Thursday 13 October 2016

Autumn Colour

The dying days of the 2016 salmon season saw a few more fish being landed at the Arundell Arms. All of them were well coloured but otherwise in good condition, and had obviously been lying low for some time in the beats on the lower river. Water levels fell back to no more than a decent trout fishing height, but the careful use of a smallish fly did the trick. Our present conservation measure of fly only and 100% catch and release does not seem to be doing us any undue harm, and the fish will surely repay us by spawning the next generation.

One for the boss - an eight-pounder for Adam Fox-Edwards from Tunnel Pool.

A plump five-pound hen fish for Rob Mason in Quarry Pool.

A delighted Rich Pullin, with his first ever salmon, a nice hen of 27 inches taken in Snipe Pool.

A worried Tom Crockett playing his first-ever salmon, also in Snipe Pool

A triumphant Alexander Jones with Tom's fish safely in the net.

A view of Tom's fish in the net.

The distinctive long-snouted profile of a cock fish in spawning livery.

The fish was a six-pounder - it may look small but bear in mind that Tom stands at 6 foot 8 inches

The killer fly - a bright red shrimp pattern with boar-bristle tails.

Tom now in relaxed mode, with celebratory cigar. Snipe Pool in the background. 


Tuesday 4 October 2016

October Salmon

Some decent rain hit the Tamar catchment recently, and salmon fishing has at last become a reality after two months of stagnation. A very Autumnal video, the plops in the water are not rising trout, but falling acorns.

David Pilkington tries a cast at the neck of Snipe Pool on Beat 8A

The fish nears the net

....and is safely netted

Flecks of red and gold on the gill covers show that this grilse had already been in the river for a few weeks

An admiring glance before release

The old bugger can still do it!

Safely on her way to spawn