The recent spell of exceptionally hot weather has reminded all of us that river fishing is shaped as much by the weather as by the fly we choose. While sunshine may be welcome for picnics and garden parties, prolonged heat can make life much harder for salmon, sea trout and fishers alike.
At Endsleigh water temperature is often the hidden factor behind a difficult day. As the river level drops and begins to warm, fish move to the deeper pools to avoid predators and find the coolest water. Before this summer’s heatwaves, many members noticed that the most productive periods were early morning and late evening, while the middle of the day became noticeably quieter.
Though, at the moment, we are not fly fishing; John has been busy at Endsleigh strimming all the banks on each beat, rebuilding some of the stone walls. He has also been able to clear many of the ash trees which have found their way into the river. The signs are good for rain next week and of course, the Tamar can change overnight in the meantime we can practice our fly tying.