Searching For Fish

Over the last three weeks the river Eden has suffered badly especially for the Salmon angler with yet more dry weather and low water conditions. In the more oxygenated areas of the river there are still some good trout to be had on spiders and dries or even very small goldheads in the pocket water, but you do have to search for them and if you are prepared to do so then it can be quite productive.

When I have not had people out on the river I have been putting my free time to good use and recently attended an AAPGAI professional delopment weekend which was held at the Three Acres near Huddersfield. The weekend was based around casting and fishing techniques with a variety of rods and reels, which allows us as instructors to keep up with some of the latest outfits on the market today as well as continuing our own development, but even more important it was good fun and very enjoyable.

Off to Ireland in a couple of days for the Irish International Killyleagh Fly Fair and to fish Lough Melvin for 3 days for Sonaghan and Gillaroo trout. Speak to you all soon with an update.

Some Rain but not Enough

As I suspected, the rain, albeit heavy at times, was not enough to bring the river Eden into the good order we desperately need for the Salmon fishing to improve, although there is some fresh water in the system and one particular area on the lower Eden has still been producing a few good fish with one angler taking three nice Salmon to his own rod in one day, but in the general scheme of things we do still need some rain.

There continues to be some good trout fishing available to those who make the effort which tends to be on the more overcast days or later in the evening which always tends to be a good option, and following a session on Monday I managed to land seven Brown Trout and a Grayling all on the dry fly, but I cannot claim that there were any specimens amongst them this time, never the less, good sport and I will hopefully meet those fish again in the future.

Some good feedback confirmed another very successful weekend with Dumfries & Galloway Angling Association members on the river Nith, from beginners learning how to Spey cast for the very first time to some good improving anglers (who have been before) who were looking at some of the more advanced Spey casting techniques with both full Spey Lines and shooting heads etc.

Also during the week we had some further school day sessions with the fishing for knowledge project in the Port Willam area of Scotland delivered by us at Borderlines, and whilst it does temporarily keep us away from our local rivers, it is a very worthwhile experience and one that gives us the opportunity to get the message accross (regarding angling and the environment) to many youngsters who will hopefully carry this message forward long after we have gone.

Finally, if you like to keep a Salmon or two when you go fishing, then as from today in England and Wales you can do so (dependant on local fishery rules) i.e. from 16th June, which is in line with the Environment Agency National Byelaws, (click on Logo for more info) but be careful as from the 10th September all hen fish must be returned to the water.

In addition to this the Grayling season has now officialy opened as from today!

A Hint of Change

Early in the week I was on the upper Eden with Ken, Declan and Liam. They are a father and two sons respectively and were spending the day with me for Liam's birthday present. It was a very hot day as usual, but Liam did manage to bag himself a good Brown trout which was his first ever Brownie (well Done!) along with a few smaller fish, and Declan also managed to hook and land two very nice Grayling, which were promptly returned to the water, not just because the season does not begin until June 16th, but as he said with a smile that's what he would normally do. I did get a good underwater shot though (see below).

I fished the Eamont mid week with Tony Bell in very difficult conditions (hot & bright) although we did manage to turn a couple of quality fish on very small dries and caught a few smaller fish, but all in all they were a bit wary in the low clear conditions we encountered. Very small dries or spiders and tiny goldheads have been the order of the day in these difficult conditions.

Later in the week we were in SW Scotland introducing youngsters to angling and all things related and over the weekend I returned to SW Scotland once again with fellow instructor Glyn Freeman to deliver two, one day Spey Casting courses to members of the Dumfries & Galloway Angling Association.

Only on the river Eden for a short tuition and fishing session this morning which was just as well, as the river where we were (higher up the system) began to rise a little and colour up following a heavy downpour in the pennines. I would like to think that this was the beginning of a good flush through as the river desperately needs extra water, but I am not convinced, although the forecast is for some additional heavy rain tomorrow evening so fingers crossed.