The prestigious Malloch Trophy, the pinnacle of Scottish salmon angling, has been awarded to the late John Craig, a long-standing partner at Sanderson Weatherall, in recognition of an exceptional catch.

The start of the new salmon fishing season saw the award of the Malloch Trophy for the best salmon caught in Scotland on a rod and line and with an artificial fly.  It was awarded posthumously to John for the capture and safe release of a fantastic fish of 31Ibs at the Junction Pool of the Junction Beat of the River Tweed at Kelso with the assistance of ghillie Gavin Brown. The trophy was formally presented last month to John’s widow, Melanie, and daughter, Lucy, following the committee’s official announcement in January 2026.

Before his passing in April 2025, John was a figure of significant standing in the North East commercial property sector. As a veteran shareholding partner at Sanderson Weatherall, based in the firm’s Newcastle office, he was widely respected for his technical expertise and his commitment to  the North East business community.

David Downing, a colleague of John’s and Partner in our North East team said:

“To have John’s name etched onto the Malloch Trophy is a profound tribute to his skill with the rod. While the occasion is bittersweet due to his passing, John was a wonderful character and is much missed.  He had a terrific enthusiasm in all he did and was a superb business partner, professional, colleague, mentor and a without doubt, a demon with the rod and fly! His passing was so sad, but this momentous event gives us something positive by which to remember him.”