Wanted: Salmon fishing

Lace1978

Well-Known Member
Im Looking for a good chance to catch my first wild salmon in a river on a flie !
I'm an average trout fisherman but a total novice at salmon and river fishing so a good gillie would be a great help
I am not sure what questions I should be asking so I dont get tucked up !
Im a full time gamekeeper and I am aware that they are wild and the conditions have to be right so i understand that there is a fair chance that I could be unlucky
Any advice is taken gratefully
 
I can offer guided salmon/sea trout fishing - swap for some stalking?
That sounds great !
all we have on here is muntjac and a handful of fallow I did take out a chap three weeks ago and he got 4 muntjac bucks in three outings nothing big but nice enough !
If this is of interest drop me a PM
Or I would be willing to pay you if you prefer
 
That sounds great !
all we have on here is muntjac and a handful of fallow I did take out a chap three weeks ago and he got 4 muntjac bucks in three outings nothing big but nice enough !
Is this what you had in mind or I
Would be willing to pay you if you prefer
 
Bit to far for me to help, have a small beat on a spate river but its usually same or next day fishing
 
I think for a 'good chance' you'd need to consider Denmark of Norway. Would estimate most experienced folk being lucky to land one fresh fly caught fish, for perhaps ten days on the river, the way thigns are these days in Scotland at least.

Perhaps it's somethign to put time into because you enjoy the sport, rather than with the expectation of actually catching fish, as sad as that may be. That being said....beginners luck often delivers the goods. I caught my first Salmon on my first ever attempt! Three years until the second, however.

In terms of a Ghillie, virtually all beats on the major rivers will have a Ghillie who knows the water well and will be glad to help you out at the start of the day. If coming north of the border, I'd be happy to reccomend some beats.
 
Last edited:
Even better a week in British Columbia, reasonably priced and plemty of fish

It’s not quite the same, I caught 30 odd salmon a day fly fishing for them on the Harrison - it’s like mackerel fishing. I have also spent days and days thrashing a spey rod about in the UK and caught bugger all salmon! That’s not to say don’t go to BC - it is awesome and the sturgeon fishing is awesome too.
 
See if you can get a day on the North Tyne.

With the river being fed by Kielder, and the water releases being predictable, it is the river I've fished where I've seen most salmon showing. I have fished various beats over the years, including Chesters, Chipchase and Nunwick (amongst others), and when timed right you will be watching salmon leaping constantly. It can be quite frustrating if you fail to connect, but you know for sure that there are plenty of salmon there!

Having fished various Scottish salmon rivers from Dumfries & Galloway all the way up to Sutherland, you will often find yourself at the mercy of the weather. When conditions are right you will catch fish, but timing is everything. On other days it may not be worth even wetting the fly. That is the nature of salmon fishing.

The only ghillie I can personally recommend is 2016 Malloch Trophy winner John MacIsaac, on the Lochy. It is a lovely river to fish, and John knows exactly where and how to fish it under all conditions.
 
Last edited:
To be in with a chance where I live you have to live by the river and be prepared to drop everything and...catch nothing!
My local river is the Teign, whilst I am confident in catching a Sea Trout on the fly the Salmon is a different beast.
I don't put much time to it, but I have caught them on the fly, and it is a memorable experience.
Best of luck where ever you go
Cheers
Richard
p.s I am a fly fishing guide
 
Give Betty a call at Meiklour.

Cracking food and accommodation at the Meikleour Arms

 
Back
Top