Author: Luke

Robin is keen to work on Quarry Pool, Whortley etc and suggests meeting (and parking) at Stretchford for 9.30 a.m. The forecast is pretty ok with the possibility of a shower or two but nothing else too alarming.

 

Low water and steaming temperatures kept fishing to a minimum throughout the summer with very few salmon seen or caught: those reported included fish for Bush and Rob Dart junior.

A couple of spates brought a few more anglers out with early autumn success for Andy Myall and Robin Thorne –  clean grilse of 4/5lbs – and another of 6lbs for Rob Dart senior. One or two other fish have been caught further up the river but unless things change fairly radically September seems unlikely to bring significant change.

Sea trout fishing was dire in the hot weather with many rods simply not bothering. Bits and pieces of rain in late July and August have at least provided some sport with school peal.

4/05/18

Almost continuous high water has curtailed fishing effort but in between times the first fish have been caught.

Phil Prowse got things underway last week with a 2.5 lb seatrout at Fogden’s    and Bush managed a 4lb seatrout from Hembury woods as well as a 12 lb  salmon   . This clean fish (the first of the season) took a Flying C,  and was evidently in fine condition.

To date no fish have been reported from TWP.

Last week Andy Myall caught a grilse of 4-6 lbs at Fogden’s. This strong fly caught fish was safely returned.

John Sherry landed a grilse of approx 6lbs on Saturday. This is the first fly caught salmon reported from DAA water this season. John’s fish came from Horsehill and was taken on a ‘Thunder and Lightening’. Prior to getting into the water, he had opened a gate for a stranger, offered to share the beat with another rod and given a youngster his prized Ally Shrimp. He was duly rewarded, and the obliging cock fish swam  away strongly on release.

Shoals of seatrout – mostly, but not exclusively school peal – are currently evident in the lower river. Very welcome after such a difficult season . It’s hoped that anglers will be mindful of the  implications when considering taking a fish home to eat. A few fish are still displaying small amounts of fungus. . . .something else to factor into the equation.
DAA member Jonathon Camp did well to catch  two salmon recently between Austin’s bridge and Stretchford. Both spinning and between 6 – 9 lbs. These are the only two reported on recent high water.

The river is rising now (4.00pm Friday) and with the possibility of a fair bit more rain to come –  and some fresh disease free grilse around –  members and visitors  might consider putting time aside to fish over the weekend. A hot  dry August is forecast, so new fish might run hard and fast.

Robin Thorn popped out for an hour  last weekend and caught a mint grilse of approx 6lbs from Nursery Pool . Upstream mepps did the trick and provoked another ‘follow’ further downstream at Abbotsmead.

 

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A couple of times recently cows have wandered the railway line down by Quarry pool. This of course is upsetting for the farmer and has potential for dire consequences. It would be appreciated if members accessing the line are really careful to check that the gate(s) is closed.