The Charles Farlow Trophy

Launched in 2017, the trophy is awarded to the largest fly-caught salmon from England or Wales each season. The first two years have been won with fish caught from the Wye.

The Usk is also known for producing some very big salmon. Fish either river this season and you are in with a chance of winning this prestigious award!

Every year the Charles Farlow Trophy is awarded to the largest fly-caught salmon from England or Wales.

Named after Charles Farlow who, together with his brother John King Farlow, established Farlows in 1840, the trophy is a specially commissioned stained glass panel of an Atlantic salmon, created for the competition by renowned stained glass artist Sophie D’Souza.

The stained glass panel remains on permanent display at Farlows iconic Pall Mall store, with the name of the captor, the weight of the fish and the river from which it was caught engraved upon the base. The annual winner also receives a certificate, a £500 Farlows gift voucher and a uniquely engraved ‘Goliath’ bottle of gin from Foxdenton Estate.

In 2017, the inaugral year, the trophy was won by Terry Ward, a regular angler on the Wye, for a 35lb fish he caught at Whitney Court.

Last year's winner was Thomas Chamberlain of Brecon, who landed a 28lb cock fish from the Spreadeagle beat of the River Wye on 22nd April. The fish was hooked in a clearing river on a home-tied tungsten Black Francis tube and landed 100m downstream. Its length was measured at 41.5in with a girth of 23in before being released. In addition to having his name on the trophy, Thomas will also receive a specially-engraved ‘Goliath’ bottle of Foxdenton Estate gin and a £500 Farlows or Sportfish voucher.

If you catch a big salmon anywhere in England and Wales why not enter it into the competition? Details of how to do so can be found on the Farlows website.

Good luck!