Some of the world’s top “Speycasters” will be reeled into Inverness next week to pay homage to one of the sport’s greats.
Alexander Grant, the “Wizard of the Ness,” set the first world record – in 1895 – for a special technique used by salmon anglers.
His followers are preparing for a memorial casting competition in his honour.
The event is being staged 120 years after he cast a staggering 65 yards on the General’s Well Pool of the River Ness.
His record stood for 110 years until broken by three times world Speycasting champion Scott Mackenzie of Inverness with a cast of 68 yards.
The competition is at the Bught Park on Friday and Saturday as part of the inaugural Scotland’s Salmon Festival, organised by Inverness Angling Club in association with Scott Mackenzie and Mackenzie Flyfishing.
Club secretary Alan Scott said: “Grant was years ahead of his time, hand-crafting innovative salmon rods from his tackle shop in Inverness. Today’s anglers often wonder what he could have achieved with modern carbon rods and scientifically designed lines.
“We hope the competition will be a fitting tribute to a man who helped Speycasting, born on the River Spey, to grow up on the River Ness.”
The event has attracted talent from across the world including leading American Donna O’Sullivan from San Francisco and Borders angling instructor Ally Bremner, the current Scottish Open ladies champion and ladies UK salmon distance champion.
Among the favourites for the overall title are Glasgow firefighter Andrew Toft, a former world champion, and former Country Land and Business Association casting champion James Chalmers.
Two young Scottish anglers, Billy Murdoch, 17, from Inverness and Blane Lyon, 14, from Ayrshire aim to demonstrate that youth interest in the sport is alive and well.