Malloch Trophy
Entries to this years Malloch Challenge Trophy close on 31st December 2024
Awarded by the Tay Rivers Trust, the Malloch Challenge Trophy is Scotland’s most prestigious award for salmon fishing.
Atlantic salmon over 20lbs may be contenders for the trophy and all fish to be considered for the award must have been caught on the fly in Scotland and safely returned in order to qualify. Whilst the size of the fish is an important factor, other considerations such as condition, handling and the overall catching experience are taken into account.
Tell a good story (well, talking about anglers here… ) when filling in the form, where it asks for any other interesting anecdotes/facts!
All entries will be considered by the Malloch Challenge Trophy committee.
Criteria for application for the Award and Entry Forms are detailed below.
History of The Malloch Challenge Trophy
The 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 Malloch Challenge Trophy was first awarded in 1972 to the captor of the largest salmon in Scotland on the fly. The first award was won by a 43lb fish caught on the River Tweed by Lady Burnett and was awarded for 28 consecutive years until 1999 when a 33lb fish caught on the Spey won the trophy for Mr J Montupet. During this time the winning fish came from a variety of rivers including the Dee, Spey, Tweed, Tay and Naver. Two ladies apart from Lady Burnett have been winners of the trophy with fish from the Tweed (33lbs) and the Spey (35lbs).
From 1999 the trophy remained locked in a cupboard and was lost to the salmon fishing world until the Tay Foundation acquired it with the aim of relaunching it as an award for the largest salmon caught and released in Scotland on a fly.
In 2009 property specialists Savills entered into a partnership with the Tay Foundation to revive what was the most keenly contested angling award in Scotland for the best part of thirty years. Over the next few years, it regained its former position as ‘the’ coveted award for any river, ghillie and rod to win.
In 2014 FishPal became the sponsors of the trophy. During their time they introduced a Junior Malloch Competiton.
Since 2019, the Tay Rivers Trust has continued to award the trophy. If you would like to find out more about becoming a sponsor, supporter of the trophy please email admin@tdsfb.org
Malloch Trophy Entry Criteria
- Entry Form: The Malloch Trophy Entry Form must be duly completed and signed as required and returned to the Malloch Secretary by email mallochtrophy@tayrivers.org no later than 31st December 2024.
- The fish must be a bone fide wild Atlantic Salmon; must be caught on recognised artificial fly tackle and artificial fly in an approved manner; and must then 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.
- The Malloch Challenge Trophy Committee is made up of representatives from the regions in Scotland. The Committee’s decision in all matters is final and no correspondence will entered into subsequent to the award winner being announced.
- The winner and guests will be invited to a presentation ceremony.