A cast of thousands

miasma of sand and sediment that loosely passes for my brain, that there

is a revolution going on. Towards the back of the aforesaid mags are the

familiar advertisements for fishing and fishing holidays in Scotland as

well as the rest of the UK. But a new phenomenon is gradually intruding

as I see destinations world-wide being advertised, catering to every

whim and vagary the angler might desire.

There are traditional destinations such as Norway and Iceland. British

anglers have been visiting Norway since the middle of last century --

the mighty rivers thundering down to the fiords being home to some very

large salmon. Nowadays you can try the river Aa, where June salmon

average around 19lb, with the best usually more than 40lb and the July

salmon, averaging 11lb, come with grilse and sea trout. All fly fishing,

a lodge where the food is unashamedly outstanding and all drinks

included (except spirits) will cost more than #3000 per rod per week.

The river Stjordal at prime time, including full board, car hire and

gillie, costs just a little more than half that -- around #1550.

Fishing in Iceland falls into similar price ranges. The Ranga river,

known for its stable water levels (intimating that many other rivers are

not), offers fly and spinning for salmon, sea trout, and Arctic char

with the bonus of brown trout up to 15lb. To cover the weekly cost,

write a cheque for #1700.

I knew about Iceland and Norway and had been saving for years for my

dream trip to Alaska with the five species of Pacific salmon,

magnificent wild rainbows, and grayling. That was about the extent of my

awareness of world fishing, until I paid closer attention.

The Kola peninsula in the north of Russia is the latest wilderness

opening up for the game angler. Roughly the size of Scotland and lying

inside the Arctic Circle, the Kola embodies the features that make for

fine salmon fishing. Tundra with peat bog and pine and birch forest, and

as yet without forestry, drainage, or agricultural schemes to degrade

the rivers, water quality is high, the season shorter than ours but more

prolific.

Fishing is fly only, single barbless hooks being the rule -- a rule

firmly enforced. One angler last year was fishing a double hook without

the barbs flattened which caught in his finger and he was taken by

helicopter to hospital to have it removed. The hospital reported the

facts to the fishing authorities and the owners of the camp were fined

$1000 and the angler declared persona non grata. They know how to look

after this valuable sport. A week at the peak of their season is not

cheap at around #3000, but think of the thrill of flying to Moscow and

Murmansk and being helicoptered daily to the best beats. Worth saving up

for.

As are the Falkland Islands, striking in their similarity to South

Uist in terrain, with magnificent sea trout for the fly fisher. Or

Argentina, with fishing in Patagonia on the Rio Grande for brown trout

up to 25lb.

I know I will never visit most of these destinations, but I also know

it is daily being made easier for me and any other inquisitive angler to

pick one exotic location and blow the hard-earned fishing fund on a trip

of a lifetime. I've been lucky enough to fish here and there abroad over

the last few years and have enjoyed taking a yellow-fin tuna off

Mauritius on the fly rod, a 120lb tarpon from shallow water during a

thunderstorm off Islamorada in the Florida Keys, and a 38lb Chinook

salmon from the Alagnak river in Alaska.

But these experiences have only served to reinforce the joys to be had

in Scotland. You need foreign travel to sharpen your awareness of what

you have at home. I wouldn't relinquish the joy of March on Helmsdale,

sea trout at night on the South Esk, or autumn on Tay or Tweed for

anything. And don't forget, these Scottish delights advertised in

fishing magazines all over the world will sound just as exotic to

anglers from abroad.