Salmon Fishing On River Nith

Spent Tuesday to Friday this week chasing salmon on the River Nith back up at Friars Carse. Set up was an Orvis Clearwater 14' 9# and a Hydros SL reel loaded with a an Orvis Hydros Spey Line with a fast sink poly leader and short tippet ending in my go to pattern for the last 3 years a gold Willie Gunn.

River was dropping back very slowly and had just a touch of colour but just right for the fly.

Started at top of the beat on the Farm Pool, quiet a tight run to start then opens out, a good solid pull resulted in a nice fat dish just a slight hint of colour on its back, it looked really clean BUT if my measurements are correct it was 33 inches long which would have put it at about 15.5lb and it just didn't feel this heavy, so I'm putting it down as a very well mended Kelt just to be on the safe side. Had another strong pull in this pool but didn't stay on.

Riding Stone produced nothing same with the Island but Policemans came up with the goods, same set up but this time a good fish of around 13lb.

River continued to drop over the next few days with a few fish seen throughout the beat. Last couple of hours on the Island Pool before I headed for home produced a thumping take only for the fish to sit there and just keep shaking his head before finally spitting the hook, shame it appeared to be a big fish, but still there is always next time - well 10 days time actually.

 #FriarsCarseCountryHouseHotel #CheshireFlyFishing #OrvisUk #Orvisendorsedguide #OrvisBakewell #OrvisTarporley #Getwild #Chasingsilver #mylifeoutdoors

For more photos and fishing course information visit us on our Facebook page Cheshire Fly Fish or web site www.cheshireflyfishing.co.uk or follow us on Twitter