Nutmegged by a salmon

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Went trout fishing on the west dart, hexworthy up to the swincombe and then up that. Hard going, not much rising and not to many takers fishing blind in good places. Managed 2 on each river, best being a.10" on an Adams irresistible. Both swincombe fish were on the nymph from pots.

I must have seen 8 salmon on the west dart, those I stumbled on. Some fairly hefty fish too. When spooked they would rush around skittishly not seemingly knowing where to go. One kept buzzing me for five minutes. I thought it had gone until I was slapped on the inside of each ankle as it went under me! Made me yelp in surprise. Glad no one saw I must have looked a right twit. Lord knows how many there were that I did not see, I didn't get a full view of every pool.

Fairly sure I flushed out 3 sea trout too from the banks while edging my way along.

Having now crossed the swincombe off the list I can't say I'd go back. Hardly any water worth fishing and I've fished some tree strewn ditches in my time.

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Pics of west dart and swincombe trout, hopefully in that order.

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Sorry, other way around now

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[JB]

Sounds like you had to work hard for those fish, did you get up much beyond the Swincombe confluence? There's a cracking pool on a bend not far from the remains of the bridge.

I ran into a couple of anglers downstream of Hexworthy Bridge as they were coming off the water and I was waiting for darkness, sounded like they had a tough time of it too and with less success. I've only fished the Swincombe once myself, and that was in a spate when there was a bit more water coming through.

Most importantly, I think it's time to break out the #8 and tin of tubes...

[rubble]

No, just up the swincombe and back to the car at hexworthy. The whole river is full of great lies and it is hard to move on sometimes and make any progress. Let us know how u get on with your night missions. Tight lines

[JB]

I've managed two night time beauties, both about 3lbs I reckon, as one was longer and leaner than the other. Maybe 2.5 but I'm going with 3. ;D

I feel like I've learnt so much in this first year, and I can see how many rookie mistakes I made at the beginning. I do fancy a crack at the Salmon in September though, and it sounds like they're ready for me now. To complete the holy Dartmoor trinity of Brown on a dry, Peal at night, and Salmon off a floating line all in the same season would be an absolute dream.

Will you be able to make the Sunday meet up there? Or fancy a Friday chuck at some Sea Trout? - conditions look decent, much better than Saturday when I'm booked in down on the Fowey.