Early September and Chris and his team took their 3 days with everything planned to the nth degree! Food courtesy of a fine lady from Kelso who lodged at the Estate and Barry Mitchell on hand to ensure the river was covered in the right places with the best choices of lines leaders and of course patterns!
I was looking forward to helping out but a severe toothache curtailed my trip and I headed home sadly.
Fishing was once again in a river carrying too much but the fish were definitely running so Barry tried his best to keep people in the right zones where the fish might just hang around long enough to connect. With Christopher and Phil B working down Dead Tree Barry saw fish slip into the pool and suggested they just keep at it because the way of anglers ‘any minute!’ something will happen.. and it did wallop a beauty hit Christopher and a battled ensued with a corking 15lb broad shouldered salmon. Not soon after a shout and Phil had his rod bent over and another very good fish was on. Both were landed who had the largest its not clear but something to dispute over a glass or two eh ? Perhaps Christopher caught the cleaner fish and Phils was bigger …I have no pictures so it will remain a mystery!
The last day Angie a guest arrived and fished really well had a few decent pulls and landed a lovely little grilse. thanks for your email of thanks to the Estate and Barry Mitchell. Yes you are most welcome again in 2020!

Seeing as we are light of a photo or two lets celebrate Barry Nichol who had a few hours after our guests left and had 3 fish on!!! to be capped by landing this magnificent salmon estimated 18-20lb. Thanks for the photo Robert W

The excesses of Kielder releases were beginning to ruin our fishing and eventually it started to ease in time with the visit of Jamie and Barry Mitchell’s gang. The brothers John and Hector Wark enjoyed the new comforts and space of the new extension and refurbished lodge.
Monday early September was going to be a testing time given the disappointment of August huge waters days washed out compounded by 25 cubic Metres per second! of freezing waters for the poor creatures in the Tyne.
Jamie Murray expertly accompanied our local hero Barry Mitchell each devising their own methods and fly choice. John and Hector sharing the fishing above. The team fished hard and then a shout was heard and Jamie was into something substantial a gathering crowd waited and John stepped in to slip the net under a 22lb weighed beauty !

A fine breakfast courtesy of Jamie and the team hit the river again… once again this time in the Willows with Grey Court rods watching another big powerful Tyne Salmon! The kind chaps from Grey Court slipped the net under and another 20lb plus salmon, what a double !!

Cut to Barry Mitchell and not to be outdone he finished the trip with 3! two lovely salmon in the late teens 17lb and 15lb plus a bonus 5lb sea-trout. Unfortunately John W lost two but that’s the roll of the dice in this mad pursuit!

As someone who has worked in the latest software technology and decision making for engineering and operations assets, I might be one of the very few people in the UK who could possibly have the right and knowledge to question the decision by our local water supplier (monopoly) to allow a fierce torrent of epic proportions to make Englands premier Salmon fishing destination virtually unfishable and dangerous to wade???

There are water companies the other side of the planet Ive met that could make way better decisions who even advise European/US  Water businesses …got to ask the question why we sell strategic assets like water its plain nuts, better employ to top UK based engineers scientists and systems people to do it right and sell the expertise we learn globally?
The monitoring , control and decision making is poor. To dump yes dump millions of tonnes of freezing poor (lacking on oxygen) into England’s premier salmon river beggars belief. Who knows what effect this could have had on the invertebrates and larger animals in the system. Sorry to get hot under the collar but they need holding to account. Deep breaths!!

August Ramblings 
Back to the fishing because despite all this lets hear about my friends the people that fish and enjoy the wonderful Tyne !

 

We had some lovely guests in August who got stuck in ! George Upex brought his party into battle with the fierce water , James Bailey and Will Mulholland . They took the lodge fully stocked with provisions fresh meats, Wills eggs , drinks and other to keep them fortified.

Well equipped with beautifully tied Tyne specials and got in and waded in tough conditions. James hit into them early with two lovely grilse. They fished early and as usual rested with Banjo breakfasts at the Lodge a quick nap and well rested back later for more. Will followed up soon after with one of his own ably netted by James. Sure enough as the trip was finishing off James hit home with a very decent Tyne fish estimated at 17lb . Thanks chaps and see you next year !!

June began with Robert W and guests on the river, lovely conditions some gentle pulls but no fish. Tony R hit the beat and shared it with some local rods on day 2 I wandered down and Tony was smiling he had seen some serious action in the willow pool but the fish won the battle and evaded capture, Tony reckoned it was a very decent one. Dom F and Nick took a couple of days guided well by Barry Mitchell we saw fish and Dom experienced some knocks and pulls. his persistence and varying of flies depth and retrieve paid off and he was rewarded with a very fat and fast 12-13lb springer.

Tim Down and his fishing pal Chay Hedger were trying the beat for the first time and the rains decided to hit the valley! The river was basically unfishable sadly and it took until Saturday for their chances to improve Barry Mitchell was on hand to guide and assist. A change in tactics was needed as no fish seemed interested yet we knew plenty were coming into the system. Barry got the guys to fish higher in the water with his own fly choices, Chay hit the jackpot and a lovely fish resulted ….sadly as it glided into the waiting net the line parted company with the hook!
I offered the boys a few hours on Sunday to compensate for the lost fishing and little did I know what was about to happen…. I received a frantic phone call from the guys that one of them had caught a fish believed to be well over thirty pounds. Tim the more experienced had netted the thing having failed with both of the nets and got a large carp net. Chay had his first salmon ! Chay sent the pictures to Fishpal and they immediately recommended Chay put it forwards to the Charles Farlows English Trophy! Well done Chay and good luck!

The guys didn’t have tape measures so photographs were used to measure against all 6’4″ of Chays physique his hand to elbow , face ect. Tim runs a printing business and Chay a successful builder so images were checked carefully using software, experts quizzed (these started at 32lb and up to 37lb, from fishery owners and experienced well travelled rods). . Whatever it weighted (we have estimated its and that sits in our Lodge!) it was returned safely and was without doubt a stunning fish (it does not eclipse Stuart Rose’s stunning 35lb, rods present that day still talk about that capture in Dead Tree ) so that beat record remains.

Latest news Sunday 10th March

In what were exceptionally challenging conditions with a large spate and wild weather our two intrepid Essex anglers Tony Rae and Roger French (Farnley Regulars)  hit the river for two days last week. Day one the river rose probably 3ft ! So the guys hit the bars of Corbridge ready for an early home on Wednesday…

needless to say the river was dropping fast on Wednesday so they headed out with spinning gear and hit all the slack water spots. Nothing seen no pulls not even a measly trout or chub! They took a late lunch warmed up in the lodge and around 4.30 Roger bagged a fresh sea run sea trout! A lovely 2lb beauty he was delighted. Well done ! Tony deserved better luck and really gave it his all, it will happen Tony 2019 could be your year fingers crossed.

Late February

We have had a fish on apparently a decent fresh one at the bottom of the beat Barry N was the lucky or unlucky fisher! It coincides with information from Phil A and his guest the day before that a fairly substantial fish was showing in their stretch. Opposite at Styford its interesting to note their rods trying their hand right at the top of their beat. This tells me that the Fish Pass is not proving a barrier and its anyone’s guest where these early sporadic runs are settling.

We are rather of the opinion (challenging some opinions) that Spring can offer world class opportunities here on the Tyne and experience of 25 years fishing here has resulted in fish in February , March and April. One can understand peoples reticence to ‘give it a go’ when the biggest runs are later in the season. One can counter this with a rather charming email from a long standing rod returning to fish early April this year . “About 15 years ago a lovely chap Stuart Rose in the Dead Tree pool tail had three fish in three casts!! A 36lb Salmon , a 21lb Salmon then ! A Sea Trout of 19lb.” You have to be in it to win it, yes Stuart is a top fisherman but he gets after them and it very patient. Where I ask you in the northern hemisphere bag a catch like that?

Early February

Its been quite the most tropical beginning to our season here in Northumberland. Reports of fish seen throughout the system and a few caught (remember its not always on Fishpal  and as time allows I will try and give you some more local information on the state of play in 2019). As the huge tides currently are running more fish will be moving in and one will guess that as these settle into pools it could be fairly good next week. With the warmth the fish will move up the system and could go a long way up river which is good news for everyone. It is also possible some sea trout will be picked up which is a lovely surprise for the intrepid spring game fisherman. The locals are apparently hitting the river this weekend so lets wish everyone good fortune and hopefully they get lucky!

In early February river came up a few feet with proper rain not snow melt and gradually dropped due to Storm Erik, the temperature is currently perfect for an early cast and this is further highlighted by some fish being seen. Its not clear yet how many came up yesterday Monday the 11th Feb but they crept up. We don’t have any early clients so no doubt some of my friends will be having a go soon. The best times tend to be late morning and later in the afternoon and from experience when the sun is out warming the pools. In past years spring fishing its tended to be the times when all the birds are calling around the river, a few little trout rising and you sense the air warming and hardly expecting anything suddenly your in !! I was lucky to witness this in early April a couple of years back, the fish refused to give up and eventually landed estimated to be 20 pounds. Barry Mitchell our casting coach and guide saw fish popping into the glide above the Willows and suggested perhaps to the students lessons were over please have a fish!!!

We have been working on a variety of projects the principal being our rebuild and repurposing of the creaky old extension. If you want to catch up on this and other estate works go to FriendsOfFarnley . We are going to rebuild some of the access points to pools, strengthen parts of the bank under wear and generally look at what can be done to improve our fishing.
The past month has been a real roller coaster as regards the weather. We enjoyed a rather warm Christmas and most of January until late in the month and early Feb the snows and deep freeze hit us for about 2 weeks. The river had grue on the margins and the lakes were well and truly frozen

I visited the estate and wisely decided to park at the top early Feb with a friend Neil. I managed to slip 3 times in spectacular fashion heading down the road meanwhile he sensibly hugged the roadside and survived the madness.

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Farnley Estate Corbridge Salmon Lodge holds our catch records and the book that couldn’t lie with lots of happy entries or is it entrees !! I greedily approached the lodge a few times in September and was rewarded with a pie here a plate of this and that …..

Cracking lunches aside (if you want catering min 6 people get in touch early )

In truth we had to work for fish and for some days the river seemed dead yet the fish are definitely moving in and some lucky rods have been rewarded. Chris Porters yearly visit was a great success a good few caught including sea trout and a belter of a salmon 16lb on their last day. No pictures but a great trip.

A new team arrived in September a friend of friends here (I think most rods here seem connected in many mysterious ways its a little caring family our crazy quest for the Atlantic Salmon) Richard Rowlands his pals Dr Fred (the Tartan Terror!) who lost two in the dead tree witnessed by myself hiding on the bank really felt for him. Others included Max who got lucky Derrick and George all good fishers and already booked in for 2019! here’s a pic (Richard is on the right ):

 

 

Anthony T and Sheilas Party fared well with John and Lucy getting into them! Two small ones were kept for the table. They had a fab time and thoroughly enjoyed their second trip and have booked already for 2019!!

Robert W QC had a whole week courtesy of John M’s season starting early on the Tweed (he owns Upper Caberston so time was not on his side) . Elk Robert and a team of miscreants hit the beat and had a few albeit not prolific despite their efforts . The fires burnt in the river shelter, laughter was had Peter S and Barry M joined the throng and here is one of Barry’s (excuse the photo!) Danny J shared the spoils and his team had a few also!

 

Dave the Elk was there all week and fresh from a shock to him and all did his sporting best only to lose a couple (dammit).More fish were forthcoming including this one again for the ‘Nicholodian’….(the cap was free apparently :)Robert W got into the act too with some fish but no pics !

A Fabulous few days early September 2018 14 Salmon 1 Grilse and alongside this 11 Sea Trout !

Predictions for a successful Autumn may just be right if recent events carry on.

Ok lets stay calm its not the Kola Peninsula rather its lovely Northumberland(at a tiny fraction of the cost and none of the journey aggro  !) September fired into life with  a great push of water coming through from the South Tyne and probably somewhere in the Caribbean a few days previously. Lets finish the story ‘Its September and… three days with John M and his friends who it seemed were having some tremendous luck. The team hit the river on Monday last week were admittedly expert Tyne anglers (and understand getting up early is a good idea hint.. hint !) ,  one runs a beat on the Tyne for the owners the others have years of know how and tactical savvy. The conditions were excellent nets off at the weekend and a lovely height and colour along with a Spring Tide.

My hopes were high that the there were a substantial amount of Salmon in the Estuary that with any good fresh water could be freed from their plight and make their lives most important journey upriver. I’d been to Wylam a few times a week earlier and witnessed fish jumping at the bridge but not a lot heading upstream and its very likely these would have slipped back into the tidal reaches to wait for fresher water.

Then it happened a big run  !! Texts just kept pinging and arriving in London with pictures of their captures and excitement abounding. Tuesday they hit the river again very early and were rewarded until a few hours passed and a large spate washed away any more fishing. I hear although I cannot confirm that there were celebrations afoot on Tuesday and they enjoyed Newcastle and all it offers! Wednesday was a repeat of Monday plenty of pulls and fish on, the fishy texts flying around , breakfast a good one in the Angel in Corbridge then back to the mayhem!! Here are some of the boys captures with only one small grilse taken all the rest were returned to fight another day and help the stocks recover well done indeed!

Well done and yes your welcome back again in 2019 to Farnley Estate Corbridge.

The huge haul was a up to 16lb estimated weight ( all credit to John Mumsey, Glyn Hall and Graham Lawson )