End of the 2012 season

Rain spoiled what is usually the peak of the salmon season at The Arundell Arms. With relentless rainfall, many guests were simply not able to fish during the final week, and it was only the last two days where the Lyd dropped back to an 'almost fishable' height. October's salmon tally was therefore a disappointing four fish, with the best (estimated at around 13lb) falling to Mr Clark in Silver Doctor Pool on the Lyd on the last day of the season. The fish was caught on a Flying C and carefully returned to the river.
The final total at The Arundell Arms was 49 salmon to 15lb, with 41 returned to the rivers. A further six fish (all released) were caught by rods fishing the hotel's allocations on the Endsleigh and Lower Tamar clubs' waters.
Sea trout catches were severely hampered by the persistent high summer flows, which meant night fishing was restricted to no more than a few brief windows of opportunity. As such the sea trout catch was well down on numbers, with only 61 fish recorded for the season. 53 of these fish were returned. An additional six fish were caught and released on the hotel's allocations on the Endsleigh and Lower Tamar clubs' waters.
One notable fish was Rob Swan's monster on the Lyd - a 7lb 2oz hen fish (returned) that is the new Arundell Arms record sea trout.
Trout catches were well down - again, due to the high water and unsettled conditions - with 1451 fish landed. Slightly disappointing with the five-year average being 1901, but we can't help the weather!
The fish of the season was landed by newcomer Elisabeth Royle on beat 9A on the Tamar - 1lb 2oz on a black Copper John Nymph. Tony Bostock was, as ever!, worth a mention, with a great catch on the Carey in September which included two fish of around a pound.
With the trout and salmon seasons now closed, we hope for some low water to get out and try for a grayling or two. Days are available (though best to call at short notice because of river levels) at £20 for a private beat. Tinhay Lake is also open throughout the winter for fishing for rainbow trout at £38 for a day (bag limit of four fish, catch and release is also allowed).

Latest Update

As of 8.30am this morning, both the Lyd and Tamar were on the limits of fishability. Both were running very high but without too much colour. This limits the beats that can be fished and spinning will be the most effective method in this height of water. It has however been raining hard for most of the morning, so only time will tell us what prospects will be like for tomorrow. There isn't much more rain forecast for the next 48 hours, so we are keeping fingers firmly crossed. The salmon season closes on Sunday, and we only have availability on this Friday, 12th October, priced at £40 per rod per day. Contact us on 01566 784666 for more details.

Spates again!

Just as the river was starting to fall... the Tamar and Lyd are both now huge (the Tamar was in the fields this morning) following nearly two inches of rain in the last 48hrs. The Lyd might just fish tomorrow, but the Tamar is likely to be out of action for a few days yet. Prospects for salmon should be excellent as soon as some of this water disappears!

Superb for salmon

A quick update to say that salmon fishing conditions are currently superb. We had 7 fish landed over the weekend and another small rise in river levels yesterday. Conditions should stay very good, so long as the heavy rain forecast for tonight doesn't spoil things.
For a last-minute booking, phone us on 01566 784666. Day tickets are of course available for non-residents, charged at £40 per rod for a private beat.