First cast

4 min read

What’s happening in the world of game-fishing

FEELING THE HEAT

With drought and record hot temperatures afflicting much of the UK (and the world) for the last two summers, anglers have been reminded they should cease fishing when the water temperature reaches 20 deg C and should take great care of fish at temperatures above 18 deg C; instead, go fishing in the early morning or late evening when the water is cooler.

Natural Resources Wales has asked anglers to use a thermometer and says that “fish should be kept wet at all times and should not be removed from the water to be weighed or photographed”.

In Scotland, the River Tweed Foundation is trialling equipment it hopes will provide live updates on water temperatures in 2024. It is also seeking to reduce abstraction from rivers by arguing for farm storage of winter rainfall and trickle irrigation of crops. The picture, right, shows the low water level of the Tweed at Cornhill in June.

A report by the River Dee Trust on high water temperatures experienced last year in Aberdeenshire reveals that at 20 of 33 monitoring sites temperatures exceeded 23 deg C, the level at which juvenile fish stop growing, reducing their chance of survival when they smolt and migrate to the North Atlantic. Hence the importance of nationwide tree-planting projects undertaken by rivers trusts and fishery boards that seek to provide shading along riverbanks.

As worrying is a rise in sea water temperature, up to 5% above average off the north-east coast this spring and early summer. Its affects on fish are not yet known.

MAPS, ATOLLS AND A BBQ

The annual WildFish online auction takes place from September 4-24. You’ll need deep pockets for the star lots, but there is plenty of affordable day-ticket fishing on the southern chalkstreams as well as wild rivers from the West Country to Scotland.

Items that caught our eye are a personalised hand-drawn map of the Test or Itchen (guide price £800) and a dinner for 12 with wine tasting at the River Café in London (£8,000). Or how about fishing and a barbecue for ten rods at East Lodge on the River Itchen in the company of river campaigner Feargal Sharkey (£5,000)?

Exotic fishing includes seven days for two among the Alphonse atolls in the Seychelles (£20,000) or three days for one rod on the River Laxa I Kjos in Iceland (£3,300).

Something special closer to home is a day for two rods at Bossington on the River Test (£700), pictured.

WildFish tackles many of the biggest problems facing trout and salmon on our behalf. To support its fight against fish farming, over-abstraction and pollution, make your bids online at wildfish.org