After a huge crash in numbers of running fish in August, a scary 7000 less than previous years, we were fearful of the impact that the 2015 floods had on hour rivers, this didn’t, however, affect the number of fish being caught in august as my guests managed a staggering 19 fish in 20 days guiding. Unfortunately, the September numbers continued to spiral out of control with a shocking 4000 fish less than the previous year, all was not lost tho as we managed some great catches including numerous first-time fish for my guests, here’s a review of a pretty hectic fish-filled month.
A great silver September start.
What a great way to kick off Septembers guiding with this stunning fish caught by guest and great friend Duncan Jack 👊🏻! Unfortunately the second fish hooked was lost at the net, but we still have one happy guest and guide! Fish fell to a size 14 @fulling_mill RS cascade
David works his magic.
Heres today guest and professional magician David Readfearn with an incredible fish that gave him one hell of a battle that I’m sure he’ll never forget! After hooking the fish, during the fight it somehow managed the wrap itself in the line making it nearly impossible to get the fish to the net, but working as a team we succeeded, and what a fish it was (measured and estimated at around 22lb.
First salmon smiles for Sam.
Well, that’s an end to a fantastic 2 day hosted salmon fishing course with @marinagibsonfishing and some great clients who I’m now glad to call friends! Over the 2 days the guys not only learnt and mastered various casts, the Importance of watercraft, they managed to get amongst some silver. Here’s Sam with his first salmon caught on his second day ever fly fishing, unfortunately, we also lost another fish that managed to shake the hook but what a great achievement from the team!
Myself and marina will be running more 2 day hosted courses next year over a few different months, please keep an eye out for future dates.
A huge congratulations to my great friends Damon and Francesca on today’s incredible effort, the guys finished on 2 beautiful fly caught sea trout, with the largest at around 7 pounds and the smaller at 4lb, Damon has still got his 100 percent catch record with myself. Killer combo was a @fulling_mill crathie and Calvin shrimp.
The salmon squad strike silver.
Well, day one of our yearly trip finished with an incredible 8 fish hooked but sadly only managed to land 3, still an incredible team effort by Phil, Robson, and Zoila. Here’s the biggest of day caught at the death and a fight to remember, taking me way into the backing twice. Bring on day 2 tomorrow.
Here’s my second fish from Monday’s session with the squad, not the cleanest of sea trout but still put on one hell of a show!
Day 2 and the silver streak has continued for the squad. Bright and intense sunshine made it a tough day for the team, but as always we fished hard and were rewarded with 2 fish from 4 hook up’s, including my biggest so far, weighing around 15lb. Unfortunately she was a little camera shy and decided to do a disappearing act before getting a mug shot, this is becoming an occurring theme 🙈🎣! @fulling_mill Bann special doing the damage today
Carl gets a last-minute winner.
After fishing solid over 2 days with nothing but a lost salmon to show for it, both Carl and Jason were ready to call it a day! As always we decided to give it one last try, the resulting photo is Carl’s first fly caught migratory fish, and what a sea trout it was.
What an incredible way to end a special week with some great friends than with this stunning fish! As a team, we managed to finish on a healthy 13 fish with at least 10 more lost, as for me the salmon gods were looking down on me as I finished on 5 fish in 4 days fished. Now it’s time to celebrate our week and this incredible river.
Some serious salmon celebrations for Andy’s first Tyne fish! What a great effort by both Andy and Adrian today, fishing amongst 4 others, they were the only ones to get any hook up’s, hooking 4 very good fish and landing 2 while I was present, they also managed another stunning hen fish after I left.
As you can see, even with a crash in the numbers of fish running, we managed some incredible sport up and down the river including a few first time fish caught. I’ve got a great feeling about October, so fingers crossed my salmon sixth sense is right…..