[Pop up picture] The tying of flies has a long and honourable history among River Ness anglers. Top exponents range from John Reidpath, the inventor of the first of the modern hair wing flies, the Hairy Mary, to John Cathcart and his Black Shrimp, the top designs and exacting tying of Mike Campbell and Peter Easton, and the current new take on tubes by Lawrence Deans. This writer fondly remembers the enthusiasm and skills stimulated by former Inverness Angling Club president Charlie ‘Scout’ Mackenzie in leading tying and rod building classes as part of the further education syllabus of Inverness High School.

So it’s good to know that the tradition is being maintained. John Sinclair, whose NessC has become a particularly popular and successful fly on many salmon rivers, currently leads a Thursday evening tying class in community premises off Torvean Avenue, with the proceeds helping to defray the costs of Christmas and Easter treats for local young people. All tyers, novice or experienced, young and not so young, are welcome and are guaranteed worthwhile tips on the tying of flies for salmon and trout.