmon School Write Up from Fly Fishing & Fly Tying Magazine’s Hugo Fairclough.
Some extra insight into what can be expected on one of our salmon schools can be found in Mark’s 2010 write up in Fly Fishing & Fly Tying Magazine
Sadly, we must remind you that weather is a major factor in fishing and if faced with poor weather conditions we may have to change how we fish or the location. In very high water spinning and worming is possible and permitted. It is unlikely that we would not be able to fish at all, but it is possible. If so, we would have extra tuition and talks and organise more fly tying sessions etc. Once booked and paid for no refunds are given under any circumstances and we recommend that you purchase a suitable holiday insurance policy to cover you for any unseen eventualities.