Rounding off the season

 

Stepping Stones

My 2026 season drew to a close with four days on the Ure in glorious autumn weather, bathed in golden light.  On three of the days the water was below optimal height, while on the other we suffered a small muddy spate that precluded fishing.  The water temperature was a perfect 12-13C throughout.  Nevertheless, I found the beauty of the surroundings and the company of my guests supremely relaxing and satisfying.  It was a delightful way to end the season.

Yorkshire autumn silver

Despite the disadvantageous water levels, the first day delivered my best salmon of the season, a shining hen of 16 lbs in perfect condition.  Such fish have a value 'beyond rubies', because they provide the solid foundation for the population.  Joint Norwegian - Finnish - Swedish research has shown that these large hens produce a disproportionate percentage of the smolts that go to sea.  Owing to their size they expend the least energy in reaching spawning; dig and cover the best redds; lay the most eggs; and sustain invaluable genes.  We must therefore handle them with exceptional care to ensure they survive to complete their mission.

I also caught a cock fish later the same day that while fit was in much less perfect condition, showing substantial mass depreciation of perhaps 3-4 lbs, or about 15-18% of his at sea weight.  Although slightly longer than the hen (measured to the nostril/bone line, not the kype), he was very obviously slimmer and lighter.  The same research shows that male size is less critical in breeding success, but bigger males are often more successful at securing and keeping a larger hen.  Interestingly, both fish were caught from the same lie, little more than 15' from the water's edge.

Hut Pool tail looking upstream
The double taking fish was lying about 4' off
the small stones in the centre foreground

Over the days my guests and I had several takes that we failed to convert.  On the last day my delightful guest lost one about 10 minutes before he had to finish in order to take his wife out to dinner, which was both sad and fortunate.  One of my misses was unusual: the pattern of behaviour suggests it may have been a territorial cock fish.  The take came in an established lie close to the left bank towards the tail of Hut Pool.  I hadn't expected a salmon to be in residence at this reduced water level, although there was still a good 3' or more there.  After a firm tug, a kick and a head shake the hook came free.  Following a little cursing, I started to strip in to recast, holding the rod in my left hand in preparation for a double Spey.  After 3-4 feet he came again with a sharp jerk, but the hook didn't lodge securely.  This is often a problem when fishing with small flies in low clear water. When cock fish chase flies and take them end on without turning back towards a lie, you are trying to get a hook hold at the front end of a curved kype with a small hook, perhaps a #10 or #12, which is a real challenge.  A decade and more ago I had a cock fish do a similar double take, which I missed, but when I recast he took for a third time and the hook held.  Sadly this fish didn't come back for a third attempt.  The other lesson to take from this experience was that we should never be surprised by how close to the bank salmon may lie if the conditions are suitable for them.

Looking back across the season, missed fish have been a consistent feature on all the rivers I fished,  In total it was probably 12-15, although a substantial proportion of those were grilse, as is so often the case.  I certainly had the chances, so I've got no grounds for complaint.  Despite landing only 6 salmon over the season - the sort of number I used to catch in a day on the Ure 15 years ago -  I'm not disappointed, quite the reverse.  It may be the effect of advancing years, but I end this season content and relaxed, having fished a selection of rivers large and small, and enjoyed the challenges each presented.  Above all I have rejoiced in the company of the people with whom I shared the fishing, friends I've known for almost 60 years and those I met for the first time alike.  A pleasure shared is indeed a pleasure squared.

I've used my full armoury of rods from 14' 6" down to 9' 6" and I enjoyed using all of them.  Not only do they fish well, they all deliver real pleasure.  The 13' 6" XO is still as 'Yar' as when I first used it on the Conon in 2019; after 11 seasons the 11' 6" Tool's capacity for entertainment remains undimmed; the 14' 6" Hero is a great big-river all-rounder in an economy package, in its element with sinking lines (and especially the outstanding Rio GameChanger system); and the 12' 8" XO is a match made in heaven for the Findhorn and Ure.  I have neither urge or incentive to change anything.  I shall nonetheless endeavour to write a Christmas Stocking post this year.

Now everything is stowed for the winter, with rods up in the loft and tackle in the GFC at the top of the stairs.  The reels were all cleaned, dried, lightly serviced and lubricated (there's almost nothing to do with a Danielsson) and their drags slackened to minimum.  The shooting kit has emerged from hibernation to take its place.  I've undergone coaching and practice, and I'm ready for my first day, now less than a week distant.  Amber's walks have included dummy work for the past 6 weeks, so she's ready to go.  There is indeed a season for everything.