Sea Trout 5 3/4 lb ©
The sea trout - the westcountry peal , shoals of smaller school peal and the older spring run version with the nowadays little used name of truff. (It's a new one on me! -Ed.) What are the prospects for fishing for these fascinating and frustrating fish?
The water available to visitors is in two parts:
Totnes weir pool (highlighted in yellow on the map), for which one ticket for sea trout fishing at night is available.
The Church Commissioners' water (highlighted in green) , for which two tickets per night are available.
Additional water (red) is available to members.
Until about five years ago the Dart was enjoying a latter day revival for sea trout, both in terms of number and size of fish. Indeed at around that time the number of fish in excess of 6lbs was the highest recorded in the history of the Association and fish between six and ten pounds were not uncommon. The Association record fish, an exceptional 17lbs plus, was taken in the 2007 season. The record fish for the river was also caught in the 2007 season and measured an amazing 42", which must have rivaled the British record. Both fish were released unharmed.
However, the Dart has not been immune to the slump in sea trout runs that has been seen nationally and this has been particularly the case in relation to school peal whose vast shoals used to carpet the river bead from late June to early September and produce large catches on suitable nights in the glorious setting of South Devon in its quietest summer hours. That having been said, there are still good numbers of fish available, with always the chance of a good fresh fish.
As a conservation measure we now advise the release of fish, especially hens, of over 6lbs. In any case, the smaller fish make better eating! The bag limit is two per night.
Totnes Weir Pool ©
Totnes weir pool is seen as the classic location for spring sea trout fishing and anglers need to be aware of certain features. The most important is that the pool is tidal and fishing is generally only undertaken for a couple of hours or so either side of low tide.
The majority of the wading is safe but is more awkward on the left bank. Waders are essential as is warm and waterproof clothing - some May nights can approach freezing or be very wet.
Visitors should also be aware that the weir pool can be very popular on some nights, so it is advisable to turn up before dark and introduce oneself to the members waiting to fish, who will be pleased to give advice on fishing the pool and local etiquette.
It is advisable to have two outfits set up in advance and ready to use as various parts of the pool become or cease to be available, either by virtue of tide or other anglers.
One outfit should be quite heavy: 10' #7/8 rod, fast sinking line, 10lb leader, large flies. In the earlier part of the season aluminium tubes of up to 3" prove successful on the sinking line. Try Alexandra ( the Dart fly), Stoat or Silver Stoat dressings or your own favourite.
The other outfit can be lighter. A #6/7 9-10' rod, intermediate or floating line, 7lb leader and smaller flies, size 8-6 or small plastic tubes. In addition to the above patterns try Mallard & Claret, Peter Ross, Teal, Blue & Silver. Some reservoir patterns will also take fish.
Caddaford Turn Pool ©
Generally speaking up-river beats, including the Church Commissioners' water will be less busy than Totnes weir pool but even here pools near to access points and the opposite bank in some cases will be more popular and you may be better advised to fish some more distant pool until later in the night when some members will have departed.
In all cases you should recce your intended pools in the daylight and carry a mobile phone and two torches when fishing. To turn up at an unknown stretch of the river in the dusk is to invite disaster!
The lighter outfit mentioned in the section on Totnes weir pool will generally suffice for fishing further up-river, possibly using an intermediate line earlier in the season with higher water levels and a floater as the season progresses and levels fall. This set-up would also be suitable for fishing by day in high and/or coloured water, when peal can be encountered on occasions.
In addition to the fly patterns mentioned in the previous section, surface lures or muddlers, are sometimes effective. The muddler can be fished on a dropper, with a conventional fly on point.
More information on Sea Trout: Atlantic Salmon Trust - Sea Trout Facts (external link)
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