Opening Day 2009

March 1st saw the opening day of the Tamar salmon fishing season. A small gathering took place on the banks of Quarry Pool, and hotel instructors David Pilkington, Tim Smith and Roy Buckingham were joined by a gang of local fly fishers to toast in the new season...


The day was a great excuse to enjoy a glass of bubbly on the riverbank!


A traditional Tamar salmon fly, the Yellow Torrish, was specially tied for the first cast of 2009 by David Pilkington.


The first cast.


Lunchtime saw (very!) spicey soup followed by a proper westcountry feast of pasties and saffron cake.

As expected, no spring salmon were encountered. A few fish were spotted crashing about in Lydfoot, but these were almost certainly kelts. Salmon fishing on the Arundell Arms water will start in earnest in late April and, in the meantime, the lower Tamar beats will be much more likely to produce a tide-bright silver springer.
A fantastic day was nevertheless had by all... here's to making it a yearly event!