We got a call from Paul Bullimore about some fishing he had just leased for chalkstream salmon fishing. Were we interested in coming over? You bet we were!
Heading over to Dorset there were a few things that I wanted to get straight in my head. Firstly, do many people fish for salmon on chalkstreams and secondly how do you do it?
I fish the spate rivers of Devon and occasionally Scotland where I understand why a fish will want to move up the river and where it might hold if the conditions are not right for it to continue its progress upstream. I couldn’t really work out why or where chalkstream salmon might be caught so I was on my way to find out.
Arriving at the Frome I hopped out of the car and had a look into the river. It immediately struck me that stealth would play a big part in being able to present a fly in the traditional down and across manner.
My host, Paul arrived and told me about the stretches of Frome that he had taken the lease on. The whole process had taken some good old fashioned door knocking, a lot of research and some heavy negotiation.
Despite all of this it sounded like it had been worthwhile and Paul is now the proud tenant of two varied and interesting beats of the Frome that he quickly filled with season day rods.
He decided to take me to the bottom section of his water, electing to rig up a spinning rod. It is easy to get all stuffy about the fly being superior but to be honest I don’t care a bit. If it works and it is within the rules then I have no problems with it and on seeing the river I can see why a spinning rod makes sense. In some of the more open sections it would be hard to present a fly in a traditional down and across manner without spooking any of the inhabitants of a crystal clear pool. By sending a Mepps upstream you have more chance of finding out who is home and, better still, getting a fish to bite.
The beat is a series of slow meandering turns through farmland that made me feel as though it was a lot longer than it is probably quoted.
As we walked to one of Paul's favourite spots I asked him how salmon enter the river and what makes them head upstream. His reply made perfect sense. Salmon start to enter the river and as more arrive they force the previous fish further up. A sort of musical chairs.
In hindsight it isn’t that different from what we experience on spate rivers just that the fish in these rivers prefer a rise in water levels to continue upstream.
Paul also felt that the weed that gives the fish something to hide amongst had been scoured out at the very lowest stretches of the river during winter which meant as they entered the Frome they were more likely to move up a little further to find more sheltered accommodation.
There is nothing like having to try and catch a fish with someone standing next to you with a camera. I have done it many times and the best advice I give is just ignore them and do what you usually do.
The sun was high and burning bright when we arrived at the spot Paul wanted to fish. I could see why he wanted to. It had a slight bend that must have a deeper spot for a fish to hold and the bank gave much needed shelter from the bright rays of the sun.
Paul did exactly what he usually does. It only took five casts and he was in to a fish. A bright, silver salmon of around 10lb. I snapped away as he skilfully played and landed the fish. He quickly took off his boots and socks and released the fish.
We walked the rest of the beat talking and making a few casts. Paul is excellent company and a knowledgeable angler too.
It was getting really hot so we decided to grab a quick sandwich and head to the upper beat. I kept my waders on and did some shopping in the small supermarket. Nobody even blinked.
The upper section looked more familiar through my eyes as a trout angler. It is a fairly typical piece of chalksteam that appears a lot shallower and more wadeable than where we fished in the morning. A lone mayfly set the scene but we were still after salmon.
This time Paul set up his double handed fly rod with a sink tip and favourite tube fly. We walked and fished. We both watched as a sea trout came out of the sanctuary of some weed to hit the fly and after being briefly attached it came off. Paul moved another sea trout that this time was more cautious.
It was seriously hot and incredibly bright and I think we both knew that we had seen the best of the fishing unless we hung around until the sun was off of the water. I would have love to have but couldn’t and so headed back to Devon.
The fishing he has leased is varied and on reflection I’d say seriously varied. You can fish for salmon with fly or spinner. There are sea trout, trout, grayling and also on the lowest section I saw some serious sized mullet that if I had the time there I’d love to have a crack at too. It is run as a fair, friendly syndicate at a price that makes it affordable for all sizes of pocket.
Chalkstream salmon fishing is something that a lot of people don’t probably ever consider but there is a small band of skilled anglers plying their trade and catching fish that has me thinking that it is something worth consideration.
Paul has filled his syndicate but has occasional day rods that are available. Contact him HERE