Autumn Salmon's Return
Shooting Times & Country|October 30, 2019
Large-scale commercial fishing in the ’70s largely put an end to fresh autumn salmon but Arthur Oglesby’s perseverance was rewarded.
Arthur Oglesby
Autumn Salmon's Return

There are few salmon anglers who think seriously of good sport in the autumn months. Spring is the traditional time for salmon, and as the season progresses the resident fish tend to become stale and potted and are better left in the river to fulfil their primary task of species generation.

On a beat of the Lune, for instance, where I have access throughout the season, I cared little for the backend fishing and usually reckoned to return most of the late September and October fish I caught there. There was not much in the way of a genuine autumn run and I have rarely encountered fresh-run fish at this time of the year on any river other than the Tweed.

It has been noteworthy of late, however, that many of our rivers are showing a decline in stocks of spring fish. Much of this has been attributed to over-netting on the high seas and there can be no doubt that the Danes, with their fantastic catches off Greenland, must be robbing the salmon-producing countries.

Much is going on behind the scenes to persuade the Danes to stop this piracy. The fact that they made some concessions in 1970 is more or less acknowledged as pure ‘whitewash’ on their part, for it is not designed to curtail their catch at all.

If spring fish are becoming scarcer, however, there is evidence to indicate that this is, in some part, due to a change of cycle on the part of the salmon. Admittedly their spawning season has not changed but commercial catches have been hitting their peaks much later in the year than was apparent even five years ago.

False picture

Esta historia es de la edición October 30, 2019 de Shooting Times & Country.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición October 30, 2019 de Shooting Times & Country.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE SHOOTING TIMES & COUNTRYVer todo
United we stand
Shooting Times & Country

United we stand

Following United Utilities' decision to end grouse shooting on its land, Lindsay Waddell asks what will happen if we ignore our vital moors

time-read
5 minutos  |
August 02, 2023
Serious matters
Shooting Times & Country

Serious matters

An old gamebook prompts a contemplation on punt-gunning

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 02, 2023
They're not always as easy as they seem
Shooting Times & Country

They're not always as easy as they seem

While coneys of the furry variety don't pose a problem for Blue Zulu, he's left frustrated once again by bolting bunnies of the clay sort

time-read
5 minutos  |
August 02, 2023
Debutant gundogs
Shooting Times & Country

Debutant gundogs

There's lots to think about when it comes to making the decision about when to introduce your dog to shooting

time-read
4 minutos  |
August 02, 2023
When the going gets rough
Shooting Times & Country

When the going gets rough

Al Gabriel returns to the West London Shooting School to brush up on his rough shooting technique

time-read
5 minutos  |
August 02, 2023
The Field Guide To British Deer - BDS 60th Anniversary Edition
Shooting Times & Country

The Field Guide To British Deer - BDS 60th Anniversary Edition

In this excerpt from the 60th anniversary edition of the BDS's Field Guide To British Deer, Charles Smith-Jones considers the noise they make

time-read
4 minutos  |
August 02, 2023
A step too far?
Shooting Times & Country

A step too far?

Simon Garnham wonders whether a new dog, a new gun and two different fields in need of protection might have been asking too much for one afternoon's work

time-read
6 minutos  |
August 02, 2023
Two bucks before breakfast
Shooting Times & Country

Two bucks before breakfast

A journey from old South London to rural Hertfordshire to stalk muntjac suggests that the two aren't as far detached as they might seem

time-read
6 minutos  |
August 02, 2023
Stalking Diary
Shooting Times & Country

Stalking Diary

Stalkers can be a sentimental bunch, and they often carry a huge attachment to their hill

time-read
2 minutos  |
August 02, 2023
Gamekeeper
Shooting Times & Country

Gamekeeper

Alan Edwards believes unique, private experiences can help keepers become more competent and passionate custodians of the countryside

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 02, 2023