Salmon Fishing with Julian Shaw: Success on the River Eden

Location: River Eden @ Armathwaite Beat: Lower House River level: 1ft 2in with a little colour after the snow melt the previous days. Tackle Used Rod: New Guideline 9ft 6in 5-15gm LPXE Microwave. More power than I expected for playing a fish; I was really impressed. Reel: Shimano Technium FD Spinning Reel 4000 Lure: Black and Silver 11gm Silver Bullet, with one hook off the treble removed and the remaining two de-barbed (it catches and releases much easier) Waders: Snowbee Geo 5 Waders and Boots I arrived at 6.30am and a fish showed straight away in the bathing pool. Yet I fished through with no response. I decided to drive down to the Linky pool at about 8.30 and at 9 o' clock, bingo! I had hooked a fish. I landed it by 9.10; it was sea liced and an absolute cracker - about 10lb in the weigh net. After taking a quick snap I then held the fish in the upstream position in the net and slid it out slowly. It took off up the river at speed, another safe catch and release. I took a break and sat in the fishing hut overlooking the river and had a bite to eat. At 11am the grannom and olives were hatching off, so I set up a 4 weight trout rod with a couple of spiders and a GRHE bead. There was a strong downstream wind which was a bit of a problem, but I caught a salmon Smolt, who I hope to meet again in three years time. I also caught some salmon and trout Parr and a couple of 3/4lb brownies, all on the GRHE in 2-3ft of water. Top Tip: If fish are not rising, it doesn’t mean they are not feeding - go deep. Good luck to you on your next fishing trip, I am available for advice Thurs-Sun 01768864211 for any advice you may need. P.S. Snowbee Geo waders are still going well...how have I managed to fish all these years without the convenience of a ZIP….!!!