Malloch was born in 1853 in Methven, just to the west of Perth, Scotland. At the age of 18 he established a small taxidermy and fishing tackle business in a room just off Perth High Street. He was good at what he did, and as business grew he moved into his own shop, located on the High Street and then later, on Scott Street.
It was during this time that he created this excellent piece of taxidermy. A fine example of Malloch’s work, the salmon is showcased in a signature barrel-shaped display case made of ebonised wood. Displaying intricate craftsmanship and artistry, it fetched £3,450 at auction on the day, demonstrating its well-recognized value.
In the world of ichthyology, Malloch was the first to comprehensively study the significance of salmon's scale patterns. He demonstrated that each phase of life spent in the river or sea is reflected in the scales' markings. His extensive understanding of these fish's movements, along with their diet consisting of flies and insects, was profound - and his book, Life History and Habitats of the Salmon, Sea-Trout, Trout and Other Freshwater Fish (1910), has become regarded as a go-to reference for the subject and a must-have in any serious fishing literature collection.
Today, Malloch is even the namesake of a coveted angling trophy. First Awarded in 1972, The Malloch Challenge Trophy is recognised as Scotland’s most prestigious award for salmon fishing.