Until 31 May only one salmon per week is allowed here, and quite right too. Let it not be said that the life of a fishing correspondent is easy. Cornhill is a long beat with lots of pools of varying speeds, thus making for interesting fishing. Thus I fished during the day and drank whisky at night by a peat fire. If I could fish no other salmon river but the Carron I would not fret. The Carron is a peaty river, so as she laps against the banks her waters look like black coffee The air here is pure and frisks the lungs, even in July. I was staying at Glenmorangie House (a recently opened country house that, as its name suggests, belongs to the distillers) and it was on the Cornhill beat that my salmon fishing for two days had been procured.

They are always more powerful than I remember; with a raw and awesome beauty that, you fancy, the river saves just for you. The Carron lies in the highlands of Scotland, very, very far north. It is perhaps the most beautiful salmon river I have ever fished. Unlike some Scottish rivers that - like faded starlets - live on past glories, the Carron has no particular reputation to uphold It is not up there with the Tweed, Tay or Spey And yet she is a magical river. Canterbury expect to be at full strength with David Hacker making the long trip from Millfield School.Hounslow have brought their foreign quota up to strength with the arrival of the Pakistan international Zahid Sharif, who will be in their squad at Beeston. Hounslow will be without Kulraj Liddar, who injured his back against Guildford last week, and Andy Whalley who had a hernia operation during the week.. THE FIRST sight of a particularly good salmon river always makes me catch my breath.

With two Australians and one South African already registered it will be necessary for them to de-register one player to keep within the rules of no more than three non-EU foreign players.On maximum points, Southgate entertain Old Loughtonians tomorrow but will be without the midfielder Danny Kerry who is absent on coaching duties with the England Under-18 squad.Cannock will be without their 19-year-old international Mike Johnson, who has a hamstring injury, for their visit to Canterbury tomorrow The Welsh international Gareth Terrett comes into the squad. And it was for this very reason that during the summer clubs opposed the proposal to provide both European entries from the League. They might change their mind if drawn against Cannock in their first game. But, in any case, once the smell of Europe gets a bit closer I feel sure they will change their policy."Southgate could have another difficult hurdle to jump if they go ahead with their intention of signing Kwan Browne, the exciting captain of Trinidad and Tobago.

A club spokesman commented yesterday: "Unless we do this, it will be impossible to give our large 30 man first-team squad match experience." Unlike football, there is no requirement to field the strongest side available. Hounslow's manager, Paul King, expressed his disappointment at Southgate's decision "It is devaluing the competition. So much so that the club have decided to field their reserve squad in this year's EHA Cup competition. With a place in Europe at stake for the winners this is a somewhat surprising move. SOUTHGATE'S RECENT recruitment policy, no doubt aided by their splendid new facilities and the announcement that a regional hockey academy is to be established at the club, has provided an embarrassment of players. Chester's rookie coach, Robbie Peers, has seen his debut season wrecked by injuries and departures: Andrew Mavis broke his foot, then replacement Shawn Swords stayed just one week and, last week, Titus Channer returned to Canada.Peers, who took over from Mike Burton in the summer, has been desperate to find more replacements: "We have a tremendous amount of work to do to gel this team, but I'm relieved to have some experience in depth on our bench now."Another rookie coach, Milton Keynes' Andre Alleyne, has secured the signature of American Tony Windless, the former London Towers and Derby Storm player, after releasing the Angolan David Dias and the American Eric Butler.Manchester Giants went top of the league with Wednesday's overtime win at Thames Valley Tigers and should consolidate their position against Worthing Bears tomorrow at home, when Worthing's new coach, Sean Loucks, makes his debut.. Webber arrives today but is unlikely to make his debut in tonight's game at Leicester City Riders, when the former England international Karl Brown makes his debut for the home side. "If Chris arrives in time, fine, but we won't use him," Craig Lynch, the Eagles coach, said. "I am looking towards next weekend for his debut when we have a double header in the league [on Saturday at Sheffield Sharks] and cup [against Milton Keynes on Friday]."Lynch expects Carl Miller, whose vital statistics are 6ft 7in and 17 stone, and Corey Jackson to have recovered from injury.