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So after my Scottish adventures in September I had packed my tackle away for the winter here in London. Out of the blue another speypages members came to my rescue and invited me along on a fishing trip to the upper Tweed. I was able to get approval from my wife and quickly booked a flight north.
Tyke and the rest of their group were spectacular hosts and took this salmon novice under their wings during their annual trip to the Tweed. They didn't openly tease me for using large singles anyways. I was able to spend two days on the water. The river was in beautiful shape and there were lots of fish present. Despite the good conditions and fish numbers few anglers were contacting with fish and no one seemed to know why. I'm used to getting skunked and was just happy to be fishing in such a lovely place with good company.
The river was lower and warmer than normal for early Nov and I had brought larger flies than what I needed. I put my first day in fishing a full intermediate line. I actually like it and it isn't too hard to roll the head up. After getting the head on the top it casts like a dream. I had one fish take on the dangle but it came off really quickly and I was able to see that it was pretty small so I suspect it was a seatrout.
Day two the sun came out and it was a beautiful sunny crisp fall day. Late in the afternoon I was fishing a floater with a type six tip. I was kindly advised to fish a smaller fly and so I put on that pesky Cascade fly (was really hoping something would eat an Orange Heron). Halfway down a lovely large pool the line tightened up and after I tightened into the fish I felt good weight and then saw a big wide tail. The double hook was well set and I was off to the races. The fish put up a good solid fight and I was pumped when she came to hand. It was a lovely doe that measured in at 33x18". My new 16' 7/8/9 Meiser is totally broken in now!
It was a short trip but a very memorable one and I was taught a great deal. While the similarities are striking between steelhead and salmon, there are some big differences. Salmon sure can be moody, if I had been fishing over that many steelhead things would have been different. The fishing over here is so much more relaxed. The day starts at 0900 after a full breakfast. Everyone takes a lunch break at the hut and compares notes. The Ghillie did a great job of rotating everyone through the beat while considering their wishes and abilities. Then after a big day on the water you hit the pub.....good thing fishing starts late!
A huge thanks to Tyke for being so very helpful and introducing me to the Tweed!
Here are a couple of pics from the trip.
Dan
Tyke and the rest of their group were spectacular hosts and took this salmon novice under their wings during their annual trip to the Tweed. They didn't openly tease me for using large singles anyways. I was able to spend two days on the water. The river was in beautiful shape and there were lots of fish present. Despite the good conditions and fish numbers few anglers were contacting with fish and no one seemed to know why. I'm used to getting skunked and was just happy to be fishing in such a lovely place with good company.
The river was lower and warmer than normal for early Nov and I had brought larger flies than what I needed. I put my first day in fishing a full intermediate line. I actually like it and it isn't too hard to roll the head up. After getting the head on the top it casts like a dream. I had one fish take on the dangle but it came off really quickly and I was able to see that it was pretty small so I suspect it was a seatrout.
Day two the sun came out and it was a beautiful sunny crisp fall day. Late in the afternoon I was fishing a floater with a type six tip. I was kindly advised to fish a smaller fly and so I put on that pesky Cascade fly (was really hoping something would eat an Orange Heron). Halfway down a lovely large pool the line tightened up and after I tightened into the fish I felt good weight and then saw a big wide tail. The double hook was well set and I was off to the races. The fish put up a good solid fight and I was pumped when she came to hand. It was a lovely doe that measured in at 33x18". My new 16' 7/8/9 Meiser is totally broken in now!
It was a short trip but a very memorable one and I was taught a great deal. While the similarities are striking between steelhead and salmon, there are some big differences. Salmon sure can be moody, if I had been fishing over that many steelhead things would have been different. The fishing over here is so much more relaxed. The day starts at 0900 after a full breakfast. Everyone takes a lunch break at the hut and compares notes. The Ghillie did a great job of rotating everyone through the beat while considering their wishes and abilities. Then after a big day on the water you hit the pub.....good thing fishing starts late!
A huge thanks to Tyke for being so very helpful and introducing me to the Tweed!
Here are a couple of pics from the trip.
Dan
Very sweet fish!
