37lb salmon nets Adrian Gotzheim fishing’s most prestigious prize.
The safe catch and release of a 37lb salmon has been recognised with one of the greatest prizes in fly-fishing on the River Tweed.
The Bemersyde trophy was awarded to Adrian Gotzeim at a luncheon at Bemersyde House on Thursday 22nd September.
Gotzheim, from Cublington, Bedfordshire, was fishing Traquair beat on his annual Autumn Tweed trip. During the three days he caught seven fish, including a 30lber and the Bemersyde Trophy winning fish of 37lb caught on 19 October 2021.
Casting a 14 foot Loop rod the fish took a gold cone head cascade piglet tube fly at 5.30pm and took over an hour to land. In the darkness they realised the net was too small and so the fish was landed by hand. A photograph was quickly taken and the fish went back well.
Adrian said “I’ve fished Traquair beat since 2010 and this is my best year to date. During the last few years this stretch of water has been getting better and better.”
Winner of the junior trophy was Sam Taylor (17) from Doncaster. He was fishing Fairnilee beat and using a 15 Hardy Demon rod borrowed from his father. He caught his first fly caught salmon on a Junction Shrimp tube fly and lost another two.
Countess Haig, hosted the event and said: “More people have come to understand the numerous benefits of the sport of fishing and its role in sustainable tourism; this is what has happened at Bemersyde for hundreds of years. People who come to fish here walk in the same steps as the Roman Centurions who came to Bemersyde because it was the first point at which they could cross the Tweed. They would recognise the river as it is today; it is at the heart of everything that we do here.
Photographs
Chairman of the Tweed Foundation Peter Straker-Smith presents the trophy to Adrian Gotzheim
Adrian Gotzheim with his 37lb fish
Gold Cone Head Cascade Piglet tube fly
Sam Taylor with his winning fish
NOTES TO EDITORS
HISTORY OF THE BEMERSYDE TROPHY
The Bemersyde Trophy grew out of Lord and Lady Haig’s wish to promote fishing on the River Tweed. The annual fishing lunch and presentation have become a staple of the Bemersyde calendar and we are very grateful for your attendance today.
The Bemersyde Trophy was first awarded in 2012 to Jim Reid, whose fish, caught on the Bemersyde Beat, was estimated to weigh up to 50lbs. The catch – testament to Jim Reid and ghillie Ian Farr’s skills – caused great excitement and news of the catch travelling around the world.
A Junior trophy was introduced in 2015 which has also been won by remarkable young people with some very noteworthy catches.
| Previous Bemersyde Trophy Winners | |||
| Adut | lbs | Beat | |
| 2012 | Jim Reid | Est 50 | Bemersyde |
| 2013 | Shamus Jennings | Est 50 | Boleside |
| 2014 | Wayne Lomgstaff | 33 | Hendersyde |
| 2015 | Finlay Wilson | 24 | Lower Floors |
| 2016 | Janice Hogarth | 35 | Upper Caberston |
| 2017 | John Rodgers | 33 | Caberston |
| 2018 | Craig Duncan | 26 | Teviot |
| 2019 | Jonathon Murrray | 34 | Fairnilee |
| 2020 | Andy Britton | 32 | Tweedmill |
2021 Adrian Gotzheim 37 Traquair
| Junior | lbs | Beat | |
| 2015 | Jess England | 15 | Hendersyde |
| 2016 | Andrew Kitchingham | 12 | Hendersyde |
| 2017 | Debbie Harris | 10 | Lower Birgham |
| 2018 | Harry Gotzheim | 20 | Traquair |
| 2019 | Samuel Ackroyd | 17 | Bemersyde |
| 2020 | Harry Brownlow | 16 | Teviot |
| 2021 | Sam Taylor | 8 | Fairnilee |
For more information please contact: The Estate Office 01968 678465 Website www.bemersydeestate.com ; Facebook Bemersyde Fishing ; FishPal Bemersyde
Ends
