The change to dryer conditions has had the same effect on fishermen as it does on mushrooms. I went up to the Tarn this morning to show a contractor the work that needs doing to the lodge and you could barely move for assorted members. I have rarely seen as many actively fishing at this time of year.
As I arrived a couple set off to try their luck for salmon down on the river. I suspect that the water was too low, but we shall see.
A report of success has however reached me and just shows that you should never give up and always expect the unexpected where salmon are concerned. Mike says:
Hi Ian,
Now the rain seems to have finally eased, I thought I’d
see if the salmon have managed to arrive at Horton in any numbers.
This morning’s foray, my first for weeks, started with the
Rowe End length, and was decidedly uneventful. As was my measured attempt down
the run into the Pipe Pool. A couple of largish trout did give confident takes
to my large salmon flies - I think our larger trout not only have a close-season
calendar, but also a liking for my oversize salmon Gye net. One day I’ll catch
one on a trout fly and trout rod ...
“One last cast”, well below the overhead wires at the
bottom of the Pipe Pool. So confident (not) was I that I was about to break my
continuing 2011 salmon blank, that I actually turned my back fully on the river
and started removing some of the accumulated flotsam from around our “new”
alders.
Fortunately I had a reasonable grip on my rod, as a very
lively 12 pound cock salmon chose that exact moment to leap completely clear of
the surface, seemingly well above where I thought my fly would be by then. I was
alerted to its antics by a huge pull on my rod, and amazed to realise that it
was actually attached to me.... And stayed attached, luckily.
Met Geoff on the way back to the car. He’d had one too,
earlier.
Mike
As I went down to Settle early yesterday I must have passed around half the UK population of magpies. By the time I reached Langcliffe the tally stood at 12 which included one group of five near Sherwood Lodge. Odd.
Ian
Mike
As I went down to Settle early yesterday I must have passed around half the UK population of magpies. By the time I reached Langcliffe the tally stood at 12 which included one group of five near Sherwood Lodge. Odd.
Ian