River Report

The salmon season opened on March 1^st, with the trout season following on the 15^th. As per usual at this time of year, very few anglers were seen on the rivers as, realistically, the chance of a March Tamar salmon is a very slim one. However, the first salmon of the season - a ten-pounder - was reported from the tidal waters in the middle of the month, so the season is now officially underway. We can offer rods on the tidal water for £30 per day; availability is very limited, so please phone for details. The first Arundell Arms trout of the season – albeit a tiddler of around six inches - was landed by regular rod Alexander Jones, on a goldhead nymph on beat 7a of the Tamar. The trout fishing has been typically slow with rods having to cover plenty of water to find the odd feeding fish. Nymphs have been the choice for most but, on the milder days, brief rises have been taken advantage of with fish feeding sporadically on small hatches of olives. During the winter months, several of the more lightly-fished trout beats have been subject to serious bank clearance by the Arundell river keepers, bringing hotel fishers even more accessible water to enjoy. Let’s hope for some rain this year, as last year’s dry summer hampered chances of the quality salmon and sea trout fishing that the Tamar system can produce. A date for the diary is the long weekend of 26^th – 30^th July when the hotel will be hosting the third annual Westcountry Sea Trout Festival. This sociable event has proven particularly popular with those taking their first steps in to night sea trout fishing.