This carved and painted wooden salmon trophy is attributed to John Tully (1862-1931), the celebrated fish carver of Fochabers, Scotland. The salmon was caught on February 7, 1927, by Lt. Colonel R. B. Charteris, second son of the Earl of Wemyss, in the Glasheen Pool, Neddins, Ardfinnan, on the River Suir.
In 1973, the carving was identified as a Tully work by Col. Charteris' former gamekeeper, who had personal knowledge of the Colonel's fishing habits. Charteris frequently visited Scotland to fish the River Spey, the location of Tully's workshop, and is believed to have commissioned the piece directly or through estate connections.
This ensemble offers a rare and remarkably complete record of a historic catch. With its original rod, reel, fly, and a Tully-attributed carving, the piece stands as an exceptional example of British sporting art and Irish angling heritage, backed by aristocratic provenance and oral confirmation.
Unique original features include:
The original fly used to catch the salmon is preserved and displayed inside the glazed case.
The reel is a Hardy Bros. Silex No. 2, manufactured between 1911 and 1922.
The original Hardy Bros Greenheart rod, bearing serial number 46034 and manufactured in 1901 in Alnwick, is mounted beneath the case. What may appear to be a broken section is actually a deliberate modification commonly made by fishermen of the time to allow greater thumb control over the line.
The preservation of the full tackle used with the carving is exceedingly rare and significantly enhances its historic and collector value.
