August Report

Trout fishing in August was typically tough with very low water levels for most of the month and little fly on the water. On the few days that trout were seen rising, anglers did well with small stonefly imitations and the usual favourites, the Klinkhamer and Parachute Adams. Most fish however were taken on goldhead nymphs in sizes 14 to 16 or on wet flies fished in the streamy runs and riffles. The month total was 263 wild brown trout. Most of the trout landed were in the six to eight inch size, with a dozen or so fish of 10 to 12 inches. James Palmer had a great day on the Lyd, landing 22 small brownies at the start of the month and several other anglers had double-figure days.
64 sea trout were landed in August, nearly all at night. While reports of large numbers of peal entering the system provided optimism, there were no shoals of fish seen at Lifton. Instead, small pockets of fresh school peal were scattered on the Lyd and anglers worked hard to locate them. Unsettled conditions meant that night fishers tried varying tactics and several fish were caught on two-inch lures fished deep, as well as the usual size 8 to 10 wet flies commonly used in August. The best fish was one of 3lb caught and released by Peter Radford on beat 3 on a 2 1/2inch WMD Stinger. As we write, sea trout fishing has picked up despite the cold weather, with Alex Prentice catching his first two night sea trout within 10 minutes of starting. Well done Alex!
Only two salmon were caught at the Arundell Arms in August – a reflection of very low water levels and therefore low fishing pressure. Mr Impey landed a bright silver fish of 5lb 12oz on a Rapala at Lydfoot on the Tamar, and at the end of the month, Ben Garnett returned a grilse estimated at 3 1/2lb and lost a larger fish at the net, both on a size four Mepps. Ben’s fish came as the river fell and cleared after the first decent spate of the summer. As we write this, the river is once again low and little rain is on the cards. Sea trout fishermen will brave cooler nights and venture out throughout September, although the vast majority of fish will be returned.

Rivers Update

The rivers are all currently unfishable due to a much welcome spate. Once they fine down over the next couple of days we will hopefully see our first serious chance of decent salmon fishing... watch this space!
Trout fishing has been patchy, with (up to now) low water conditions and dour fish making life tricky. With some extra water and cooler temperatures, things should improve. Sea trout fishing will be restricted to day time fishing until the water drops and clears, although the spate should bring with it large numbers of fish.

To keep an eye on river levels, don't forget the FishPal website:

Tamar River Levels

River Update

The rivers remain very low indeed, so salmon fishing is a bit of a non-starter at present. Heavy rain forecast for Thursday this week will hopefully change things so watch this space.

We landed 28 sea trout last week, all at night. The season total (on Arundell beats) stands at 198. Small pods of fresh school fish were encountered throughout the Lyd, with Peter Radford landing the best of the week - a three-pounder - on beat 3 using a slow sink line and a 2.5 inch Stinger fly. During recent cold nights, big flies fished very slowly seem to have done the trick.
Trout fishing is tough as per usual in August, but they are still there to be caught. Few fish are being seen rising, so wets and nymphs are taking most of them. The biggest brown last week was caught at night while sea trout fishing by Roger Selby, a beauty of 14 inches.
Newcomers to fly fishing, Fiona and Mark Napier experienced Tinhay Lake at its best on Saturday. With a strong breeze ruffling the water, the big rainbows came on the feed and they landed grown-on fish of 4lb, 3lb 10oz, 4lb, 6lb and two of 1 1/2lb! All fish were caught on dry Klinkhamers.

BBC Spotlight on the Lyd

Click the link below for a short clip taken from BBC Spotlight's series on the River Tamar...

BBC Spotlight - Fishing in the Tamar valley

River Report

The 2010 sea trout catch now stands at 163, with 41 caught last week and most anglers picking up a fish or two at night. While there are still no great numbers of fish about, all of the pools have a sea trout or two in residence. Pods of school fish are on the move and pools can become alive with fish as a shoal moves in under the cover of darkness. No big fish to report, although one angler was unlucky enough to lose two large ones last night on beat 3.
Trout fishing is typically tough for August, though nymphs and wets are taking a few fish. Until we get more water, salmon fishing is still realistically on hold.