It is hoped that the present rain will bring the very low River Torridge up and encourage a few more salmon and sea trout into the river. I fished the river today ( Saturday August 20th) and found three salmon lying up in a deep pool. I carefully covered the fish using a small stoats tail pattern with no interest shown. I hen changed to a bead headed long tailed black pattern and fished it as if casting a nymph to a trout. On the second cast a salmon turned and seized the offering twisting and turning for a few moments before the hook hold gave way. Whilst I had blanked it was good to hook my first salmon of the season. Its always a joy to be at the rivers edge to see a salmon and glimpse a kingfisher is reward enough.
Dr Jonathon Compson landing eleven sea trout in two late evening sessions. Martin Weeks has also enjoyed success landing several sea trout averaging 1lb to 2lb and a couple of grilse in the 3lb to 4lb range fishing at night for sea trout. Last weekend saw a small spate hit the rivers that should encourage a few more fish into the rivers.
Below is the latest newsletter from the River Torridge Fishery Association an organization well worth joining if you care for the river, its salmon and its health.
NEWSREEL: SUMMER 2016
Fishery Update: two good spates in June and another at the beginning of August have kept the river at a reasonable level. Salmon and sea trout catches have been similar to recent years. There has been a run of grilse (approx 4lb) and these are now well spread throughout the catchment. Interestingly some have been caught by anglers fishing for sea trout after dark. At least two double figure sea trout have been caught and released. The brown trout fishing has been good, but as in recent years most of the fish have been caught with a nymph or wet fly.
The Hatchery: it’s that time of the year again: in early November we will be trapping the broodstock of five hens and six cocks. This winter we are again planning to rear upto 30,000 swim-up fry to stock out into the headwaters next spring. Running the hatchery is an expensive operation and we do need your support if we are going to be able to continue to stock those tributaries that currently demonstrate low juvenile numbers.
Juvenile Surveys: your association has commissioned the West Country Rivers Trust to undertake an extensive juvenile survey programme. Over the next three years. 40 sites will be surveyed. This will give us a far better understanding of which sections of the catchment are failing. The cost to the Association will be in excess of £6,000. Again your support is essential to enable this project to be completed.
The Annual Fundraising Dinner and Draw: will take place at The Half Moon, Sheepwash on Saturday 8th October. Please book direct with The Half Moon: tel: 01409231376.
The Annual Fundraising Raffle: enclosed are four books of five tickets. Please buy or even better sell to your friends. Then return the completed counterfoils/money to Charles Inniss at the above address. There will be the usual excellent prize list. If additional draw books are required or if you are able to donate a prize, please contact either Charles Inniss or Paul Ashworth on 01805804143.
Salmon Season Extension: the salmon season will again be extended by a fortnight until the 14th October. Special permits can be obtained from the Secretary. During the extension period fishing must be with single barbless hooks and all fish must be released.
Salmon Bye-law: a reminder that all salmon over 70cms (approx 7lb) must, after 1st August, be released. The Association encourages the release of all salmon and just as important all sea trout.
The River Torridge Fishery Association
President: Lord Clinton
Chairman: Paul Ashworth
Secretary: Charles Inniss Tel: 01409231237 e-mail: [email protected]