The Morison Trophy
About the Trophy…..On the 21st October 1924 a remarkable event took place on the river Deveron when Mrs ‘Tiny’ Morison established the record for the largest United Kingdom fly caught Salmon landing a fish weighing 61lb. In 2008 the Morison family together with the Deveron, Bogie, Isla Rivers Trust decided to design a memorial trophy to be awarded annually for the largest rod caught fish from the river Deveron, that is returned and witnessed. The Trophy is made of silver and black marble and is thought to be the most valuable game angling award in Britain (value undisclosed).
Who made it…? George Tarratt Ltd., of Leicester were commissioned to make the trophy, which resulted in this outstanding chased silver model of a Leaping Salmon upon a Black Belgium Limestone plinth, to which are applied silver plates engraved with details of the original event, the gift of the trophy by the Morison family and their crests.
Description: The solid silver cast model stands some 9 -10 ins in height and depicts a finely detailed Salmon in the act of leaping from a dark pool, which is set upon a worked silver ‘wave’ of disturbed water so that the Salmon is fully airborne! The idea of the shady pool is suggested by the black limestone plinth upon which the Salmon is mounted.
Design: The original model of the Salmon was created by Wakely & Wheeler of London, who modelled it in wax prior to casting and then detailed chasing was applied to ensure the model was accurate. The final result was achieved after collaboration between Mr Robert Shields DL for the Deveron, Bogie, Isla Rivers Trust and Mr Christopher Tarratt of George Tarratt Ltd. A combination of the ideas of the sportsman and those of the silversmith!
Recognition: This outstanding trophy which evokes the magic of a large Leaping Salmon in all its glory is a fitting memorial to a very special day in the history of the sport of fly fishing for Salmon. The trophy has been kindly donated by AG Morison of Mountblairy and Bognie Estates.
The trophy has been donated to mark the 10th anniversary of the Deveron, Bogie and Isla Rivers Charitable Trust, in recognition of all the successful work that the trust has carried out.
