Salmon Fishing Advice

[Cranborne]

I've been invited to join a team fishing the North Esk in May (fly only). I've not fished for salmon before, and don't know what kit to use. I like the idea of a single-handed rod as that what I use for trout. Lines are another unknown area.....floating, intermediate and sinking tips are all mentioned online, but I don't have any idea about this either. Any advice would be very welcome.

 

[sauer]

if its Balmakewan or Canterlands fishing either of the ghillies there will keep you right and advise ... if you want contact details to speak to them beforehand i can give them your details if you want to speak / get advice ...

alternatively the team your joining should be able to help out advise also?

Paul

 

[Tazz]

I've been invited to join a team fishing the North Esk in May (fly only). I've not fished for salmon before, and don't know what kit to use. I like the idea of a single-handed rod as that what I use for trout. Lines are another unknown area.....floating, intermediate and sinking tips are all mentioned online, but I don't have any idea about this either. Any advice would be very welcome.

The key element missing in many Salmon fishing clubs is the Salmon

 

[opticron1]

Depends on the beat and the conditions.....The Northie can be a stunningly good river when there are fish and when there is water. There are some excellent holding pools and you might get the chance of a late springer and a sea trout or two. If you fish somewhere like the Burn or the Gallery, the fishing can be challenging because of the Geology, but still good fun.
As said above, get some advice from the team you're joining, but you may need some stiffer gear than your trout outfit - there are some good fish in the river at times!

 

[Cranborne]

Thanks for the replies. It's Balmakewan and I've just sent them an email asking for advice.

 

[Rasputin]

I learnt to cast a double handed rod in minutes sure you will pick it up quickly if you can already throw a decent line. Didn’t do me any good mind I don’t think there was a salmon in the river that month let alone day.

 

[Essexsussex]

Best advice is take up bass fishing

 

[finbar]

Both a fish of a 1000 casts

 

[DRN]

Mike the Ghillie at Balmekewan is absolutely class.
If you have a 10ft 7wt or 8wt trout rod with a floating line and a slow sinker that will cover much of the water.
If your there for 3 days and can cast a singlehander then most of the time you are better off fishing the water you can reach well with that. Rather than trying to learn a double hander (which isn't too hard btw) but covering the water less well.
You will learn a lot from Mike whatever you decide to fish with. He doesn't stick with the old school down and across.

Have fun.

 

[sauer]

Hope you like a drink as well .!

 

[lochty]

If there aren't any fish, there is a nice restaurant at balmakewan.

 

[opticron1]

Thanks for the replies. It's Balmakewan and I've just sent them an email asking for advice.

Not at all jealous....oh no, not at all! One of the better beats and if you haven't done already - have a look at the Balmakewan Fishing website......

 

[Bowland blades]

If your used to a 9 to 10 ft for say a 7-8 line - Use that ! It will do the job , The American anglers used them the most until about 20 years ago on their waters
If your taking a double handed rod , make dammed sure you get some coaching on how to cast and use it in a few coaching sessions. Nothing worse than wasting much of the opportunity from lack of training beforehand with a coach

 

[Essexsussex]

If taking a single handed rod I’d be getting used to some set-up casting like snap t or snake roll. The annoying thing with a single handed rod is stripping in and casting out again in overhead style. If you can use it like a spey rod but with one hand!(ie keeping the line in front of you and not stripping a lot in) you’ll be well placed. Caveat I don’t know the beat but why a single handed works well on a still water, ie you strip in all the way and then overhead cast, will often be the exact opposite of what you are doing salmon fishing.

 

[Essexsussex]

T

If your used to a 9 to 10 ft for say a 7-8 line - Use that ! It will do the job , The American anglers used them the most until about 20 years ago on their waters
If you’re taking a double handed rod , make dammed sure you get some coaching on how to cast and use it in a few coaching sessions. Nothing worse than wasting much of the opportunity from lack of training beforehand with a coach

I’ve seen scandis use single handers on big Russian salmon waters but they were using very short heads meaning little back casting required. They were ace with them.

 

[Bowland blades]

If taking a single handed rod I’d be getting used to some set-up casting like snap t or snake roll. The annoying thing with a single handed rod is stripping in and casting out again in overhead style. If you can use it like a spey rod but with one hand!(ie keeping the line in front of you and not stripping a lot in) you’ll be well placed. Caveat I don’t know the beat but why a single handed works well on a still water, ie you strip in all the way and then overhead cast, will often be the exact opposite of what you are doing salmon fishing.

You can perform these "type of casts" with single handle rods , likewise the Switch rod ( a great favourite on mine) . Getting snale rolls and such perfected and if you maybe don't have the basics of double rods? In a fairly short window ? Well that's why I suggested that which i did . I have dealt with all the gear no idea anglers in my time as a river keeper / bailiff and got plenty of novices into fish . Simple casts and a bit of cunning goes a long way getting kit the angler can handle is far the more important matter . Snake rolls , casting off both shoulders , clean line lifts etc etc though are paramount to success and prevents a lot of frustration the rest comes in time if the angler gets into it . This is why some beats let the Novice to use spinning methods or fish normally off limit spots and practices etc

 

[tackb]

best part of my salmon fishing experience was sitting on the bank with a good cigar having sacked off thrashing the water for fish to no end................

 

[Essexsussex]

You can perform these "type of casts" with single handle rods , likewise the Switch rod ( a great favourite on mine) . Getting snale rolls and such perfected and if you maybe don't have the basics of double rods? In a fairly short window ? Well that's why I suggested that which i did . I have dealt with all the gear no idea anglers in my time as a river keeper / bailiff and got plenty of novices into fish . Simple casts and a bit of cunning goes a long way getting kit the angler can handle is far the more important matter . Snake rolls , casting off both shoulders , clean line lifts etc etc though are paramount to success and prevents a lot of frustration the rest comes in time if the angler gets into it . This is why some beats let the Novice to use spinning methods or fish normally off limit spots and practices etc

I agree - he’d got a single handed rod so can get YouTube out and get in a field and practice before going. All helps.

 

[Bowland blades]

I agree - he’d got a single handed rod so can get YouTube out and get in a field and practice before going. All helps.

A couple of hours with a casting instructor would be so way better! Mind you i don't know how far away you are but if your traveling up to Scotland say ? A day with one at a pre-planned venue with prior google search , perhaps you might make a stop

 

[Cranborne]

Thank you again. I'm in Dorset and planning to fly to Glasgow. I've searched online but there don't seem to be any coaches down here that offer tuition for salmon fishing. I've emailed Mike and asked for his recommendations.