Fishing Report 2007 from Club Secretary Andrew Dixon
Overall the fishing was very good this year, with river levels
rarely dropping to summer levels for long periods, indeed there were
times throughout the summer when some of the main rivers were in
flood for several days. However, due to the variety of smaller
rivers the Association controls, there were only a few occasions
when all rivers were unfishable. It appeared many rods were absent
from the rivers at high water levels, those anglers missed out on
some fantastic sport throughout the day time, particularly if there
was a touch of colour to the water, albeit the evening fishing was
always better when the waters were clearer and at lower levels.
The
early part of the season was far better than the last three seasons,
with some big catches reported throughout this period. I had many
reports of genuine large fish being caught this season. Fish of 2lb
were once considered trophy fish, but now 3lb and even 4lb fish are
caught every season. The two heaviest brown trout that I know of,
weighed and witnessed this year, were 4lb 5oz and 3lb 8oz, both
truly wild fish from the R.Eamont, the latter fish being a slim fish
which would also have been nearer 4lb in better condition if caught
later in the season. The River Eamont produced at least 9 fish over
3lb in 2007, and I am sure there are many that are not reported to
me.
The
dry fly purist angler should have had a productive season, as fly
hatches were generally good, with surface activity being better than
in recent years.
Certain species of fly are doing better than others as a result of
climate changes and other influences to their environment, but
obviously not all species are as important to the fly-fisherman to
imitate. This is due to their differences in how - and when they
hatch, and how they return to lay their eggs. The Eden system
however, still has one of the widest diversity of aquatic species of
fly. I have in my own collection, recorded 26 species of upwings
from the Eden and it tributaries, which include some of the
lesser-known species such as the Purple Dun, Ditch Dun and Dusky
Yellow Streak. I have also since late June this year, collected 41
different species of caddis fly, which are much more important as a
food item to fish than a lot of anglers are led to believe.
The
Grayling population appear to be on the comeback on our upper
reaches. Grayling are known to have peaks and troughs, usually - for
some unknown reason, in roughly seven-year cycles. We have seen a
progressive drop in the grayling population on our waters since they
last peaked in the late 90’s. Thankfully, they are back in numbers,
with fish averaging 11 to 12inches, which from the scale readings
show them to be in their second year. Grayling grow very fast in the
Eden system, and have been found to reach 17inches in their third
winter! However, the Eden grayling appear to be short lived and I
have yet to find one that has reached five years old. By comparison,
fish from the northern hemispheres, which although having a slower
growth rate, can live well into there teens. This is probably why
our grayling population will diminish so quickly if breeding
conditions are not suitable, with an average four year life span
taken to account, two consecutive bad spawning years can potentially
lose half the generations of breeding stock.
Salmon
fishing on the Association waters this season had also been
productive for those few members that target salmon. In the last two
or three weeks of the season the river levels were at a perfect
height for salmon to make their way quickly upstream, which was
unfortunate for the lower rods on the Eden, but advantageous for our
upper reaches. One member reported a catch of three fish to 14lb,
and also lost two in one outing on the Little Salkeld stretch.
Another member also had three fish on separate day on the same
stretch.
Whilst
out walking the River Eden just above the Skirwith Abbey stretch, I
came across one of our younger junior members out fishing on his
own. I asked him how he was getting on, to which he replied that he
had yet to catch his first salmon, and went on to say that he had
been trying to catch one for several weeks without success.
Following a short chat, I told him to keep persevering, and wished
him the best of luck.
