As the Salmon Season Closes

Simon getting in some casting practice whilst fishing for Salmon on the River Eden

Unfortunately the forecast was correct and the additional water we were expecting did arrive making the last few days towards the end of the Salmon season on the Eden difficult to fish, with the water up and down like a Yo Yo once again. However it didn't stop us from trying and we certainly gave it our best shot, some days paying off and some days not!

John with his first fish on the Fly

However, the days when the water was too high did give some of you the opportunity to get some casting practice in despite these higher water conditions, and the last few days of the season also saw some of you catch a few salmon too, and on one of these days in particular, it was great to see John (pictured left) catch his first ever salmon on the fly, a very fit little hen fish that gave a good account of herself and happily took off like an express train when returned to the water. (well done John). 

Another fish being returned

Apart from seeing the odd fish here and there, there was one particular day when things were definitely looking good and Jeff (pictured below) got off to a good start, with a large coloured cock fish, (into double figures) taking his fly relatively early in the day, which I might add, he he quickly returned. However, there is no doubt in my mind that there would have been more fish to follow, given the amount of fish moving through the beat, but the reason for this soon became apparent as the water eventually began to rise fast and the river was ultimately out of order yet again.

A large cock fish (quickly returned)

Unfortunately we had to abandon the last day of the season as the water levels were far too high and on the rise once again, even the beats higher up the river were off limits, but at least we were offered a small window of opportunity the day before when conditions were okay to at least afford us the possibility of a fish. 

Nothing much more to report on the salmon front I'm afraid given that there was just two weeks of the season left since my previous blog, but at least we did have a bit of action in the interim period.

Into one of those large trout

However, that said, it has to be mentioned that we did, once again, encounter several of those larger brown trout that often elude us during the trout season, which were (as they often are) very active and aggressive at this time of year, many of which were literally hammering those quite large salmon flies with a vengeance. Some of these trout that were caught, and quickly returned, were formidable too, with several well over two pounds. However it was really good to have some confirmation that these guys are still lurking about out there.

Another large Brown on the Salmon rod

Moving away from the Eden, my next stop was Wales for the annual AAPGAI assessment event in Builth Wells. This is a great opportunity for potential new instructors to gain their teaching qualification, and for current instructors to move forward on the ladder to the next qualification level in their individual journeys. This event is always a great get together and affords AAPGAI members (amongst other things) the opportunity to watch some great demonstrations from other instructors.

One of the many Demonstrations

This years event also gave us the opportunity to watch a fantastic film and presentation delivered by my good friend and fellow AAPGAI instructor, Ken Whelan, scientist and research director for the Atlantic Salmon Trust (AST). The film and presentation was very interesting and focused on the migratory paths of the Atlantic Salmon and how this may ultimately effect us as anglers. I am looking forward to the next get together which will be held in Cockermouth, Cumbria, where I am hoping to see the return of the popular AAPGAI public open days. Watch this space!

Whats next you might ask? Well I do have a few people booked in for Grayling sessions over the winter period (water conditions permitting). So let's hope the weather stays fine long enough to help make the fishing is good and that we can tempt a few of these magnificent winter season extenders to the net. Here's hoping!

A Very Unsettled Month

Chris into a small salmon

In terms of fluctuations in water levels, September was one of the most unsettled months we have seen this year, which in my opinion never bodes well for any type of river fishing, let alone salmon fishing, however some of the people I had out in September did connect with a few fish all the same, both Salmon and Trout, and even though we were not seeing lots of salmon showing in the pools we did manage to record some success.

Returning a small Cock fish

The problem with constantly high waters, from a fishing stand point, is the fact that fish can simply get their heads down and concentrate on navigating the river and nothing else, not a bad thing I might add, as this can only be good news for future generations of fish, and anglers too. However you will certainly see fish from time to time, literally sneaking upstream on these higher waters, often barely breaking the water surface as they do so, leaving their regular holding pools, especially those that fish best on a low water, (often on the lower river beats) almost devoid of fish. We have witnessed this several times this month, which can be very frustrating for the angler, but remember this, they do have to stop from time to time on their journey upstream to rest up, and this is when we get the opportunity to connect with one or more of them on the fly.

Andy into a Double Figure fish

Despite these conditions we have definitely still had opportunities to catch a few salmon this month, and we have also hooked and lost a few too, however, some of these salmon we have connected with have definitely had plans of their own, parting company with their potential captors, one of which you can see in the picture above left as Andy fights a double figure salmon on the lower river, just before disaster struck and the fish came off. That said, at least he did get to see it before it parted company, and to hook it in the first place is always a confidence booster.

Another fish of around 15lb

The fish above wasn't the only substantial fish to escape either, as Allan (pictured right) will testify to, as he played yet another double figure fish (much higher up the river) of around 15lb all the way to the net, just before it gave a final shake of the head and ultimately ejected the fly in front of him before turning tail for deeper water. It sometimes happens I'm afraid as I am sure many of you have experienced yourselves. Never mind Allan revenge is sweet!

Greg with a nice Brown

The few times we targeted trout in September also proved quite productive, although with the water predominantly on the high side and very little surface activity, the most effective method was often a Goldhead nymph, or an alternative weighted nymph pattern of a similar ilk. This was the method chosen by Greg and Nick, (pictured here) taking advantage of a guided fishing opportunity whilst over from France on a business trip. Well done guys!

Nick playing a Brown on a Goldhead

Brown trout, towards the end of their season, are often neglected as our attention turns to salmon fishing, "I see this all the time". However towards the end of the trout season they often become very aggressive as they move closer to their breeding time and some good catches of decent fish can be had, I am sure many of you have experienced this whilst fishing for salmon, often hooking very large browns on a salmon fly, especially as you move from September to October. It's as if the trout know their season is over and they are now safe!!!

A Borderlines Day by the River

More Borderlines events took place again this month affording us the opportunity to continue our current project of introducing many more youngsters to angling and the environment. The picture on the left shows one of our Borderlines instructors explaining to the youngsters how to set up their tackle in preparation for fishing. Prior to this section of the day the youngsters themselves gave a safety talk and we also discussed the life cycles of the fish themselves and the insects they feed upon at the various stages of their lives. Another good day!

The river levels are now beginning to fine down again after yet another rise of water, although there is more rain forecast over the next few days, but let's hope going into October that the water settles down again and gives us the opportunity to connect with a few more salmon before the season finishes on October the 14th. The saving grace is that whilst the river has been rising and falling over a period of time it has remained a reasonable fishing colour for the fly, especially on the higher beats. This is down to the persistent flows of water we have had continuously flushing throughout the system as it makes it way downstream towards the sea.

After the salmon season is over we will once again be focusing on the Grayling fishing which as you know can offer up some great sport and extend our fly fishing season, which is always a bonus. So here's looking forward to getting a few of you out on the river over the winter months to target these wonderful fish. "I know I will be out there regardless".