June proved a fantastic month for trout fishers at The Arundell Arms Hotel, with 929 wild brown trout landed on the rivers. With a five-year average of 425 trout for June, most fishers enjoyed bumper days with the majority of fish caught on dry flies. The rivers were low due to a distinct lack of rain yet the trout rose well all month. A brief but significant mayfly hatch over the first week was followed by prolific black gnat fishing during mid-June and superb sedge activity in the latter part of the month. Regular Arundell rod, Mike Kent, had four evening sessions on the rivers Lyd and Wolf, releasing 121 trout with six fish of 12 inches, mostly to a Grey Klinkhamer. Mr Tony Bostock fished to his usual top form, releasing 92 trout in three short evening sessions on a Coachman and Sparkle Dun.
Only one salmon was caught in June, a rather skinny fish of 24 inches, estimated at five pounds. The fish was caught by Barry Unwin in Mar Lodge Pool on the Lyd on a Goldhead Black Tadpole.
Sea trout fishing was patchy due to the very low water holding fish back a little and what seems to be a slightly later run of fish this season. Despite this, 32 sea trout were caught in June, just down on last June’s 34. Local rod Alexander Jones had a superb night on the Lyd’s beat 3, landing four fish of 1lb, 2lb, 4lb and the best of the month, estimated by Alexander at 6lb. All of the fish were landed on a one-inch Black Bear tube. As this is written in early July, more sea trout are arriving each day with catches increasing dramatically. All bodes well for the rest of the month!
