Latest River Report

The rivers have dropped a little and cleared but still remain relatively high - if only we had water like this in the salmon season! Grayling fishing will now be possible on the tributaries, although heavy nymphs and Czech nymph techniques will be pretty much essential to cover the fish effectively. Having said that, we did see a fish rise on the Lyd yesterday afternoon while on cormorant patrol. This winter seems to be all over the shop as the snowdrops are already out and we even saw wild daffodils in flower!

Poplars by the Tamar

Devon Grayling at the Arundell Arms

A perfect grayling from Farm Pool, River Lyd.

After prolonged periods of heavy rain and foul weather, the sun is at last shining in Lifton. However, it will be at least a day or two before any grayling fishing is possible. Anglers that have managed to get out when the rivers have been fishable have done well using heavy nymphs, with grayling to over 2lb reported. The Lyd and Thrushel beats have produced the better fish.
While the rivers are out, the hotel's Tinhay Lake has fished very well with a rainbow of 3lb 5oz for 9 year old Zac O'Sullivan visiting from Australia. Princetown Fishing Club reported a number of trout to a stunning 29 inches (approx. 10lb) on a pre-Christmas catch and release day. Day tickets are available throughout the winter at Tinhay Lake, with grayling tickets also available (best to phone at short notice).

River Lyd Webcam - now live

Thanks to Farson Digital's superb webcam service, we can check the height and colour of the Lyd at any time! Updated every 10 seconds, the camera shows Lifton Bridge, the border between Arundell Arms Beat 1 and Home Beat.

Click HERE to view the live webcam. 

Devon Salmon Fishing - great news for the future

It's great to report that very good numbers salmon have already spawned on the tributaries of the Tamar. Each winter we walk the rivers and take note of the numbers of fish that have spawned and where. Due to various reasons, some tributaries offer better opportunities for the fish, with the Lyd being a shining example. Much of the conservation work done by river keepers and organisations such as the Westcountry Rivers Trust  is to improve the quality of those tributaries that don't offer the fish appropriate habitat in which to spawn. Below are a few pictures taken in the last few days and a video of salmon spawning that we shot a couple of years ago. For the Lyd fish at least, all looks good for the future...

A large cock fish showing signs of fungus (this is normal) lies tucked under the bank.

Two salmon redds on the Lyd - note the 'clean' gravel. Good numbers of fish have already spawned this winter.

The salmon have made good use of the Lyd's perfect spawning habitat.

Summer Shark Fishing - adrenaline on the high seas...

Blue shark - an exciting alternative to our wild brown trout!

Many thanks must go to great friend of the hotel, charter boat skipper Dan Gardener. Instructors David and Tim have been treated to several great days out on Dan's boat over the last couple of years and we cannot rate it highly enough. The latest adventure took place 12 miles off the south Cornish coast, in search of blue sharks. The weather was a little wild and the boat a little lively, but the fishing was just awe-inspiring. 'Sport' fishing is the name of the game whether you are casting a size 18 dry fly to an eight-inch wild brownie or drifting a whole mackerel in the shipping lanes for these beautiful, primeval predators. We used light tackle (8-12lb class), which meant that even the smaller sharks took some beating. Dan's 2011 season saw sharks to 100lb landed, with up to 10 in a trip brought to the boat. On our October day, we hooked six and landed four, with a monster that took over 150 yards of line dropping the hook before we saw it. A proper 'one that got away'.
If you are planning on visiting us next summer, why not enjoy a day with Dan on his boat Blue Pointer ? You can contact us for details via fishingoffice@arundellarms.com, or phone Dan direct on 07814 191921. As well as big toothy things, Dan specialises in bass trips over the infamous Manacles reef, so you are guaranteed a great day out.
PS: a blue shark on the fly is entirely feasible... the next challenge???

Even the dog enjoyed himself (and eventually realised he didn't like eating mackerel).

Tim with a shark of 25-30lb. Not a monster but great sport on 8-12lb class tackle.

Why not try something a little 'different' next summer?!

Sea Trout Fly Tying - WMD Gurgler

Here's another pattern to tie up in preparation for the 2012 sea trout season. Surface lures account for a large number of Westcountry sea trout, and some of the largest too. Don't go through the hassle and mess of spinning deer hair... just try this instead.
By the way, the dates for the 2012 Sea Trout Festival are now listed on the hotel website, with some great workshops set to inspire newcomers to the dark art of night fishing...


WMD Gurgler.

Stealing Welshman Darren Jackson's inspired idea of using the Gurgler style of fly for sea trout, it's easy to tie, casts like a dream and.. well... just plain works. We doubt that the dressing matters, but the oversize treble at the back seems to help.

Hook: Kamasan B170, size 4

Flying treble: Owner ST-36BC, size 14 or size 12 treble of choice.

Nylon lonk: 30lb black Amnesia mono

Thread: Black

Back: Flat black ethafoam (a strip of 1/3 to 1/2in wide)

Tail: Black arctic fox or squirrel tail with two strands of flash

Body: Black seal's fur

Rib: Flat or oval silver tinsel

Hackle: Teal

WMD Gurgler

5lb 6oz on a WMD Gurgler