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!
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| 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).
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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!
