Its been a curious summer so far in respect of the enduring heatwave and the abundance of sea-trout. Many years ago I used to watch them feeding off Alnmouth and I’m guessing that the good weather has meant sandeels, prawns and crabs in abundance. Perhaps its easier for them to ambush the sandeels with their body buried and heads keeping watch at the low tide marks?
I’ve a theory that the fish pass is a barrier to larger fish coming through during low conditions. This might be why we’ve has a lot of grilse coming through and lots of sea trout above the Riding Mill pass. Salmon just don’t like their backs to be uncovered,someone with a great deal more know how that me has measured water heights needed on a certain weir in the Tyne and found that a minimum of 8″ is needed to let the salmon to make their spectacular moves across and above Wylam. With this in mind perhaps some modifications are needed in future to ensure that upper beats get a fair share of the runs when they are happening?

Our very latest friends are on the water as I write Danny, Eddie and Decca. Their first day was exhausting a very early start and nothing doing, however Danny managed a lovely 4lb bar of silver sea trout.They kindly let Barry N have a few hours in the evening and he was rewarded with a super 10lb salmon! Today they had perhaps cooler conditions and the important colder night which resulted in a lovely Grilse for Eddie, he was delighted and shared his fish with us here :

At the beginning of the week Neil W and his pals started really well with a lovely grilse 4-5Lb and despite really trying everything that was it sadly. They enjoyed the trip and as experienced Tyne rods are back in October to make amends!
Finally our trusty gang lead by Mark B, Robert W and John started with intent and 2 Grilse were landed ! I don’t have the sizes but well done indeed. It was a change of tactics following some intel from Bywell that brought the success. Robert W wrapped it up with a lovely sea trout destined for a fine meal with his friends: