Anglers will head to Warkworth on Sunday in the hope of catching the first spring fresh run salmon
This Sunday, February 1, is one of the most looked forward to days on the calendar, writes Bob Smith.
It’s the first day of the salmon fishing season in England.
Salmon anglers will be praying that the Tyne and Coquet in particular will be at a good height for fishing considering the rivers have been well up with the almost continuous rain we have had in recent days.
Crossing the Coquet this week the river is carrying a lot of water and is coloured. Looking at the Tyne, too, it was well up and looked heavily coloured.
However, if there is a chance to fish I’m sure the Northumbrian Federation members will be at the White Post at Warkworth trying to catch the first spring fresh run salmon. This will ensure they will receive the Coquet Trophy.
Some seasons the first fish has been caught early and other years it can take a couple of months, depending on conditions.
Let us hope that the 2026 season is a good one and we don’t experience the long dry spell of last year.
On the still water scene, the lakes are fishing well.
I’ve had a good week fishing my floating line and single fly. I caught a cracking four pound brown trout on a size 14 nymph.
The rainbows are fighting hard and have come to my net on a plain black buzzer, a top hat, an F fly, a Wicked White, a green Diawl Bach, a red buzzer and three different Pheasant Tails.
The trout seem to be in pods and are cruising about a foot below the surface. There are lots of fish close into the margins around the weed beds.
Good luck to Federation members trying for that first Coquet Springer.