Well what can I say, after big spring tides and a rise in water levels I was determined to try and catch that elusive February Spring Salmon on our stretch of the Whiteadder.
We have tried hard over the last few seasons in February without any success but I knew when everything came together with water levels, weather conditions and tides there had to be one or two fish making there way into the system.
I think the real key to success is putting the hours in and being very determined. After all, the spring salmon they say is a fish of 10,000 casts.
Adam Radwan, professional rugby player for Newcastle falcons as a winger. He was the lucky man to make his dream come true.
Iv taken Adam on over the last few seasons and he has turned into a superb fly fisherman and became a very good friend.
He caught his first salmon and sea trout on the fly with me last season but his real dream was the Elusive Spring Salmon.
Everything came good for Adam in the tail of the gorge. Armed with his single handed Sage Sonic 10Ft Fly Rod and one of my spring shrimp patterns fishing is very fast through the deep tail. A silver bar appeared from the depths and rolled over his fly subsurface.
We were both in shock, he lifted the rod and we were connected to this magnificent fish!!! A moment I won’t forget. The fight lasted for a good 10minutes and the salmon made an incredible appearance of itself. Jumping, cork screwing under the water and taking one or two incredible runs downstream.
Finally we slid the net under this magnificent creature and both shouted at the top of voice!! It was a moment of Joy, we did it!! Not only did Adam land the first spring salmon for our season in February, but it’s officially the first spring salmon of the River Whiteadder for 2023 and landed on a ‘Trout rod’
A beautiful fish, around the 10Ib mark covered in sea lice. A few quick photos followed and the fish was released back into the water to carry on with its incredible journey!!!
A massive congratulations to Adam Radwan.
There’s not many places in the UK where you can fish for Spring Salmon on a trout rod and see the fish take, truly amazing!!!
A great start to out Spring! With a fully booked guiding diary we are very excited to see what comes over the next few months.
If you want to experience fishing like this, send us a email via our contact form and we will do our best to make your dreams come true.
Tightlines all. James Armstrong
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