INSPIRATION
12 Rob Hardy explores the Crathes Castle beat on Royal Deeside
28 Wild trout of outstanding quality and beauty draw Finlay Wilson to Loch Borralaidh
40 England international Simon Kidd’s memorable fishing items
42 Don Stazicker discovers a club with extensive fishing on some of the best waters in the North of England
54 Seven top dry-fly lessons from river specialist Paul Procter
70 Jim Coates in conversation with gifted artist and fly-dresser Gary Weir
94 Loch Glow bailiff Gerry McGirr shares his love for this moody reservoir in the Cleish Hills
COMMENT
3 Editor’s welcome
22 A season in the North Country with Matt Eastham
24 Letters to the editor
37 Trout Talk with Simon Cooper
39 Dani Morey’s View from the hut
130 Last Cast goes to Giles Catchpole
THE KNOWLEDGE
79 Quick fix: fly-line loading point
80 Waterside wisdom from our team of expert fly-fishers
84 Rob Denson looks at tail materials
86 Andrew Ryan shares his strategies for streamer fishing
91 Simon Sinclair on spring salmon
92 Tie a March Brown Spider
TACKLE & FLY-TYING
52 Author John Roberts chooses three flies for trout and grayling
62 Scandi-style trout patterns from Swedish tyer Håkan Karsnäser
104 New season tackle reviewed
108 The latest fly-tying products
REGULARS
8 First Cast
10 Gallery with Sharpe’s of Aberdeen
109 Fishing reports and news
124 Troutmasters badge winners
126 Reader offer: half-price Greys rod
127 Crossword competition