James Perrott - Dartmoor’s Fly Fishing Pioneer

Following on from last week’s musings, I started thinking about other ‘River Heroes’ associated with our beloved river, and who else could be adorned with this worthy title? Well, it didn’t take me long and being a proud Chagfordian, I would be wrong to overlook the mighty James Perrott.

Perrott’s name is synonymous with fly fishing and guiding in Dartmoor, he was much more than just an angler. He was a guide, a countryman, a pioneer ahead of his time, and a true ambassador for the beauty and bounty of the River Teign & Dartmoor. His life, out of necessity, and a deep intertwining with the wild landscape of Dartmoor and its waters, helped shape the legacy of the region’s fly fishing heritage. Today, as the River Teign faces its own challenges, including an alarming decline in Atlantic salmon populations, it is worth reflecting on Perrott’s legacy and what he might have thought of the river today.

James Perrott - 1815-1895

A Life Built on the River

James Perrott was born at Gidleigh Mill and raised a successful guiding business in Chagford. He was born into a wild, rugged landscape that surrounded him. It was here that Perrott would discover a passion for fly fishing on the river Teign, eventually turning this into an opportunity to allow others to see the river through his eyes. The River Teign, which winds its way through the heart of Dartmoor and flows at the bottom of the hill in Chagford, was the focal point of his love for fly fishing.

Chagford Bridge as viewed from the river - Although different today, I’d like to think that this view evoked a similar feeling in James many years ago.

Although back in those days, fly fishing was as much a food gathering exercise as it was a pastime, I’d still like to think that for Perrott, fly fishing was never just about the thrill of the catch - it was about a deeper connection to nature.

He spent decades fishing on the Teign, learning not only the best techniques for catching wild brown trout but also gaining an intimate knowledge of the river’s rhythms, its seasons, and delicate ecosystem. To me, it’s funny that little has changed in this intrinsic link between angling and river conservation over the years. I’m a firm believer that those who fish and are involved with the river should take an active stance in preserving it for future generations.

Perrott’s respect for the environment was evident in his practices. Even in his day, he was one of the first to emphasise conservation, ensuring that fishing on the river was sustainable and responsible despite the number of trout caught and killed back then. He knew that healthy fish populations were inseparable from the overall health of the river itself, and he dedicated much of his life to advocating for both. He was a member of the UTFA (Upper Teign Fishing Association) from its inception and fulfilled the role of their water bailiff. Even then, he focused his efforts on the condition of the river and its banks, whilst also selling Day Permits to visiting anglers that he would often take fishing.

2024 vs 1884 - I like to think that post fishing practices have changed very little once we return from the river!

The River Teign - A place in Dartmoor’s history

In the early years, Dartmoor’s rivers were far from being the well-known fly fishing destinations they are today. Could you imagine what Perrott’s Instagram feed would have looked like had he been one of today’s digital natives!? I reckon he would have been posting all sorts of content celebrating the vibrant wild trout and sea trout fishing we have in abundance here on Dartmoor!

Although local anglers knew too well how their local streams and rivers were performing and fishing, the River Teign’s potential would have been largely overshadowed by more famous fishing rivers in the UK, especially those frequented by the aristocracy.

Sitting here on the banks of the Upper Teign, I’d like to think that it was Perrott, with his passion for the craft and deep love for Dartmoor’s wild landscape, who began to change that bit by bit, customer by customer. Through word of mouth, personal and business connections with other anglers, I believe that Perrott helped put the River Teign - and by extension, Dartmoor - on the map for fly fishing enthusiasts and visiting tourists alike.

He had a tackle shop next to the Ring of Bells in Chagford where he sold fishing tackle and his own tried and tested fly patterns for the Teign. Names such as Blue Grizzle, Red Palmer, Blue Upright and Red Maxwell - With those names, I wonder if he just had a job-lot of Blue and Red feathers and dyes handed to him, and ever being the entrepreneur, just made it work! Having changed career path from a wheelwright, he didn’t lose that skill and would turn old spokes from damaged coach wheels into sections of fishing rods to sell in his store too - talk about industrious!

Perrott’s Tackle Shop highlighted next to the Ring of Bells, Chagford. Next door was Collins’ butcher shop. Now this is Spar!

Like all great fly fishers, I’d like to think that his guiding work on the river was nothing short of legendary. Imagine being able to hear his stories of the ones that got away!?

And, like all the greats, he wouldn’t have just been a guide, I’m sure he was an educator, atuned to his environment and not afraid to pay things forward. His deep knowledge of the river’s seasons, where the good fish hold up, and how to fish for them made him a sought-after guide for anglers from across the country when they visited Devon.

Under his guidance, many anglers would come to see Dartmoor not just as a destination for sport but as a place of profound natural beauty. Imagine growing up in Central London, or any of the industrial cities in the 1850’s and then, within a couple of days’ travel, standing in open countryside looking out over the high moor? It must have been like landing on another planet!

Image of Kestor Rocks c.1893 Photographed by Robert Hole Thorn

What would Perrott think today?

Fast-forward to the present day, and as we know, the Teign catchment faces challenges of its own. Salmon populations, in particular, have suffered a dramatic decline, with the Atlantic Salmon currently classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List, reflecting the critical state of its populations across various habitats. Once abundant in rivers throughout the South West and Devon especially, this species has seen significant declines due to overfishing at sea, habitat degradation, and climate change impacts.

What would James Perrott, a man who dedicated a large portion of his life to the preservation and appreciation of the River Teign, make of this?

There’s no doubt in my mind that he would be deeply saddened by this news and shocked that a species, once so abundant in numbers, could eventually vanish. The potential loss of salmon, a species so integral to the river’s natural and cultural heritage, would resonate deeply for him. It would no doubt feel like a personal loss, a blow to the very cause he worked so tirelessly for and built a business around.

But would Perrott’s response be one of despair or action?

Doing my bit of research in putting this piece together, it was clear that he was as hard as the granite tors that stood beside him. It’s more likely that if something like this happened during his lifetime, he would view the current challenges and situation as a call to arms.

Reading testimonials from past clients, Perrott was not the type to accept the status quo, especially when it came to his beloved Dartmoor. If anything, the decline in Salmon numbers would likely spur him to further advocacy, to push for stronger protections for Dartmoor’s rivers, and to rally the angling community and local authorities to do more for river restoration and the protection of migratory species.

What I would give to have his knowledge and perspectives sit with us today to help shape the future.

I think Perrott would probably be quite outspoken in his belief that anglers, whether seasoned veterans or newcomers, need to play an active role. He would advocate for a return to the principles he lived by and built a business around - Responsible fishing, habitat restoration, and a deep, unwavering respect for the natural world.

It’s not too late to reverse the decline of fish numbers, he might say, but it requires concerted effort, investment, and the commitment of all who love the river and its fish.

A Legacy of Stewardship & Passion

James Perrott’s legacy is not only one of fly fishing but also one of stewardship, passion, and a deep respect for the land where he called home. If ever a person’s legacy can be measured, then James Perrott’s obituary provides a wonderful yardstick. While the decline of Atlantic Salmon in the River Teign is a sad reality, it is not one that should overshadow Perrott’s lifelong approach to the countryside. That we all have a shared responsibility to care for our rivers and the ecosystems they sustain.

In his lifetime, Perrott saw the river’s potential and shaped a life for his family from it. Today, as the Teign faces new challenges, his words would likely be a reminder that there is still hope and that it is up to each of us to ensure that future generations can enjoy the same wild beauty that he must have cherished so deeply.

James Perrott’s grave at St Michael's Church, Chagford

In honouring James Perrott, we pay tribute to a remarkable individual whose unwavering dedication to Dartmoor, the River Teign and the Chagford community has left an indelible mark.

To celebrate his legacy, I have placed a flybox at his grave, inviting those who fish our cherished river to leave a fly within. This gesture symbolises not only a personal tribute but a collective acknowledgment of a true river hero, ensuring that James's spirit continues to inspire future generations of anglers and conservationists alike.

Let us come together to give back to the river that he loved so dearly.