Salmon angling on the Blackwater has been very poor so far this month despite the fact that many fisheries have enjoyed perfect river conditions.
Salmon do not seem to have come into the system since the commercial season closed, or during the high water that prevailed during July, which does not bode well for August or indeed September if the Autumn runs do not materialise.
Yesterday a couple of UK anglers at Fortwilliam made there own luck and caught and released two double figure salmon 14lb, and fishery manager Paul Whelan had fish of about 8 or 9lb. Hopefully this is the start of some better fishing on the river.
Water level is just above normal with a slight beery tinge at the time of writing.