New Member Advice

[bryantp]

I am a new member and also new to river fishing in the UK. Any help on a few queries below will be appreciated.
1. Seasons. From the existing posts it looks like only browns at the moment - is that right? When can we reasonably expect to start targeting Salmon & Sewin?
2. Any obvious good places to catch the first one on the river for someone who doesn't know the river at all?
3. General tactics for this time of year?
thanks a lot
Paul

[sewinangler]

Hi Paul,

To answer your questions:

1. The season for Brown Trout is 3rd March to 30th September. The season for Salmon and migratory trout (Sewin) is from 1st April to 17th October. All Salmon, whether dead or alive must be returned to the river if caught before June 16th.

When can you reasonably expect to target Salmon and Sewin? There's probably one or two fish in the system already. However, their arrival isn't dictated by the dates that the EA set for the season. I would suggest from May onwards, given favourable conditions and a bit of water, will see the sewin start to run in earnest with June and July being the optimum. Although some salmon arrive in the system in the early part of the season, I would suggest it's after July and particularly from the end of August that your chances of a salmon would be best.

2. Keep your eye on the tides and your ear to the ground. Fish might appear on any tide and start to populate the lower river. Merthyr Mawr or lower are the areas to target. Later on in the season, the town stretch and Wildmill.

3. Tie flies ;D You'll need plenty to replace the ones you'll lose in the trees and snags.

[sewinfly]

Sewinangler,

Salmon and migratory trout (Sewin) April 1st
I printed the EA By Laws off the internet March 20th is stated for any other rivers in Wales unless stated.?
I mentioned this to TUNIWES unless I read it wrong as I always thought it was April 1st as well.

sewinfly..............

[sewinangler]

I know some rivers are March 20th (the Neath is one of them). I took the dates from the Association rules, section 5:

5. Restrictions on taking fish
1) The season for Brown Trout is 3 rd March to 30 th September inclusive.
2) The season for Salmon and migratory trout (Sewin) will be from 1 st April to
17 th October inclusive when all members shall abstain from fishing.
3) No Salmon to be kept before the sixteenth day of June each year.
4) All unseasonable fish must be returned to the water dead or alive.
5) The maximum number of fish taken on any day shall be four; of this total, a
maximum of two brown trout may be kept. No more than four Salmon or
Seatrout to be kept in any sevenday
period. The Company promotes and
endorses fishing with barbless hooks.
6) The minimum sizes for which fish can be kept, when measured from the snout
to the fork of the tail are as follows:
Brown Trout 10 inches (254mm)
Salmon and Seatrout 14 inches (355mm)
7) Any fish smaller than this must be returned to the water dead or alive.
8) Any fish caught on waters controlled by the Company shall not be sold or
exposed for sale.

I'd much prefer it to be March 20th as well! ;D ;D ;D

[sewinfly]

I should of quoted the OAA BY LAWS as well Alun. at the same time for the club water.
Which you have to follow.

sewinfly........

[bryantp]

Thanks guys, will keep tying as suggested and try for a few browns for now!